Proteins are the central executors of almost all biological processes. However, cells do not merely ‘make’ proteins but translate genetic information into proteomes that are finely tuned to cell identity, developmental stage, and environmental conditions. Danny’s research seeks to define the principles that ensure robust translation under these shifting demands. Her group investigates how gene expression machineries assemble into functional systems, how translational disturbances are sensed and contained, and how defective or excess components are cleared to maintain cellular homeostasis. Focusing on defined human cell states, including human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiated lineages, the team uses scalable genetic perturbations and quantitative approaches to understand why certain perturbations are buffered in some contexts but not in others, and how cells restore – or fail to restore – proteome integrity.
“I am very excited to join the Max Perutz Labs,” says Danny. “The institute combines outstanding research in mechanistic cell biology across scales with a strong collaborative culture and core infrastructure that enables discovery. It is an exceptional and inspiring place to advance our work on how cells make proteins and safeguard their integrity, and how defects in these processes drive human disease.”
Danny received an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2025 to investigate how tRNA integrity maintains the flow of genetic information and how its loss reshapes translation and cell fate. The award builds on her previous distinctions, including an ERC Starting Grant and the EMBO Young Investigator Award, and provides a strong foundation as she launches her research program at the Perutz.