Applied Epigenetics and RNA Biology

Molecular mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches 
- Parasitology, Virology and Cancer

Welcome to the Längst Laboratory websites
The Längst Group investigates the mechanisms and dynamics of packaging eukaryotic and viral genetic material into chromatin and the latter's function in disease processes. This research includes human chromatin, the genetic packaging of Adenovirus, and chromatin structure dynamics in pathogens causing Malaria and Leishmaniosis.
Furthermore, we study the functional roles of non-coding RNAs in nuclear architecture and gene regulation, with a particular focus on RNA-DNA triple helix formation as a mechanism of sequence specific gene targeting. Our long-term goal is to translate these principles into innovative, RNA-guided gene therapy strategies enabling precise and
programmable control of disease-associated genes.