Protein & Peptide Science Group Awards

Professor Christian Hackenberger, FMP Berlin

Christian receives this award for his ground-breaking work in bioconjugation and protein synthesis and its application to develop cell-permeable antibodies and next-generation biopharmaceuticals against cancer and viral infections. The award also recognises his wider contributions to the scientific community and the RSC including through sitting on the boards of OBC, RSC Chemical Biology and Chemical Science, organising the Chemical Protein Synthesis symposia and a strong commitment to supporting the next generation of researchers.

Professor Philip Dawson, The Scripps Research Institute

Phil receives this award for his critical role in the development of native chemical ligation and his ongoing contributions to the development of new resins for the preparation of peptide-thioesters. Phil's examination of unusual peptide backbone chain topologies including protein catenanes, as well as his seminal study of H-bond strengths in beta-sheets rounds out a remarkable series of contributions to peptide and protein science.

Professor Ali Tavassoli, University of Southampton

Ali receives this award for his work on genetically-encoded cyclic peptide libraries and their use for identifying inhibitors of a variety of protein-protein interactions. Ali’s work has resulted in several first-in-class protein-protein interaction inhibitors that are currently being developed towards the clinic. Professor Ali Tavassoli will give the Pleanary Lecture, at the 2018 PPSG Early Stage Researcher Meeting.

Professor David Spring, University of Cambridge

In recent years Prof David Spring has utilised novel strategies in the i, i+7 stapling of α-helical 3.1*8peptide motifs, his two-component approach makes exploration of these factors much simpler than any previous approach. Prof David Spring received his award and gave the Pleanary Lecture, at the PPSG Early Stage Researcher Meeting in autumn 2015.

Dr Ed Tate, Imperial College, London

In recent years Dr Ed Tate has made a significant contribution to chemical approaches for understanding protein post-translational modification, the study of protein-protein interaction inhibitors and the chemical proteomic de novo discovery and validation of drug targets. Dr Ed Tate received his award, and gave the Pleanary Lecture, at the PPSG Early Stage Researcher Meeting in autumn 2013.

Professor Derek Woolfson

MedImmune’s Dr Lutz Jermutus, Senior Director, R&D, and Global Head, Technology, based at Cambridge and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), was honoured to be asked to present the 2011 Award at the 2011 PPSG Early Stage Researcher Meeting, organised by Dr Alethea Tabor (UCL) at Burlington House in Central London on 8 November 2011.

The award was made to Professor Derek Woolfson, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Bristol, UK, in respect of his research group’s outstanding work in understanding the rules that govern peptide and protein folding and self-assembly, and their application in nanotechnology and therapy. 

Professor Robin Leatherbarrow of Imperial College London, the Chair of the PPSG, said: “The Committee of the PPSG in making this award were impressed by the work of Professor Woolfson and his research group on a number of counts. Most significantly the Committee members were impressed by the potential applications in bio-nanotechnology, and also by their use in aiding understanding of disease states caused by misfolded proteins.” 

Dr Lutz Jermutus, presenting the award on behalf of MedImmune, said: “Professor Woolfson’s research, both within the Bristol Research Group and in collaboration with others, has produced significant discoveries and a number of very high-profile publications in just a few years. Through this award, MedImmune is proud to be the recognising achievement of the very highest level in the field of protein and peptide science.” 

Receiving the award, Dr Woolfson, said: “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all those involved in our work at the University of Bristol and previously at the University of Sussex. In particular, I am pleased that the Royal Society of Chemistry, with its interdisciplinary approach and a strong focus on the practical applications of molecular science in chemistry, biology, and medicine, has chosen to recognise our work in this way.”