Ryszard Kierzek

Prof. Ryszard Kierzek is a renowned chemist and academic at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań. He has held roles including Professor (since 2000), Associate Professor (1988–2000), and Research Fellow (1978–1988). His affiliations include leading the RNA Chemistry Laboratory and participating in international collaborations at institutions like the University of Rochester and University of Colorado.

Education:

• Professorship: Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2000
• Habilitation (Doctor of Sciences): Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, 1988
• Ph.D. in Chemistry: A. Mickiewicz University, 1978
• M.S. in Chemistry: A. Mickiewicz University, 1974

Research Interests:

His work spans chemical synthesis of nucleic acids, RNA thermodynamics, nonenzymatic RNA cleavage, structural RNA biology, and development of isoenergetic microarrays. Key achievements include pioneering RNA duplex thermodynamic models, novel oligonucleotide synthesis methods, and applications of modified nucleotides in RNA research.

Awards:

• Elected to Human Frontier Science Program Reviewers Committee (2004–2008)
• NIH Fogarty Awards (2002–2006 and 1998–2002)
• Group awards from the Polish Academy of Sciences (1977, 1987)

Advising & Grants:

Supervised 6 doctoral students and led projects on RNA microarrays and therapeutic oligonucleotides. Secured funding from Polish Ministry of Science and NIH.

Labs/Teams:

Director of the RNA Chemistry Laboratory, collaborating internationally on structural and functional genomic studies of RNA.