"Seeing is believing": Visualization of biomolecules is a fascinating and powerful approach to monitor complex processes such as binding events or folding pathways. Our research focuses on unravelling the dynamic behaviour of catalytically active RNAs and establishing the correlation between their functionality and structures. To achieve this, we are exploring a variety of labeling strategies for RNA, enabling investigation at the single-molecule level. Techniques such as Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) and Fluorescent Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) serve as our lenses into the molecular choreography of these essential biomolecules.
Projects
- How is RNA folding controlled, which factors have which influence?
- Taking the single molecule approach to its limit: smFRET spectroscopy at non- and near-physiological conditions
- Take up the challenge of combining the ideal labelling positions with the respective labelling techniques.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
- Since 2020 Scientific co-worker mentoring the smFRET subgroup
- 2018 - 2020 Postdoctoral fellow in Roland Sigel's lab
- 2012 - 2018 PhD Ph.D. thesis in Roland Sigel's lab, self-directed interdisciplinary topic "Combining Single-Molecule with Ensemble Fluorescence Experiments to Disentangle the Interplay of Folding and Activity of a Group II Intron Ribozyme"
- 2011: Master Thesis (M.Sc.) at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Prof. G. R. Patzke, Topic: "Microscopic Investigations of a Potential Drug Carrier System for Bioactive Polyoxometalates"
- 2009 - 2011: Master-Studies in Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Zurich
- 2005: Bachelor-Studies (B.Sc.) in Biotechnology, FH-Lausitz, University of Applied Sciences, Germany, Practical part of the Bachelor thesis at the Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Prof. E.C. Böttger, Topic: "Cloning and Purification of Ribosomal Proteins of Mycobacterium smegmatis "
Research Experiences
- 2013 – 2017 Administrative assistant for COST action CM1105: Functional metal complexes that bind to biomolecules
- 2010 – 2012 Research Associate at the biotech company Molecular Partners, Zürich, Field: "Ribosome display selections, Protein screening, expression, purification, and characterization"
- 2006 – 2010 Research Technician at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Zurich, Prof. Roland K. O. Sigel, Topic: "Metal ion‐RNA‐Interaction"
- 2005 Research Assistant at the Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Prof. Erick C. Böttger
- 2003 Employee at the pharmacological company elbion AG, Radebeul, Germany
Publications
- Chemical Dual End-Labeling of Large Ribozymes. Esra Ahunbay, Fabio D. Steffen, Susann Zelger-Paulus, Roland K. O. Sigel, In: Gerhard Steger, Hannah Rosenbach, Ingrid Span (eds) DNAzymes. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2439. 2022, Humana, New York, NY.
- Screening for potential interaction partners with surface plasmon resonance imaging coupled to MALDI mass spectrometry. Ulrike Anders, Maya Gulotti-Georgiev, Susann Zelger-Paulus, Fatima-Ezzahra Hibti, Chiraz Frydman, Detlev Suckau, Roland K.O.Sigel, RenatoZenobi, Anal. Biochem. 2021, 624, 1141985
- Encapsulation of Fluorescently Labeled RNAs into Surface Tethered Vesicles for Single-Molecule FRET Studies in TIRF Microscopy. Susann Zelger-Paulus, Melodie C. A. S. Hadzic, Roland K. O. Sigel, and Richard Börner, Methods in Molecular Biology, 2020.
- Detailed Analysis of complex single-molecule FRET data with the software MASH. Melodie C. A. S. Hadzic, Danny Kowerko, Richard Börner, Susann Zelger-Paulus, Roland K.O. Sigel, SPIE Bios, 2016.
- Internal Labeling Strategy of Large RNAs with Minimal Perturbation Using Fluorescent PNA. Anita G. Schmitz, Susann Zelger-Paulus, Gilles Gasser,* Roland K. O. Sigel*, ChemBioChem, 2015.
- Binding of a Designed Anti-cancer Drug to the Central Cavity of an RNA Three-Way Junction. Siriporn Phongtongpasuk, Susann Paulus, Joachim Schnabl, Roland K. O. Sigel*, Bernhard Spingler*, Michael J. Hannon*, Eva Freisinger*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2013 Oct 25;52(44):11513-6-- selected as top 5% Very Important Paper (VIP) -- Front Cover of October issue Angewandte Chemie
- Targeted Delivery of Polyoxometalate Nanocomposites. Georg Geisberger, Susann Paulus, Emina Besic Gyenge, Carolin Maake, Greta R. Patzke, Small, 2011, 7, 2808.
- Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity of polyoxometalate/carboxymethyl chitosan nanocomposites. Georg Geisberger, Susann Paulus, M. Carraro, M. Bonchio, Greta R. Patzke, Chem. Eur. J., 2011, 17, 4619.
- Using In Vitro Transcription to Construct Scaffolds for One-Dimensional Arrays of Mercuric Ions. Silke Johannsen, Susann Paulus, Nicole Düpre, Jens Müller, Roland K. O. Sigel, J. Inorg. Biochem., 2008, 102(5-6):1141.
Teaching
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Every fall semester PCPII, advanced physical chemistry course: FCS experiments
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Fall semester 2021: Lecture (4SWS) "Metal Ions in Life Sciences" CHE431 Course, phys. chem.: “FCS” CHE21
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Spring semester 2021: block course “Applied RNA Methodology” BIO446
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Fall semester 2020: Physical Chemistry, Experiment: Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy CHE211
Fall semester 2020: Lecture (4SWS) "Metal Ions in Life Sciences" CHE431
Fall semester 2019: Lecture (4SWS) "Metal Ions in Life Sciences" CHE431
Fall semester 2019: Lecture (4SWS) "Metal Ions in Life Sciences"
- Fall semester 2018 and 2019: Teaching assistant in basic chemistry for teachers
- 2016 April - December: Masterstudent, Besim Fazliji
- 2015 July -August: BUSS student, Manuela Zimmermann
- 2015 March – December: Master student, Ilija Vukadin
- Fall semester 2014: Chemistry lab class for medical students
- Fall semester 2014: Chemistry lab class for verterinary students
- 2014 July – August: BUSS student, Besim Fazliji
- 2013 July – August: BUSS student Cristina Batlle Carreras
Awards
- 2020 Co-applicant SNF-proposal
- 2016 Chemistry Travel Award
- 2016 Travel Award of the Graduate School of Chemical and Molecular Sciences Zurich
- 2013/2015 Forschungskredit [FK-13-095] and Prolongation [FK-15-094]
