Functional consequences of body temperature-controlled alternative splicing

Prof. Dr. Florian Heyd

November 24, 2025

In our work, we address the fundamental question of how alternative splicing regulates cellular function and identity. Our main model is body temperature-controlled alternative splicing, e.g. in a circadian setting, in ageing, during an immune response with fever or in clinically used thermotherapies such as hyperthermia as adjuvant cancer treatment. In previous work, we have identified hundreds of alternative splicing events that react extremely sensitive to temperature changes in the body temperature range. We have also identified cellular temperature sensors that control these splicing events and have started to address functional consequences for selected events (see for example, Preussner et al., Mol Cell (2017); Haltenhof et al., Mol Cell (2020); Preussner et al., Embo Mol Med (2023). However, for the vast majority of body temperature-controlled alternative splicing events, the functionality remains unknown. To enable functional characterization of alternative splicing events, we have established ASO and Crispr-dCasRx approaches that allow selective inclusion or exclusion of alternative exons. With these tools in hand, we now aim to address the functionality of selected alternative splicing events in cell culture and in vivo models that relate to the conditions mentioned above. Project ideas focusing on basic science are welcome, as are projects with a translation perspective.

We offer state-of-the-art lab space and equipment, a curiosity-driven, collaborative and inclusive lab culture and personal supervision.

You should have a strong background in molecular biology, especially RNA work, and eukaryotic cell culture. While the project is primarily a wet lab project, we constantly generate and use RNA-Seq data, and, depending on your interest, you will be able to participate in such analyses.

For more information, have a look at the website of the RNA Biochemistry group.