David Albesa-Jove

I have over 15 years of experience in Structural Biology and Biophysics. In October 2019, I moved to the Biofisika Institute (CSIC, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain), where I obtained my first Group Leader position to stablish The Structural Microbiology Laboratory. The Group employs a multidisciplinary approach which includes Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM), X-ray crystallography, biophysics and biochemistry. Previous to become a Group Leader, and for over ten years (2000-2011), I researched in three first-class institutions in the UK. Under the supervision of Prof. Kenneth D.M. Harris at the University of Birmingham (2000-2004), I carried out a PhD focused on the application and development of crystallographic methods (productivity: 6 publications, 3 as first author in Q1, one D1). On completion, I moved to Durham University to join the Research Group of Prof. Judith A.K. Howard (2004-2006), where I further developed my skills in crystallography (productivity: 20 publications, 8 in Q1, five in D1). Then, I spent five years at Imperial College London (2006-2011), where I transitioned into Structural Biology under the supervision of Prof. Neil Fairweather. While working at Imperial College, I investigated the structural determinants of C. difficile toxins (productivity: 3 publications, 2 first author in Q1). In 2011, I returned to Spain to join the Group of Prof. Marcelo Guerin (CIC bioGUNE) as a postdoctoral researcher (2011-2019). My research mainly focused on understanding the structural determinants of the M. tuberculosis cell wall biosynthesis, the function of glycosyltransferases and carbohydrate esterases, and contributing to the development of new antimicrobials (productivity: 22 publications, 10 first author in Q1, 4 first author in D1, and 2 co-corresponding author papers). Furthermore, in October 2014 I obtained a 5-years Ikerbasque Fellowship. In summary, I have achieved a strong track record (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2904-8203). With significant contributions published as first and/or corresponding author in Nat Commun, Nat Microbiol, Angew. Chem., ACS Chem Biol, Structure, Curr Opin Struc Biol, JBC, and JMB. My experience and strong track record allowed me to establish in October 2019 The Structural Microbiology Laboratory at the Biofisika Institute (CSIC, UPV/EHU), which focuses on deciphering the structure and function of bacterial toxins, which I hope can provide fundamental scientific advances and inspire the next generation of antimicrobials.