We are very pleased to announce that Dr David-Paul Minde has won the 2018 Thermo Scientific TMT Research Award (Gold Level).
David-Paul works as a postdoctoral researcher at the Cambridge Centre for Proteomics with Professor Kathryn Lilley in the Department of Biochemistry. His research explores protein dynamics using a variety of techniques. During his PhD on cancer-related Wnt signaling scaffolds, he developed a fast proteolysis assay (termed 'FASTpp') to determine protein stability, and validated a 2,000 amino acid predicted disordered region in the tumor suppressor protein Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) in vitro. His subsequent in singulo optical tweezer studies contributed to a paradigm shift in the understanding of possible cellular roles for Hsp70 chaperone systems.
David's current work focuses on the in vivo dynamics of membrane proteins in the bacterial cell envelope, under poisoning conditions, as part of the BBSRC-funded DETOX consortium. Specifically, he is keen to develop and apply novel quantitative structural proteomics approaches to address the following questions:
- What are the essential interactions of membrane proteins?
- Is membrane protein stability limiting for cell survival under chemical stress?
- Are covalent adducts caused by toxic side-reactions limiting for survival?
Speaking about his award, David said: "I feel honored and humbled to receive this internationally competitive award as a novice in the quantitative proteomics field, as most past awardees are internationally recognised leaders and pioneers in this area. My research proposal idea was born out of rather preliminary research insights obtained after just a few months in the vibrant atmosphere of Professor Kathryn Lilley's proteomics lab. I am excitedly looking forward to explore new fun(damental) ideas concerning cellular conformations and protein interaction networks of membrane proteins with this grant money."
The Thermo Scientific Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) Research Awards are open to doctoral and postdoctoral scientists in the field of proteomics. Entrants are asked to propose how they could use Thermo Scientific TMT reagents in conjunction with other mass spectrometry reagents in their research. A panel of judges from Thermo Fisher Scientific and Proteome Sciences select the top three prizes based on the innovation and potential impact of the applicant's research proposal.