A Week of Science, Screens, and Gratitude

Last week was one of those rare moments where science, teamwork, and personal history came together in a way that made us pause and reflect.

At the Kohler Proteostasis Lab and the Kohler Mito Lab, we launched our largest screen to date using the FAST platform – a high-throughput robotic system that we’ve spent years developing and optimizing. The screen is still running and will continue until early November. We’re testing 20 different growth conditions with our latest yeast library, exploring everything from disease modeling to aging. It’s a massive effort, and both labs got creative in designing the screen and coordinating the logistics.

On Thursday, we had the honor of welcoming the Board of Directors from Kempestiftelserna and a delegation from Umeå University. We gave them a tour of the FAST platform and shared the story behind it – a story that’s not just about technology, but also about how our labs came to be.

When Andreas and I first applied to Umeå University, we were both shortlisted for the same position and invited to the job interview – as competitors. Back then, we decided to support each other the best way we could and make sure each of us performed at our highest potential. But instead of choosing one of us, the university made a generous decision: they offered two positions, allowing each of us to start our own lab. That moment was the beginning of the Kohler Mito Lab and the Kohler Proteostasis Lab.

With the support of Kempestiftelserna, we received our first competitive funding, which allowed us to kick-start our research and build the FAST platform and our labs. Standing in front of it last week, with the robot running in the background, we explained our motivation and showed how high-throughput approaches can transform experimental workflows – comparing traditional methods with the scale and speed of automated screening. We even brought out flasks, multiwell plates, and two real screening plates – of course disinfected and meticulously sealed. Not because yeast is dangerous, but because we wanted our guests to feel comfortable while still getting a tangible sense of what this technology means for our work.

Although our scientific interests differ – Andreas focuses on mitochondrial biology, while I work on proteostasis and stress responses – we share a common goal: to understand how cells adapt and survive, and to develop tools that help us explore these questions more efficiently. We use our individual expertise to complement and strengthen each other’s work, and we’re lucky to have built a collaborative environment where ideas flow freely between our teams. So far, our team members collaborate beautifully, and we’re excited to make this connection even stronger – because every expertise matters.

Looking ahead, we’re not only excited about the discoveries to come, but also about the joy of doing science together. We’re deeply grateful for the support we’ve received, and for the chance to build something meaningful from what started as a competitive interview. It’s a reminder that science is not just about data and experiments – it’s about people, trust, and shared goals.

📸 Photo: Andreas and me in front of the FAST platform.

Our Lab Receives Generous Funding!

I woke up today to an email with incredibly positive news: our lab has received very generous funding for a postdoctoral researcher from Kempestiftelserna! This funding will significantly elevate our robotic screening unit and help us advance our unbiased analyses.

This news comes at a particularly meaningful time for me. Recently, we've faced a series of challenges and setbacks, making this achievement feel even more rewarding. I feel humbled and grateful for this opportunity to push our research forward and make impactful contributions to the scientific community.

Our lab has always been dedicated to innovation and excellence, and this funding will allow us to continue striving towards these goals. The support from Kempestiftelserna is not just a financial boost; it's a vote of confidence in our work and our vision. It reinforces the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.

With this new funding, we are excited to expand our team and bring in a talented postdoctoral researcher who will help us drive our projects to new heights. If you are on the market, happy to connect and stay tuned for more information about this opportunity.

Celebrating our Third Grant!

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you all. Our team at the Kohler Proteostasis Lab has secured our third research grant! This significant boost for our 2024 research is generously provided by Konung Gustaf V:s och Drottning Victorias Stiftelse.

The journey to this point has been nothing short of incredible. It began with drafting a successful pre-proposal early in May, before I even signed the contract for my position. The honour of being selected to write and submit a full proposal by the end of October was a testament to the potential seen in our work. Today’s decision feels like an early Christmas present!

Securing three grants within the first three months of starting this lab has been a humbling experience. It’s a reminder that success is often a blend of hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck.

I am deeply grateful for the support we’ve received and excited for the opportunities that lie ahead in 2024. This grant will enable us to delve deeper into our research and contribute to the scientific community in meaningful ways.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for believing in our vision and supporting our research. As we look forward to the new year, we are filled with anticipation for the exciting journey that lies ahead.

Remember, success isn’t just about hard work. It’s also about being in the right place, at the right time, and doing the right thing. Here’s to an exciting year of discovery and growth!

Celebrating our Second Grant

I am excited to announce that we, at the Kohler Proteostasis Lab, have been awarded a significant research grant from the Kempe Foundation! This grant, amounting to 2 million SEK, will enable us to acquire essential equipment and support our experimental approaches.

Securing this grant was no small feat. It involved a lot of hard work and dedication, even before I officially started my position. Amidst the chaos of moving our lives from Austria to Graz, I was writing this grant proposal. It was a challenging time, but looking back, it was definitely worth it.

This news came just before bedtime, so you can imagine how well I slept that night (Insomnia due to excitement is ok, though).

This generous grant will greatly enhance our understanding of the Ageing Chaperome. It’s an incredible opportunity that I am extremely thrilled about.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Celebrating Our First Grant

I'm absolutely thrilled to share some wonderful news – the Kohler Proteostasis Lab has been awarded its very first grant! With immense gratitude to the Faculty of Medicine at Umeå University, we've received the Strategic Research Grant for 2023.

The path to this grant was quite the journey. Back in May, before even officially starting my work here in Umeå, I submitted this application. Fast forward to October, and we've been honoured with this fantastic opportunity. It's been a collective effort, and I’m deeply appreciative of the unwavering support and encouragement I have received along the way from my colleagues and the broader scientific community.

This grant is a significant stepping stone for the lab, providing a two-year window to delve into the captivating world of proteostasis and its connections to ageing. We're excited to embark on this research endeavour with a sense of humility, knowing that we have much to learn and discover. We owe a heartfelt thank you to all who have played a part in our journey. Stay tuned for updates as we continue our mission to expand our understanding of proteostasis and aging, with the utmost dedication and passion.