Our Network

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Maruf Ali

Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London
Our lab aims to understand the molecular mechanisms of stress signalling and protein homeostasis within the ER. We utilise a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses structural biology, biochemistry and cellular techniques, towards developing novel strategies for therapeutic intervention in human diseases.

Keywords: Protein folding and chaperones; Stress responses; Post-translational modifications (PTMs)

David Balchin

Protein biogenesis lab, The Francis Crick Institute
Co-Coordinating Committee Member
Our group focusses on the molecular mechanisms underlying protein maturation. We use structural, biophysical and cell biological approaches to understand how nascent proteins fold on the ribosome, and how this process is assisted by molecular chaperones. We study protein biogenesis in both bacteria and human cell culture.

Keywords: Protein folding and chaperones; Protein translation and ribosomes; Mammalian models / cell culture

Joseph Bateman

Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London
We are interested in how mitochondria communicate with the cell through 'mitochondrial stress signalling pathways' in neurons. We have shown that when neurons are stressed or damaged mitochondrial signalling pathways are activated. Excitingly, we can target these pathways to improve neuronal function, suggesting that targeting mitochondrial signalling pathways might be a way to treat and prevent mitochondrial diseases and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Keywords: Model organisms (C. elegans, Drosophila, etc); Mitochondria; Stress responses

Adam Benham

Department of Biosciences, Durham University
My research group is interested in protein quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum, focusing on protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs), oxidoreductases and molecular chaperones. We also have an interest in proteostasis and the presentation of antigens by MHC class I and II molecules of the immune system.

Keywords: Protein folding and chaperones; Mammalian models / cell culture; Stress responses

Paul Chapple

Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London
Our research is centred on understanding the role of cellular stress responses and molecular chaperones in health and disease, with a focus on neuronal and endocrine systems. This has included studies of multiple rare diseases and in particular neurodegenerative disorder.

Keywords: Neurodegeneration; Protein folding and chaperones; Mammalian models / cell culture

John Christianson

Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford
Our lab investigates the mechanisms and regulation of ubiquitin-proteasome dependent protein degradation from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), commonly known as ER-associated degradation (ERAD). We study how ubiquitin ligase complexes assemble, engage and degrade substrates, and contribute to the unfolded protein response (UPR) that mitigates proteotoxic stress arising in the ER. Through their detailed understanding, our aim is to understand how best to leverage the ERAD and UPR pathways for therapeutic benefit in the treatment of cancer.

Keywords: Stress responses; Protein degradation; Cancer

Simon Cook

Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute
My lab is interested in signal transduction pathways and especially links between protein phosphorylation and protein degradation in the context cellular responses to stress. Current projects are focused around RAF-MEK-ERK1/2 signalling, the Integrated Stress Response and the DYRK family of protein kinases.

Keywords: Post-translational modifications (PTMs);Condensates; Protein degradation

Vicky Cowling

Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute (Beatson)
We study the regulation and function of RNA cap modifications, looking at how cellular signalling pathways modify the RNA capping enzymes. We investigate the impact of RNA cap regulation in cancer, T cells, neurons and embryonic stem cells. Our aim is to understand the biological response to RNA cap regulation and its value as a therapeutic target.

Keywords: Cancer; Neurodegeneration; Development

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.

Martin Denzel

Altos Labs
We are interested in the role of the protein homeostasis network in aging and its role in providing resilience to organisms. We have a focus on ribosomal biology and use C. elegans and tissue cultures.

Keywords: Ageing; Mammalian models / cell culture; Protein translation and ribosomes

Noor Gammoh

Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh
The lab is interested in understanding the basic molecular biology of autophagy and its relevance in disease. By focusing on devastating diseases (such as brain cancers and neurodegeneration), we hope to integrate our knowledge from basic cell biology to disease modelling in order to develop better treatment approaches .

Keywords: Cancer; Protein degradation; Lysosome

William Grey

York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York
We are studying the role of protein homeostasis in normal and malignant stem cell development across stem cell systems, with a principle focus on the transformation of healthy Haematopoietic Stem Cells to malignant Leukaemic Stem Cells. We also lead the U.K. patient derived xenograft biobank in association with the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell.

Keywords: Mammalian models / cell culture; Protein degradation; Post-translational modifications (PTMs)

Colin Hammond

Department of Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool
Co-Coordinating Committee Member
Histone supply chains implicate the collaboration between histone chaperones and molecular chaperones. They underpin chromatin biology and are crucial for cellular proliferation. We use cancer cell lines to uncover molecular mechanisms linked to histone supply homeostasis and patient-derived tissue samples to target these processes in disease. Our research employs a mixture of mechanistic cell biology, structure-guided proteomic assays and state-of-the-art spatial technologies and is at the interface of fundamental and clinical research.

Keywords: Protein folding and chaperones; Mammalian models / cell culture; Cancer