Paeschke Group

The Paeschke group focuses its research on secondary DNA and RNA structures called G-quadruplex (G4). G4s are highly conserved in higher eukaryotes and enriched at functional genomic locations. The Paeschke laboratory is interested in the implications of G4 structures during the immune response, cellular stress, ageing and senescence and the overall interaction with G-quadruplex-binding proteins and the contribution to genome stability.

There are a number of research topics currently investigated in our laboratory.
We aim to reveal the function and regulation of G4 structures during Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) of DNA breaks. We do have first indications of a connection of G4-triggered NER and skin cancer development.
We are analysing the impact of DNA and RNA helicases on G4 formation during the cellular stress response caused by infection or environmental changes. Special interest is the characterization of the helicase DHX36 function during viral stress.
We pursuit several projects exploring the contribution of G4 structure for the innate immune response. How does the cellular G4 landscape changes during inflammation and does this in turn triggers an immune response.
Members of the Paeschke laboratory also investigate viral G4s and how are they sensed by the host cell.
Finally, G4s are also present at telomeres, where they were first described and functionally analyzed by Katrin Paeschke in 2005. The Paeschke laboratory aims to determine G4-associated telomerase function within the genome and its contribution to genome stability and aging.