Contact

Prof. Norbert Polacek
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Bern
Freiestrasse 3
CH-3012 Bern
Switzerland

Phone: +41 31 631 43 20
FAX: +41 31 631 48 87

E-Mail: norbert.polacek@dcb.unibe.ch

Web: http://polacek.dcb.unibe.ch

Secretary

Christina Schüpbach
Phone: +41 31 631 43 43
FAX: +41 31 631 48 87
E-Mail: christina.schuepbach@dcb.unibe.ch

Current Research Interests

We aim at deepening our molecular understanding of non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in large ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. In particular we study the ribosome and the vault complex. To unravel the functional contributions of specific rRNA nucleotides for protein synthesis, we have developed an ‘atomic mutagenesis’ approach. This tool allows manipulating single functional groups or even single atoms of rRNA residues within the ribosome. To study translation regulation, we recently performed genomic screens seeking for novel small ncRNAs that directly bind and possibly regulate translating ribosomes in model organisms from all three domains of life.

CV

• 1970: Born in Vienna, Austria. 
   
• 1988-1996: Studies in Biology and Genetics, University of Vienna.
   
• 1996: Diploma thesis (in the lab of Andrea Barta).
   
• 1997-2000: PhD thesis with Andrea Barta, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Vienna (Subject: Structural dynamics of rRNA in bacterial ribosomes).
   
• 2000-2003: Postdoc with Alexander Mankin, Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA (Subject: Ribosomal catalysis).

• 2003-2005: Assistant Professor and group leader at the Innsbruck Biocenter, Medical University (Subject: ncRNAs as ribo-regulators in pro- and eukaryotes, catalytic functions of rRNA).

• 2005: Habilitation in Molecular Biology at the Innsbruck Medical University.

• 2005-2011: Associate Professor at the Innsbruck Biocenter, Medical University (Subject: genomics of regulatory ncRNAs, atomic mutagenesis of the ribosome).

• From January 2012: Full Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern.