School of Biomedical Sciences cordially invites you to join the following seminar:

Speaker: Professor Robert C. Robinson, School of Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Thailand & Research Institute of Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University, Japan

Talk Title: The timing of the acquisition of eukaryotic traits during eukaryogenesis

Date: 31 May 2024 (Friday)
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre 2, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road
Host: Professor Ralf Jauch

Biography

Robert (or Bob) obtained a BSc (1987) in Chemistry from King's College, London University, an MSc (1990) in Biochemistry from University of British Columbia, and a DPhil (1996) in Structural Biology from Oxford University. During his postdoctoral studies at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (1996-2001), he solved the X-ray structure of Arp2/3, an actin-nucleating complex consisting of seven proteins. In 2001, Bob was appointed as a Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University. There, the research group continued to elucidate structures of key actin-regulating proteins. Bob became an EMBO Young Investigator in 2003. Bob joined IMCB, Singapore as a Principal Investigator in 2005 and became a Research Director in 2011. Bob currently holds a Professorship at VISTEC, Thailand and a Visiting Professor position at RIIS, Okayama University.

Abstract

Life on our planet can be divided into two classes of organisms. Firstly, prokaryotes, which are generally microscopic single cellular life forms that comprise bacteria and archaea. Secondly, eukaryotes, which account for most of the living things that can be observed by the naked eye, including plants and animals. The origin of the eukaryotic cell is one of the greatest mysteries in modern biology. Recently, DNA sequencing of environmental samples identified a new group of archaea that possess genes that appear to have similarity to distinctive eukaryotic genes. These organisms have been collectively named, Asgard archaea, after the home of the Gods in Norse mythology. Our laboratory has been exploring the properties of some of the protein machines that exist in Asgard archaea and has compared them to the more sophisticated eukaryotic versions. We have focused on the putative cytoskeletal proteins from Asgard archaea, which act as force generating systems in eukaryotes. We have shown that Asgard archaea possess an ancient, regulated actin system, which is likely to integrate force into membrane remodeling processes through directed actin polymerization. Furthermore, we have characterized an Asgard tubulin that forms tubules with a different morphology to microtubules. Finally, we have studied the translocon, a protein machine that sits in the cell membrane in prokaryotes and in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in eukaryotes. We provide experimental data on how this machine may have relocated during eukaryogenesis. These insights into the evolution of protein machines have implications for the potential archaea-to-eukaryotic transition. Asgard archaea offer an intriguing window into the pre-eukaryotic world.

ALL ARE WELCOME
Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Miss Crystal Chan at 3917 6830.