Radu Aricescu

Alexandru Radu Aricescu, known by his middle name, is a Romanian-British molecular neuroscientist based at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge; Prior to 2017, he worked at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics at the University of Oxford; in 2016 the University awarded him the title of Professor of Molecular Neuroscience.

Career[edit]

Aricescu completed his undergraduate and Master of Sciences (MSc) studies in biology and molecular biology at the University of Bucharest. He was subsequently awarded a PhD in Developmental Neurobiology by University College London.[1] In 2002, Aricescu worked at the Neural Development Unit in the University of London's Institute of Child Health.[2] By 2006, he was part of the Cancer Research UK Receptor Structure Research Group in the Division of Structural Biology (STRUBI) at the University of Oxford's Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics.[3] Already a fellow at the Wellcome Trust Centre, in December 2010 he was appointed Senior Research Lecturer and in 2016 the University awarded him the title of Professor of Molecular Neuroscience.[4][5] In 2017, Aricescu relocated to the Neurobiology Division of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, as a group leader.[1]

Research[edit]

Aricescu's research focuses on the molecular bases for way the brain acquires and stores information through learning and memory; more specifically, he has studied the "structural and functional characterisation of synaptic receptors". This has applications in understanding ageing, and a wide range of neurological and psychiatric problems.[6] His recent publications include:[7]

  • "Structural basis for integration of GluD receptors within synaptic organizer complexes", Science, vol. 353, issue 6296 (2016).
  • "Transsynaptic Modulation of Kainate Receptor Functions by C1q-like Proteins", Neuron, vol. 90, issue 4 (2016).
  • "Crystal structure of a human GABAA receptor", Nature, vol. 512, issue 7514 (2014).
  • "Structural basis for extracellular cis and trans RPTPσ signal competition in synaptogenesis", Nature Communications, issue 5 (2014).
  • "Atomic-resolution monitoring of protein maturation in live human cells by NMR", Nature Chemical Biology, vol. 9, issue 5 (2013).
  • "Proteoglycan-specific molecular switch for RPTPσ clustering and neuronal extension", Science, vol. 332, issue 6028 (2011).

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "LMB welcomes Radu Aricescu at new Group Leader", MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, 2 May 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  2. ^ A. R. Aricescu, I. W. McKinnell, W. Halfter, A. W. Stoker, "Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are ligands for receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma", Molecular and Cellular Biology, vol. 22, issue 6 (2002), pp. 1881–1892.
  3. ^ A. R. Aricescu, W. Lu, E. Y. Jones, "A time- and cost-efficient system for high-level protein production in mammalian cells", Acta Crystallographica: Section D, Biological Crystallography, vol. 62, issue 10 (2006), pp. 1243–1250.
  4. ^ The University of Oxford Gazette, 27 January 2011, no. 4941, vol. 141. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Recognition of Distinction: Successful Applicants 2016", The University of Oxford Gazette, no. 5143, vol. 147, 29 September 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  6. ^ "Professor A. Radu Aricescu", Nuffield Department of Medicine. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Professor A. Radu Aricescu", Division of Structural Biology. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
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