Monday 16 February 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Postdoc Centre Basement, 16 Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1SB
About
Join our bi-monthly meets to meet fellow Early Career Researchers from across the University interested in biology, engineering, design, computer science, bioethics and more. This is a great opportunity to meet ECRs from other schools and departments, share knowledge and ideas, establish connections and collaborations and find out more about EngBio activities such as funding calls and support. Each session will host 1-2 lightning talks from ECRs covering research, tools & technologies, and fields & applications of synthetic and engineering biology. This will be followed by informal discussion (and free light lunch).
We are welcoming talks from Daniela Gjorgievikj and Brian Ng.
Daniela Gjorgjevikj from Modis Lab, MRC LMB
Title: Properties and functions of domesticated capsid proteins
Bio: Shortly on my academic journey so far, I did my Diploma degree in my birth city of Skopje, Macedonia at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. I got my Master's and Dr. rer. nat. degrees at the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, in the lab of Markus Wahl, where I worked on transcription termination evasion strategies employed by phages. Specifically, proteins Psu of phage P4 and antiterminator N of lambdoid phages that target Rho-dependent and/or intrinsic termination in bacteria to allow transcription of the phage's genes. In the end of 2023, I moved to the UK to start a postdoctoral position at the University of Cambridge, as part of the Molecular Immunity Unit located in the LMB. The talk I will give is on my current work at the same place, in the lab of Yorgo Modis
Brian Ng from Dept.Chemical Engineering & Technology
Title: Expression of nano-engineered RNA organelles in bacteria
Abstract: Cells use biomolecular condensates, or membraneless organelles, to organize their biochemistry. To better understand how these structures form, and to create new ways of controlling cellular behaviour, we designed non-natural RNA sequences that form condensates in E. coli. The condensates self‑assemble from branched RNA motifs that interact through base‑pairing. By tuning these interactions, we can generate multiple orthogonal condensates that coexist without mixing. These RNA compartments can also recruit protein clients by incorporating protein-binding aptamers. This gives a platform for building intracellular compartments – opening the door to new possibilities in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and the design of customizable cellular architectures.
For any queries, please contact Vicky Reid