Ralf Ficner

Prof. Dr. Ralf Ficner is a Professor of Structural Biology at the University of Göttingen, leading the Department of Molecular Structural Biology since 2001. His research focuses on elucidating the relationship between macromolecular structures and cellular functions using methods like X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. Key interests include RNA processing, nucleocytoplasmic transport, and protein-RNA complexes involved in post-transcriptional modification and splicing.

Education & Career:

• Dr. rer. nat. (1992), Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry
• Postdoc (1993), EMBL Heidelberg (1994-1996)
• Junior Group Leader, University of Marburg (1997-2000)
• Head of Department of Molecular Structural Biology, University of Göttingen (2001-present)

Research Interests: Structural biology of RNA-modifying enzymes, spliceosome components, and nuclear transport machinery. His lab has determined over 230 structures of proteins and nucleic acid complexes, emphasizing functional insights from atomic-level structural data.

Publications: Recent work includes studies on tRNA processing enzymes, DEAH-box helicases, and CRM1-mediated nuclear export pathways, reflecting his expertise in structural enzymology and RNA biology.

Affiliations: GGNB (Graduate School in Neurosciences, Biophysics & Molecular Biosciences), GZMB (Graduate School in Molecular Biosciences), and multiple interdisciplinary programs at the University of Göttingen.

Labs & Teams: The Department of Molecular Structural Biology collaborates with EMBL, Max Planck Institutes, and international groups to advance structural biology techniques and their application to biological systems.