Our Network
Uniting researchers in the UK across the fields of protein translation,
folding, degradation, aggregation, and beyond
Our Network
Want to join the network?
PIs are invited to list their groups and research interests as network members by completing this short form. Please note, the information gathered will only be used for this purpose and you can request changes to your information or removal from the list at any time by contacting us at UKproteostasis@babraham.ac.uk
We are pleased to include the following PIs as network members as part of our aim to help connect researchers working in proteostasis and related areas. Network members are the first to hear about opportunities and events and exist as a community to collaborate, share resources and expertise. If you know of people who would find the network of interest, please do spread the word!
Network Coordinators:
Della David
Signalling ISP, Babraham Institute
UK Proteostasis Network Coordinator
Co-Coordinating Committee Member
Our research group studies the intracellular and extracellular proteostasis mechanisms that protect against protein aggregation during ageing. We use mainly the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as our ageing model of choice for genetic, proteomic and imaging based experimental approaches. Ultimately, our aim is to discover ways to promote healthy ageing and alleviate age-related diseases.
Keywords: Model organisms (C. elegans); Ageing; Aggregation
Laura Itzhaki
Dept of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge
UK Proteostasis Network Coordinator
Co-Coordinating Committee Member
My research interests include protein folding, engineering and design; molecular therapeutics; and targeted protein degradation. My group is exploiting our understanding of protein-protein interactions to harness proteostasis networks and thereby manipulate protein stability and disease outcome. We are combining target-engagement modules and degradation-inducing modules in a mix-and-match format to identify the best combination for effective knockdown of the target with the aim of co-opting the broadest range of degradation machineries and thereby tackling hard-to-drug targets and disease states.
Keywords: protein engineering; targeted protein degradation; molecular therapeutics
Oliver Florey
Signalling ISP, Babraham Institute
UK Proteostasis Network Coordinator
Co-Coordinating Committee Member
Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms involved in maintaining lysosome homeostasis during stress associated with ageing and disease. We have a strong focus on a non-canonical autophagy pathway termed CASM, which we are investigating as a novel therapeutic opportunity.
Keywords: autophagy; lysosome
Ritwick Sawarkar
MRC Toxicology Unit
UK Proteostasis Network Coordinator
Co-Coordinating Committee Member
Our research group focusses on elucidating mechanisms by which mammalian cells sense and respond to proteotoxic stress. We use genetic, biochemical and cell biological approaches and test our hypotheses in mouse models of ageing and neurodegeneration. Our aim is to identify new therapeutic opportunities for proteotoxic diseases.
Keywords: heat-shock response; chaperones; RNA therapeutics