Gunter Meister: RNA in Regensburg
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- Gunter Meister is a professor at the Institute of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Regensburg. Source: privat
16.12.2011 -
Gunter Meister grew up on a farm in Upper Franconia. “I was the only one in the village who went to high school,” says the 37-year-old, who describes himself jokingly as the “black sheep” of the family. While his brothers have now taken over the farm, Gunter Meister conducts research as a professor at the Institute of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Regensburg. In 2011, the scientist was honoured with the Young Investigator Award from the Schering Foundation for his basic research in the area of RNA biochemistry.
The 10,000-euro prize is awarded every two years by the German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for outstanding research in the field of molecular and cell biology. “This award is very important to me,” says the researcher. “You get a degree of visibility, and recognition for years of work.” Gunter Meister and his team are occupied with the fundamentals of gene regulation by non-coding RNAs. The so-called microRNAs (miRNAs) are small snippets of ribonucleic acid, whose central role in cell regulation stands in stark contrast to their small size. They do not carry blueprints for a protein, but do significantly influence the processes taking place in the body, meaning that miRNAs have an important role to play in many neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
| Young Investigator Award |
The aim of the European Young Investigator Award is to support the best young scientists and researchers over a five-year period at a European research institution. |
Turning off cancer stem cells
One example: Unlike normal cancer cells, so-called cancer stem cells survive chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy, and remain in a form of standby state in the body until eventually waking up and once again triggering tumor growth. The research group headed by Gunter Meister has now observed that specific miRNAs appear in increased numbers in the tumour stem cells, and apparently also consolidate their essential properties. Eliminating these cancer stem cells by influencing the miRNAs could be one approach for the development of new cancer therapies. “The vision is there,” says Gunter Meister.
The Professor of Biology already had a passion for his subject back in high school. “We had a fantastic teacher who awakened a curiosity in me,” says the scientist. He often stuck around after school had ended to experiment in the school lab, and ordered trade journals for the natural sciences. After my military service, I couldn’t wait to begin studying. You couldn’t hold me back,” he says. Meister finished his biology studies in just six semesters, in a subject that requires twice as long for most students.
From Martinsried to Manhattan
After his PhD at the Institute for Biochemistry at the Munich Ludwig Maximilians University, the young scientist moved to New York with his wife and three children to conduct research as a post doctorate at Rockefeller University. He experienced his thematic ‘epiphany’ in the laboratories of biochemist and molecular biologist Thomas Tuschl: For decades, ribonucleic acid was regarded as a molecule whose role seemed to be above all as ‘messenger’ to transport genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the outer regions of the cell, and to enable protein production. In recent years, technical advances have allowed deeper insights into the molecular processes in the cells. Further classes of RNA which don’t encode and which are thus not directly involved in protein production have been identified. Instead, they assume other important functions in the cells. Gunter Meister imported the research on these non-coding RNAs back to Germany, and later continued the work as a group leader at the Max Planck Institute in Martinsried.
The position at the MPI might have been the “best thing that could have happened” to Meister, but he still missed life in New York. Also outside of the laboratory, the Big Apple was an extraordinary experience: “Our lab was located in Manhattan, ten minutes away from Central Park. You could go for a quick walk while waiting for an experiment to finish.” He enjoys the different cultures that come together in New York, the energy and versatility of the city, the restaurants, the bustle. “You’re automatically a part of the whole; it’s incredibly exciting,” says the researcher.
A contrast was waiting for him in Munich, where everything appeared less authentic and “somehow pseudo-Bavarian.” Today he is happier in the quiet of Regensburg, where he has held his own professorship for two years. “Sometimes I think we should have stayed in New York; we were very comfortable there. But there are other advantages here in Bavaria: The grandparents of our children are not far away, as well as nature and tranquillity.” Meister has high regard for Germany also as a location for science. “It's much more competitive in the US, there are few permanent positions. To some extent this is better in Germany. I also have the good fortune that research is well funded in Bavaria,” says Meister.
In the stadium with FC Bayern
As a professor with his own department, the enthusiastic biologist “unfortunately” no longer spends much time in the lab. Instead, he coordinates research projects, writes grant applications, and presents the results of his research around the world. “Sometimes the travelling is exhausting: In September I was on the road almost every week, from Monday to Saturday.” London, Cambridge, New York – after which Regensburg is no doubt an oasis of calm. Meister spends all his precious free time with his family; there’s no room for hobbies in his diary. One luxury he does allow himself, however: When he can he goes with his eldest son to the FC Bayern Munich stadium, where he is a member.
Despite his labour-intensive profession, Gunter Meister is sure that he has chosen the right path. “I’m always thrilled if an experiment provides good results, or is a new publication is printed. Then I know I'm in the right place,” he says. During his childhood on the farm he learnt that you have to work hard for success. Back then, with all the work on the farm it was not always easy to find time for homework, or for hobbies. But this all had an influence, above all giving him a sense of determination, which has brought him a long way. His conviction: “Either you're a hundred percent scientist, or don’t bother.”
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