Team

We are a team of biomedical and biochemical scientists who investigate biological questions at the interface of ribosome and RNA biology, specifically how mRNA translation regulation by the ribosome shapes the innate immune response and cell states. We are passionate about RNA-mediated mechanisms of disease, innate immunity, and mRNA therapeutics. We also love to train the next generation of scientists. The team is led by Prof. Dr. Kathrin Leppek.

To learn more about the team, see current lab members below.

Are you a self-motivated and aspiring RNA enthusiast? Do you have an interest in ribosome biology, translation control, regulatory RNA elements and structures, innate immune biology, or RNA tool development? Would you like to tackle these big questions together, in a collaborative environment with integrative science? We would love to hear from you!

To learn about open positions and for inquiries to join our team, please visit Join Us.

Principal

Prof. Dr. Kathrin Leppek is an RNA and ribosome biochemist trained in immunology and developmental biology. She is appointed as a W1/W2 tenure-track assistant professor in the W2 phase and leads the immunobiochemistry lab at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology (IKCKP) at the Medical Faculty of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Germany, since 2022.

Lab Members

Vivian Lobo
Postdoctoral Researcher
Martin Haiman
PhD Student
Samyukta Narayanan
PhD Student
Philipp Koch
PhD Student
Aiswarya Gopal
PhD Student
Saurabh Dey
Master Thesis Student & Research Assistant
Lisa Nauroth
Technical Assistant
Ranen Aviner
PI/Group Leader, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub San Francisco

Alumni

Alumni Name
Period
Position
Current Affiliation
Lana Ho
2025
HFSP Exchange PhD Student
UC Berkeley
Hannah Deckers
2024
MSc Rotation Student
MSc Thesis, Uni Bonn
Zacharias Müller
2024
MSc Rotation Student
MSc Thesis, Harvard University/MGH
Moitrayee Dasgupta
2024
US Student Internship, CUNY, New York City
N/A
Saurabh Dey
2024
MSc Rotation Student, Student Assistant
continued with MSc Thesis in our lab
Sarah Opala
2024
MSc Rotation Student
MSc Thesis, Uni Bonn
Kalyani Kulkarni
2023
MSc Rotation Student
PhD program UKB, Diny lab, IKCKP
Niloufar Shabani Sichani
2023
Student Assistant
MSc Thesis, Ehniger lab, DZNE
Philipp Koch
2023
MSc Rotation Student
continued with PhD Thesis in our lab
Venkat Mudiyam
2023
MSc Rotation Student
PhD program, Institut Pasteur de Lille, France
Alina Nietzwetzki
2022-2024
Technical Assistant
TA, University of Bonn, Genetics
Martin Haiman
2022
MSc Thesis
continued with PhD Thesis in our lab

Join us

Positions available in the Leppek Lab:

Unsolicited Applications:
Generally, we are interested in recruiting highly motivated, talented students and postdocs and encourage applications from candidates at any time. Our lab is a growing, exciting, creative and inclusive place for the next generation of scientists to receive training and mentorship. We welcome trainees of different backgrounds who are excited to join an interdisciplinary and curiosity-driven team.

Although space is not currently available, we will consider opportunities on a case-by-case basis depending on experience and fit. Please let us know about your motivation to join our lab, your scientific background and goals for your future career. Candidates with external funding sources are welcome to apply Postdoctoral candidates should contact Kathrin with a CV, research interest, and three references.

If you are interested in joining us, contact Kathrin: kleppek[at]uni-bonn.de