B.Sc., University of Scranton, 1982.
Rheinisch Westfalische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Fulbright Scholar, 1983.
Ph.D., Harvard University, 1989 with Steve Benner.
Harvard Traveling Scholar, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 1986-1989.
University of Colorado at Boulder, Howard Hughes Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 1989-1993 with Tom Cech
The University of Chicago, Assistant Professor, 1993-2000.
Assistant Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 1994-2000.
The University of Chicago, Professor, 2000
Associate Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 2000-2004.
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 2004-2009 Joint Appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Ph.D. 1993, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Research Specialist Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
I am interested in the chemical synthesis and enzymatic synthesis of biologically interesting molecules including but not limited to the modification of nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids for the studies of RNA structure and function.
Photo and bio soon!
Ph.D. Wrocław University 2020 In 2014
Anna started her PhD project at The Wrocław University, with the aim of studying the function of glycogenolytic enzymes in the formation of skeletal muscles. Currently occupying the (Fulbright) desk in the lab owned by the Polish consulate, Anna gets to sit on one of the only 16 square foot places in Illinois with a drinking age below 21 (though she is professional and doesn’t abuse that). Anna’s work is focused on creating Fab-RNA complexes to produce crystals, which are then shot with crazy strong lasers at Argonne national lab, which is constantly surrounded by thunderstorms and manic laughter. In addition, Anna has been very kind and generous by feeding the lab, though if this is some dastardly plot to give us all diabetes is yet to be revealed.
Amidst the insanity that was 2020, Matt had reached rock bottom. But then, out of nowhere, he realized that all of life’s problems could be solved by joining the Piccirilli Lab (multiple citations needed). We’re still not entirely sure that Matt is not multiple people as we’ve not seen him without a mask much, but his skill in getting the FPLC to do some work for him (them?) is unquestionable. His work is focused on nsp1 of some obscure virus that no one has heard of. COVID 91, or is it 19? I’m not sure, I’ll give it a quick google.
B.A. Biochemistry, Grinnell College 2019
Allison is a chemistry graduate student from Minneapolis, MN who joined the lab in 2021. She is currently working on determining the structure of ribozymes using Fabs to assist in RNA crystallization.
MSc Molecular Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University 2019
Dan graduated with Master’s degree in molecular biotechnology from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, and spent one year in the lab as a Fulbright scholar before joining for PhD in 2021. Currently, Dan is working on a phage-displayed antibody library tailored for RNA targets that will help in generation of RNA binders and facilitate structural studies.
Photo and bio soon!
B.E. Chemistry, University of Gdansk 2020
Wojtek is a chemistry graduate student, he joined the lab in 2021. Currently working with RNA mutants and their complexes with the ligands. In the previous labs, he worked especially with peptides, proteins, and peptidomimetics as well. Ever since he watched a movie called Backdraft he has always wanted to be a firefighter in Chicago (he visits very often various fire departments here).
Photo and bio soon!