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ANDRES JÄSCHKE RECEIVES THE ALBRECHT-KOSSEL AWARD

June 30, 2022

New insights thanks to RNA research

The German Chemical Society (GDCh) awards the Albrecht-Kossel Award to Professor Dr. Andres Jäschke (Heidelberg University), for his work on the chemical biology of nucleic acids.

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>> Andres Jäschke convinced the selection committee with his pioneering contributions to the catalysis, regulation, modification and imaging of RNA. The RNA-based Diels-Alderase enzyme he developed and his work on it provided fundamental insight into the structural and functional properties of RNA ribozymes. His discovery of natural RNA modifications brought completely new insights into the field of so-called epitranscriptomics. Jäschke found that bacterial RNA can wear a nucleic acid (NAD)-based protective cap that significantly affects RNA lifespan. With this fundamental discovery, the awardee established a whole new branch of RNA biochemistry. Jäschke can also show impressive research results in live cell imaging, in the development of novel DNA photoswitches and the development of bioorthogonal modifications of RNA and DNA. In his work, he combines organic synthesis with molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics and modern bioanalytical methods. <<

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