Nathanael B. Kegel
@nathanaelbkegel.bsky.social
Biomedical scientist @ Philipps-University Marburg. Interested in RNA modifications and immune sensing 🧬🦠
#glycotime We hope our b2b publications serve as a heads-up for the #glycoRNA community, and drive the field forward constructively. Links👇
Kim et al. rdcu.be/eP4GQ
@nathanaelbkegel.bsky.social Kegel et al. nature.com/articles/s12276-025-01575-1 (Stefan Bauer lab)
Kim et al. rdcu.be/eP4GQ
@nathanaelbkegel.bsky.social Kegel et al. nature.com/articles/s12276-025-01575-1 (Stefan Bauer lab)
November 18, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Huge thanks to all the people involved, especially the @hoeferlab.bsky.social and @nursedayilmaz.bsky.social for their contributions to this project. What a journey it was! ☺️
November 18, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Huge thanks to all the people involved, especially the @hoeferlab.bsky.social and @nursedayilmaz.bsky.social for their contributions to this project. What a journey it was! ☺️
Now finally peer-reviewed and published in @springernature.com Experimental & Molecular Medicine (EMM)🥳:
www.nature.com/articles/s12...
Our story was published back-to-back with the intriguing paper by Kim et al.:
www.nature.com/articles/s12...
www.nature.com/articles/s12...
Our story was published back-to-back with the intriguing paper by Kim et al.:
www.nature.com/articles/s12...
November 18, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Now finally peer-reviewed and published in @springernature.com Experimental & Molecular Medicine (EMM)🥳:
www.nature.com/articles/s12...
Our story was published back-to-back with the intriguing paper by Kim et al.:
www.nature.com/articles/s12...
www.nature.com/articles/s12...
Our story was published back-to-back with the intriguing paper by Kim et al.:
www.nature.com/articles/s12...
Reposted by Nathanael B. Kegel
Big day for foundational glycoRNA research, with two preprints published in Nature EMM. Both urge greater analytical rigour in the field.
1. RNA-associated glycoconjugates highlight potential
ambiguities in glycoRNA analysis
2. Proteins are a source of glycans found in preparations of glycoRNA
1. RNA-associated glycoconjugates highlight potential
ambiguities in glycoRNA analysis
2. Proteins are a source of glycans found in preparations of glycoRNA
#glycotime We hope our b2b publications serve as a heads-up for the #glycoRNA community, and drive the field forward constructively. Links👇
Kim et al. rdcu.be/eP4GQ
@nathanaelbkegel.bsky.social Kegel et al. nature.com/articles/s12276-025-01575-1 (Stefan Bauer lab)
Kim et al. rdcu.be/eP4GQ
@nathanaelbkegel.bsky.social Kegel et al. nature.com/articles/s12276-025-01575-1 (Stefan Bauer lab)
November 17, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Big day for foundational glycoRNA research, with two preprints published in Nature EMM. Both urge greater analytical rigour in the field.
1. RNA-associated glycoconjugates highlight potential
ambiguities in glycoRNA analysis
2. Proteins are a source of glycans found in preparations of glycoRNA
1. RNA-associated glycoconjugates highlight potential
ambiguities in glycoRNA analysis
2. Proteins are a source of glycans found in preparations of glycoRNA
Reposted by Nathanael B. Kegel
#glycotime We hope our b2b publications serve as a heads-up for the #glycoRNA community, and drive the field forward constructively. Links👇
Kim et al. rdcu.be/eP4GQ
@nathanaelbkegel.bsky.social Kegel et al. nature.com/articles/s12276-025-01575-1 (Stefan Bauer lab)
Kim et al. rdcu.be/eP4GQ
@nathanaelbkegel.bsky.social Kegel et al. nature.com/articles/s12276-025-01575-1 (Stefan Bauer lab)
November 15, 2025 at 3:38 PM
#glycotime We hope our b2b publications serve as a heads-up for the #glycoRNA community, and drive the field forward constructively. Links👇
Kim et al. rdcu.be/eP4GQ
@nathanaelbkegel.bsky.social Kegel et al. nature.com/articles/s12276-025-01575-1 (Stefan Bauer lab)
Kim et al. rdcu.be/eP4GQ
@nathanaelbkegel.bsky.social Kegel et al. nature.com/articles/s12276-025-01575-1 (Stefan Bauer lab)
Very interesting work: "Pseudouridine selects RNAs for extracellular transport"
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 31, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Very interesting work: "Pseudouridine selects RNAs for extracellular transport"
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Nathanael B. Kegel
(1/2) Excited to share our new paper in @rheumjnl.bsky.social.We show that soluble BDCA-2 is elevated in rheumatoid arthritis and boosts IFN-α responses via nucleic acid binding. #Rheumatology #Diagnostics @unimarburg.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/rheumatology...
academic.oup.com/rheumatology...
October 20, 2025 at 9:01 AM
(1/2) Excited to share our new paper in @rheumjnl.bsky.social.We show that soluble BDCA-2 is elevated in rheumatoid arthritis and boosts IFN-α responses via nucleic acid binding. #Rheumatology #Diagnostics @unimarburg.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/rheumatology...
academic.oup.com/rheumatology...
Reposted by Nathanael B. Kegel
We’re excited to report work led by postdoc Jennifer Porat in the lab, finding that DNA accumulates on the surface of living cells and that the secreted extracellular protein DNASE1L3 can modulate its levels on B and T cells. With a new twist for ATAC-seq as well www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
DNASE1L3 surveils mitochondrial DNA on the surface of distinct mammalian cells
The extracellular space is a critical environment for discriminating self versus non-self nucleic acids and initiating the appropriate immune responses through signaling cascades to relay information ...
www.biorxiv.org
October 7, 2025 at 1:22 PM
We’re excited to report work led by postdoc Jennifer Porat in the lab, finding that DNA accumulates on the surface of living cells and that the secreted extracellular protein DNASE1L3 can modulate its levels on B and T cells. With a new twist for ATAC-seq as well www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Nathanael B. Kegel
New research shows that simply changing how a reaction vessel is positioned on a magnetic stirrer can significantly change a reaction's speed and product quality, influencing the reproducibility of results. #ChemSky #ScienceSky #EduSky
Position of flask on magnetic stirrers can drastically affect reproducibility of experiments
Comprehensive examination reveals improper siting of reaction vessels can affect catalyst formation, alter nanoparticle formation and change yields
www.chemistryworld.com
June 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
New research shows that simply changing how a reaction vessel is positioned on a magnetic stirrer can significantly change a reaction's speed and product quality, influencing the reproducibility of results. #ChemSky #ScienceSky #EduSky
Reposted by Nathanael B. Kegel
June 10, 2025 at 11:11 AM
A highly interesting read from Hazemi et al., investigating the incorporation of a panel of azido sugars into RNA preps. Includes investigations of the high apparent MW shift of glycoRNA, the testing of proteinase K protocols, and non-enzymatic glycoRNA labelling.
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
An Expanded View of RNA Modification with Carbohydrate-Based Metabolic Probes
The discovery of glycosylated RNA (glycoRNA) revealed an unexpected association between glycans and RNA. This discovery, facilitated by the metabolic carbohydrate reporter per-O-acetylated N-azidoacet...
pubs.acs.org
May 8, 2025 at 11:38 AM
A highly interesting read from Hazemi et al., investigating the incorporation of a panel of azido sugars into RNA preps. Includes investigations of the high apparent MW shift of glycoRNA, the testing of proteinase K protocols, and non-enzymatic glycoRNA labelling.
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Nathanael B. Kegel
We initiated our studies shortly after the first Cell paper was published. Back then, we were among the first to work on glycoRNA in our field (immunology). Thus, at least in our field, there was not much controversy. I understand the situation was probably different among e.g. glycobiologists
April 2, 2025 at 9:21 AM
We initiated our studies shortly after the first Cell paper was published. Back then, we were among the first to work on glycoRNA in our field (immunology). Thus, at least in our field, there was not much controversy. I understand the situation was probably different among e.g. glycobiologists
However, as we found glycoproteins in our glycoRNA samples, we stopped the functional analyses and rather focused on identifying which and also why proteins are co-purified, thinking this might help others with interest in glycoRNA‘s function
April 1, 2025 at 3:05 PM
However, as we found glycoproteins in our glycoRNA samples, we stopped the functional analyses and rather focused on identifying which and also why proteins are co-purified, thinking this might help others with interest in glycoRNA‘s function
Regarding the question why resources were dedicated, we are a lab that’s interested in nucleic acid sensing. We were asking if RNA glycosylation affects recognition by innate immune receptors.
April 1, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Regarding the question why resources were dedicated, we are a lab that’s interested in nucleic acid sensing. We were asking if RNA glycosylation affects recognition by innate immune receptors.
Reposted by Nathanael B. Kegel
Here is an updated version of a preprint posted in 2024: It describes a non-RNA glycoconjugate persisted throughout RNA sample processing, with similar electrophoretic properties and enzymatic reactivity as glycoRNA. It confounds gel-/blot-based glycoRNA assays.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
RNA-Associated Glycoconjugates Highlight Potential Ambiguities in glycoRNA Analysis
A recent ground-breaking study suggested that small RNA from mammalian cells can undergo N-glycan modifications (termed glycoRNA) 1. The discovery relied upon a metabolic glycan labeling strategy in c...
www.biorxiv.org
March 28, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Here is an updated version of a preprint posted in 2024: It describes a non-RNA glycoconjugate persisted throughout RNA sample processing, with similar electrophoretic properties and enzymatic reactivity as glycoRNA. It confounds gel-/blot-based glycoRNA assays.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Nathanael B. Kegel
The massive changes in US research brought about by the new administration of President Donald Trump are causing many scientists in the country to rethink their lives and careers
https://go.nature.com/41OhAgK
https://go.nature.com/41OhAgK
75% of US scientists who answered Nature poll consider leaving
More than 1,600 readers answered our poll; many said they were looking for jobs in Europe and Canada.
go.nature.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The massive changes in US research brought about by the new administration of President Donald Trump are causing many scientists in the country to rethink their lives and careers
https://go.nature.com/41OhAgK
https://go.nature.com/41OhAgK
Reposted by Nathanael B. Kegel
Excited to share an update on heparan sulfate (HS)-associated cell-surface RNA (hepRNA):
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Cell-Surface RNA Forms Ternary Complex with RNA-Binding Proteins and Heparan Sulfate to Recruit Immune Receptors
Recent discoveries have shown the presence of RNA molecules on the cell surface, defying the traditional view that RNA only functions intracellularly. However, it is not well understood how cell-surfa...
www.biorxiv.org
March 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Excited to share an update on heparan sulfate (HS)-associated cell-surface RNA (hepRNA):
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The lab of Thomas Carell has also provided structural analysis & more, see e.g. here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Synthesis and structure elucidation of the human tRNA nucleoside mannosyl-queuosine - Nature Communications
Mannosyl-queuosine (manQ) is a non-canonical RNA nucleoside present in the anticodon loop of certain tRNAs. Here, the authors use a combination of total synthesis and mass spectrometry to contradict t...
www.nature.com
March 21, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The lab of Thomas Carell has also provided structural analysis & more, see e.g. here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Future studies may leverage proteinase K digestion under denaturing conditions to separate glycoRNA from glycoproteins — paving the way for deeper structural and functional insights into glycoRNA. (9/9)
March 19, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Future studies may leverage proteinase K digestion under denaturing conditions to separate glycoRNA from glycoproteins — paving the way for deeper structural and functional insights into glycoRNA. (9/9)
We hypothesize that glycosylation and RNA-binding properties contribute to protein protection during glycoRNA isolation and promote co-purification by enhancing hydrophilicity and shielding cleavage
sites. (8/9)
sites. (8/9)
March 19, 2025 at 10:43 AM
We hypothesize that glycosylation and RNA-binding properties contribute to protein protection during glycoRNA isolation and promote co-purification by enhancing hydrophilicity and shielding cleavage
sites. (8/9)
sites. (8/9)
Remarkably, recombinant LAMP1 was extractable from the aqueous phase of TRIzol and bound to silica
columns in an RNA- and alcohol concentration-dependent manner, consistent with observations by Kim et al. (2024) (7/9)
columns in an RNA- and alcohol concentration-dependent manner, consistent with observations by Kim et al. (2024) (7/9)
March 19, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Remarkably, recombinant LAMP1 was extractable from the aqueous phase of TRIzol and bound to silica
columns in an RNA- and alcohol concentration-dependent manner, consistent with observations by Kim et al. (2024) (7/9)
columns in an RNA- and alcohol concentration-dependent manner, consistent with observations by Kim et al. (2024) (7/9)
Nearly all of these proteins are known to be glycosylated and/or possess RNA-binding properties. One particularly intriguing hit was LAMP1, which we used as a model to explore glycoprotein co-purification. (6/9)
March 19, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Nearly all of these proteins are known to be glycosylated and/or possess RNA-binding properties. One particularly intriguing hit was LAMP1, which we used as a model to explore glycoprotein co-purification. (6/9)
In an inspiring collaboration with @hoeferlab.bsky.social and @nursedayilmaz.bsky.social, we identified ten proteins that consistently co-purify with small, but not large, RNA fractions extracted from human and murine cell lines using LC-MS. (5/9)
March 19, 2025 at 10:43 AM
In an inspiring collaboration with @hoeferlab.bsky.social and @nursedayilmaz.bsky.social, we identified ten proteins that consistently co-purify with small, but not large, RNA fractions extracted from human and murine cell lines using LC-MS. (5/9)