12 July 2024 – New EMBO Member Pedro Beltrao wants to unravel the mysteries of life’s diversity and evolution by focussing on how this diversity is generated in the first place. “We want to know how variations in DNA influence our traits such as height, disease susceptibility and also how organisms evolve and adapt to changing environments,” says Beltrao, Associate Professor at the Institute of Molecular Systems Biology at ETH Zürich, Switzerland. “If the genetic sequences are changed, how does it alter the protein molecules produced? How do these changes affect specific cell types? Why do some mutations cause a disease in one organ such as the liver, but not in another such as the heart? By addressing these questions, we want to shine light on the intricate processes underpinning biological diversity and adaptation.”
As well as focussing on gene expression, which directs how much of a given protein will be made, when, and where, Beltrao is also interested in the role of other cellular mechanisms that can endow proteins with new functions. “Some proteins can be modified after they have been produced through ‘post translational modifications’, such as phosphorylation, a quick and versatile way that cells use to regulate proteins,” says Beltrao. “Using mass spectrometry, specialists have identified more than 100,000 phosphorylation sites in humans. Many of these have a big impact on the way cells work, allowing proteins to gain functions, turn ‘on’ or ‘off’, or go to different places in the cell. However, at present we only know what a small fraction of them are doing.”
Beltrao’s team also develops models based on their diverse observations, to understand how different types of human cells work and how genetic changes might impact on them differently. “What excites me most is that the work is bringing together different research fields such as structural and molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics to tackle fundamental questions,” he says. “I’m honoured and proud to become an EMBO Member. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working in many different countries, always surrounded by excellent scientists. I strongly identify with the EMBO mission to promote excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond and I’m very much looking forward to supporting this endeavour.”
