Group Lennart Randau

Our group investigates the functionality of small non-coding RNA molecules in archaeal and bacterial model organisms. One focus of our research is placed on small RNAs that guide protein complexes to complementary target sites. The studied ribonucleoproteins include (i) antiviral defense machineries (CRISPR-Cas) and (ii) complexes that facilitate modification of target RNA molecules (C/D box sRNPs). We apply a combination of biochemical (RNA-seq), microbiological and synthetic biology approaches to obtain a mechanistic understanding of these processes and to obtain insights into their evolution.