Welcome Julian!
We are happy to welcome a new M.Sc. student to our lab: Julian Fischer from Goethe University (Frankfurt, Germany). Welcome!
About us
Our research group is interested in understanding how RNAs change their structures in order to perform function. Until recently, only snapshots of molecules could be observed, hiding their mode of operation. We employ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and other biophysical techniques, to investigate the molecular mechanism of RNA function. When function of these molecular machines becomes apparent, it also provides a variety of unique new drug targets. The lab develops methods in NMR and RNA biochemistry to address these questions. Current projects include viral, bacterial and eukaryotic regulatory RNAs, e.g. microRNAs, ribosomal RNAs or RNA from HBV.
New preprint: The A-minor Switch!
Imagine if one of RNA’s most common 3D contacts could switch off and on. In our preprint, we identified the A-minor switch that can reversibly “escape” their tertiary contacts, revealing a dynamic regulatory layer in RNA structure (shown by NMR & Cryo-EM and assayed in ribosomes). Read more: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.08.718354v1
HG / WCF equilibrium just got even more exciting
Enabling 1H R1ρ NMR measurements even when NOE’s are present allowed us to identify one more excited state in the Hoogsteen to Watson-Crick-Franklin equilibrium. Have a look here!
Welcome Adetutu!
We are happy to welcome Adetutu Oyinloye to the lab as a new Erasmus internship student. She will work on microRNA targeting. Welcome!
New paper published in PNAS!
We are happy to announce that our work recently got published in PNAS. In this study, we introduce a method to boost the sensitivity of RNA NMR by attaching a special spin label (AsymPol) directly to RNA. This enables selective signal enhancement, opening possibilities for studying RNA structure and function even at very low concentrations. Read more: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2531087123
Postdoc position available!
We are also currently looking for a motivated postdoc to explore RNA regulation, microRNAs and RNA dynamics in a supportive, international research environment. Read more here! Application deadline: February 23, 2026
PhD position available!
We are currently searching for a highly motivated PhD student to join the project Cellular Structural biology/Biophysics focused on RNA structural dynamics and regulation inside living cells. Read more here! Application deadline: February 20, 202
Welcome Moa and Tilde!
We are happy to welcome Moa Hedman and Tilde Eklöf as new B.Sc. students to our lab. They will work on microRNA targeting. Welcome!
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Available positions
Read more here about available positions
Links
Petzold lab at Uppsala University
Petzold lab at Karolinska Institutet
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM)
Contact
Petzold lab at BMC (D9:3)
Uppsala University
Department of Medical BIochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM)
Husargatan 3
752 37 Uppsala
Sweden
Delivery address
Katja Petzold
Uppsala University, BMC D9:3
IMBIM
Husargatan 3
752 37 Uppsala
Sweden