Professor Matthias HentzeBy Giriram Mohana  Professor Matthias Hentze is Director of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and has been a prominent member of the RNA Society. Hentze has received numerous awards including this year’s RNA Society Lifetime Achievement Award. Originally from Germany, Prof. Hentze first received a medical degree for his research on lysosomal enzymes under the mentorship of Prof. K. von Figura. He soon focused on research and went to the NIH for his postdoctoral work where he studied the regulation of ferritin expression. During this time, along with other colleagues, he discovered the iron-responsive element, and this discovery pivoted him from a physician-scientist to a card-carrying RNA biologist. In 1989, he returned to Germany and started his independent research group at EMBL, where he has continued to focus on RNA biology, studying the mechanisms of translational control by RNA-binding proteins and uncovering how 5’UTR and 3’UTR binding sites mediate different modes of translational control. For the past several years, Prof. Hentze has been intrigued by RNA-protein networks. Triggered by their discovery that the RNA-binding proteome is more than twice as large as previously anticipated, he realised that RNA can directly interact with proteins and affect their functions—the reverse causality for how RNA–protein interactions are typically considered. For instance, his group showed that autophagy receptor p62 is riboregulated by the small non-coding vault RNA1-1 such that RNA binding inhibits autophagy. He suspects that RNA molecules controlling cellular proteins by so called “riboregulation” could represent a much broader layer of biological control. As such, RBPs (RNA-binding proteins) could add an entirely new dimension to biological processes and therapeutics. He explained, "the next big challenge in the field of RNA-binding proteins is the detailed investigation of the role of RNA binding to non-classical RBPs in terms of physiology, biochemistry, structure, and disease.”
Prof. Hentze points to the diversity of challenges in his various roles as a scientist. He reflects that the most important element for his success was to work with highly talented and motivated colleagues, and he also believes that good time management skills have contributed a lot to his success. When asked about his greatest challenge in academia, Dr. Hentze said that he “faced it during his transition from postdoc to principal investigator.” He continued, “the advice and support of colleagues at his institute and the RNA biology community made that transition possible.” Now he tries to reciprocate by dedicating substantial time to mentoring. Towards young researchers, he said, “Do what you are passionate about! Treat your career as if you were a professional athlete who pursues his/her sport with sportsmanship, great intensity, tireless energy, high tolerance for frustration, and optimism. Also, as a PI, foster strong team spirit.” He especially advises budding RNA researchers “to design experiments in order to challenge hypotheses, not to prove them, and to keep an open eye and mind for surprising results.” Prof. Hentze has been a member of the RNA Society from the beginning, and he has organized many conferences, including the 4th, 6th and 20th annual RNA Society meetings. In thinking about the role of the Society in his career, he commented, “we should cherish being part of such a collegial community and make our own contributions to keep it that way.” One of his favorite memories at the RNA meetings was the ‘Gomeroke’ gig with Dave Brown and ‘The Gomers’ to open the party at RNA 2015 in Madison. Prof. Hentze’s favorite RNA is human ferritin H-chain mRNA, which completely changed his professional plans. His group has an active Twitter account (@HentzeTeam) that combines science and fun. |