Arnaud Vanden Broeck

2024 Regional Award Winner — Post-Doc

Arnaud Vanden Broeck

Current Position:
Assistant Professor

Institution:
University of Liege (previously, The Rockefeller University)

Discipline:
Biochemistry & Structural Biology

Recognized for:
Groundbreaking work in uncovering the intricate processes behind human ribosome assembly, laying the groundwork for treating cancers and diseases related to ribosome dysfunction.


Areas of Research Interest and Expertise:
Ribosome Biogenesis, Gene Expression Regulation, RNA Biology, Biochemistry, Structural Biology

Previous Positions:

BSc, University College of the Province of Liege, Belgium
MSc, University of Liege, Belgium
PhD, University of Strasbourg, France (Advisor: Valerie Lamour)
Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Rockefeller University (Advisor: Sebastian Klinge)

Research Summary:

Arnaud Vanden Broeck, PhD, has made significant strides in understanding how ribosomes—the molecular machines responsible for protein synthesis—are assembled in human cells. Despite the crucial role of ribosomes, much of our previous understanding of eukaryotic ribosome assembly came from studies of yeast. By using advanced techniques like genome editing and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), Vanden Broeck successfully mapped the structure of key assembly intermediates in human cells. His discoveries shed light on the unique mechanisms and factors involved in human ribosome assembly, offering a new model for how these critical cellular components are formed. This work not only fills longstanding gaps in our knowledge but also lays the groundwork for treating cancers and diseases related to ribosome dysfunction. 

“Receiving the Blavatnik Regional Award is an incredible honor that fills me with motivation and confidence to continue my research and push the boundaries of unexplored RNA biology.”

 Key Publications:

  1. A Vanden Broeck, S Klinge. Principles of human pre-60S biogenesis. Science, 2023.
  2. Z Sanghai, R Piwowarczyk, A Vanden Broeck, S Klinge. A co-transcriptional ribosome assembly checkpoint controls nascent large ribosomal subunit maturation. Nature Structural Molecular Biology, 2023.
  3. S Singh*, A Vanden Broeck*, L Miller, M Chaker-Margot, S Klinge. Nucleolar maturation of the human small subunit processome. Science, 2021.

Other Honors:

2024 RNA Society/Scaringe Young Scientist Award
2023 Rockefeller University PDA Career Development Award
2022 Pels Family Center for Biochemistry and Structural Biology Postdoctoral Fellowship
2020 EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship
2019 Philippe Foundation Award
2017 ARC Cancer Research Foundation PhD Fellowship
2014 LabEx-INRT International PhD Fellowship
2014 Walter Verly Award, Best Master thesis
2011 Fernand Petit Award, Best Undergraduate Thesis

In the Media:

The Rockefeller UniversityHow one of nature's most fundamental molecules forms

The Rockefeller UniversityStudy reveals how ribosomes are assembled in human cells

Website