Andrii Bugai started his postdoc studies in February 2020 with Professor Torben Heick Jensen in the Section of RNA Biology and Innovation. His research is focused on how cells in our bodies sort out non-functional RNAs from functional ones.

Functional RNA molecules are intermediates between genetic information stored in DNA and proteins performing all biological functions. In addition, human cells produce a large amount of extraneous RNAs while decoding DNA in the process called transcription. These RNAs are often targeted and degraded by a special molecular machine – the nuclear RNA exosome.

Andrii Bugai will study exosome-mediated RNA decay by profiling of interactions of the exosome adaptor complexes NEXT and PAXT with newly made RNA. To do so, he will employ a modified crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) approach and his own extensive knowledge of gene transcription.

“This fellowship will give me a unique opportunity to pursue an exciting research using cutting-edge molecular biology approaches and develop advanced academic skills throughout the generous training program. I believe that the outstanding research environment at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Aarhus University with Torben Heick Jensen’s group, as well as the professional support from the AU Research Support and External Relations Offices allowed me to succeed in this extremely competitive selection process.”

Torben Heick Jensen adds: “It will be a pleasure to host Andrii in the laboratory. He has already accomplished a lot during his PhD and I hope we can help him to take an important next step in his career via the support from this fellowship”.

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowships are among Europe’s most competitive and prestigious awards, aimed at supporting the best and most promising scientists. The fellowship aims to foster the career development and further training of excellent researchers in a close collaboration with a prominent host group, which in this case is Professor Torben Heick Jensen’s group at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. Last year the Department received the impressive number of three Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowships and this is the second this year.  

Read more about the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship on the European Union's website.  

For further information, please contact

Postdoc Andrii Bugai - bugai@mbg.au.dk
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
Aarhus University, Denmark