Ramanujan Hegde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ramanujan Hegde
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Hegde in 2016
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| Born | 1 April 1970 Kumta, Karnataka, India
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| Alma mater |
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| Awards | EMBO Member (2013) |
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| Fields | Biochemistry |
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| Thesis | The regulation of protein translocation at the endoplasmic reticulum (1998) |
| Doctoral advisor | Vishwanath R. Lingappa |
Ramanujan Shankar Hegde (born April 1, 1970) is a leading scientist. He works at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB). He studies how tiny parts inside our bodies work.
Contents
Education and Early Life
Ramanujan Hegde went to the University of Chicago. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. This is often the first university degree someone gets.
Later, he studied at the University of California, San Francisco. He earned two advanced degrees there. In 1998, he received a PhD. This is a very high degree for research. In 1999, he also earned a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. This degree allows someone to become a doctor.
His PhD research focused on how proteins get to the right places. He studied how they move inside cells. This process happens in a part of the cell called the endoplasmic reticulum. His teacher for this research was Vishwanath R. Lingappa.
Amazing Protein Research
Dr. Hegde's work helps us understand our bodies better. He studies how proteins find their correct spots inside our cells. Think of proteins as tiny workers in a factory (our cells). Each worker has a specific job and a specific place to be.
Why Protein Location Matters
It's super important for proteins to be in the right place. If they end up in the wrong spot, or if they are not made correctly, it can cause problems. These "bad" proteins can mess up how cells work. This can even lead to many diseases.
Discovering New Pathways
Dr. Hegde and his team have made big discoveries. They found a special way that some proteins use to get to their correct locations. This pathway is like a secret map or a special delivery system. It helps proteins reach the right part of the cell's membrane. The membrane is the outer layer of a cell.
His research helps us learn how cells recognize these proteins. It shows how cells make sure proteins are put in the right place.
Dealing with Wayward Proteins
Dr. Hegde's work also shows what happens when proteins go wrong. Even small mistakes can cause big issues. For example, if proteins don't go where they should, it can harm brain cells. This can lead to problems like neurodegeneration. This means brain cells start to break down.
But our cells are smart! Dr. Hegde found that cells have special ways to find these "wayward" proteins. Once found, the cells get rid of them. This is like a clean-up crew for the cell.
Impact of His Work
Dr. Hegde's research is very important. His papers have been published in top science magazines. These include Science, Nature, and Cell. The Medical Research Council has helped fund his important studies.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Hegde has received several honors for his scientific work:
- In 2008, he won the R.R. Bensley award in Cell Biology.
- In 2013, he became a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). This is a group of top scientists in Europe.
- In 2016, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom.
Images for kids
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Ramanujan Hegde in 2001
