Stockholm university

Research group Britt-Marie Sjöberg's research group

The enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalyses the reaction that provides new DNA building blocks. RNR is therefore a prerequisite in all living cells, and also regulates cellular replication and proliferation. Some antiproliferative drugs (e.g. hydroxyurea and gemcitabine) that are used clinically today are specific inhibitors of RNR.

Foto: Niklas Björling
Foto: Niklas Björling

There are currently three different classes of RNRs (I, II, and III) that differ in reactivity towards oxygen, cofactor requirement, and quaternary structure. Our database RNRdb also distinguishes several RNR subclasses. Despite the striking differences all RNRs appear to have a common evolutionary origin.

Our current projects include:

  • Developing novel antibiotics towards RNRs in pathogenic microorganisms.
  • Understanding the emergence of ribonucleotide reduction in the RNP (RNA+protein) world.
  • Understanding the evolution of extant RNRs.

Group members

Group managers

Britt-Marie Sjöberg

Professor

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
BMSjöberg

Members

Amanda Yohannes

Student

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Daniel Lundin

Researcher

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Daniel Lundin

Inna Rozman Grinberg

Researcher

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Inna1

Research projects