Katja Petzold research group

Our research group is interested in understanding how RNAs change their structures in order to perform function.
Structural Biophysics of RNA
Until recently, only snapshots of molecules could be observed, hiding their mode of operation. We employ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and other biophysical techniques, to investigate the molecular mechanism of RNA function. When function of these molecular machines becomes apparent, it also provides a variety of unique new drug targets. The lab develops methods in NMR and RNA biochemistry to address these questions. Current projects include viral, bacterial and eukaryotic regulatory RNAs, e.g. microRNAs, ribosomal RNAs or RNA from HBV.
Group members
Publications
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1H R1ρ relaxation identifies a hidden intermediate in DNA base-pairing
Part of Nature Communications, 2026
- DOI for 1H R1ρ relaxation identifies a hidden intermediate in DNA base-pairing
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Part of Cancer Letters, 2026
- DOI for Fibrillarin-dependent 2â²-O-methylation modulates RPS28 ribosome incorporation and oncogenic translation
- Download full text (pdf) of Fibrillarin-dependent 2â²-O-methylation modulates RPS28 ribosome incorporation and oncogenic translation
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RNA circularization preserves dynamics and enables in-cell relaxation NMR
Part of Nucleic Acids Research, 2026
- DOI for RNA circularization preserves dynamics and enables in-cell relaxation NMR
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Targeted NMR signal enhancement of RNA by site-directed bis-nitroxide labeling
Part of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2026
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Mapping effective microRNA pairing beyond the seed using abasic modifications
Part of Nucleic Acids Research, 2025
- DOI for Mapping effective microRNA pairing beyond the seed using abasic modifications
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