Research Project
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy enables us to observe the fascinating world of biomolecules, revealing atomic-level structures and transient motions that are essential for their function. We use NMR to investigate small functional RNAs, particularly RNA G-quadruplexes and minimal hepatitis delta virus (HDV)-like ribozymes, to obtain high-resolution structural insights while capturing the transient, flexible conformations that are often key to RNA function. Integrating these structural snapshots with dynamic conformational data deepens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving RNA function.
Behind the Lab Coat: My Inspirations and Passions
Year you joined the Sigel Lab: 2006
Favorite molecule: RNA
What inspired me to pursue science? Puzzles. Details. Fundamental processes.
If I could visit anywhere, I would go to Serengeti.
Outside of the lab, I enjoy time with my family, playing volleyball and reading humorous crime novels.
Education
| 02/2013 - present | Senior scientist in the group of Roland Sigel Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich |
| 10/2012 - present | Leader of the NMR subgroup in the group of Roland Sigel Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich |
| 10/2010 - 01/2013 | Postdoctoral fellow in the group of Roland Sigel Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich |
| 04/2006 - 10/2010 |
Ph.D. in the group of Roland Sigel |
| 10/1999 - 10/2004 | Diploma study in Chemistry, University of Münster Thesis: “Natriumbeweglichkeit in Polyelektrolytkomplexen” Institute of Physical Chemistry, Prof. Dr. M. Schönhoff |
Fellowships
| 02/2011 - 01/2013 | Marie Heim-Vögtlin fellowship of the Swiss National Science Foundation |
List of Publications
Elucidating the solution structure of the monomolecular BCL2 RNA G-quadruplex: a new robust NMR assignment approach
Z. Wang, C. Ferreira Rodrigues, S. Jurt, A. Domínguez-Martín, S. Johannsen*, R. K. O. Sigel*, Chem. Sci., 2025.
From Enigma to Revelation: Unravelling Biological Functions of Ubiquitous Small Ribozymes
K. Kienbeck*, L. Malfertheiner, S. Zelger-Paulus, S. Johannsen, C. von Mering, R. K. O. Sigel*, CHIMIA. 2024, 78, 200.
Identification of HDV-like theta ribozymes involved in tRNA-based recoding of gut bacteriophages K. Kienbeck, L. Malfertheiner, S. Zelger-Paulus, S. Johannsen, C. von Mering*, R. K. O. Sigel*, Nature Commun. 2024, 15, 1559.
Organometallic Pillarplexes That Bind DNA 4-Way Holliday Junctions and Forks
J. S. Craig, L. Melidis, H. D. Williams, S. J. Dettmer, A. A. Heidecker, P. J. Altmann, S. Guan, C. Campbell, D. F. Browning, R. K. O. Sigel, S. Johannsen, R. T. Ross, B. Alikman, A. Casini, A. Pöthig*, M. J. Hannon*, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 13570.
Magnesium(II)-ATP Complexes in 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Acetate Solutions Characterized by 31 Mg β-Radiation-Detected NMR Spectroscopy
R. M. L. McFadden, D. Szunyogh, N. Bravo-Frank, A. Chatzichristos, M. H. Dehn, D. Fujimoto, A. Jancsó, S. Johannsen, I. Kálomista, V. L. Karner, R. F. Kiefl, F. H. Larsen, J. Lassen, C. D. P. Levy, R. Li, I. McKenzie, H. McPhee, G. D. Morris, M. R. Pearson, S. P. A. Sauer, R. K. O. Sigel, P. W. Thulstrup, W. A. MacFarlane, L. Hemmingsen*, M. Stachura*, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202207137.
Concerted dynamics of metallo-base pairs in an A/B-form helical transition
O. P. Schmidt, S. Jurt, S. Johannsen, A. Karimi, R. K. O. Sigel, N. W. Luedtke*, Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 4818.
NMR solution structure of tricyclo-DNA containing duplexes: insight into enhanced thermal stability and nuclease resistance
A. Istrate, S. Johannsen, A. Istrate, R. K. O. Sigel, C. J. Leumann*, Nucleic Acids Res. 2019, 47, 4872.
Specific phosphorothioate substitution within domain 6 of a group II intron ribozyme leads to changes in local structure and metal ion binding
M. C. Erat, E. Besic, M. Oberhuber, S. Johannsen*, R. K. O. Sigel*, J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 2018, 23, 167.
Distinct differences in metal ion specificity of RNA and DNA G-quadruplexes
H. Guiset Miserachs, D. Donghi, R. Börner*, S. Johannsen*, R. K. O. Sigel*, J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 2016, 21, 975.
A QM/MM Refinement of an Experimental DNA Structure with Metal-Mediated Base Pairs
S. Kumbhar, S. Johannsen, R. K. O. Sigel*, M. P. Waller*, Jens Müller*, J. Inorg. Biochem. 2013, 127, 203.
Solution structure of the circular γ-domain analog from the wheat metallothionein E(c)-1
K. Tarasava, S. Johannsen, E. Freisinger*, Molecules 2013, 18, 14414.
Intrinsic Acid-Base Properties of a Hexa-2'-deoxynucleoside Pentaphosphate, d(ApGpGpCpCpT). Neighboring Effects and Isomeric EquilibriaA. Domínguez-Martín, S. Johannsen, A. Sigel, B. P. Operschall, B. Song, H. Sigel, A. Okruszek, J. M. González-Pérez, J. Niclós-Gutiérrez, R. K. O. Sigel*, Chem. Eur. J. 2013, 19, 8163.
NMR Spectroscopy in Bioinorganic Chemistry
D. Donghi, S. Johannsen, R. K. O. Sigel*, E. Freisinger*, CHIMIA 2012, 66, 791.
Synthesis and Acid-Base Properties of an Imidazole-Containing Nucleotide Analogue, 1-(2'-Deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole 5'-Monophosphate (dImMP2–)N. Megger, S. Johannsen, J. Müller*, R. K. O. Sigel*, Chem. Biodivers. 2012, 9, 2050.
Solution structure of a DNA double helix with consecutive metal-mediated base pairs
S. Johannsen, N. Megger, D. Böhme, R. K. O. Sigel,* Jens Müller* Nature Chem. 2010, 2, 229.
Exploring Metal Ion Coordination to Nucleic Acids by NMR
S. Johannsen, M. M. T. Korth, J. Schnabl, R. K. O. Sigel*, CHIMIA 2009, 63, 146.
Using In Vitro Transcription to Construct Scaffolds for One-Dimensional Arrays of Mercuric Ion
S. Johannsen, S. Paulus, N. Düpre, J. Müller*, R. K. O. Sigel*, J. Inorg. Biochem. 2008, 102, 1141.