Iain Mattaj facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iain Mattaj
FRS FRSE
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Mattaj in 2019
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| Born | 5 October 1952 St Andrews, Scotland
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| Alma mater | |
| Awards | Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine (2001), Verdienstkreuz (2021) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology |
| Institutions | Human Technopole, European Molecular Biology Laboratory |
| Thesis | Studies on cloned GDH genes (1980) |
| Doctoral advisor | John Wooton |
| Notable students | Elisa Izaurralde, postdoctoral researcher (1990-1996), Martin Hetzer, postdoctoral researcher (1998-2003), Katharina Ribbeck (2003-2006), Tobias Walther (1998-2002) |
Iain William Mattaj was born on October 5, 1952, in St Andrews, Scotland. He is a well-known British scientist and an Honorary Professor at Heidelberg University in Germany. From 2005 to 2018, he was the Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). In January 2019, he became the first Director of Human Technopole. This is a new Italian institute for life sciences located in Milan, Italy.
Education and Early Career
Iain Mattaj studied biochemistry at the University of Edinburgh. He earned his first degree there. Later, in 1980, he received his PhD from the University of Leeds. His PhD research focused on special genes called Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) genes.
After his PhD, he worked as a researcher at the Friedrich Miescher Institute. Then he moved to the Biocentre, University of Basel. There, he joined Eddy De Robertis's lab. This is where he started the important research areas he would continue to explore.
In 1985, he joined EMBL, which stands for the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. He started as a Group Leader in Heidelberg. Over the years, he took on more leadership roles. He became Coordinator of the Gene Expression Unit in 1990. Then, he was named Scientific Director of EMBL in 1999. Finally, in 2005, he became the Director General of EMBL.
His Important Discoveries
Professor Mattaj has made many big discoveries about how cells work. His research helps us understand how RNA and proteins move around inside our cells. These tiny parts are transported between the cell nucleus and the cytoplasm.
He first studied how ribonucleoproteins move in and out of the cell nucleus. Ribonucleoproteins are special complexes made of RNA and proteins.
Later, Professor Mattaj found out how certain enzymes, called GTPases, help control mitosis. Mitosis is the process where a cell's nucleus divides into two new daughter nuclei. He discovered that a signaling protein called Ran, which is a type of GTPase, helps reshape the cell's internal structure. This reshaping forms the mitotic spindle, which is vital for cell division. Ran also helps build the nuclear envelope when mitosis finishes. By understanding Ran's role, his work helps other scientists create better ways to repair and grow cells.
Awards and Recognitions
Iain Mattaj has received many awards and honors for his scientific work.
- In 1999, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- He also became a Fellow of Academia Europaea in 1999.
- In 2000, he was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
- He received the prestigious Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine in 2001.
- He has also been given Honorary Doctorates from several universities. These include the University of Edinburgh, the University of Dundee, Umea University, and the University of Leeds.
- From 1991 to 2004, he was an Editor for the EMBO Journal, a science publication.
- Since 2017, he has been the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Darwin Trust.
- In September 2021, Professor Mattaj received the Verdienstkreuz. This award recognized his dedication to science.
- In the same month, he was also chosen as a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
