Dr Ulrich Schwarz-Linek

Dr Ulrich Schwarz-Linek

Director of Impact

Senior Lecturer

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 7188
Email
us6@st-andrews.ac.uk

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Research areas

Our research is directed at understanding structure, mechanism of host protein recognition and function of bacterial and viral virulence factors, with an emphasis on Gram-positive bacterial surface proteins. My group specialises in structural biology and protein biochemistry, complemented with biophysical and cell-based techniques. We have a particular interest in TIE (thioester, isopeptide, ester domain) proteins of Gram-positive pathogens including group A streptococci, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium difficile. Our most significant contribution to the field was the discovery of bacteria-encoded, TIE protein-mediated covalent binding as a novel molecular principle in host-microbe interactions.ÌýThe lab also exploits TIE domains for protein engineering to develop molecular tools for diagnostics, therapy and nanotechnology.ÌýAnother focus of the group is the structural characterization of GAS M proteins, and the analysis of molecular mechanisms of post-streptococcal rheumatic sequelae. We also investigate structure and functions of single strand RNA virus NSs proteins, key virulence factors of a large class of clinically and economically important pathogens, with a focus on Rift Valley fever phlebovirus.

PhD supervision

  • RionaÌýDatta-Savage

Selected publications

  • Fares, M., McFarlane, M., Parry, R. H., Arif, R., Clarke, A. T., Kamel, W., Davies, K., Datta-Savage, R., Schwarz-Linek, U., Bell-Sakyi, L., Petit, M. J., Schnettler, E., Castello, A., Kohl, A. & Brennan, B., 12 May 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 123, 20, e2524728123.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Open access
    Vassen, V., Tanaka, E., Moll, K., Spoerry, C., Synowsky, S., Shirran, S. L., Schwarz-Linek, U., Loh, E., Svensson, M. & Norrby-Teglund, A., 6 May 2025, In: Microbiology Spectrum. 13, 5, e02450-24.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Open access
    Vasou, A., Nightingale, K., Cetkovská , V., Scheler, J., Bamford, C. G. G., Andrejeva, J., Rowe, J. C., Swatek, K. N., Schwarz-Linek, U., Randall, R. E., McLauchlan, J., Weekes, M. P., Bogunovic, D. & Hughes, D. J., 11 Feb 2025, In: European Journal of Immunology. 55, 2, 16 p., e202451651.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Open access
    Ajay Castro, S., Passmore, I. J., Ndeh, D., Shaw, H. A., Ruda, A., Burns, K., Thomson, S., Nagar, R., Alagesan, K., Reglinski, M., Lucas, K., Abouelhadid, S., Schwarz-Linek, U., Mawas, F., Widmalm, G., Wren, B. W. & Dorfmueller, H. C., 22 Jan 2025, In: npj Vaccines. 10, p. 1-14 14 p., 16.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Open access
    Wojnowska, M., Wajima, T., Yelland, T., Ludewig, H., Hagan, R. M., McCurry, O. F., Watt, G., Hamaia, S. W., Bihan, D., Malcor, J.-D., Bonna, A., Bergsten, H., Palma Medina, L. M., Svensson, M., Oppegaard, O., Skrede, S., Arnell, P., Hyldegaard, O., Farndale, R. W. & Norrby-Teglund, A. & 1 others, Schwarz-Linek, U., 22 Dec 2025, In: eLife. 14, p. 1-28 28 p., RP105539.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Open access
    Wu, D., Gucwa, M., Czub, M. P., Cooper, D. R., Shabalin, I. G., Fritzen, R., Arya, S., Schwarz-Linek, U., Blindauer, C. A., Minor, W. & Stewart, A. J., 21 Jun 2023, In: Chemical Science. 14, 23, p. 6244-6258 15 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Open access
    Ge, Y., Czekster, C. M., Miller, O. K., Botting, C. H., Schwarz-Linek, U. & Naismith, J. H., 23 Apr 2019, In: Biochemistry. 58, 16, p. 2125-2132 8 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Open access
    Miller, O. K., Banfield, M. & Schwarz-Linek, U., Sept 2018, In: Protein Science. 27, 9, p. 1651-1660

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Open access
    Gao, S., Ge, Y., Bent, A. F., Schwarz-Linek, U. & Naismith, J. H., 16 Oct 2018, In: Biochemistry. 57, 41, p. 5996-6002 7 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Open access
    Hinrichsen, M., Lenz, M., Edwards, J. M., Miller, O. K., Mochrie, S. G. J., Swain, P. S., Schwarz-Linek, U. & Regan, L., Dec 2017, In: Protein Engineering, Design & Selection. 30, 12, p. 771-780

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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