Thomas Williams from the Rousseau group of the MRC PPU have been awarded the University of Dundee Molecular and Cellular Biology prize for unravelling a mechanism underpinning increased translation of proteasome assembly chaperones followed stress. The judges were impressed by this work and were particularly drawn to the diverse toolkit of molecular and cellular techniques (including genetic screening and high-resolution microscopy) that Tom used to uncover this fundamental stress response pathway, previously highlighted in the PPU news and published in Nature Cell Biology.

“I’m thrilled my work has been recognised with this prize” said Tom “This has been the culmination of a lot of work by many people within the Rousseau group, and depended upon support from the mass spectrometry, microscopy, and DNA sequencing facilities. My thanks go to all those involved – this was truly a collaborative effort.”

Dr. Adrien Rousseau said “This is a big achievement for Tom and the lab to be awarded the prestigious 2023 Dundee Prize for Molecular and Cellular Biology. Tom has worked extremely hard to better understand how proteasome homeostasis is regulated upon stress, so this is a well-deserved recognition.”