Early Career Researchers Meet, Greet & Talks

Join our bi-monthly meets to meet fellow Early Career Researchers from across the University interested in biology, engineering, design, computer science, bioethics and more. This is a great opportunity to meet ECRs from other schools and departments, share knowledge and ideas, establish connections and collaborations and find out more about EngBio activities such as funding calls and support.

Each session will host 1-2 lightning talks from ECRs covering research, tools & technologies, and fields & applications of synthetic and engineering biology. This will be followed by informal discussion (and free light lunch).

On Monday 16 February we are welcoming 2 talks:

Daniela Gjorgjevikj from Modis Lab, MRC LMB

Title: Properties and functions of domesticated capsid proteins

Bio: Shortly on my academic journey so far, I did my Diploma degree in my birth city of Skopje, Macedonia at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. I got my Master's and Dr. rer. nat. degrees at the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, in the lab of Markus Wahl, where I worked on transcription termination evasion strategies employed by phages. Specifically, proteins Psu of phage P4 and antiterminator N of lambdoid phages that target Rho-dependent and/or intrinsic termination in bacteria to allow transcription of the phage's genes. In the end of 2023, I moved to the UK to start a postdoctoral position at the University of Cambridge, as part of the Molecular Immunity Unit located in the LMB. The talk I will give is on my current work at the same place, in the lab of Yorgo Modis

Brian Ng from Dept.Chemical Engineering & BioTechnology

Title: Expression of nano-engineered RNA organelles in bacteria

Abstract: Cells use biomolecular condensates, or membraneless organelles, to organize their biochemistry. To better understand how these structures form, and to create new ways of controlling cellular behaviour, we designed non-natural RNA sequences that form condensates in E. coli. The condensates self‑assemble from branched RNA motifs that interact through base‑pairing. By tuning these interactions, we can generate multiple orthogonal condensates that coexist without mixing. These RNA compartments can also recruit protein clients by incorporating protein-binding aptamers. This gives a platform for building intracellular compartments – opening the door to new possibilities in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and the design of customizable cellular architectures. 

Venue: Postdoc Centre, 16 Mill Lane  

Date: Monday 16 February, 12pm-1pm with light lunch

Read more about the EngBio ECRs

Contact

For questions of queries, please contact Vicky Reid at coordinator@engbio.cam.ac.uk.