معرفی
Norbert Polacek is a Full Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DCBP) at the University of Bern, Switzerland. He has served as Director of the Department from 2021-2023 and previously as Deputy Director from 2018-2020. Since 2014, he has been head of the master program in "Molecular Life Sciences" and serves as NCCR RNA & Disease Delegate for Training & Education.
His educational background includes studies in Biology/Genetics at the University of Vienna (1988-1996), followed by a diploma thesis and PhD thesis in the group of Andrea Barta at the Institute of Medical Biochemistry. He completed postdoctoral work at the University of Illinois at Chicago under Alexander S. Mankin.
Polacek's research focuses on non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) within large cellular RNA/protein complexes like ribosomes and vault particles. His work examines the structural, catalytic and regulatory roles of ncRNAs during ribosome functioning, translation control, and apoptosis. His group applies biochemical, genomic, and bioinformatics tools across all three domains of life (archaea, bacteria and eukarya).
His recent publications reveal a strong focus on tRNA-derived fragments, ribosomal RNA expansion segments, and vault RNAs. The work spans from fundamental ribosome mechanics to cancer biology applications, showing how ncRNAs modulate translation, regulate gene expression, and influence disease processes like hepatocellular carcinoma.
His notable scientific achievements include:
- START award from the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF)
- Novartis research prize for Biology
- Research award of the Principality Liechtenstein
Polacek leads a research group focusing on three main projects: Atomic mutagenesis of the ribosome, The regulatory non-coding RNA interactome of translating ribosomes, and The elusive molecular biology of the vault RNA. His group has made significant contributions to understanding how RNA fragments regulate translation and cellular processes, including the discovery that certain RNA fragments function as stimulants rather than inhibitors in cellular machinery.
The Polacek laboratory maintains active collaborations within the Swiss National Focus in Research on RNA & Disease, jointly hosted by the University of Bern and ETH Zürich, and participates in numerous international research networks focused on RNA biology.
