Research Associate in Molecular Membrane Biology

Location: South Kensington Campus

Job Summary

It is becoming increasingly clear that integral membrane proteins form intimate interactions with membrane lipids and that these interactions influence structure, function and regulation of membrane proteins. The most common way membrane proteins are prepared for structural and some functional analyses is through the use of detergents which extract the proteins from the membrane and maintain them in a stable state in solution for isolation. However, this process removes most if not all of the associated lipids.

The group of Prof Bernadette Byrne (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/b.byrne)  in the Department of Life Sciences have developed a novel lipid screen which allows identification of lipids and lipid mixtures that stabilise individual membrane proteins. With funding from UKRI Impact Acceleration Award, you will work in Professor Byrne’s group to develop the screen into a commercial product with funding. The research involves a collaboration with Molecular Dimensions.

Duties and responsibilities

The post is funded by a UKRI Impact Acceleration Award to express and purify a range of membrane proteins for testing with the lipids screen, supplied by Molecular Dimensions. This involves proteins that are available in the Byrne group and through collaborators. Using thermal denaturation analysis, you will assess the ability of the lipid screen to identify lipids that stabilise the individual proteins. You will use mass spectrometry to assess the optimal conditions for storage of the lipid screen. You will assess the screen as a source of lipid for nanodisc reconstitution and co-crystallisation. You will use negative stain EM and crystallisation as tools to assess the quality of the samples produced. Together with Prof Byrne and the collaborators at Molecular Dimensions you will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive application note for the screen.

Essential requirements

• You should hold a PhD in Biochemistry/ Protein Chemistry or a closely related discipline.
• Experience of working in a life sciences focused research lab.
• Hold specific expertise in expression and isolation of membrane proteins is essential.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Good time management skills and the ability to work well independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to keep meticulous records of the experiments that you carry out and the ability to write effective protocols and play a major role in the preparation of an application note for the lipid screen.

Further Information

This is a full time, fixed term position until 30 November 2024. You will be based at South Kensington Campus.

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Professor Bernadette Byrne, b.byrne@imperial.ac.uk

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