Jamie H. D. Cate

Jamie H. D. Cate is a Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology, and Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. He leads the Cate Lab, focusing on understanding protein synthesis mechanisms, particularly through the study of ribosomes and their roles in translation regulation. His work also involves engineering ribosomes to synthesize novel polymers, contributing to the Center for Genetically Encoded Materials (C-GEM).

His research explores how genes are translated into proteins, specifically investigating the ribosome's role in this universal process. Key areas include understanding translation initiation regulation by eIF3, its role in cancer-related mRNA regulation, and viral hijacking mechanisms. Additionally, he pioneers methods to engineer ribosomes for producing non-natural polymers using mRNA templates. Techniques employed include cryo-electron microscopy, biochemistry, and systems biology.

Recent studies highlight the lab's focus on eIF3's dual role in activating and repressing specific mRNAs, particularly in T cells and neural progenitor cells. The lab also investigates ribosome structural adaptations to incorporate non-canonical amino acids and the molecular basis of drug-induced ribosome stalling. These efforts aim to advance therapeutic strategies and synthetic biology applications.

Lab affiliations: Cate Lab at UC Berkeley, part of the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology, and the Center for Genetically Encoded Materials (C-GEM). No notable scientific awards are listed in the provided texts. Advising information and grant details are not explicitly mentioned here.