معرفی
Elton Zeqiraj is a Professor of Structural Biology and Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow at the University of Leeds, Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology. His research focuses on ubiquitin-mediated signaling pathways, particularly the regulation of deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) by metabolic cues and their role in immune and inflammatory responses.
His research interests lie at the intersection of structural biology, cell signaling, and metabolism. Using cryo-EM, enzymology, and biochemical assays, his lab investigates how multi-subunit DUB complexes such as BRISC are allosterically regulated by metabolites like vitamin B6 (PLP). A key discovery was the identification of SHMT2 as a metabolic regulator of BRISC, linking one-carbon metabolism to interferon signaling and inflammation.
The recent publications from his group highlight a strong trend in understanding the structural and mechanistic basis of DUB selectivity and regulation. His work bridges fundamental enzymology with therapeutic potential, particularly in identifying DUB inhibitors as chemical biology tools and drug leads.
- Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow
Professor Zeqiraj leads an active research laboratory focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of DUB function and their physiological regulation. His group is engaged in identifying selective DUB inhibitors to probe biological function and develop future therapeutics. He has secured prestigious funding from Wellcome Trust, enabling high-impact structural and functional studies.
His laboratory is part of the Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology at the University of Leeds, where they utilize cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy and biophysical techniques to study large macromolecular complexes such as the 10-subunit BRISC-SHMT2 complex.
