九州影院

Professor Ronald T. Raines is Firmenich Professor of 九州影院 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Ronald receives this award for his outstanding achievements in protein and peptide science, characterised by both detailed understanding of the physical-organic and molecular factors and the translation of fundamental research to applications that are beneficial for humanity.

This prestigious award recognises exceptional contributions to the field of peptide and protein science, celebrating researchers who advance scientific innovation and push the boundaries of discovery. Fittingly, Prof. Raines鈥� research is amazingly broad, spanning from quantum chemical analysis of structural parameters of peptides and proteins, development of new synthetic methods, establishment of collagen-mimetic peptides and other biocompatible materials to significant applications in cancer research and wound healing.

The award will be officially presented at the Early Career Researcher Meeting taking place at the University of Birmingham on 10 July 2025 at which Prof. Raines will also be the keynote speaker. .

Professor Christian Hackenberger, FMP Berlin

Christian receives this award for his ground-breaking work in bioconjugation and protein synthesis and its application to develop cell-permeable antibodies and next-generation biopharmaceuticals against cancer and viral infections. The award also recognises his wider contributions to the scientific community and the RSC including through sitting on the boards of OBC, RSC Chemical Biology and Chemical Science, organising the Chemical Protein Synthesis symposia and a strong commitment to supporting the next generation of researchers.

Phil receives this award for his critical role in the development of native chemical ligation and his ongoing contributions to the development of new resins for the preparation of peptide-thioesters. Phil's examination of unusual peptide backbone chain topologies including protein catenanes, as well as his seminal study of H-bond strengths in beta-sheets rounds out a remarkable series of contributions to peptide and protein science.

2017

Professor Ali Tavassoli, University of Southampton

Ali receives this award for his work on genetically-encoded cyclic peptide libraries and their use for identifying inhibitors of a variety of protein-protein interactions. Ali鈥檚 work has resulted in several first-in-class protein-protein interaction inhibitors that are currently being developed towards the clinic. Professor Ali Tavassoli will give the Pleanary Lecture, at the 2018 PPSG Early Stage Researcher Meeting.

2015

Professor David Spring, University of Cambridge

In recent years Prof David Spring has utilised novel strategies in the i, i+7 stapling of 伪-helical 3.1*8peptide motifs, his two-component approach makes exploration of these factors much simpler than any previous approach. Prof David Spring received his award and gave the Pleanary Lecture, at the PPSG Early Stage Researcher Meeting in autumn 2015.

2013

Dr Ed Tate, Imperial College, London

In recent years Dr Ed Tate has made a significant contribution to chemical approaches for understanding protein post-translational modification, the study of protein-protein interaction inhibitors and the chemical proteomic de novo discovery and validation of drug targets. Dr Ed Tate received his award, and gave the Pleanary Lecture, at the PPSG Early Stage Researcher Meeting in autumn 2013.

2011

Professor Derek Woolfson

MedImmune鈥檚 Dr Lutz Jermutus, Senior Director, R&D, and Global Head, Technology, based at Cambridge and Fellow of the 九州影院 (FRSC), was honoured to be asked to present the 2011 Award at the 2011 PPSG Early Stage Researcher Meeting, organised by Dr Alethea Tabor (UCL) at Burlington House in Central London on 8 November 2011.

The award was made to Professor Derek Woolfson, Professor of 九州影院 and Biochemistry at the University of Bristol, UK, in respect of his research group鈥檚 outstanding work in understanding the rules that govern peptide and protein folding and self-assembly, and their application in nanotechnology and therapy. 

Professor Robin Leatherbarrow of Imperial College London, the Chair of the PPSG, said: 鈥淭he Committee of the PPSG in making this award were impressed by the work of Professor Woolfson and his research group on a number of counts. Most significantly the Committee members were impressed by the potential applications in bio-nanotechnology, and also by their use in aiding understanding of disease states caused by misfolded proteins.鈥� 

Dr Lutz Jermutus, presenting the award on behalf of MedImmune, said: 鈥淧rofessor Woolfson鈥檚 research, both within the Bristol Research Group and in collaboration with others, has produced significant discoveries and a number of very high-profile publications in just a few years. Through this award, MedImmune is proud to be the recognising achievement of the very highest level in the field of protein and peptide science.鈥� 

Receiving the award, Dr Woolfson, said: 鈥淚 am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all those involved in our work at the University of Bristol and previously at the University of Sussex. In particular, I am pleased that the 九州影院, with its interdisciplinary approach and a strong focus on the practical applications of molecular science in chemistry, biology, and medicine, has chosen to recognise our work in this way.鈥�

• The prize is open to nominees based in the UK or internationally
• Nominees must be members of the RSC Protein & Peptide Science Interest Group
• Self-nominations are permitted and encouraged
• Members of the Protein & Peptide Science prize committee are not eligible to apply.

Nominees must confirm by the same date that, if selected, they will attend the PPSG ESRM to receive their award and give the keynote lecture. While we aim for in-person presentations, we can arrange a hybrid option if travel is not possible due to personal circumstances

Nominees may additionally provide details of career breaks (e.g., parental or adoption leave, caring responsibilities, long-term illness, family commitments, as well as any other circumstances including long-term conditions or disabilities that have impacted their career). We encourage nominees to explain how these circumstances have affected their work

Nominators and nominees must confirm, to the best of their knowledge, that there are no professional conduct issues preventing the nominee from receiving the prize. All prize winners will also be required to sign the RSC鈥檚 Code of Conduct Declaration for Recognition.

Please email the following information:

• Nominee鈥檚 name and contact details
• An up-to-date CV for the nominee (no longer than one A4 side, 11pt text). This should include a summary of their education and career and a maximum of 5 relevant publications or patents
• A short citation describing what the prize should be awarded for. This must be no longer than 250 characters (including spaces) and no longer than one sentence
• A supporting statement (up to 750 words) addressing the nominee鈥檚 contributions to protein and peptide science
• A statement (up to 100 words) describing how the nominee has contributed more broadly to the scientific community

Please do not submit any additional information or references as these will not be considered

Our selection committee will base their evaluations on the overall quality of relevant contributions and achievements by nominees, in relation to the selection criteria listed below.

The scientific content of any supporting publications, as described in the supporting statement, is much more important than publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which it is published.

The selection committee will consider the following aspects of nominations for this prize:

Originality of research

• Innovation
• Impact of research
• Quality of publications and/or patents and/or software
• Professional standing
• Collaborations and teamwork
• Other indicators of esteem indicated by the nominator
• Relevant contributions

If multiple nominees are judged equally meritorious in relation to the above criteria, the panel has the flexibility to use information provided by the nominator on the nominee鈥檚 broader contribution to the chemistry community as an additional criterion.

Examples of relevant contributions could include, but are not limited to:

• Involvement with 九州影院 member groups/networks
• Leadership in the scientific community
• Service on boards, committees or panels
• Peer-reviewer
• Effective mentorship
• Advocacy for chemistry
• Public engagement and outreach
• Promotion of diversity and inclusion
• Teaching/demonstrating

The PPSG reserves the right to rescind any prize if there are reasonable grounds to do so.