Professor Amy Buck elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh for her work pioneering RNA biology

March 2025: Professor Amy Buck, EID member in the School of Biological Sciences, has been elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh for her cross-disciplinary research to understand how pathogens use RNAs to survive inside their hosts.

Amy buck rse

Pioneering RNA biology

Amy's research has centered around understanding the role of RNA in infection biology. Her work looks at how RNA molecules can influence cells during infections and how these interactions can influence the progression of diseases.  Amy discovered that parasites release RNAs in multiple forms that can be transmitted to host cells and she has become a leader in the field of extracellular RNA that is relevant to many diseases including cancer.

Specifically, her research has explored how specific RNA molecules and RNA-binding proteins affect host responses to pathogens, contributing to a better understanding of the molecular factors involved in infectious diseases.

Her studies have implications for developing targeted therapies to treat infections by focusing on the molecular processes that regulate the host-pathogen relationship. 

By investigating how RNAs operate within and between cells, Professor Buck’s research is contributing to broader efforts to develop new treatments for diseases caused by viruses and other pathogens.

I am delighted to become a member of Scotland’s National Academy and am grateful for the recognition of our work on RNA and its important roles during infections.  I look forward to working with other members to promote science, international collaboration and training of the next generation to solve our biggest societal challenges.

Royal Society of Edinburgh

Founded in 1783, the Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland’s national academy of science and letters. With a mission to promote learning and the application of knowledge across disciplines, the RSE fellowship recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their fields. 

Election to the RSE is one of the highest academic distinctions in Scotland, acknowledging scientific excellence and leadership.

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