George Ghanim

George Ghanim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University, where he leads the Ghanim Lab. His research focuses on the structural and biochemical mechanisms of retrotransposition, particularly LINE-1 and Alu elements, using integrated approaches in cryo-EM, biochemistry, and in vivo assays.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
• B.S., Rutgers University

George's research interests center on understanding how retrotransposable elements mobilize within the human genome, contributing to genetic diseases and cancer. His lab aims to biochemically reconstitute and structurally characterize the molecular machinery of retrotransposition. By elucidating the interactions between retrotransposon RNA, proteins, and target DNA, his work seeks to enable therapeutic inhibition and engineering of these elements for biotechnology applications.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in structural biology of macromolecular complexes involved in genome maintenance and mobility, particularly telomerase and retrotransposons. These studies leverage high-resolution cryo-EM and functional biochemistry to uncover mechanistic insights into nucleoprotein complexes.

Scientific Awards:

• Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021)
• MRC-LMB Joan A. Steitz Postdoc Prize (2022)

George has advised and collaborated with several researchers during his postdoctoral and independent work. His lab is currently recruiting graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff scientists. He has secured access to cutting-edge cryo-EM instrumentation and computational resources at Princeton. While specific grants are not listed, his fellowship awards and lab launch indicate strong funding support.

The Ghanim Lab is a dynamic, collaborative environment focused on challenging nucleoprotein biochemistry and structural biology, contributing to the vibrant research culture in Princeton’s Department of Molecular Biology.