Her research focuses on RNA processes that are unique to neurons and essential for proper functioning of the nervous system. Her recent work has uncovered fundamental principles of gene regulation, including how transcription initiation influences transcript diversity, and how the alternative processing of RNA molecules shapes tissue identity and physiology. At the DBM, her team will investigate RNA biology in brain development and function, with the aim of identifying pathogenic mechanisms that can be targeted to improve physiological outcomes.

Valérie Hilgers’s contributions to our understanding of the molecular basis of neuronal function were recognized with the award of an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2024, which will support and strengthen her team’s efforts at the DBM. Using model systems such as Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) and human brain organoids, they will explore how RNA regulation enables the unique capabilities of neurons and supports brain health. This research promises to yield transformative insights into processes that distinguish normal neuronal function from dysfunction, paving the way for therapeutic strategies.

Hilgers Lab