RNA- and DNA-guided interference in prokaryotes
My group investigates catalytic and signal transduction processes in bacteria and archaea. We aim to use mechanistic insights for a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from biotechnology to gene therapy. Since 2008, we revealed several key features of CRISPR, an RNA-guided adaptive immune system in prokaryotes (Cascade, Cas9, Cpf1). Recently we discovered that a prokaryotic Argonaute is responsible for DNA-guided DNA interference.
Keywords
Bacteria & archaea / mesophiles & thermophiles / prokaryotic anti-virus defense systems / CRISPR / Argonaute