Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Epigenetics 
  
The Lönarz group's research interests span basic science questions such as investigating connections between epigenetic histone modifications and metabolic pathways, the regulation of mRNA translation through ribosomal protein modifications, and the effect of nucleic acid modifications on gene expression. The Lönarz lab has moved in October 2017 from the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences in Nottingham to our new labs at the University of Freiburg in Germany.

Our research principally focuses on: 
 
(i) pushing the frontiers in epigenetics research by investigating connections between post-translational modifications such as histone lysine methylation and metabolic pathways of pathophysiological relevance, and 
 (ii) extending our recent high profile identification of an oxygen-dependent mechanism that enables modulation of the accuracy of protein synthesis.

Employed techniques encompass organic synthesis, chemical biology approaches (proteomics, intact protein mass spectrometry, metabolomics, and reporter assays), and cellular studies using yeast genetics and human cell culture.
  • PhD studentships: A number of positions are available, interested graduate students should contact Prof. Dr. Lönarz directly and include a recent CV.
  • Master, Diploma projects & Wahlpflichtpraktika: Projects are available in the broad areas of chemical biology and synthetic organic chemistry.
  • EU Marie Curie Fellowships: European Union PhD holders interested in joining the group via Marie Curie or other fellowships should also contact Prof. Dr. Lönarz directly.
Selected Publications
  • Loenarz C, et al. Hydroxylation of the ribosomal decoding centre affects translational accuracy. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2014, 111, 4019. (Link)
  • Mazzon M*, Peters NE*, Loenarz C*, et al. A mechanism for induction of a hypoxic response by vaccinia virus. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2013, 110, 12444. (Link)
  • Loenarz C, et al. The hypoxia-inducible transcription factor pathway regulates oxygen sensing in the simplest animal, Trichoplax adhaerens. EMBO Rep. 2011, 12, 63. (Link)
  • Loenarz C, et al. PHF8, a gene associated with cleft lip/palate and mental retardation, encodes for an N-dimethyl lysine demethylase. Hum. Mol. Genet. 2010, 19, 217. (Link)
INFO
The Lönarz Group is part of the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Freiburg. All information on this website is copyright to Lönarz Group unless otherwise stated.
ADDRESS 
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Freiburg
Albertstr. 25
79104 Freiburg, Germany
 
CONTACTS 
Email: christoph.loenarz@pharmazie.uni-freiburg.de
Tel. +49 (0) 761 203-6334
Fax: +49 (0) 761 203-6351