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Prof. Roman Jerala | Synthetic Biology | Best Researcher Award

Head of department at National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia.

Dr. Roman Jerala is a distinguished researcher and academic with profound expertise in synthetic biology and molecular biology. As Head of the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology at the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana since 2002, and as a Full Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Ljubljana since 2010, he has made significant contributions to these fields. Dr. Jerala is renowned for his pioneering work in protein engineering, particularly in developing coiled-coil protein origami structures, and for advancing molecular modeling and computational biology techniques. His research spans diverse areas including structural biology, protein-protein interactions, and cellular signaling, critical for innovations in gene and cell therapy. With over 230 publications and numerous awards, including an ERC Advanced Grant and memberships in prestigious scientific societies, Dr. Jerala’s leadership and expertise continue to drive advancements at the interface of biology and technology, making profound impacts on the understanding and application of biological systems.

Professional Profiles:

Education 🎓

Prof. Dr. Roman Jerala is a distinguished researcher and academic with extensive expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 1993. Prior to this, he completed his BSc in Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 1988. These educational achievements laid the groundwork for his illustrious career focused on synthetic biology and immunology. Currently serving as the Head of the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology at the National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) in Ljubljana, and as a Full Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Jerala continues to lead groundbreaking research initiatives and contribute significantly to the field through his innovative work in protein design and molecular regulation.

Professional Experience

Dr. Roman Jerala occupies pivotal roles in Slovenia’s academic and research sectors. Since 2002, he has served as the Head of the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology at the National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) in Ljubljana. In this capacity, Dr. Jerala spearheads innovative research endeavors, particularly in synthetic biology and immunological studies, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. Concurrently, since 2010, he has held the position of Full Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Ljubljana. Here, he plays a crucial role in shaping the next generation of scientists, imparting knowledge, and guiding students in groundbreaking research pursuits in molecular biology. Dr. Jerala’s dual leadership roles underscore his profound impact on academia, where his research and educational contributions continue to influence the fields of synthetic biology and molecular biology, both nationally and internationally. His work exemplifies a dedication to advancing scientific understanding and application in complex biological systems.

Research Interest

Dr. Roman Jerala’s research interests span across synthetic biology, molecular immunology, and biochemistry, focusing on innovative approaches to biological systems and their applications. He explores the design and construction of novel biomolecular tools and systems, particularly in the realm of synthetic biology, aiming to engineer biological entities for therapeutic and biotechnological purposes. His work includes the development of protein-based nanomaterials, such as coiled-coil protein origami, and the design of synthetic gene circuits for controlling cellular processes. Dr. Jerala’s research also delves into molecular immunology, investigating immune responses and developing strategies for immunotherapy. His interdisciplinary approach integrates biochemistry, molecular biology, and computational modeling to address fundamental questions in biology and to create new technologies with potential clinical applications.

Award and Honors

Dr. Roman Jerala, a distinguished scientist, holds key positions in academia and research. As Head of the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology at the National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) in Ljubljana since 2002, and as a Full Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Ljubljana since 2010, he exemplifies leadership in advancing scientific frontiers. His research interests span synthetic biology, molecular immunology, and biochemistry, focusing on innovative approaches like coiled-coil protein origami and mammalian synthetic biology tools. Dr. Jerala’s contributions have garnered significant recognition, including an ERC Advanced Grant in 2018, the Datta Prize by FEBS in 2021, and election to prestigious bodies like the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts and EMBO. His achievements extend to numerous accolades from international forums and his role in fostering scientific advancements through groundbreaking research and leadership in scientific societies and editorial boards, highlighting his profound impact on the field of molecular biology and beyond.

Research Skills

Dr. Roman Jerala possesses advanced research skills honed through decades of pioneering work in molecular biology and synthetic biology. His expertise includes protein engineering, particularly in the design and construction of coiled-coil protein origami structures. He is adept in structural biology techniques such as SAXS and EM for protein characterization, as well as high-resolution crystallography. Dr. Jerala’s research involves extensive use of molecular modeling and computational biology to design novel protein assemblies and regulatory systems. He is proficient in cellular and molecular techniques for studying protein-protein interactions and cellular signaling pathways, crucial for his developments in mammalian synthetic biology. His interdisciplinary approach integrates principles from bioinformatics, biophysics, and chemistry, facilitating the creation of innovative tools for gene and cell therapy applications. Dr. Jerala’s research skills are underscored by his prolific publication record and extensive collaborations with leading international researchers, reflecting his leadership in advancing the frontiers of biological sciences through cutting-edge research methodologies.

Publications

  1. Mechanism of endosomal TLR inhibition by antimalarial drugs and imidazoquinolines
    • Authors: A Kužnik, M Benčina, U Švajger, M Jeras, B Rozman, R Jerala
    • Year: 2011
    • Citations: 683
  2. The refined 2.4 AX‐ray crystal structure of recombinant human stefin B in complex with the cysteine proteinase papain: a novel type of proteinase inhibitor interaction
    • Authors: MT Stubbs, B Laber, W Bode, R Huber, R Jerala, B Lenarcic, V Turk
    • Year: 1990
    • Citations: 599
  3. Characterization of quercetin binding site on DNA gyrase
    • Authors: A Plaper, M Golob, I Hafner, M Oblak, T Šolmajer, R Jerala
    • Year: 2003
    • Citations: 422
  4. Structural biology of the LPS recognition
    • Author: R Jerala
    • Year: 2007
    • Citations: 413
  5. Design of a single-chain polypeptide tetrahedron assembled from coiled-coil segments
    • Authors: H Gradišar, S Božič, T Doles, D Vengust, I Hafner-Bratkovič, A Mertelj, R Jerala
    • Year: 2013
    • Citations: 347
  6. Similarities and Specificities of Fungal Keratinolytic Proteases: Comparison of Keratinases of Paecilomyces marquandii and Doratomyces microsporus to Some …
    • Authors: H Gradišar, J Friedrich, I Krizaj, R Jerala
    • Year: 2005
    • Citations: 315
  7. Green tea catechins inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase by interaction with its ATP binding site
    • Authors: H Gradišar, P Pristovšek, A Plaper, R Jerala
    • Year: 2007
    • Citations: 305
  8. DNA-guided assembly of biosynthetic pathways promotes improved catalytic efficiency
    • Authors: RJ Conrado, GC Wu, JT Boock, H Xu, SY Chen, T Lebar, J Turnšek, R Jerala
    • Year: 2012
    • Citations: 301
  9. Chemistry of lipid A: at the heart of innate immunity
    • Authors: A Molinaro, O Holst, F Di Lorenzo, M Callaghan, A Nurisso, G D’Errico, R Jerala
    • Year: 2015
    • Citations: 261
  10. Three-dimensional domain swapping in the folded and molten-globule states of cystatins, an amyloid-forming structural superfamily
    • Authors: RA Staniforth, S Giannini, LD Higgins, MJ Conroy, AM Hounslow, R Jerala
    • Year: 2001
    • Citations: 246
  11. Primary structure of a new cysteine proteinase inhibitor from pig leucocytes
    • Authors: A Ritonja, M Kopitar, R Jerala, V Turk
    • Year: 1989
    • Citations: 202
  12. The POM monoclonals: a comprehensive set of antibodies to non-overlapping prion protein epitopes
    • Authors: M Polymenidou, R Moos, M Scott, C Sigurdson, Y Shi, B Yajima, R Jerala
    • Year: 2008
    • Citations: 194
  13. Toll‐like receptor 4 activation in cancer progression and therapy
    • Authors: A Oblak, R Jerala
    • Year: 2011
    • Citations: 187

 

 

Roman Jerala | Synthetic Biology | Best Researcher Award

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