UK Proteostasis Network receives BBSRC Network Grant

UK Proteostasis Network receives BBSRC Network Grant

UK Proteostasis Network receives BBSRC Network Grant

Key points:

  • A BBSRC Network Grant has been awarded to the UK Proteostasis Network, supporting the development of the Network over the next three years. The Network was created to connect researchers from academia and industry and across the full range of proteostasis processes and model systems.
  • With this support the Network will work to integrate the UK’s existing proteostasis communities, combine research efforts to understand responses to proteostasis challenge and resilience across the life course, and build the international profile of proteostasis in the UK.
  • Network-building activities will include community-led workshops, providing pump-priming grants, lab exchange awards and summer studentships.

The UK’s proteostasis capability has been bolstered by the award of a BBSRC Network Grant to support the future development of the UK Proteostasis Network from 2025-2028.

Proteostasis, an umbrella term that describes the synthesis, folding, trafficking and degradation of proteins, is essential to maintaining the correct function of our cells, tissues, organs and therefore vital to health. These conserved protein quality control (PQC) processes are coordinated across biological scale (from molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, to organismal level) and are critical to enable responses to physiological and stress-related cues. Examples of failures in these quality control mechanisms include toxic protein aggregation, such as seen in Alzheimer's disease.

Dr Della David, senior group leader at the Babraham Institute and Network co-founder, commented: “It is increasingly apparent that a deeper understanding of proteostasis and how it can be leveraged is critical to tackle major challenges in health and food security. After seeing such an enthusiastic response to the creation of the Network, it is wonderful to have this support to connect proteostasis researchers across the UK to deliver this deeper understanding and accelerate discoveries in this crucial field of biology.”

The UK Proteostasis Network was founded in 2024. The purpose of the Network is to bring together a diversity of proteostasis research areas, roles and sectors, to connect, share and catalyse collaboration across the research and innovation ecosystem. The Network’s inaugural meeting was held at the Babraham Institute in May 2024 and brought together over 170 attendees, representing over 60 academic and commercial research groups from 46 organisations, from over 14 UK locations. This was followed by an exciting second event delivered in partnership with the Autophagy UK network in Dundee in June 2025.

Since its creation, the Network has connected 161 members, with a growing directory of research groups listed on the website.

The BBSRC Network Grant will be used to establish a national, cohesive and sustainable community at the forefront of international proteostasis research that will:

  1. Integrate the UK proteostasis community across geographical and research ‘silos’, maximising the UK’s capacity to be world-leading by sharing knowledge and accelerating the application of new or emerging technologies, such as engineering biology and AI, and supporting effective translation of research towards therapies.
  2. Address key societal challenges by applying knowledge of proteostasis adaptions across diverse life forms (mammals, Drosophila, C. elegans and plants) to enhance resilience and lifelong health.
  3. Strengthen the cohesion, international visibility and reputation of the UK Proteostasis community, including investment in early careers researchers.

Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, BBSRC Executive Chair, said: “By supporting the UK Proteostasis Network, BBSRC is investing in a growing community of researchers whose collective expertise will drive innovation, unlock new technologies and help address some of the most pressing challenges in health and food security. Networks contribute to BBSRC’s commitment to helping build a more interconnected research and innovation system and I’m delighted to see this community coming together and continuing to build the UK’s leadership in this rapidly evolving field.”

Dr Simon Cook, Director of the Babraham Institute and a member of the Network said: “Emerging technologies that target specific proteins for degradation provide new therapeutic horizons for disease. I see a huge amount of potential in combining our knowledge about protein quality control systems with novel synthetic biology approaches that leverage proteostasis mechanisms from other species. The diversity of knowledge across the Network is a defining factor in how this combined expertise can deliver benefits for everyone.”

The funding proposal was developed by the following leads and co-leads with support from community members:

  • Della David, Project lead, Babraham Institute
  • Simon Cook, Project co-lead, Babraham Institute
  • Ari Sadanandom, Project co-lead, Durham University
  • Colin Adrain, Project co-lead, Queen’s University, Belfast
  • Bernadette Carroll, Project co-lead, University of Bristol.

 

Notes to editors

Press contact: Dr Louisa Wood, Head of Communications, louisa.wood@babraham.ac.uk

 

About the Babraham Institute

The Babraham Institute undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The Institute is strategically funded by the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), through Institute Strategic Programme Grants and an Institute Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.

 

About BBSRC

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.

BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.

We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

 

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