Guy Kunzmann, an IPiB graduate student, will be defending his Ph.D. research on May 27, 2026. His research in the Cantor Lab focused on the implications of UFMylation, a post-translational modification identified two decades ago that, among other cellular functions, helps maintain ribosomal health. UFMylation plays key roles in vital processes, including those related to aging and neurodegeneration.
Recent studies indicate that UFMylation plays a role in resolving pauses in translation that can occur when ribosomes stall out while move along mRNA. Still, questions remain about the totality of UFMylation’s functional implications. Previous studies looking to answer these questions induced UFMylation by starving cells or perturbing cells with harsh chemicals. These processes damaged cells and made it difficult to study the modification’s effects on a cellular level.
Kunzmann was able to induce ribosome UFMylation more gently by restricting the availability of individual amino acids. He traced a cell’s dependence on UFMylation to the availability of a single amino acid, revealing that this mechanism spans the realms of metabolism, translation, and proteostasis. UFMylation, he believes, may resolve ribosome stalling to maintain proteome balance and preserve cell fitness.
“When applying to graduate school, I was very focused on basic cell biology. I really wanted to know what goes on inside of cells, down to the molecular level,” Kunzmann recalls. “This project provided an interesting context for me to pursue the simple goal of learning more about how cells work.”
Kunzmann plans to apply his skills in cell biology and biochemistry to a career in industry.
In his spare time, Kunzmann found that his interest in hands-on scientific exploration translated well to baking and cooking. “I’m a big baker. I’ve done it since I was a small child. I really like doing things with my hands: bench work, folding dough, cooking,” Kunzmann says. “I had an old cookie recipe that required black walnuts that I just couldn’t find anywhere, so I drove 20 miles just to hunt down these black walnuts from a farmers market.” Kunzmann also enjoyed playing racquetball with other graduate students and laying in a hammock by Madison lakes.
To learn more about Kunzmann’s research, attend his Ph.D. defense, “Exploring the contributions of UFMylation and nutrient availability to human cell fitness” on Wednesday, May 27 at 2:00 p.m. CT in room 1211 of the Hector F. DeLuca Biochemical Sciences Building.
Written by Renata Solan.