The Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB) (external link, opens in a new window) unites experienced and early-career research groups from the University of Regensburg's (UR) Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine. These groups conduct research on fundamental biochemical processes at molecular and organismal levels. To celebrate the University of Regensburg's awarding of an honorary doctorate to Professor Dr. Eric Westhof (IBMC-CNRS Strasbourg) (external link, opens in a new window), the RCB hosted together with the faculty a symposium on October 8, 2026. The symposium was titled ‘RNA Structures, tRNAs, and Ribosomes’.
The symposium brought together international experts, early-career researchers, and students to provide a vibrant framework for exchanging ideas about current developments in RNA research. Professor Dr. Neva Caliskan (UR, Chair of Biochemistry III) and Professor Dr Gunter Meister (UR, Chair of Biochemistry I) delivered the laudatory speeches for Eric Westhof.
In his keynote lecture, 'From Nucleosides to Ribosomal Decoding', Eric Westhof traced his scientific career, which began in Regensburg in the 1970s with a EURATOM fellowship from the European Atomic Energy Community. There are still strong ties with the University of Regensburg today, including joint publications.
As is the case for many researchers at the RCB, the chemical structure and functionality of RNA lie at the heart of Eric Westhof’s research — a field of study that researchers at the University of Regensburg are also addressing in the new SFB initiative, 'The life of RNA in a ribonuclease environment'.
Further information
Contacts
Prof. Dr. Till Rudack
Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine
University of Regensburg
E-Mail: till.rudack@ur.de
