Dr hab. Michał R. Szymański, prof. UG, Head of the Structural Biology Laboratory of the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the UG & MUG coauthored work published in ‘Science’ magazine.

The research work titled ‘Transcription polymerase–catalyzed emergence of novel RNA replicons’ is a result of Professor’s Szymański longstanding cooperation with 2006 Nobel Prize Winner, Professor Andy Fire’s group from Stanford University in USA.

The work describes, little known so far, mechanism of non-canonical activity of RNA polymerase: ability to transcribe RNA based on RNA matrixes. Using biochemical and sequencing methods, microflow systems research and bioinformatics analyses scientists were able to describe the creation and evolution of RNA replicons, identified mechanisms explaining their selection and structures in detail. The research is meaningful, because it sheds light on the questions like origin of life, molecular evolution and multiplication of certain pathogens, where RNA is the genetic material, like influenza virus, hepatitis type D and plant viroids.

‘Science’ is the most prestigious and most highly cited scientific journal in the world. It is highly regarded and often referred to in scientific community. It was first published in 1880 by the inventor Thomas Edison. It is currently circulated weekly and is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.