Chair of Biochemistry III

Prof. Dr. Neva Caliskan

• Important information: Neva Caliskan's research group investigates the role of RNA molecules in non-canonical translation events that can influence the interplay between host and pathogen. Her aim is to shed light on therapeutic RNA-protein complexes as new targets in the fight against infections.
  
  RNAs encoded in viruses or cellular genes can be read in an alternative way during translation, which is known as recoding. However, it is unclear how exactly recoding is regulated by the host. A precise understanding of recoding and its regulation may therefore be the key to developing new RNA-based therapies. In this context, we are investigating the function and dynamics of RNA molecules and how they interact with trans-acting factors. We work with viruses such as coronaviruses and retroviruses, which are known to be dependent on recoding for their replication.
  
  The Caliskan group uses a highly interdisciplinary toolset, such as RNA antisense purification and mass spectrometry, to recognise RNA interaction partners and to study cellular assays in molecular detail. Assays for single molecules or groups of molecules such as optical tweezers play an important role in the study of RNA complexes.