Dr. Fabian Ruperti
(he/him)
Postdoctoral Researcher - Molecular Evolutionary Biology/Biochemistry
Professional Summary
I am a molecular biologist/biochemist and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. My research lies at the intersection of functional proteomics and evolutionary biology, with a particular focus on how proteins and their post-translational modifications have evolved to shape key animal traits. Using mass spectrometry as my main analytical tool, I study early-branching animals such as sponges, ctenophores, and cnidarians to uncover the post-translational innovations underlying the emergence of multicellularity, the nervous and immune systems, and symbiotic interactions.
Please reach out for potential collaborations, peer-review requests or just interest in evolution and proteins!
Education
PhD Evolutionary Molecular Biology
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
M.Sc. Biochemistry
University of Regensburg
B.Sc. Biochemistry
University of Regensburg
Interests
Protein Evolution
Post-translational Modifications
(Functional) Proteomics
Animal Evolution
Featured Publications
Molecular profiling of sponge deflation reveals an ancient relaxant-inflammatory response
Cross-phyla protein annotation by structural prediction and alignment
Recent Publications
(2024).
Proteomic analysis of the sponge Aggregation Factor implicates an ancient toolkit for allorecognition and adhesion in animals.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 121 (52) e2409125121.
(2024).
Molecular profiling of sponge deflation reveals an ancient relaxant-inflammatory response.
Current Biology, Volume 34, Issue 2, 361 - 375.e9.
(2023).
Cross-phyla protein annotation by structural prediction and alignment.
Genome Biol 24, 113 (2023).
(2023).
CD3 target affinity chromatography mass spectrometry as a new tool for function--structure characterization of T-Cell engaging bispecific antibody proteoforms and product-related variants.
Anal. Chem. 2023, 95, 4, 2260–2268.
(2021).
Profiling cellular diversity in sponges informs animal cell type and nervous system evolution.
Science374,717-723(2021).
Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Queensland, Brisbane, AustraliaEvolution and diversity of protein N-glycosylation in the tree of life. Supervised by Prof. Dr. Bernard Degnan, Prof. Dr. Sandie Degnan and Prof. Dr. Benjamin Schulz.Postdoctoral Researcher
European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, GermanyEvolution and diversity of protein N-glycosylation in the tree of life. Supervised by Dr. Mikhail Savitski and Prof. Dr. Detlev Arendt.Senior Associate
F.Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Penzberg, GermanyDevelopment of antibody affinity columns and 2D-HPLC methods.Visting Scientist
University of Colorado, Boulder, USADevelopment of a novel next-generation HP virus vaccine application method. Supervised by Prof. T. W. Randolph, Ph.D. and Prof. R. Garcea, M.D.
Education
PhD Evolutionary Molecular Biology
European Molecular Biology LaboratoryThe evolution of cellular functional modules and the origin of coordinated behavior in Metazoa. Supervised by Prof. Dr. Detlev Arendt.M.Sc. Biochemistry
University of RegensburgCharacterization and comparison of homologous enzymes of serine and histidine biosynthesis. Supervised by Prof. Dr. Reinhard Sterner.B.Sc. Biochemistry
University of Regensburg
Fellowships and Awards
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship
European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) ∙
December 2024
Protein glycosylation and the origin of the animal “self”
HFSP Long-term Postdoctoral Fellowship
Human Frontier Science Program ∙
March 2025
The dynamic regulation of coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis by protein glycosylation
Planetary Biology Seed Project Grant
EMBL Planetary Biology Transversal Theme ∙
February 2024
DOLITTLE - Diversity of protein N-glycosylation in the tree of life
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Predoctoral Fellowship
ERC - Horizon 2020 framework of the European Commission - ITN IGNITE ∙
March 2019
Elucidating the mechanics of nervous reactions in nerveless sponges
Recent News
Updates on conferences, talks, publications, field trips, and fun stuff.
Talk at the 2025 West Pacific Marine Biology Network Conference
I was lucky to have another conference right at my doorstep! The West Pacific Marine Biology Network had its 3rd meeting at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Indigenous …
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Heron Island Sampling Oct/Nov 2025
My first time sampling at Heron Island reef was a blast. Heron Island is a coral cay (a small, sandy island on top of a coral reef) in the southern Great Barrier Reef. The …
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Talk at the 2025 Australasian Evolution Society Conference
My first conference on Australian soil was right at my doorstep at the Univeristy of Queensland. The Australasian Evolution Society conference was a colorful mix of talks, spanning …
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Selected Projects
Here is a selection of projects that I am currently working on.
GlySelf - The sweet origin of the animal "self"
All animals must distinguish between their own cells, those of others, and the countless microbes that surround them. This ability to tell “self” from “non-self” is fundamental to …
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DOLITTLE - The evolution and role of protein N-linked glycosylation in the animal tree
N-linked glycosylation is a complex post-translational modification in which (oligo)saccharides are covalently attached to extracellular and membrane-bound proteins. As such, …
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