Prof. Dr Richard Börner (Dr rer. nat.)

A physicist by profession, Richard Börner’s research focuses on the dynamic process by which a linear RNA molecule, following synthesis, assumes its specific, functional three-dimensional structure – the kinetics of RNA folding. In his work, he utilises a wide variety of microscopy techniques to visualise movements and changes, and to apply the findings in a targeted manner.

This page was translated automatically using artificial intelligence (DeepL). The German version is binding. More information about automatic translation

Faculty Engineering Sciences

Chair of Biophotonics/Physical Engineering

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Richard Börner
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Richard Börner
Fakultät Ingenieurwissenschaften
+49 3727 581009
boerner1@hs-mittweida.de
42-109
Visitor address
Schillerstr. 10
09648 Mittweida
42-109
Postal address
Mittweida University
Fakultät Ingenieurwissenschaften
Technikumplatz 17
09648 Mittweida

Prof. Dr Richard Börner is Professor of Biophotonics/Physical Engineering at the Faculty Engineering Sciences at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences and heads the Biophotonics Research Group at the Laser Institute of Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. After studying Medical Physics at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, he completed his PhD at the University of Lübeck in the field of single-molecule spectroscopy. He then conducted research as a postdoctoral fellow and later as head of a sub-group specialising in single-molecule FRET at the University of Zurich.

Richard Börner has been working at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences since 2019. His research combines single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, FRET-based structural biology, laser measurement technology, instrument development and computer-aided data analysis. A particular focus is on the investigation of biomolecular structures and dynamics, especially of RNA, as well as on the development of new Biophotonics measurement and analysis methods.
In his teaching and research, he bridges the gap between physics, photonics, biophysics and applied engineering. His research group develops experimental and data-driven methods for modern fluorescence microscopy, single-molecule measurements and Biophotonics applications.

What we’re working on

Teaching responsibilities and areas of research

A physicist by profession, Richard Börner’s research focuses on the dynamic process by which a linear RNA molecule, following synthesis, assumes its specific, functional three-dimensional structure – the kinetics of RNA folding. In his work, he utilises a wide variety of microscopy techniques to visualise movements and changes, and to apply the findings in a targeted manner. His research group reports on the latest progress in the development of the MASH-FRET software package for analysing single-molecule videos on GitHub: github.com/RNA-FRETools/MASH-FRET.

Career

2000

Degree

Chemnitz University of Technology

Graduate Engineer (Dipl.-Ing.) in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in machine tools and applied mechanics

2001

A-levels

Olbernhau Grammar School

2001–2005

Teaching post

Chemnitz University of Technology for the department of

"Machine Tools – Properties Analysis"

2004

PhD

Chemnitz University of Technology

Thesis topic: ‘Extending the operational limits for clamping highly loaded, elongated workpieces’

July 2000 – September 2005

Research Assistant at Chemnitz University of Technology

October 2005 – December 2007

Project Engineer, ‘New Technologies’, ESKA Automotive GmbH

January 2008 – present

Professor of Design Engineering (CAE Techniques and FEM)

What we’re working on

Teaching responsibilities and areas of research

A physicist by profession, Richard Börner’s research focuses on the dynamic process by which a linear RNA molecule, following synthesis, assumes its specific, functional three-dimensional structure – the kinetics of RNA folding. In his work, he utilises a wide variety of microscopy techniques to visualise movements and changes, and to apply the findings in a targeted manner. His research group reports on the latest progress in the development of the MASH-FRET software package for analysing single-molecule videos on GitHub: github.com/RNA-FRETools/MASH-FRET.

Career

2000

Degree

Chemnitz University of Technology

Graduate Engineer (Dipl.-Ing.) in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in machine tools and applied mechanics

2001

A-levels

Olbernhau Grammar School

2001–2005

Teaching post

Chemnitz University of Technology for the department of

"Machine Tools – Properties Analysis"

2004

PhD

Chemnitz University of Technology

Thesis topic: ‘Extending the operational limits for clamping highly loaded, elongated workpieces’

July 2000 – September 2005

Research Assistant at Chemnitz University of Technology

October 2005 – December 2007

Project Engineer, ‘New Technologies’, ESKA Automotive GmbH

January 2008 – present

Professor of Design Engineering (CAE Techniques and FEM)

Would you like to know more?

Be inspired

Newsroom

Projects

VIVA-SAX: Validierung einer 96-Wellplatten-Implementierung

  • Term: 2026/08/01 – 2026/10/31
  • Financed by: Europäischer Fonds für Regionale Entwicklung (EFRE)
  • Funding code: 100760048
  • Project managers: Richard Börner
2932 Richard Börner

WIR-DIANA-Education for Point of Care Technology

  • Term: 2025/10/01 – 2028/03/31
  • Financed by: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
  • Funding code: 03WIR7312B
  • Project managers: Richard Börner
  • Project partners:
    • Technische Universität Chemnitz
    • Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkzeugmaschinen und Umformtechnik IWU
    • Fraunhofer-Institut für Zelltherapie und Immunologie IZI
2861 Richard Börner

VIVA-SAX: Validierung einer KHZ-Lasersteuerung

  • Term: 2025/06/01 – 2026/05/31
  • Financed by: Europäischer Fonds für Regionale Entwicklung (EFRE)
  • Funding code: 100760048
  • Project managers: Richard Börner
2860 Richard Börner

RNA Dynamik mithilfe von smFRET und nsFCS aufklären und in hybride RNA Strukturmodelle integrieren (RNAdyn)

  • Term: 2024/03/01 – 2028/02/28
  • Financed by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
  • Funding code: 537331625
  • Project managers: Richard Börner
2761 Richard Börner

Innovationscluster HSMW 2023, AP03: Integration der kHz und MHz Steuerung in ein modulares Fluoreszenzlesegerät

  • Term: 2023/04/01 – 2026/12/31
  • Financed by: Sächsisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft, Kultur und Tourismus
  • Funding code: 100685484
  • Project managers: Richard Börner
2043 Richard Börner

Publications

V. Reimann, V. Schumann, P. Lehmann, J. Meitzner, L. Reuss, R. Börner

Combining UV-vis Absorption and FRET melting curves to screen the thermodynamic stability and folding pathways of NAs in vitro

Appeared in: RNA Spectroscopy. Methods and Protocols, 2026, P. 137 – 152
21329 sammelbandbeitrag Biophotonik
F. Erichson, F. Steffen, R. Börner

FAMP: A Software Framework for FRET-Based Integrative Modeling of RNA

Appeared in: Methods in Molecular Biology 3004 (2026), P. 19 – 40
ISBN: 978-1-0716-5083-7
PMID: 41478898
21397 sammelbandbeitrag Biophotonik
M. Weber, F. Erichson, M. Antczak, V. Schumann, J. Meitzner, T. Zok, F. Steffen, M. Szachniuk, R. Börner

FRET-guided selection of RNA 3D structures

Appeared in: Nucleic Acids Research 54 (2026), P. gkag147
21675 journalartikel
R. Börner, R. Sigel, N. Lindlar, M. Zhao, E. Freisinger

Site-Specific Dual-Color Labeling of Long RNAs

Appeared in: Methods in Molecular Biology, 2026
21701 sammelbandbeitrag Biophotonik
M. Weber, F. Erichson, M. Antczak, T. Zok, F. Steffen, M. Szachniuk, R. Börner

FRET-guided selection of RNA 3D structures

21624 journalartikel
What is the HSMW?

Find out more

Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is a boundless testing ground aimed at driving business and society forward. How? Through academically trained specialists and straightforward collaboration, which enables regional businesses to benefit directly from our findings – or to gain new insights through joint research projects that can be put into practice straight away. We enable students to test their limits by developing their own skills and exploring new horizons.

6.350
Students
590
dedicated staff
100
Partner universities worldwide
161
Years at HSMW
Find out more