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News archive Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hiller

September 16, 2024

Two new SNSF Ambizione Fellows at the Biozentrum

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has awarded two young scientists from the Biozentrum at University of Basel a prestigious Ambizione Grant. In her project, Janani Durairaj will explore variations in viral proteomes and the evolution of viruses. The second grantee, Fengjie Wu, wants to gain new insights into the dynamics of an important family of cell receptors.

Janani Durairaj and Fengjie Wu have received an SNSF Ambizione Fellowship.

Dr. Janani Durairaj and Dr. Fengjie Wu have received a prestigious SNSF Ambizione Grant.

The Ambizione fellow Dr. Janani Durairaj, project leader in the research group of Prof. Torsten Schwede, will study the protein universe of viruses in more detail. Viruses have evolved diverse pathogenic mechanisms and evolve rapidly, making them challenging to understand and target therapeutically. The project aims to map links between sequence variation and the structural interactions of viral proteins, by developing deep learning and structural modeling methods. The goal is to gain insights into viral evolution, discover new therapeutic targets for antivirals and vaccines, and understand how viral mutations allow them to evade therapies.

“This Ambizione grant marks a significant milestone in my journey as an independent researcher, and I am incredibly grateful for the support,” emphasizes Durairaj. “I'm excited to establish my junior group here at the Biozentrum and pursue this challenging yet rewarding interdisciplinary research endeavor.”

Educated in Computer and Biological Sciences, Durairaj obtained her PhD in Bioinformatics from Wageningen University, Netherlands. Since 2021, the computational biologist has been working as a postdoctoral researcher in Torsten Schwede’s group at the Biozentrum. Her Ambizione project on viral proteomes will be funded with a contribution of around 890,000 Swiss francs. 


Dr. Fengjie Wu, project leader in Prof. Sebastian Hiller’s team, studies G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a large family of membrane proteins crucial for cell signaling and the target of about 35 percent of all drugs. In his project, Wu aims to elucidate how GPCRs are activated and deactivated by natural ligands and synthetic drugs. “Using our new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, a method akin to designing a ‘GPS’ in the miniature protein system, we can visualize conformational changes in GPCRs upon various ligands binding,” says Wu. This deeper understanding of GPCR dynamics will guide the development of drugs with minimal side effects. 

Fengjie Wu did a bachelor at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, and earned his PhD from the University of Melbourne, Australia. He was trained in structural biology and pharmacology. In 2020, he joined the Biozentrum as a postdoctoral researcher. Supported by the Ambizione Grant, funded with about 940,000 Swiss francs, he is now taking his first steps as an independent researcher. 

“I appreciate a lot that this grant allows me to follow my curiosity. More importantly, I can again immerse myself in research and enjoy science,” says Wu. “It is an important stepping stone for my scientific career to learn how to manage an independent project and a team.” 

SNSF Ambizione Fellowships 2024

Janani Durairaj and Fengjie Wu are two of a total of 92 scientists in Switzerland receiving an SNSF Ambizione Grant this year. In total, 490 applications were submitted to the SNSF. The Ambizione Grants give young scientists the opportunity to carry out their own research project. The funding instrument is aimed at qualified researchers from all disciplines who wish to conduct, manage and lead an independent project at a Swiss higher education institution. The grants are awarded for a maximum of four years.

Contact: Communications; Katrin Bühler