David Balchin
Group leader at the Francis Crick institute and head of the Protein Biogenesis lab. Interested in protein folding, ribosomes and molecular chaperones.
- Reposted by David BalchinI'm thrilled to share our new publication, with co-first author @ Niko Dalheimer, is now out on Nature. Check out how we use live cell single particle tracking to study real time dynamics between TRiC chaperonin system and it substrates in the crowded cellular environment.
- I’m excited to share my first-author paper, with co-first author @rongqinxiaoxiao.bsky.social, now out in @nature.com. We developed a live-cell single-particle tracking platform to see how TRiC & prefoldin engage proteins during co- and post-translational folding. 1/9 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- Reposted by David BalchinI’m excited to share my first-author paper, with co-first author @rongqinxiaoxiao.bsky.social, now out in @nature.com. We developed a live-cell single-particle tracking platform to see how TRiC & prefoldin engage proteins during co- and post-translational folding. 1/9 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- Reposted by David BalchinNew lab paper!! We develop a technology for real-time, single-molecule visualization of proteasomal substrate degradation in cells. We find that the site of substrate engagement by the proteasome determines decay kinetics, efficiency and co-factor requirement. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
- Our latest cotranslational folding story is now published @cp-molcell.bsky.social. Really cool (I think) new ideas about how exactly the ribosome directs folding and assembly to make sure complicated proteins mature efficiently in cells. www.cell.com/molecular-ce...
- Thanks to the reviewers, and editor @kristabledsoe.bsky.social, for a smooth and constructive process, great collaborators from the Bukau and Enchev labs, and the fantastic joint lead authors @aroesel.bsky.social and @santosh-s.bsky.social
- If anyone is interested in making bacterial ribosome-nascent chain complexes and studying them using HDX-MS, we have written up a detailed protocol. rdcu.be/eYFx4 Characterise the conformational dynamics of the ribosome, nascent polypeptide and bound chaperones, label-free and at peptide-level
- For the equivalent human complexes, see our recent paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- Reposted by David BalchinJoin us for the #Ubiquitin & Friends Symposium 2026, April 29-30, in Vienna! Fantastic guest speakers👇 & many slots for talks from abstracts, flash-talks & posters. Lots of opportunities to network. Register now to save your spot! ➡️ www.protein-degradation.org/symposium/ #ubfriends2026
- Reposted by David BalchinJust in time for 2026! 🎆 Presenting a nascent-centric view on the shape of the ribosomal exit tunnel topology, based on MD-derived occupancy maps for 55 distinct ribosomes. 🧶🧬🖥️ 📄 Read the preprint: biorxiv.org/content/10.6... #StructuralBiology #Ribosome #CryoEM #Evolution #Biophysics
- Our story on GroEL/ES action during cotranslational folding is now published @natcomms.nature.com. Led by former-student Alzbeta Roeselova, and in collaboration with Rado Enchev's lab @crick.ac.uk. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- Reposted by David BalchinPostdoc position available in my lab in Jena (Germany. jobs.leibniz-fli.de/jobposting/6... If you're interested in protein biochemistry of amyloid proteins and chaperones, this job may be for you. B2 Level German is required as the candidate will be involved in teaching in German.
- Reposted by David BalchinCrick group leaders work across disciplines, supported by core funding and mentoring to build ambitious, curiosity-driven research. Apply now to join us ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
- Reposted by David BalchinI love AlphaFold—but please include PAE (Predicted Aligned Error) plots for every “interaction.” Pretty PDBs ≠ proof. If the PAE doesn’t show an interface, it ain’t one. Show the plots. Structural biology's reputation is on the line.
- Reposted by David BalchinWe're now recruiting early career group leaders at the Crick to lead ambitious research programmes and explore bold scientific questions. Hear our Director, Edith Heard, explain why the Crick is a unique place for curiosity-driven research. Apply now ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
- Reposted by David Balchin2026 PhD recruitment is now open. As well as our main PhD recruitment, which is open to all, we are pleased to be offering scholarships for candidates of Black or mixed Black heritage. Learn more and apply on our website: www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
- Reposted by David BalchinMotivated graduates with backgrounds in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and/or computer science are invited to apply to our 4-year fully funded PhD programme. Apply by 05 November 2025 www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
- Reposted by David BalchinI am excited to share our new preprint on the CAGE complex, a mysterious hollow protein complex that I first saw years ago while surveying Tetrahymena ciliary lysate www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #cilia #protistsonsky 🧬🧪
- Our article on human multidomain protein biogenesis is now published in @natsmb.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- Thanks to the reviewers and the editor @katciazynska.bsky.social
- Reposted by David BalchinTime to close the EMBO-FEBS Susan Lindquist School on Proteostasis 2025 in Espoo, Finland. Four intensive days of fabulous presentations, discussions, and mentoring, fostering scientific exchange between senior and junior members of the proteostasis field. Thank you to all participants!
- Reposted by David BalchinWhy are α-synuclein aggregates in Parkinson’s disease (PD) toxic at the cell biological level? Our new study shows that α-syn fibrils hijack the ESCRT membrane repair system, triggering a feedback loop that worsens aggregation. You can find it at: authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
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- Reposted by David BalchinThis preprint from Helen Sakharova is one of the coolest things to come out of my lab: “Protein language models reveal evolutionary constraints on synonymous codon choice.” Codon choice is a big puzzle in how information is encoded in genomes, and we have a new angle. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
- Reposted by David Balchin🚨 Happy to share our first pre-print 🎉 on the causes of ribosome-associated degradation of CFTR and other transmembrane proteins. We explore how protein folding, ER insertion, and elongation dynamics influence translation arrests in this new class of RQC targets.👇 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
- Reposted by David BalchinLast call to apply for the Susan Lindquist School on Proteostasis EMBO-FEBS Lecture Course, 16-19 Sept 2025 in Espoo, Finland! Open for postdocs and PhD students. DL June 15! meetings.embo.org/event/25-pro...
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- New from our lab @crick.ac.uk, in collaboration with the Enchev and Bukau labs. By studying a protein that is difficult to fold, we discover fascinating new mechanisms by which the ribosome supports protein biogenesis. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
- A hidden hydrophobic groove on the ribosome surface, normally capped by a flexible "lid", can stabilise nascent amphipathic helices and change the pathway of domain folding.
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- Reposted by David Balchin🚨 Deadline extended! 🚨 Registration for the 2nd UK Proteostasis Network meeting in Dundee is open until 30 April! 🧬 Plenty of chances for selected talks from abstracts 📅 3–5 June 2025 📍 Dundee 🗓️ Program now live! Sign up and view the programme here: dundee.ac.uk/events/joint...
- Reposted by David Balchin📢 New PhD Opportunity 🧬🧪 Excited to share a fully funded PhD studentship is available in my lab @gdsc-sussex.bsky.social 📅 Deadline: 2nd May 2025 👉 www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-f... Please share with anyone who might be interested.
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- Reposted by David Balchindoi.org/10.1515/hsz-... I am super happy to share this review as my first post on Bluesky. After submitting my PhD thesis at the start of the year, my PI Elke Deuerling suggested to write this review with her, covering many of the findings of my thesis. I am excited to see it published today!
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- Reposted by David BalchinRun BioEmu in Colab - just click "Runtime → Run all"! Our notebook uses ColabFold to generate MSAs, BioEmu to predict trajectories, and Foldseek to cluster conformations. Thanks @jjimenezluna.bsky.social for the help! 🌐 colab.research.google.com/github/sokry... 📄 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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- Reposted by David BalchinNew cryo-EM/ET story - a brilliant collaboration with Sergey Melnikov's lab in Newcastle @sergeymelnikov.bsky.social and Stefan Pfeffer's lab in Heidelberg @pfeffercryolab.bsky.social. Great work in particular by Karla Helena-Bueno and @sophiekopetschke.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- Reposted by David BalchinSign up now for EMBO | FEBS Lecture Course "Susan Lindquist School on Proteostasis" in Espoo, Finland, 16 – 19 September 2025 Abstract submission & registration deadline: 15 June meetings.embo.org/event/25-pro... #EMBOFEBSproteostasis #EMBOevents🧪
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- Reposted by David BalchinApplications for our Future Leaders in Biomedical Sciences scholarships are now open. These scholarships are aimed at students of Black or mixed Black heritage who wish to undertake a PhD in biological or biomedical sciences. Learn more and apply. ⬇️ www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
- Applicants of Black or mixed Black heritage can apply to my lab through the new Future Leaders in Biomedical Sciences programme. www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...
- Our spring round of PhD recruitment is now open! We’re looking for researchers of any nationality with backgrounds in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, maths or computer science. Find out more and apply by midday, 19 March: www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
- Just one week left to apply!
- We're hiring a postdoc! Applications from any nationality welcome. Projects around protein folding in cells, ribosomes, chaperones etc. 4 yr contract, fantastic research environment @crick.ac.uk crick.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...
- Reposted by David BalchinOur spring round of PhD recruitment is now open! We’re looking for researchers of any nationality with backgrounds in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, maths or computer science. Find out more and apply by midday, 19 March: www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
- Reposted by David BalchinAutophagy UK & Proteostasis UK joint meeting -June 3-5. Exploring the lifecycle of cellular components from synthesis to degradation. Going to be a great meeting and we look forward to welcoming you to Dundee! Exciting lineup of speakers and opportunities for ECRs Register here: tinyurl.com/mr3p49f9
- Reposted by David BalchinToday @gogs-k.bsky.social, @tlhr.bsky.social, and I are launching @bindresearch.org, a UK-based not-for-profit research startup to deliver publicly–available tools and datasets to make intrinsically disordered proteins druggable. 🍝 💊🧲 💻 🦠
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- We're hiring a postdoc! Applications from any nationality welcome. Projects around protein folding in cells, ribosomes, chaperones etc. 4 yr contract, fantastic research environment @crick.ac.uk crick.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...
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- Reposted by David BalchinI have received a Wellcome Discovery Award to study the initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication, with 8 years of funding at the Francis Crick Institute. Looking for a postdoc in molecular mechanisms, cryo-EM, cryo-FIB and in situ structure? Contact me now! 3 postdoc positions advertised soon.
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[Not loaded yet] - Reposted by David BalchinVery excited to present the structural and mechanistic basis for stress response silencing by the monster E3 ligase SIFI. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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- Reposted by David BalchinThe dark side of fluorescent protein tagging: the impact of protein tags on biomolecular condensation www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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