University of Dundee’s rising science stars

Two researchers from the University of Dundee have been chosen to join the prestigious EMBO Young Investigators network.

Dr Ryan, Reader and Wellcome Trust Senior Fellow in the Division of Molecular microbiology at the University of Dundee. Photo: University of Dundee

Dr Yogesh Kulathu and Dr Robert Ryan of the School of Life Sciences are now part of the EMBO Young Investigator Programme, which supports the scientific endeavours of researchers under the age of forty who have created their first laboratories in the last four years.

They join a select group of 23 young researchers from across Europe to be included out of a total of 174 applicants for 2015. EMBO, which stands for Excellence in Life Sciences, is a organised based in Germany which operates throughout the continent.

Gerlind Wallon, Manager of the Young Investigator Programme said: “We welcome these young scientists to our growing network.

“The status of Young Investigator offers them recognition and access to a network of their peers in Europe.”

Dr Kulathu is a Programme Leader in the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, with his work aiming to understand how ubiquitin signals are decoded and regulated to produce distinct cellular results.

He said: ““We are using a range of techniques, from structural and biochemical methods to genetic approaches in model organisms, to understand how a small protein called ubiquitin can regulate cellular function in so many different ways.

“The recognition from EMBO of our work is a great boost to continue our efforts in figuring out how this regulation can go wrong, leading to many different diseases.”

Dr Yogesh Kulathu, Programme Leader at the University of Dundee's MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit. Photo: University of Dundee

Members of the Young Investigators scheme receive 15,000 Euros and the opportunity to apply for funding should they decide to set up their own laboratories. Professional skills are also nurtured by PhD courses and skill training across all aspects of their role.

In addition, the two will now have access to EMBL facilities and funding, allowing themselves and their cohort to attend industry conferences.

Dr Ryan is a Reader and Wellcome Trust Senior Fellow in the Division of Molecular microbiology. His group specialises in understanding the signalling processes that occur within and between pathogenic bacteria during chronic infections.

He added: “This work has potential to form promising new treatments for many emerging multiple antibiotic resistant infections which are desperately needed in clinics around the world,” said Dr Ryan. “I am delighted to get this recognition from EMBO, which again underlines Dundee’s international reputation as a centre of excellence in Life Sciences.”