Molecular imaging of nuclear organization

Stein Lab

The organization of the human genome within the nucleus is critical for its function in health and is often misregulated in disease. Although genomics and imaging technologies have greatly expanded our understanding of genome structure and function, our molecular view of nuclear organization at the single-cell level remains incomplete. A major limitation is that conventional light microscopy lacks the resolution to reveal how proteins, RNA, and DNA interact to regulate genome organization and function. Our group addresses this challenge by developing and applying single-molecule fluorescence and super-resolution microscopy techniques to directly visualize how biomolecules spatially organize and interact within the nucleus. With these tools, we investigate fundamental processes such as chromatin folding mediated by cohesin and CTCF, the roles of nuclear compartments like nuclear speckles in gene expression and splicing, and how the molecular patterns of nuclear organization change in health and disease. Ultimately, our goal is to establish structural and mechanistic frameworks that link nuclear organization to cellular function.

Now recruiting!

We are building an interdisciplinary group and welcome applicants from biology, (bio)chemistry, physics or engineering. We have openings through our annual graduate school IMPRS-BAC recruitment but informal applications are also encouraged at any time. Please contact Johannes Stein with your CV, a short cover letter outlining your background, motivation, and future research interests, and the name and contact details of at least one reference.