Kath-Schorr, Stephanie - assoc. RG 42
Nucleic Acid Chemistry
Prof. Dr. Stephanie Kath-Schorr
Department of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry | Math.-Nat. Faculty
CMMC - PI - assoc. RG 42
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Department of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry | Math.-Nat. Faculty
Introduction
The Kath-Schorr lab develops artificial nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) from synthetic nucleic acid building blocks that perform novel functions and can, besides recognition of biological relevant target molecules, also possess catalytic activity. The Kath-Schorr group also contributes to the elucidation of the structural dynamics and regulatory mechanisms of natural RNAs and to the synthesis and derivatisation of nucleotide-based signalling molecules.
Our projects combine classical organic synthesis to produce complex unnatural nucleotide building blocks and to develop new functional nucleic acids with approaches from chemical biology to answer biological questions about specific RNA folding and function. We further study the influence on natural and artificial nucleotide modifications on RNA folding and stability to develop novel approaches for therapeutic applications of nucleic acids.
Clinical Relevance
RNA therapeutics, in this case mRNA and siRNA, have established themselves in medicine and are becoming increasingly important. The stability of the applied RNA therapeutics in humans is an essential criterion for their pharmacological efficacy. Moreover, a better understanding of the fine control and regulation of protein expression of in vitro transcribed mRNA is essential for the further development of mRNA therapeutics.
Achievements and further goals
In our projects we aim to further expand and apply our developed techniques to study specific coding and non-coding RNA molecules. Besides structural investigations on RNA in vitro, we aim to investigate in the biological function of specific non-coding RNAs in cells using our novel chemical tools for site-specific RNA labeling, as well as develop new approaches for nucleic acid therapeutics by chemical modification of nucleic acid building blocks.
Lab Website
For more information, please check AG Kath-Schorr.