George Ghanim

George Ghanim is an Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. His research focuses on the structural and biochemical mechanisms of retrotransposition, particularly the mobility of LINE-1 and Alu elements. These elements, which make up nearly 30% of the human genome, can cause genetic diseases and contribute to cancer. Ghanim's lab uses biochemical reconstitution, in vivo assays, and cryo-electron microscopy to study retrotransposition. His work aims to understand the molecular interactions involved in retrotransposition and to develop tools for therapeutic inhibition or engineering of these elements. Ghanim earned his B.A. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Math from Rutgers University and his PhD at UC Berkeley, where he studied the structural mechanism of Drosophila P element transposition. He joined Princeton University’s Department of Molecular Biology in January 2025.

George E Ghanim is an Assistant Professor at Princeton University specializing in Structural Biology and Nucleic Acid Biochemistry. His research focuses on elucidating the structural mechanisms of telomerase and transposases, with an emphasis on their interactions with DNA and RNA. Using cryo-EM and structural biology techniques, Ghanim investigates the molecular basis of telomere maintenance, telomerase recruitment, and transposition processes. His work includes studies on human telomerase holoenzyme, P element transposases, and the structural dynamics of telomeric DNA. These studies provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying telomere biology and transposable elements.