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

 

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. The lab also exploits TIE domains for protein engineering to develop molecular tools for diagnostics, therapy and nanotechnology. Another 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

  • Riona Datta-Savage

Selected publications

  • Open access
    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., 19 May 2026, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 123, 20, p. 1-12 12 p., 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