Gabriel Waksman facts for kids

Gabriel Waksman is a leading scientist. He is a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at University College London (UCL). He also teaches at Birkbeck College, University of London. He leads the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB). This institute is a joint effort between UCL and Birkbeck. He also heads departments at both universities.

Studying Tiny Machines in Bacteria

Professor Waksman's lab studies very tiny machines. These are called nanomachines. They are found inside bacteria. These machines help bacteria move things around. His team focuses on how bacteria make pili. They also study Type IV Secretion (T4S) Systems.

His lab uses special tools. They use X-ray Crystallography to see 3D shapes. They also use Electron Microscopy. These tools help them understand how these tiny machines work. They also use other science methods.

What are T4S Systems?

T4S systems are found in many types of bacteria. They are like tiny pumps. These pumps are built into the outer layers of bacteria. They help bacteria send out proteins and DNA.

These systems are very important for some bacteria. For example, Helicobacter pylori uses them. This bacterium causes stomach ulcers. T4S systems also help bacteria share DNA. This can spread genes that cause antibiotics resistance. This means medicines might not work as well. A T4S system is made of 12 different proteins. They form a huge machine. It is more than 3 million times heavier than a hydrogen atom. It stretches across two bacterial layers.

How Bacteria Build Pili

Bacterial pili are like tiny hairs. They stick out from the surface of bacteria. These hairs help bacteria recognize and attach to hosts. This is how bacteria can cause infections. So, pili are very important for bacteria to make people sick.

Pili are made of many small protein parts. Building them needs helper proteins. Professor Waksman's lab studies how pili are built. They focus on pili made by the Chaperone-Usher (CU) pathway.

CU pili are important in infections. For example, they help Escherichia coli bacteria. These bacteria cause bladder infections (cystitis). They can also cause kidney infections.

Two helper proteins are needed for CU pili. One is a chaperone. It helps keep the pilus parts stable. It also carries them to a building platform. This platform is called the usher. The usher is another amazing nanomachine. It is found in the outer layer of the bacteria. It helps gather the pilus parts. It then helps them join together. Finally, it helps them move out of the bacteria.

Education and Career Path

Gabriel Waksman earned his PhD in Biochemistry in 1982. He studied at the University of Paris. After serving in the military, he worked for a company.

In 1987, he started working as a researcher. He worked at Bristol University and the University of Sheffield. In 1991, he moved to the USA. There, he worked with Professor John Kuriyan.

In 1993, Professor Waksman started his own lab. This was at Washington University School of Medicine. In 2000, he became a special professor there. In 2002, he moved to London. He helped create the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology.

Awards and Recognition

Professor Waksman has received many honors for his work:

• He became a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) in 2007.
• He was elected a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2008.
• He became a fellow of the Royal Society in 2012.
• He was elected a member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in 2013.