RSC awards Dr Briony Yorke with Harrison-Meldola Early Career Prize for Chemistry
A major chemistry prize has recognised a Leeds scientist’s research, which reveals how proteins change in real time.
Dr Briony Yorke, from the School of Chemistry, has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s (RSC’s) Harrison-Meldola Early Career Prize for Chemistry, recognising her work developing time-resolved crystallography methods that have transformed how molecular processes and protein dynamics can be observed.
Proteins act as the molecular machinery of cells, driving processes from energy conversion to signalling. Yet many of the most significant stages in their function occur in fleeting intermediate states that are difficult to capture with conventional structural biology techniques, limiting scientists’ understanding of how biological systems operate and adapt.
Dr Yorke’s research addresses this challenge by developing experimental approaches that reveal these rapid changes as they occur. She tackles this challenge by developing experimental approaches to capture these processes in real time.
She said: “Using time-resolved crystallography, my work combines ultrafast X-ray measurements with light-triggered reactions to take a series of structural snapshots of a protein as it changes over time. These snapshots can be assembled into ‘molecular movies’ that reveal how biological function emerges from structural motion.”
On receiving the prize, she said: “I am delighted and honoured to receive this prize. It is a privilege to have my research recognised and I am very grateful to the colleagues, collaborators, and students who have contributed to it.
“This award is also a reflection of the supportive and collaborative research environments at the University of Leeds and international X-ray facilities that have made this work possible.”
Collaboration is key; we are all continually learning, and a positive culture allows us to grow together.
Professor Colin Fishwick, Head of the School of Chemistry, added: "I’m delighted that Briony’s research leadership has been recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Biological molecules are highly dynamic, and yet their dynamic behaviour can’t be captured by most current structural methods.
“Briony’s next-generation tools and methods will help the scientific community to visualise the molecular basis of life in four dimensions.”
The Harrison-Meldola Early Career Prize for Chemistry forms part of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Research & Innovation Prizes, which celebrate people advancing the chemical sciences across academia and industry. As part of her award, Dr Yorke receives £5,000, a medal, and a certificate.
Dr Helen Pain, CEO of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said, “Chemistry and chemists are everywhere in daily life and in our society, and our prizes reflect that depth and diversity. Our Research & Innovation prize winners include teams and individuals, professors and apprentices, and people from all around the world across a wide range of roles and sectors. Each person’s contribution plays a vital role in advancing human knowledge and bettering the world that we all live in.
“I extend my warmest congratulations. Winning an RSC Prize is a remarkable achievement. You join the ranks of a star-studded roster stretching back over 150 years, including several dozen who went on to win Nobel Prizes. Our winners are exceptional role models for our communities, and we’re so pleased to be celebrating such an extraordinary cohort this year.”
Other major RSC awards include Volunteer Recognition Prizes, Research & Innovation Prizes, Education Prizes, the Inclusion & Diversity Prize, and the Horizon Prizes, which recognise scientific collaborations conducting cutting-edge chemistry research.
