Dundee researcher recognised as top scientist

Published On Thu 15 Jun 2017 by Grant Hill

The University of Dundee’s Professor Tracy Palmer has been elected as a member of one of the world’s most prestigious scientific organisations.

Professor Palmer, based at the University’s School of Life Sciences, is one among the outstanding 65 researchers from across the world to be honoured with election to the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). The new intake is drawn from 19 European member states as well as Japan and the United States.

The organisation aims to support talented researchers at all stages of their careers, stimulate the exchange of scientific information, and help build a European research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.

Professor Palmer said, “I am honoured to be recognised by EMBO in this way. It’s a real achievement and is testament to the hard work of my group over the past 20 years.”

Professor Palmer’s research investigates the processes by which bacteria secrete proteins into the environment. Her group were one of the first to describe the twin-arginine protein transport (Tat) pathway, which has the unique feature of transporting folded proteins across the bacterial plasma membrane. More recently she has studied the Type VII protein secretion system in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, showing that it plays an important role in competition with neighbouring bacteria.

New EMBO Members and Associate Members will be formally welcomed at the EMBO Members’ Meeting in Heidelberg between 18th and 20th October 2017. EMBO membership now stands at 1700 of the world’s foremost molecular biologists and members contribute scientific expertise to the various programmes coordinated by the group.

“Election to the EMBO Membership is recognition of research excellence, and I am pleased to welcome so many great scientists to our organisation,” said EMBO Director Maria Leptin. “We received more nominations than ever before during this election cycle, which pays tribute to the strength and diversity of the European life sciences. Drawing on our new members’ expertise and insight will be invaluable in helping EMBO to deliver and strengthen its programmes and activities in the years to come.”

More information is available at www.embo.org. 

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