Directed Molecular Evolution

BIOGRAPHY

ACADEMIC POSITION:
Professor of Chemical Biology, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn

EDUCATION:
• 1981-1986 University of Marburg, Germany; Field of study: chemistry. Diploma Thesis in the laboratory of Professor Gernot Boche
• 1987-1989 University of Marburg, Germany: PhD Thesis in the laboratory of Professor Gernot Boche
• 1989-1990 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA: Postdoctoral in the laboratory of Professor Julius Rebek, Jr
• 1990-1992 Massachusetts General Hospital /Harvard Department of Genetics, Boston, USA: Postdoctoral in the laboratory of Professor Jack W Szostak

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
The central focus of our research lies in the areas of aptamer- and in vitro selection technologies, chemical genetics, and chemical biology. We currently concentrate on the following topics:

• Chemical genetics: aptamer-displacement assays for screening of small molecule inhibitors of target proteins
• Novel protein-binding and -inhibitory aptamers/intracellular aptamers ('Intramers')
• Novel catalytic nucleic acids
• Synthetic aptamers as biosensors, diagnostics, and therapeutics