{"id":36318,"date":"2021-02-19T12:15:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T11:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/?p=36318"},"modified":"2024-03-22T14:18:02","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T13:18:02","slug":"welcome-to-embl-gautam-dey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/lab-matters\/welcome-to-embl-gautam-dey\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to EMBL: Gautam Dey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tell us about your research.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m particularly interested in the evolution of the cell\u2019s nucleus. Using a combination of different approaches, we aim to understand the reasons for the startling diversity in the way the nucleus is organised in eukaryotes. The nucleus is in fact the defining feature of these organisms (it\u2019s even in the name!), setting them apart from the \u2018prokaryotic\u2019 bacteria and archaea. Ultimately, we\u2019re trying to uncover fundamental, unifying principles of nuclear organisation \u2013 and in doing so, eventually we hope to shed light on its evolutionary origins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You built something called the Sulfoscope during your postdoctoral studies at University College London. Can you give us an idea of what it does and how you use it in your research?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Sulfoscope is the world\u2019s first 75\u00b0C microscope \u2013 purpose built to provide real-time imaging of growing and dividing archaea that are extremophiles. These are organisms that have evolved to successfully survive \u2013 and even thrive \u2013 in some of the harshest environments on the planet. That can mean facing extremes of temperature, pressure, pH, or other conditions. Studying these organisms helps us understand the limits to which biological systems can be pushed. This has implications for everything from evolutionary biology to climate change, or even something like the possibility of human survival on Mars. Designing, building, and testing the Sulfoscope evolved into a massive team effort<\/a>, and the work continues at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology<\/a> in Cambridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is it about EMBL that makes this a prime location for your research? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our research, with its mix of evolutionary biology, genomics, and cell biology, is interdisciplinary almost by definition. That makes it a perfect fit for EMBL in general, and the Heidelberg site in particular. Some of our work will involve non-traditional microbial systems, pushing tools for electron and particularly light microscopy to their limits. We\u2019re looking forward to productive collaborations with the Advanced Light Microscopy Facility, the Electron Microscopy Core Facility, and hopefully soon with the brand new EMBL Imaging Centre. Our interest in the evolutionary diversity of nuclear organisation also intersects neatly with one of EMBL\u2019s new transversal themes<\/a> \u2013 Planetary Biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumour has it that you were very involved in theatre at university, and even considered a career in acting or directing. With that kind of perspective, what do you consider to be the best movies of all time?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not sure if my stunted theatre career makes me a better judge of anything! For what it\u2019s worth, some of my favourite movies of all time include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n