معرفی
Prof. Helen Saibil is the Bernal Professor of Structural Biology at the School of Natural Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London. She holds academic affiliations in structural biology and molecular biophysics. Her research focuses on understanding molecular machinery involved in protein folding, chaperone systems, and host-pathogen interactions using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM).
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree from McGill University, Canada
- PhD from King’s College London
- Postdoctoral research at CEA Grenoble and University of Oxford
Research Interests: Her work spans structural biology, protein homeostasis, and disease-related protein aggregation. Key areas include:
- Mechanisms of chaperonin-assisted protein folding
- Structural basis of amyloid fibril formation and disassembly
- Host cell interactions with pathogens like Plasmodium falciparum (malaria) and prions
- Development of Cryo-EM methodologies for high-resolution molecular imaging
Recent Research Trends: Her articles highlight advancements in understanding disaggregase machinery (e.g., Hsp70 systems), prion fibril structures, and malaria parasite egress mechanisms. She also contributes to standardizing biological imaging metadata (REMBI initiative).
Awards:
- Fellow of the Royal Society (UK)
- Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
- Honorary Membership in British Biophysical Society and Royal Microscopical Society
Advising & Labs: Supervised 5 doctoral students since 2013, with recent theses on topics like α-synuclein aggregation and chaperonin mechanisms. Her lab utilizes cutting-edge Cryo-EM facilities, including the UK’s Electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC).
