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Christopher D. LimaView profile

Professor

• Structural Biology
• Biochemistry
• Macromolecular Structure
• +6 more

Christopher D. Lima is a Professor and Chair of the Structural Biology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute (SKI), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He holds the Alfred P. Sloan Chair. His research focuses on understanding the structural, biochemical, and functional mechanisms of macromolecules involved in post-translational protein modification by ubiquitin-like proteins (e.g., SUMO) and RNA processing pathways, including co- and post-transcriptional RNA maturation and decay. His lab employs cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), X-ray crystallography, and biochemical reconstitution to study these processes. Education: PhD, 1994, Northwestern University BA, 1989, The Ohio State University Research Interests: Structural basis of ubiquitin and SUMO conjugation pathways Mechanisms of RNA surveillance and decay by the nuclear exosome Role of RNA processing in cell cycle control and disease Interactions between RNA helicases and exosome complexes Awards & Honors: Member, National Academy of Sciences (2020) Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017) HHMI Investigator (2013) Louise and Allston Boyer Young Investigator (2006) Advising & Grants: Lima mentors numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. His lab has received funding from the NIH, HHMI, and other institutions to support research into RNA processing and ubiquitin pathways. He collaborates widely, including with teams at MSKCC and other academic institutions. Labs & Teams: The Lima Lab is part of the Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology and the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School. The lab has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding SUMOylation and RNA exosome mechanisms, with key findings published in Nature , Cell , and Science .

• Chromosome Segregation
• DNA Topoisomerase
• Mitosis
• +7 more

Duncan J Clarke is a Professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development at the University of Minnesota Medical School. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of chromosome segregation during cell division, with particular emphasis on the role of DNA topoisomerases and related proteins. Dr. Clarke's research interests include: Mechanisms of chromosome segregation during mitosis Function of DNA topoisomerase II in centromere and kinetochore regulation Role of SUMOylation in chromosome dynamics Spindle assembly checkpoint mechanisms Interactions between histone modifications and chromosome segregation machinery Connections between DNA topology and cell division His recent publications reveal a strong focus on the molecular details of chromosome segregation, particularly examining how DNA topoisomerases, histone modifications, and microtubule dynamics coordinate to ensure accurate chromosome distribution during cell division. His work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with potential clinical applications in cancer therapy, as evidenced by his research on topoisomerase inhibitors. Dr. Clarke has received significant research funding from NIH, including: Control of Chromosome Segregation by DNA Topoisomerase II (2024-2028) A high-throughput screen for inhibitors of Plk1-interacting checkpoint helicase (PICH) (2022-2025) Multiple previous NIH-funded projects dating back to 2003 His laboratory utilizes both yeast and mammalian model systems to investigate fundamental mechanisms of chromosome segregation that are conserved across species, with potential implications for understanding cancer development and improving cancer therapies.

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Drug Discovery
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Rainer Riedl is the Head of the Competence Center for Drug Discovery and Organic & Medicinal Chemistry at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (School of Life Sciences and Facility Management) . He leads numerous drug development projects targeting acute myeloid leukemia , Alzheimer's disease , antimicrobial resistance , and infectious diseases , with a focus on peptide therapeutics , targeted protein degradation , and structure-based drug design . His research combines medicinal chemistry and natural product-inspired design to develop antiviral agents (including against SARS-CoV-2 ), anti-inflammatory compounds , and novel antimicrobial delivery systems using extracellular vesicles . He has pioneered computational frameworks like CyBy2 for chemical data management and contributed to inhibitor development for matrix metalloproteinases and SENPs . Recent peer-reviewed publications highlight his work in drug resistance mechanisms , peptide engineering , and innovative antiviral strategies . He holds multiple international patents for CD93 inhibitors , skin cancer treatments , and antifungal compounds , reflecting translational impact of his research.

• Epigenetics
• Host-pathogen interactions
• Microbiology
• +4 more

Monica Rolando is a researcher at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France, specializing in the study of intracellular bacterial pathogens, particularly Legionella pneumophila , the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease. She is affiliated with the Biology of Intracellular Bacteria department and teaches in the Pasteur Microbiology Course, sharing her expertise in bacterial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions. Dr. Rolando obtained her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, where she studied bacterial toxins targeting the host endothelium. In 2009, she joined the laboratory of Carmen Buchrieser at the Institut Pasteur for postdoctoral training, shifting her focus to non-toxin-mediated aspects of host-pathogen interactions. Her research primarily focuses on how bacterial pathogens manipulate host cellular processes, with particular emphasis on epigenetic regulation. Dr. Rolando investigates how Legionella pneumophila employs bacterial effectors that target the host cell nucleus to modify epigenetic marks, thereby subverting host cell functions to facilitate bacterial replication. Her work explores the fascinating co-evolution between L. pneumophila and its eukaryotic hosts, which has led to the acquisition of proteins through horizontal gene transfer that allow the bacterium to mimic eukaryotic functions. Analysis of Dr. Rolando's recent publications reveals a strong focus on patho-epigenetics - the manipulation of host epigenetic machinery by bacterial pathogens. Her research spans molecular mechanisms of bacterial effectors, particularly histone-modifying enzymes like methyltransferases, and their role in subverting host defenses. A significant portion of her work examines how Legionella and related pathogens target chromatin structure and nuclear processes to promote intracellular survival and replication. Dr. Rolando has contributed to numerous collaborative research projects at the Institut Pasteur, working with various research teams investigating bacterial pathogenesis. Her work bridges molecular microbiology, cell biology, and epigenetics, providing novel insights into host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level. Her laboratory focuses on identifying and characterizing bacterial effectors that target host nuclear processes, with particular attention to how these effectors modify epigenetic marks to benefit bacterial replication. This research has important implications for understanding bacterial pathogenesis and potentially developing novel anti-infective strategies targeting pathogen epigenetic manipulation.

Kristen ConnView profile

Assistant Professor

• Virology
• Molecular Virology
• Virus-Cell Interactions
• +3 more

Kristen Conn is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on understanding how chromatin regulatory proteins mediate cellular antiviral defenses against herpesviruses. She earned a B.Sc. (Hon) in Biochemistry from the University of Saskatchewan and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Alberta. During her postdoctoral training at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, she investigated SUMO proteins' roles in antiviral immunity. Dr. Conn's lab studies the interplay between viral transcription and host chromatin dynamics, particularly how cellular factors like histones and SUMOylation pathways restrict viral replication. Her work uses herpesviruses as models to explore how viruses counteract transcriptional silencing mechanisms. Key research areas include PML nuclear bodies, histone variant mobilization, and epigenetic regulation during viral infection. Her publications highlight contributions to understanding HSV-1's manipulation of chromatin, Epstein-Barr virus latency mechanisms, and the role of PIAS proteins in antiviral immunity. While no specific awards are listed, her work demonstrates sustained contributions to virology since 2008. Students interested in graduate studies are encouraged to contact her directly.

Christopher D. LimaView profile

Professor

• Structural Biology
• Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like Protein Pathways
• RNA Processing and Decay
• +6 more

Christopher D. Lima is a Professor and Chair of the Structural Biology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He holds academic appointments at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences and is affiliated with the Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology. His research focuses on structural and biochemical mechanisms of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like protein pathways and RNA quality control. PhD, Northwestern University Postdoctoral Training, Columbia University (Helen Hay Whitney Fellow) Dr. Lima’s research investigates the structural basis of post-translational modifications, particularly ubiquitination and SUMOylation, and RNA processing pathways. His lab combines cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, and biochemistry to study enzyme mechanisms in ubiquitin activation and RNA exosome function. His work has elucidated key intermediates in E1 enzyme catalysis and the architecture of RNA surveillance complexes. These insights are fundamental to understanding cellular quality control and have implications for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. His recent publications, including high-impact studies in Nature and Cell , reflect a consistent focus on macromolecular structure-function relationships in ubiquitin signaling and RNA metabolism. Trends in his publications show a deepening exploration of enzyme dynamics, conformational changes, and the development of chemical tools to probe these pathways. National Academy of Sciences (2020) American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017) Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator (2013) Rita Allen Scholar (2003–2006) Beckman Young Investigator (1999–2002) Dr. Lima has advised numerous PhD students and postdoctoral fellows and has received continuous funding from the NIH and HHMI. His lab is actively involved in training and mentoring within the Tri-Institutional programs. He leads a multidisciplinary research team focused on structural mechanisms in cellular regulation and is engaged in collaborative and translational research, with disclosed interests in biotechnology companies such as Biogen and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He is a member of the Structural Biology Program at SKI and leads a vibrant research laboratory that bridges basic science and disease mechanisms. His lab fosters innovation in structural biology and continues to make foundational contributions to the understanding of protein and RNA quality control pathways.

James R. GreenView profile

Professor

• Machine Learning
• Biomedical Informatics
• Computational Biology
• +9 more

James R. Green is a Professor in the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering at Carleton University , where he has been a faculty member since 2005. He holds a PhD from Queen's University and is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and Senior Member of IEEE. His work integrates machine learning, biomedical informatics, and high-performance computing. His educational background includes: B.A.Sc. in Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo (1998) M.Sc.(Eng.), Queen's University (2000) PhD, Queen's University (2005) Dr. Green's research focuses on machine learning challenges in biomedical informatics , particularly class imbalance and rare event prediction. Key areas include protein structure, function, and interaction prediction; microRNA detection in unique species; non-contact neonatal monitoring; and accelerating scientific computing via parallel architectures like the Cell BE processor. His lab has developed several widely used bioinformatics tools such as PIPE, ProtDCal, and PCI-SUMO. His recent publications reflect a strong trend in computational biology and machine learning , with applications in proteomics, genomics, and medical diagnostics. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and secured funding from NSERC, CIHR, CFI, ORF, OCE, MITACS, and IBM. Scientific and teaching recognitions include: Three teaching awards NSERC Best Project Award (twice: 2006-2007 and 2007-2008) Multiple student projects resulting in conference papers (e.g., CMBEC) He has supervised numerous undergraduate capstone projects in areas such as assistive technologies, robotic systems, and bioinformatics. His teaching portfolio includes courses in Pattern Classification, Machine Learning, Computer Architecture, and Biomedical Engineering. He leads an active research group that bridges computer engineering and life sciences, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Lab and research team initiatives include: Development of open-access web servers for protein analysis Collaborations with biologists and clinicians Integration of hardware and software for medical applications

Derek S. TanView profile

Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Drug Discovery and Development
• Molecular Pharmacology
• +3 more

Derek S. Tan is a tenured Professor and Chair of the Chemical Biology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). He also holds the Eugene W. Kettering Chair and is a Tri-Institutional Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine and The Rockefeller University. He directs the Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology since 2012. Education: BS in Chemistry from Stanford University (1995) PhD in Chemistry from Harvard University (2000) Tan's research focuses on diversity-oriented synthesis and rational drug design to develop chemical probes for cancer and infectious disease research. His work leverages natural product insights to address challenges in small-molecule discovery, including antibiotic development for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Yersinia pestis , and novel methodologies for synthesizing complex molecular architectures. The lab's 15 most recent publications highlight advancements in chemical biology methodologies (e.g., ubiquitin probes, adenylation enzyme inhibitors), antibiotic development (targeting Gram-negative bacteria, tuberculosis), and structural innovations in macrocycle synthesis. These works reflect interdisciplinary collaborations and translational applications in both oncology and microbiology. Scientific Awards: Louise and Allston Boyer Young Investigator Award (2010) Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2013) As an advisor, Tan has mentored over 30 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research assistants in his lab. His Tri-Institutional Program fosters multidisciplinary training, while his lab affiliations span the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School. Labs & Collaborations: Sloan Kettering Institute Chemical Biology Program Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology Collaborations with Luis Quadri (Cornell), Paul Hergenrother, and others

Matthew James SmithView profile

Associate Professor

• Cancer Biology
• Structural Biology
• Cell Signaling
• +5 more

Dr. Matthew James Smith is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine , University of Montreal , leading the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology within the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) . His lab integrates structural biology , biophysics , and evolutionary bioinformatics to decode RAS GTPase signaling in cancer contexts. Research Themes : RAS protein networks, cancer mutations, structural dynamics, and effector validation Technologies : NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, proteomics, and cell-based assays Recent studies (2025-2024) highlight MRAS as a pseudoinactive GTPase , ARF interactome spatial organization , and RASSF-YAP signaling crosstalk . His work reveals how disease mutations alter signaling hierarchies and binding specificities. Scientific Recognition : Canada Research Chair in Cancer Signaling and Structural Biology Recipient of $4M research chair funding (2020) Contact : matthew.james.smith@umontreal.ca | smithlabiric@gmail.com

Andreas G. LadurnerView profile

Professor

• Chromatin Remodeling
• Epigenetics
• DNA Damage Response
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Andreas G. Ladurner is a faculty member at the Faculty of Medicine , Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, where he leads the Department of Physiological Chemistry . His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of chromatin plasticity, particularly through post-translational modifications like ADP-ribosylation and acetylation, and their interplay with cellular metabolites. Discovered the first cellular receptor for glucose metabolites Elucidated PARP1's role in chromatin remodeling Defined macrodomain proteins' function in ADP-ribosylation His work bridges structural biology, epigenetics, and metabolism, with significant implications for cancer and metabolic diseases. Recent publications highlight his group's contributions to DNA damage response and chromatin dynamics. Funded by the BioM m4 Award , his lab investigates: Regulation of transcription factors by metabolites Mechanistic insights into the histone chaperone FACT Molecular dissection of ADP-ribosylation signaling

• Leukemia
• PML
• SUMO
• +4 more

Hugues de Thé is a French physician-scientist holding the Professor position at Collège de France since 2014. He has been an Attending Physician at St. Louis Hospital in Paris since 1995 and led a CNRS/University of Paris VII Research Unit at the same hospital until 2019. His academic career spans prestigious roles at University of Paris (1991-2014) and leadership positions in scientific advisory boards, including the Bettencourt Schuller Foundation. MD (1989) and PhD (1990) from Parisian universities Expertise in leukemia, PML, SUMO, and targeted therapies His research fundamentally advanced understanding of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) pathogenesis and treatment. By elucidating mechanisms of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) fusion proteins and PML nuclear bodies , he pioneered combination therapies using retinoic acid and arsenic , revolutionizing APL treatment. His work on protein degradation pathways informs modern targeted cancer therapies. Scientific Awards : Advanced Grant, European Research Council (2024) Sjöberg Prize, Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences (2018) French Legion of Honour (2010) Member, French Academy of Science (2011) He advises institutions like INSERM and ARC, and his grants include multiple ERC grants and international collaborations. His laboratory studies integrate mouse models , proteomics , and molecular oncology to uncover cancer mechanisms.

Cormac TaylorView profile

Professor

• Hypoxia
• Cellular Physiology
• Gene Expression Regulation
• +4 more

Professor Cormac Taylor is a Full Professor at the School of Medicine, University College Dublin, where he leads a research group at the UCD Conway Institute. His research focuses on hypoxia-mediated transcriptional regulation in epithelial cells, with applications in chronic inflammatory diseases. He holds a PhD in Pharmacology from University College Dublin (1996) and completed postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School. His research investigates: Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathways Metabolic reprogramming during oxygen stress Epithelial cell responses to inflammatory stimuli Therapeutic targeting of hypoxia pathways in disease Host-microbe interactions in gastrointestinal inflammation Research outputs demonstrate consistent focus on hypoxia-mediated metabolic adaptation, with recent work exploring HIF's role in cancer, diabetes, and infection biology. Articles show advanced techniques in metabolomics, transcriptomics, and molecular pathway analysis. Awards & Honors: Elected to Royal Irish Academy (2013) - Highest Irish academic honor Nature Award for Mentoring in Science (2014) Takeda Distinguished Researcher Award (2016) - First non-US recipient Research Leadership: Maintained continuous funding from Science Foundation Ireland since 2002 with additional grants from Wellcome Trust and NIH. Successfully supervised 16 PhD students. Serves as Managing Editor of Frontiers in Biosciences and Editorial Board Member for American Journal of Physiology. Laboratory: Leads hypoxia research group at UCD Conway Institute investigating therapeutic targeting of hypoxia pathways in chronic inflammation and cancer.

Frauke MelchiorView profile

Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• Biochemistry
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Frauke Melchior is the Rector of Heidelberg University, overseeing strategic development, fundraising, and governance. Previously, she held the position of Professor (W3) for Molecular Biology at the Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH). Her research focuses on posttranslational SUMOylation, elucidating its role in cellular stress responses, protein regulation, and disease mechanisms. Key roles include Dean of the Faculty of Biosciences (2016-2018) and leadership in collaborative research initiatives such as the CellNetworks Excellence Cluster. Education: PhD in Chemistry (1990), Philipps-Universität Marburg Chemistry Diploma (1987), Philipps-Universität Marburg Research Interests: SUMOylation pathways, cellular adaptation to environmental changes, protein modification dynamics, and translational pharmacology. Her work has advanced understanding of SUMOylation’s role in health and disease, highlighted by publications in EMBO Reports , Nature , and Annual Review of Biochemistry . Awards include the FEBS/EMBO Women in Science Award (2018) and membership in the Leopoldina (2014). She has advised numerous research programs and holds leadership roles in academic governance and international scientific bodies. Labs/Teams: ZMBH Molecular Biology Group, collaborations with DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance and Max Planck Institutes.

Dana BranzeiView profile

Professor

• DNA Repair
• Genome Stability
• Replication Stress
• +3 more

Dana Branzei is a Professor and head of the Department of Biological and Genomic Treatment Approaches at the Research Center One Health within the Faculty of Biology at the University of Duisburg-Essen. She leads a research group investigating DNA repair mechanisms and genome stability. Her work focuses on how cells repair DNA damage, tolerate replication stress, and maintain chromosome integrity through processes integrated with DNA replication machinery (replisome). Her research interests center on molecular mechanisms of DNA damage tolerance, replication fork dynamics, chromosome cohesion, and the role of protein complexes like SMC5/6 in maintaining genome stability. Key areas include error-free DNA repair pathways, SUMOylation in DNA transactions, and the molecular basis of cancer predisposition linked to replication defects. Recent publications (2020-2023) demonstrate strong focus on replication fork protection mechanisms, chromatin remodeling during repair, helicase functions in recombination, and structural analyses of repair complexes. Research consistently bridges fundamental chromosome biology with clinical applications in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Scientific Awards: Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (2025) EMBO Membership (2016) FIS grant by Italian Ministry of University and Research (2023) She leads an active research team including postdoctoral fellows, PhD candidates, and master's students. Current lab members focus on replication stress responses, chromatin dynamics, and repair pathway coordination. The laboratory collaborates extensively within the University Alliance Ruhr network.

• DNA Repair
• Epigenetics
• DNA Methylation
• +4 more

Dr. Alexander C. Drohat is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His research focuses on DNA repair mechanisms and epigenetic regulation through DNA methylation, with a particular emphasis on thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) and SUMO modification pathways. Utilizing biochemical, biophysical, and structural approaches—including NMR spectroscopy and crystallography—his lab explores how TDG maintains genomic integrity by repairing oxidized and deaminated bases, while also investigating its role in active DNA demethylation via TET enzymes. Notably, his work reveals how SUMO conjugation dramatically impairs TDG activity, potentially enabling it to function as a transient reader of modified cytosines. His lab has characterized TDG's interactions with substrates like G·T mismatches, 5-formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine, uncovering critical residues and mechanisms for specificity and catalysis. Recent studies highlight TDG's search strategies involving nucleosome interactions and its regulation by sumoylation. 2025 : Characterized 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoadenine repair 2024 : Investigated TDG sumoylation effects on DNA binding 2023 : Developed 19F NMR methods for nucleotide flipping 2022 : Linked TDG activity to genomic methylation patterns 2019 : Defined TDG's role in 5-carboxylcytosine excision Dr. Drohat has received prestigious accolades including AAAS Fellowship (2022) and an NIGMS MIRA Award (R35GM136225, 2020-2025) . His work is supported by continuous NIH funding since 2005.