Current lab members
Grace Harrison
PhD Student, 2023 -
I was an Honours project student in the lab in 2022 and I decided to join the lab as a PhD student in Sept 2023. The focus of my project is to investigate how branched ubiquitin chains are formed in cells.
PhD Student, 2023 -
I was an Honours project student in the lab in 2022 and I decided to join the lab as a PhD student in Sept 2023. The focus of my project is to investigate how branched ubiquitin chains are formed in cells.
Stephen Matthews
Senior Postdoctoral researcher
I joined the lab in October 2016 and am investigating in the regulation of T cell activation by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modifiers.
I graduated from the University of Bristol with a BSc. In Biochemistry and moved to Imperial College London to study mechanisms of lung pathology during respiratory virus infections for my PhD studies under Prof. Peter Openshaw. Subsequently I undertook postdoctoral training in the lab of Prof. Colin Watts at the University of Dundee where I investigated various aspects of lysosomal function in immune cells.
Senior Postdoctoral researcher
I joined the lab in October 2016 and am investigating in the regulation of T cell activation by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modifiers.
I graduated from the University of Bristol with a BSc. In Biochemistry and moved to Imperial College London to study mechanisms of lung pathology during respiratory virus infections for my PhD studies under Prof. Peter Openshaw. Subsequently I undertook postdoctoral training in the lab of Prof. Colin Watts at the University of Dundee where I investigated various aspects of lysosomal function in immune cells.
Anna Pérez i Ràfols
Postdoctoral researcher, 2023-
I graduated from the University of Barcelona (Spain) with a BSc in Pharmacy, followed by a PhD within the Marie Curie training network (RNAct) at the University of Florence (Italy). During my PhD I worked on the design of new RNA binding proteins and new analytical approached for biopharmaceutical formulations. I joined the Kulathu Lab as a Postdoc with the goal to study structural, biochemical and cell biological aspects of branched ubiquitin chains.
Postdoctoral researcher, 2023-
I graduated from the University of Barcelona (Spain) with a BSc in Pharmacy, followed by a PhD within the Marie Curie training network (RNAct) at the University of Florence (Italy). During my PhD I worked on the design of new RNA binding proteins and new analytical approached for biopharmaceutical formulations. I joined the Kulathu Lab as a Postdoc with the goal to study structural, biochemical and cell biological aspects of branched ubiquitin chains.
Sharifah Nuralwiah Ahmad Alsree (Wiah)
Summer student, Research assistant
I am doing my undergraduate course in Biological and Biomedical Science (Joint programme with National University of Singapore). I did a Summer School placement in the Kulathu lab from July - Aug 2023. I continued as a research assistant from Sept-Dec to get more research experience learning new techniques and assisting with ongoing research in the lab.
When I am not attending lectures or being in the lab, I enjoy scuba diving and I assist with citizen science projects involving microplastic pollution, anemonefish identification, coral bleaching and diseases. I am also actively involved in theatre and drama productions taking part in the shows themselves as an actor or co-director.
Summer student, Research assistant
I am doing my undergraduate course in Biological and Biomedical Science (Joint programme with National University of Singapore). I did a Summer School placement in the Kulathu lab from July - Aug 2023. I continued as a research assistant from Sept-Dec to get more research experience learning new techniques and assisting with ongoing research in the lab.
When I am not attending lectures or being in the lab, I enjoy scuba diving and I assist with citizen science projects involving microplastic pollution, anemonefish identification, coral bleaching and diseases. I am also actively involved in theatre and drama productions taking part in the shows themselves as an actor or co-director.
Matthew McFarland
Postdoctoral Researcher
I graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a BSc in Biomedical Sciences in 2012, followed by a PhD studying the mRNA translation system of baker’s yeast in 2016. I moved to the University of Nottingham in 2017, where I researched the translational control of embryogenesis in fruit flies, before joining the Kulathu lab in early 2019 and have since been investigating DUB biology in yeast and mammalian systems.
Outside of the lab, I am a keen(ish) runner, occasional hill walker, and aficionado of video games and TTRPGs.
Postdoctoral Researcher
I graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a BSc in Biomedical Sciences in 2012, followed by a PhD studying the mRNA translation system of baker’s yeast in 2016. I moved to the University of Nottingham in 2017, where I researched the translational control of embryogenesis in fruit flies, before joining the Kulathu lab in early 2019 and have since been investigating DUB biology in yeast and mammalian systems.
Outside of the lab, I am a keen(ish) runner, occasional hill walker, and aficionado of video games and TTRPGs.
Logesvaran Krshnan
Postdoctoral researcher, 2022-
I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Melbourne, Australia. Subsequently, I completed my PhD research under the supervision of Associate Professor Matthew Call and Dr. Melissa Call at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), Australia. My PhD thesis was on understanding the spatial organisation of subunits of the T-cell receptor complex. In 2017, I undertook a short postdoctoral training in cell biology at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, researching on mechanisms of intracellular cholesterol transfer via membrane contact sites under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Yasunori Saheki. In May 2018, I joined the lab of Professor Pedro Carvalho at the University of Oxford, where I studied mechanisms of protein quality control of inner nuclear membrane proteins in mammalian cells. Since August 2022, I have joined the Kulathu Lab as a Postdoc with the goal to study biochemical and cell biological aspects of branched ubiquitin chains. Outside of lab, I enjoy discovering places, cultures and food, watching musicals, and cooking.
Postdoctoral researcher, 2022-
I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Melbourne, Australia. Subsequently, I completed my PhD research under the supervision of Associate Professor Matthew Call and Dr. Melissa Call at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), Australia. My PhD thesis was on understanding the spatial organisation of subunits of the T-cell receptor complex. In 2017, I undertook a short postdoctoral training in cell biology at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, researching on mechanisms of intracellular cholesterol transfer via membrane contact sites under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Yasunori Saheki. In May 2018, I joined the lab of Professor Pedro Carvalho at the University of Oxford, where I studied mechanisms of protein quality control of inner nuclear membrane proteins in mammalian cells. Since August 2022, I have joined the Kulathu Lab as a Postdoc with the goal to study biochemical and cell biological aspects of branched ubiquitin chains. Outside of lab, I enjoy discovering places, cultures and food, watching musicals, and cooking.
Helge Magnussen
Postdoctoral researcher, 2020-
I started my academic education in Hamburg (2010-2013), where I took an undergraduate degree in Chemistry. During the course of my studies I got insight into the world of proteins in a basic course in biochemistry. This fascinated me so much that I decided to continue with a more specialised Master’s degree in protein chemistry, which I undertook at Umeå University, Sweden (2013-2015). After a degree project in the NMR lab of Magnus Wolf-Watz I joined the X-ray crystallography lab of Danny Huang at the CRUK Beatson Institute in Glasgow, where I did my PhD working on the ubiquitin ligase MDM2 (2015-2020). I joined the Kulathu lab in October 2020, where my work focusses on the UFMylation pathway.
Postdoctoral researcher, 2020-
I started my academic education in Hamburg (2010-2013), where I took an undergraduate degree in Chemistry. During the course of my studies I got insight into the world of proteins in a basic course in biochemistry. This fascinated me so much that I decided to continue with a more specialised Master’s degree in protein chemistry, which I undertook at Umeå University, Sweden (2013-2015). After a degree project in the NMR lab of Magnus Wolf-Watz I joined the X-ray crystallography lab of Danny Huang at the CRUK Beatson Institute in Glasgow, where I did my PhD working on the ubiquitin ligase MDM2 (2015-2020). I joined the Kulathu lab in October 2020, where my work focusses on the UFMylation pathway.
Alicia Cordova Perez
PhD Student, 2020-
I obtained a BSc in Biologist pharmaceutical chemist from the Autonomous University of Yucatan (Mexico) and an MSc in Manipulation Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology from the University of Sussex. In my master dissertation at the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, I worked on the characterisation to two novel mutations of the Topoisomerase 3 from S. cerevisiae. In 2020, I joined Dr Yogesh Kulathu’s research group as a PhD student within the UBIMOTIF training network, my project focuses on the discovery and characterisation of SLiMs that function as substrate recognition motifs in DUBs.
PhD Student, 2020-
I obtained a BSc in Biologist pharmaceutical chemist from the Autonomous University of Yucatan (Mexico) and an MSc in Manipulation Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology from the University of Sussex. In my master dissertation at the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, I worked on the characterisation to two novel mutations of the Topoisomerase 3 from S. cerevisiae. In 2020, I joined Dr Yogesh Kulathu’s research group as a PhD student within the UBIMOTIF training network, my project focuses on the discovery and characterisation of SLiMs that function as substrate recognition motifs in DUBs.
Linnan Shen
Lab Manager 2021-
I joined the lab of Dr. Yogesh Kulathu in December 2021 as a senior research technician. I obtained my Ph.D from East China University of Science and Technology. Following my PhD, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Centre de Investigaciones Biologicas (Madrid, Spain) to investigate the molecular basis of the Glanzman’s Thrombasthenia (GT). In 2005, I joined Professor Ron Hay’s group at University of Dundee as a post-doc to study SUMO specific proteases (SENPs).
Lab Manager 2021-
I joined the lab of Dr. Yogesh Kulathu in December 2021 as a senior research technician. I obtained my Ph.D from East China University of Science and Technology. Following my PhD, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Centre de Investigaciones Biologicas (Madrid, Spain) to investigate the molecular basis of the Glanzman’s Thrombasthenia (GT). In 2005, I joined Professor Ron Hay’s group at University of Dundee as a post-doc to study SUMO specific proteases (SENPs).
Rohan Thakur
PhD student 2023-
I completed my M.Sc. in Human Genomics from Panjab University, Chandigarh, following which, I pursued my interest in drug discovery research in various labs focusing mostly on evaluating small molecules against diverse targets for therapeutic interventions. My curiosity to understand the roles of post translational modifications functioning as regulatory mechanisms mainly stems from my experiences of working with kinases, proteases, and hydroxylases. What excites me most is how biological processes are orchestrated by multiple proteins that requires their modification with PTMs and how cells use these modifications as a signal to regulate diverse functions. I was accepted into the MRC PPU PhD programme in 2023, and joined the Kulathu lab to investigate how the ubiquitin-like protein UFM1 regulates protein biogenesis at the ER.
PhD student 2023-
I completed my M.Sc. in Human Genomics from Panjab University, Chandigarh, following which, I pursued my interest in drug discovery research in various labs focusing mostly on evaluating small molecules against diverse targets for therapeutic interventions. My curiosity to understand the roles of post translational modifications functioning as regulatory mechanisms mainly stems from my experiences of working with kinases, proteases, and hydroxylases. What excites me most is how biological processes are orchestrated by multiple proteins that requires their modification with PTMs and how cells use these modifications as a signal to regulate diverse functions. I was accepted into the MRC PPU PhD programme in 2023, and joined the Kulathu lab to investigate how the ubiquitin-like protein UFM1 regulates protein biogenesis at the ER.
Gaurav Anand
Postdoc 2022-
I received my PhD from International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi in 2017 working on molecular aspects of erythrocyte invasion by the Plasmodium parasite. The findings from my PhD and subsequent postdoc research holds great relevance for malaria vaccine development. I did a postdoc in the Virdee Lab from 2020, where I worked used chemical probe technology that agnostically measures Parkin E3 ligase activity to develop a high throughput biomarker platform. I joined the Kulathu lab as a postdoc in October 2022 and am working on branched ubiquitin chains. Other than research, I am interested in poetry, philosophy, history and music.
Postdoc 2022-
I received my PhD from International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi in 2017 working on molecular aspects of erythrocyte invasion by the Plasmodium parasite. The findings from my PhD and subsequent postdoc research holds great relevance for malaria vaccine development. I did a postdoc in the Virdee Lab from 2020, where I worked used chemical probe technology that agnostically measures Parkin E3 ligase activity to develop a high throughput biomarker platform. I joined the Kulathu lab as a postdoc in October 2022 and am working on branched ubiquitin chains. Other than research, I am interested in poetry, philosophy, history and music.
Pritha Dasgupta
PhD student 2022-
I completed my M.Sc. in Biotechnology from IIT Bombay in 2021. For my Master’s thesis project, I worked on developing a novel and efficient β-glucosidase for industrial bioethanol production using structure-based rational design approach. Later, I joined National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore as a CSIR Junior Research Fellow to work on a project that focused on elucidating the unfolding pathway of a Ubiquitin-like modifier FAT10. In 2022, I received the Tricia Cohen Prize PhD Studentship and joined the lab to pursue my interest in ubiquitin biology. In my spare time, I enjoy singing and exploring new places.
PhD student 2022-
I completed my M.Sc. in Biotechnology from IIT Bombay in 2021. For my Master’s thesis project, I worked on developing a novel and efficient β-glucosidase for industrial bioethanol production using structure-based rational design approach. Later, I joined National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore as a CSIR Junior Research Fellow to work on a project that focused on elucidating the unfolding pathway of a Ubiquitin-like modifier FAT10. In 2022, I received the Tricia Cohen Prize PhD Studentship and joined the lab to pursue my interest in ubiquitin biology. In my spare time, I enjoy singing and exploring new places.
Ian Kelsall
Senior Postdoc 2023-
I obtained an MSci in Biochemistry from the University of Glasgow in 2004, my degree having included a one-year work placement with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Between 2004 and 2008 I undertook PhD studies with Prof. Tricia Cohen in Dundee, investigating the roles played by the glycogen targeting subunits of Protein Phosphatase 1. Following this, I undertook postdoctoral research in the labs of Dr Arno Alpi, Dr Leonie Unterholzner, and Prof. Sir Philip Cohen, investigating various aspects of ubiquitylation and innate immune signalling.
I joined the Kulathu lab in January 2023, where I intend to continue my interest in innate immune signalling via the Toll-like receptor family.
Senior Postdoc 2023-
I obtained an MSci in Biochemistry from the University of Glasgow in 2004, my degree having included a one-year work placement with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Between 2004 and 2008 I undertook PhD studies with Prof. Tricia Cohen in Dundee, investigating the roles played by the glycogen targeting subunits of Protein Phosphatase 1. Following this, I undertook postdoctoral research in the labs of Dr Arno Alpi, Dr Leonie Unterholzner, and Prof. Sir Philip Cohen, investigating various aspects of ubiquitylation and innate immune signalling.
I joined the Kulathu lab in January 2023, where I intend to continue my interest in innate immune signalling via the Toll-like receptor family.
Yogesh Kulathu
Group Leader
Yogesh graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 2000 from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India, followed by a Masters degree in Biotechnology. He then went on to do a PhD in Immunology under the guidance of Prof. Michael Reth at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and University of Freiburg in Germany, where he worked on B cell antigen receptor signalling and protein tyrosine kinase regulation. To apply structural biology methods to study cell signalling, Yogesh moved to Cambridge in 2009 to work with Dr. David Komander at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology.
In February 2013, Yogesh relocated to the MRC PPU to establish his research program, focussing on ubiquitin signalling mechanisms and is the Professor of Cellular Biochemistry since 2022. In 2015 Yogesh received a prestigious ERC Starting Grant, and was selected as a member of the EMBO Young Investigator Programme. Yogesh is a recipient of the Lister Prize from the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine and in 2021 received an ERC Consolidator Grant. Yogesh
Group Leader
Yogesh graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 2000 from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India, followed by a Masters degree in Biotechnology. He then went on to do a PhD in Immunology under the guidance of Prof. Michael Reth at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and University of Freiburg in Germany, where he worked on B cell antigen receptor signalling and protein tyrosine kinase regulation. To apply structural biology methods to study cell signalling, Yogesh moved to Cambridge in 2009 to work with Dr. David Komander at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology.
In February 2013, Yogesh relocated to the MRC PPU to establish his research program, focussing on ubiquitin signalling mechanisms and is the Professor of Cellular Biochemistry since 2022. In 2015 Yogesh received a prestigious ERC Starting Grant, and was selected as a member of the EMBO Young Investigator Programme. Yogesh is a recipient of the Lister Prize from the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine and in 2021 received an ERC Consolidator Grant. Yogesh
Alumni
Joshua Peter
PhD student 2017-2021
Postdoctoral Researcher 2021-2023
Joshua joined the Lima Lab at Sloan Kettering Institute, New York for a postdoc
PhD student 2017-2021
Postdoctoral Researcher 2021-2023
Joshua joined the Lima Lab at Sloan Kettering Institute, New York for a postdoc
David Milrine
Postdoctoral researcher, 2020-2023
David joined the Manchester CRUK Institute as the Translational Immunology Team Lead
Postdoctoral researcher, 2020-2023
David joined the Manchester CRUK Institute as the Translational Immunology Team Lead
Sven Lange
PhD student 2015-2019
Postdoctoral researcher 2019-2022
Sven is now a postdoc in the Brown Lab at Harvard Medical School
PhD student 2015-2019
Postdoctoral researcher 2019-2022
Sven is now a postdoc in the Brown Lab at Harvard Medical School
Lee Armstrong
PhD Student 2018-2022
Joined Outrun Therapeutics as Research Associate
PhD Student 2018-2022
Joined Outrun Therapeutics as Research Associate
Iona Wallace
Rotation student, 2021-22
PhD student in Kirby Swatek Lab, MRC PPU
Rotation student, 2021-22
PhD student in Kirby Swatek Lab, MRC PPU
Thomas Cummings
Postdoctoral researcher, 2020-2022
Joined Trisk Bio
Postdoctoral researcher, 2020-2022
Joined Trisk Bio
Dominika Kwasna
Erasmus studentship and PhD student 2016-2021
Joined the Glatt Lab, Poland for a postdoc
Erasmus studentship and PhD student 2016-2021
Joined the Glatt Lab, Poland for a postdoc
Magda Gorka
Marie Curie ITN, 2018-2021
Marie Curie ITN, 2018-2021
Syed Arif AbdulRehman
Postdoc 2014-2020
Joined the De Cesare Lab, Dundee for a postdoc
Postdoc 2014-2020
Joined the De Cesare Lab, Dundee for a postdoc
SooYoun Choi
Postdoc 2013-2019
Joined the Davies Lab, Birmingham for a second postdoc
Postdoc 2013-2019
Joined the Davies Lab, Birmingham for a second postdoc
Luuk van der Bekerom
Research technician 2018-19
Associate Scientist at Galapagos, Belgium
Research technician 2018-19
Associate Scientist at Galapagos, Belgium
Jayaprakash Natarajan
PhD student 2014-18
Senior Scientist at Stelis Biopharma, India
PhD student 2014-18
Senior Scientist at Stelis Biopharma, India
Deepika Pathak
Postdoc 2016-17
Postdoctoral research associate, University of Nottingham
Postdoc 2016-17
Postdoctoral research associate, University of Nottingham
Pawel Leznicki
Postdoc 2014-17
Senior Scientist at Sygnature Discovery, UK
Postdoc 2014-17
Senior Scientist at Sygnature Discovery, UK
Yosua Kristariyanto
PhD student 2013-2017
PhD student 2013-2017
Internship/Erasmus/Rotation students
Grace Harrison
Honours Project student, 2022
Honours Project student, 2022
Thomas McConnell
Honours Project student, 2022
Honours Project student, 2022
Izzy Cole
Internship 2020, 2021
Undergraduate student, University of Warwick
Internship 2020, 2021
Undergraduate student, University of Warwick
Louise Chapman
Summer student 2022
Summer student 2022
Kerry Liney
Internship 2020
Healthcare scientist at GenQA-NHS Lothian
Internship 2020
Healthcare scientist at GenQA-NHS Lothian
Marianna Maddaloni
Internship 2019-20
PhD student Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology
Internship 2019-20
PhD student Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology
Jordan Warner
MRC DTP Rotation student 2019
PhD student Cell Signalling and Immunology, Dundee
MRC DTP Rotation student 2019
PhD student Cell Signalling and Immunology, Dundee
Nikoleta Vavouraki
Internship 2017-18
PhD student University of Reading
Internship 2017-18
PhD student University of Reading
Lambert Montava Garriga
MRC Rotation student 2015
Research Scientist, Astra Zeneca
MRC Rotation student 2015
Research Scientist, Astra Zeneca