Welcome to the AcylERATE website.
AcylERATE is a 5-year cross-institutional project funded by the BBSRC sLoLa programme to investigate dynamic S-acylation using a multi-disciplinary approach, with the objective of delivering new insight into the physiological role of this post-translational modification in cell functions. The project will develop and implement tools and technologies to build a holistic understanding of the mechanisms and outcomes of dynamic S-acylation.
The project brings together experts in S-acylation and key enabling technologies and the work will accelerate progress in this field of research.
Latest News
- Prof Bryan Dickinson Seminar: Chemical tools to probe signaling by protein lipidation
The team welcomed Professor Bryan Dickinson (The University of Chicago, and member of the sLoLa Strategic Advisory Board) to present a seminar entitled “Chemical tools to probe signalling by protein lipidation.”
Bryan discussed his team’s innovative research developing activity-based probes for thioesterase activity and inhibitors of zDHHC enzymes, as well as the use of the thioesterase probes to explore changes in S-acylation that occur in response to growth factors and other stimuli. He described novel research on the S-acylation of ERK1/2 and the downstream effects on gene expression, alongside the use of chemical probes to investigate the function of mitochondrial thioesterases and their role in regulating Peroxiredoxin (PRDX) proteins and mitochondrial redox buffering capacity. The seminar highlighted the power of modern chemical biology approaches for elucidating the functional consequences of S-acylation.
- Maurine E Linder Seminar: Fatty acyl tales
The sLoLa team and their wider collaborators welcomed Professor Maurine Linder (Cornell University) for an online seminar on Tuesday 31 March 2026.
Maurine is one of the pioneers of the S-acylation field and the chair of our Strategic Advisory Board. Maurine delivered a fascinating historical perspective on S-acylation, highlighting how early biochemical discoveries have shaped the field as it stands today.
With many members of the sLoLa team new to the area, the discussion of early challenges and breakthroughs in identifying S-acylation and deacylation enzymes provided an excellent introduction to the landmark studies that defined the field.
- PhD Success
Congratulations to Rocio White who has recently been awarded her PhD.
Rocio completed her doctoral studies at the University of British Columbia, investigating the role of the S-acylating enzyme, ZDHHC9, in oligodendrocyte maturation, function, and neuronal development.
She will begin working on the AcylERATE project as a PDRA in the Tate Group in April 2026.