Dierk Niessing

Professor Dierk Niessing is a Full Professor and Head of the Institute for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Ulm University since 2017. He is also a Group Leader at the Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Munich, Germany. His research focuses on structural biology, RNA-transport, and structure-based drug discovery, with a particular emphasis on the PURA syndrome and TRMT2A protein.

• Habilitation in Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), 2013
• Leader of Helmholtz-University Young Investigators Group, 2005–2009

His work bridges X-ray crystallography, molecular biophysics, and translational research, aiming to develop therapeutic strategies for rare diseases like PURA syndrome. He actively collaborates with clinical teams and serves as Speaker of the DFG Research Unit FOR2333 since 2016.

• Care-for-Rare Science Award, 2018 (shared with Dr. Tobias Hirsch)
• Otto-Hahn Medaille, 2000
• Elisabeth-Gateff Award, 2000

Professor Niessing was interviewed by Frank Riethdorf from Radio free FM, discussing structural biology and his research projects at Ulm University and Helmholtz Munich. He leads a multidisciplinary team focused on understanding RNA-binding proteins and their disease mechanisms.