Functional RNAs that contribute to higher genetic complexity and expanded functional space are of great importance for scenarios of early life, i.e. in the RNA world. The lecture will introduce ribozyme variants that perform RNA processing reactions in different scenarios, including RNA recombination, regular and back-splicing. Recent studies on the activity of encapsulated ribozymes clearly show that encapsulation in vesicles supports intermolecular association and structure formation and thus overall activity of catalytic RNAs compared to their activity in free solution. This confirms the importance of compartmentalization for further evolution of functionality.
Sabine Müller holds the Chair of Biochemistry/Bioorganic Chemistry at the University Greifswald. After her academic graduation from Humboldt University Berlin, she worked for 18 months as a postdoc at the MRC in Cambridge, UK, and then took up a group leader position again at Humboldt University. After her habilitation in 2003, she moved to the Ruhr University Bochum, where she held a professorship in bioorganic chemistry, before accepting her current appointment at the University of Greifswald in 2006. Sabine Müller‘s research focuses on the chemistry and biochemistry of nucleic acids.
Moderation: Professorin Dr. Ulla Bonas