Group Prof. Dr. Zoya Ignatova

Research

Our group is interested in the fundamental mechanisms by which various factors, e.g. aging, environmental stress, (genetic) mutations, affect the molecular properties of the proteins, their biosynthesis and folding fidelity and induce various disease states. We apply a broad spectrum of experimental approaches including biophysical, biochemical, cell biology and systems biology approaches.
Current areas of research include:

• Role of the speed of mRNA translation on protein structure and function
• Integration of translation machinery with cellular response and adaptation to environmental and physiological challenges
• Impact of aging and disease-causing mutations on the translation fidelity and proteostasis
• Tissue-specific aspects of translation and the link to the tissue-specificity of various pathologies