3D genome expert to establish new research group at CPR

The Protein Memory Program is expanding with a second research group. The new group leader is Nils Krietenstein who is currently a postdoc at University of Massachusetts Medical School. Here he has worked with world leading chromatin biologists in the lab of Oliver J. Rando to generate high resolution maps of the 3D organization of mammalian genomes.

Hunt for molecular blueprint of cell memory
At CPR Nils Krietenstein’s new group will build on his novel methodologies to investigate which mechanisms drive the three-dimensional (3D) organization of the genome within cells.

“In every cell division these 3D structures are resolved. We are going to ask how information is transmitted through cell divisions and serves as a blueprint to faithfully reconstruct these 3D structures in every daughter cell. In other words, we are looking to identify the molecular nature of these “memory” factors,” Nils Krietenstein explains.

Plenty of collaboration opportunities
Research Director for the Protein Memory Program Anja Groth sees Nils Krietenstein’s expertise in chromatin biochemistry and 3D genome organization as highly complementary to current research in the program.

“Nils’ research program is exciting and innovative with a strong focus on technology development, and I expect him and his team will provide major advances in our understanding of the principles that govern chromatin fiber folding and how this translate into 3D genome organization and regulation,” says Anja Groth.

Nils Krietenstein is looking forward to meeting all his new colleagues in a few months.

“CPR has an amazing scientific environment with opportunities for numerous collaborations, as there are lots of chromatin-centric questions linked to post-translational modifications (PTMs) and in the fields of DNA replication and DNA damage which will be intriguing to look at from a 3D genome centric view,” he says.