Hopfner Lab - Structural Molecular Biology
Research Topics
- Cryo-EM and crystallography
- Structural Genome Biology
- Innate Immune RNA and DNA Sensing
- Therapeutic Protein Engineering
Prof. Karl-Peter Hopfner
phone: +49 (0)89 - 2180 76953
karlpeter.hopfner@lmu.de
Assistant: Dr. Franziska Därr (née Kunert)
phone: +49 (0)89 - 2180 76950
office-hopfner@genzentrum.lmu.de
We are interested in how cells shape and protect their genomic information. Using cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography and functional approaches, we study the architectures and mechanisms of macromolecular complexes in genome biology with a focus on chromatin remodelers, DNA double-strand break repair enzymes and innate immune nucleic acid sensors. Moreover, we also focus on innovative antibody engineering with the aim of exploiting immune checkpoints to improve cancer immunotherapy. Read more...
Selected Publications
Recognition and remodelling of nucleosomes and hexasomes by the human INO80 complex.
Aggarwal P, Sharma M, Woike S, Kunert F, Brem A, Moldt M, Hopfner KP.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2026 Feb 24;54(5):gkag138. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkag138. PubMed
Structural basis for DNA break sensing by human MRE11-Rad50-Nbs1 and its regulation by telomeric factor TRF2.
Fan Y, Kuybu F, Cui H, Lammens K, Chen JX, Kugler M, Jung C, Hopfner KP.
Nat Commun. 2025 Sept 18:16:8320. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-64082-x PubMed
Structural basis for sequestration and autoinhibition of cGAS by chromatin.
Michalski S, de Oliveira Mann CC, Stafford CA, Witte G, Bartho J, Lammens K, Hornung V, Hopfner KP.
Nature. 2020 Nov;587(7835):678-682. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2748-0. PubMed
Structural basis for ATP dependent chromatin remodelling by the INO80 complex.
Eustermann S, Schall K, Kostrewa D, Lakomek K, Strauss M, Moldt M, Hopfner KP.
Nature. 2018 April 11; doi:10.1038/s41586-018-0029-y. PubMed