The world may well be a young scientist’s oyster, but as a matter of fact there are always given limits: a global networking is not easily made up out of thin air and the available research budget is hardly ever as generous as it ought to be. Therefore, several international organizations offer supportive schemes for promising scientists early in their career. The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) is a widely recognized organization that emphasizes the support of young independent researchers in the framework of the so called EMBO Young Investigator Program.

Rigorous criteria for eligibility enhance the quality and competition of applications. Among others, these are an independent principal investigator status for no longer than 4 years and publication of at least one peer-reviewed scientific paper as a last author possibly in a high-impact journal . Out of 123 eligible applications this year, the EMBO awarded 17 “young investigators”, including four women. Three of the awardees work at ETH Zurich: Romeo Ricci from the Institute of Cell Biology, and Daniel Gerlich and Patrick Meraldi from the Institute of Biochemistry.

How the cell controls chromosome distribution

Patrick Meraldi and his team are studying the mechanisms that distribute the chromosome sets onto the two daughter cells during cell division (mitosis). They aim to characterize the forces that act on chromosome segregation during mitosis and to dissect how they are regulated and controlled. They are also investigating the consequences of improper chromosome segregation and the mechanisms cells use to avoid such errors.

Since 80 percent of all cancer cells are chromosomally instable, it is very likely that an incorrect chromosome segregation during mitosis could lead to cancer development. The Meraldi group is focusing in particular on kinetochores – the protein structures that control and coordinate the movements of chromosomes during cell division. The main issues are how the kinetochores are structured and how they function.

How cells ensure error-free division

Once the chromosomes have been divided cytokinesis can take place, i.e. the actual division of the cell substance. Daniel Gerlich’s research group aims to understand how these two processes are coordinated. If errors occur during these processes, this can lead to cell death and, in rare cases, cancer.

Gerlich and his group are searching for mechanisms that can guarantee error-free cell division. To study and analyze these mechanisms in living cells, Gerlich is developing methods for automated microscopy and computer-aided image analysis. As far as the hardware is concerned, both Gerlich and Meraldi rely on the infrastructure of ETH Zurich’s Light Microscopy Center.

How a hyperactive enzyme causes diabetes

As his two colleagues, Romeo Ricci’s research focuses on how molecular changes in mammalian cells can contribute to human disease. His team investigates the cell’s response to environmental cues – in particular environmental stresses – but also the consequences if these adaptive mechanisms fail.

Secretion of insulin from beta cells in the pancreas controlling blood glucose level is highly dependent on appropriate stress sensing. In obese people with higher insulin demands, the beta cells tend to grow and proliferate to adapt production and secretion of insulin. Enhanced cellular activity, however, imposes chronic cellular stress ultimately leading to beta cell failure and overt diabetes.

The new enzyme that has been discovered in Ricci’s team senses stress in beta cells and counteracts uncontrolled insulin release. During obesity, stress rapidly enhances in beta cells and inhibition of insulin release and beta cell survival by this enzyme might indeed be too potent. In fact, experiments in the laboratory of Romeo Ricci revealed that mice lacking this enzyme release considerably more insulin and do not develop diabetes. Ricci’s team now aims at addressing the function of this enzyme in other organs.

Open the floodgates to an international scientific networking

The committee of the EMBO Young Investigators Program assesses the group leaders’ performance during the first years of their careers. “This award reflects the quality of our research”, says Patrick Meraldi, “and the fact that the program lasts three years also means we can embark on long-term and high-risk projects.”

The three researchers all agree: the award of a total of 45,000 euros during three years is relatively small as compared to the overall budget but they clearly emphasize the value of any flexible money in research. “In a research group, flexible money is a rare commodity, which makes it extremely valuable”, says Daniel Gerlich.

Furthermore, according to Romeo Ricci the award generally increases the chance to receive competitive research grants. For the three scientists, the access to an international network of top-class molecular biologists is the biggest advantage of this program. Moreover, all the Young Investigators gather at the annual meeting and at EMBO-funded workshops. “The exchange of ideas among the young group leaders is the keystone of the program”, Gerlich sums up. Established in 1999, the program has produced over 200 Young Investigators to date.