Joint Project „de.NBI – Partner: de.STAIR“

Research focuses on RNA-Seq analysis, to develop best practices and user-friendly workflows for processing and integrating gene expression data as well as to provide assistance for experiment design, analysis and interpretation. The variety of RNA-Seq study designs and characteristic properties of studied organisms greatly affect bioinformatics analysis. As part of the RNA Bioinformatics center (RBC), which supports all RNA-related research within de.NBI, 

de.STAIR summarizes the expertise of three participating laboratories to develop and maintain an flexible RNA-Seq analysis workbench for different RNA-Seq protocols, to be used locally or in a cloud environment as provided by the open source Galaxy platform for biomedical research. In addition, de.STAIR provides workshops, training programs and screencasts for experts and non-experts to lower the barriers to RNA-Seq data analysis.

Mapping the indirect p53 gene regulatory network

Research focuses on dissecting gene regulatory networks that control the cell cycle and functions of the tumor suppressor p53. For example, the transcription factor p53 serves as a central suppressor of tumor progression. It controls cell proliferation and apoptosis by regulating a plethora of target genes. However, it is not clear how p53 regulates many of its target genes, what factors besides p53 itself are necessary for up or downregulation and what their regulation contributes to a normal or cancer cell. Our incomplete picture of the molecular basis of p53-dependent gene regulation remains a critical gap to our overall understanding of tumor suppression.