“Each of the new Young Investigators has demonstrated their ability to carry out research at the highest level, and it is a pleasure to welcome them to the EMBO community,” says EMBO Director Maria Leptin. “The first years as an independent researcher can be a particularly challenging time in a scientist’s career, and we look forward to supporting the researchers in establishing their independent careers.”
The Young Investigators are selected by EMBO based on the quality of their scientific work. The selected group leaders receive financial and training benefits as well as new opportunities for collaborations and access to core facilities at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany. Benefits also include training in leadership skills, responsible research practices and mentorship from a senior scientist in the community of EMBO Members.
Amunts’ lab research focuses on the fundamental question of how bioenergetic units that fuel life become to be. The lab members employ structural, functional and evolutionary analysis to study macromolecules that shape biological systems in mitochondria and chloroplast. Using electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) the researchers have determined the atomic structures of some of the most complex multi protein assemblies driving key cellular processes, including chlororibosomes, mitoribosomes, photosystems and ATP synthase. The revealed molecular mechanisms, activities and regulation illuminate how different cells obtain their energy and maintain the bioenergetic balance.
The research is supported by the ERC, Wallenberg Foundation, SSF Future Leaders Program and Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award.
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