Tobias Ragoczy

Interplay between nuclear organization and gene expression during cellular differentiation. Using the murine beta-globin gene locus during erythroid differentiation as a model system, I am interested in determining why and how the locus relocates from the nuclear periphery to the interior. What are the sequence requirements and molecular mechanisms driving the reorganization events?

Nuclear organization and gene expression studies during erythroid differentiation in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Groudine. Using 3D DNA and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated that regulatory elements influence positioning of gene loci relative to their chromosome territory, as well as inactive and active subnuclear compartments. By example of the murine beta-globin locus revealed that the mammalian nuclear periphery is not exclusively repressive but also allows gene expression.

Diplomarbeit / Thesis project: Regulation and function of the Epstein-Barr Virus immediate-early transactivator Rta during the disruption of viral latency.

Erasmus Austausch/exchange. Senior Honors thesis project: Isolation of and stability assays on the aspartic protease Cardosin (from thistle flowers) in anhydrous organic solvents and development of a monophasic organic systems for (di)-peptide synthesis.

Erasmus Austausch/exchange. Kurse in Biotechnologie / Coursework in biotechnology.