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Professor Utz Fischer, Head of the Chair of Biochemistry I at Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg, is now a new member of EMBO.

The scientist and his team are investigating how complex structures made up of proteins and nucleic acids, known as macromolecular machines, assemble in a cell and perform their function. These machines are present in all cells of the body and perform important tasks, such as retrieving information from genes or synthesising proteins. The production of these machines is a top priority for the organism and must be strictly controlled.

In his research, the JMU biochemist always keeps an eye on whether a malfunction of these machines is associated with diseases. One example of this is the SMN complex, which Utz Fischer describes as the ‘builder of the cell’ because it is responsible for assembling other macromolecular machines. Here, analyses showed that errors in the SMN complex are responsible for spinal muscular atrophy, a hereditary form of muscle weakness.

RNA Research in the New Cluster of Excellence

Utz Fischer is a member of the new NUCLEATE cluster of excellence, which JMU has acquired together with the two Munich universities LMU and TUM. The cluster focuses on the nucleic acids RNA and DNA: the researchers involved are investigating how these molecules function in biological processes and developing new medical therapy approaches based on nucleic acids.

Career of Utz Fischer

Utz Fischer, born in Berlin in 1964, studied biochemistry at the Free University in his hometown. After completing his doctorate and habilitation at the University of Marburg, he moved to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Philadelphia (USA). He returned to Germany in 1998, where he took over the leadership of an independent junior research group at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried near Munich. In 2003, he accepted the chair of biochemistry at the University of Würzburg.

About EMBO

EMBO's main objectives are to support talented researchers at all stages of their careers, to promote the exchange of scientific information, and to create a research environment in which scientists can work to the best of their ability. EMBO members serve on the EMBO Council, committees, and advisory editorial boards. They also review applications for funding. Further information is available at www.embo.org