Available to mentor
The RNA and Single Molecule Analysis Group of Nils Walter - Vision:
The Walter lab provides a welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where we leverage cross-disciplinary tools from chemical biology, analytical chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and bioinformatics to define and unleash the powers of RNA biology and DNA nanotechnology. RNA is a magical molecule that both likely started life and sustains it today. Over 75% of our genome encodes non-protein coding RNA molecules, compared with only <2% that encodes proteins. How this RNA machinery broadly guides cellular function – through the maintenance, processing and regulated expression of all genetic information – is still poorly understood. For an inspiring read on the prospects of RNA research, please check out this Paper. By comparison, DNA is better understood as the genetic blueprint of life, but recently its utility has dramatically expanded as a scaffold for nanodevices and nanorobots, heralding a modern materials science.
We integrate powerful, cutting-edge, single molecule experimental and computational approaches to study the structure, dynamics and function of RNAs and DNA nanodevices outside and inside human cells. Our experimental approaches span from single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy (“nanoscopy”) to transcriptomics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and big data analytics, providing students and postdocs with a uniquely qualifying knowledge base and skill set that they have leveraged into a wide range of careers in academia, industry and national labs. We even founded our very own successful biotech startup company pursuing single molecule analytical chemistry and molecular diagnostics of biomarkers of disease – entrepreneurial spirit is welcome!
Finally, we are making single-molecule and RNA techniques more widely available to those who are not experts in these fields through the University of Michigan’s Single Molecule Analysis in Real Time (SMART) Center and the cross-disciplinary Center for RNA Biomedicine, both of which Nils founded and now directs.
Please also check out some of our press releases in the sidebar and the News section, as well as our twitter account.
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Postdoctoral FellowUniversity of Vermont, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, 1999
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Dr.-Ing.TU Darmstadt, Darmstadt, 1995
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Center MemberRogel Cancer Center
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Center MemberCenter for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics
We integrate powerful, cutting-edge, single molecule experimental and computational approaches to study the structure, dynamics and function of RNAs and DNA nanodevices outside and inside human cells. Our experimental approaches span from single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy (“nanoscopy”) to transcriptomics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and big data analytics, providing students and postdocs with a uniquely qualifying knowledge base and skill set that they have leveraged into a wide range of careers in academia, industry and national labs. We even founded our very own successful biotech startup company pursuing single molecule analytical chemistry and molecular diagnostics of biomarkers of disease – entrepreneurial spirit is welcome!
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Walter NG. Bioessays, 2024 Feb 13; e2300201Journal ArticleAre non-protein coding RNAs junk or treasure?: An attempt to explain and reconcile opposing viewpoints of whether the human genome is mostly transcribed into non-functional or functional RNAs.
DOI:10.1002/bies.202300201 PMID: 38351661 -
Walter N, Chauvier A, Dandpat S, Romero R. Research Square,PreprintA nascent riboswitch helix orchestrates robust transcriptional regulation through signal integration
DOI:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3849447/v1 -
Chauvier A, Dandpat S, Romero R, Walter NG. bioRxiv,PreprintA nascent riboswitch helix orchestrates robust transcriptional regulation through signal integration
DOI:10.1101/2024.01.23.576946 -
Chauvier A, Walter NG. Cell Chem Biol, 2024 Jan 18; 31 (1): 71 - 85.Journal ArticleRegulation of bacterial gene expression by non-coding RNA: It is all about time!
DOI:10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.12.011 PMID: 38211587 -
Gao G, Sumrall ES, Pitchiaya S, Bitzer M, Alberti S, Walter NG. Nat Rev Nephrol, 2023 Dec; 19 (12): 756 - 770.Journal ArticleBiomolecular condensates in kidney physiology and disease.
DOI:10.1038/s41581-023-00767-0 PMID: 37752323 -
Hou Q, Chatterjee S, Lund PE, Suddala KC, Walter NG. Nucleic Acids Res, 2023 Nov 10; 51 (20): 11345 - 11357.Journal ArticleSingle-molecule FRET observes opposing effects of urea and TMAO on structurally similar meso- and thermophilic riboswitch RNAs.
DOI:10.1093/nar/gkad866 PMID: 37855661 -
Gao G, Walter NG. J Phys Chem B, 2023 Sep 14; 127 (36): 7694 - 7707.Journal ArticleCritical Assessment of Condensate Boundaries in Dual-Color Single Particle Tracking.
DOI:10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c03776 PMID: 37669232 -
Perelman RT, Schmidt A, Khan U, Walter NG. Cells, 2023 Sep 11; 12 (18):Journal ArticleSpontaneous Confinement of mRNA Molecules at Biomolecular Condensate Boundaries.
DOI:10.3390/cells12182250 PMID: 37759470