Profile

I look at proteins which are involved in diseases and try to figure out what they look like and how they work.  Firstly, I take the gene or DNA which codes for the protein and then clone this.  I then use E. coli as a little factory to make lots and lots of my protein for me.  The next step is to separate the protein I want from all the other proteins that are in the E. coli.  When I have nice pure protein, I use this to make crystals and with these crystals you can use X-rays to find out what the protein looks like – it’s structure.  Here is a picture of the steps:

We work with many people from all over the UK to help them with this.  So I work on lots of different projects at the same time.  For example, a project on arthritis with scientists from Leeds, plant diseases with people from Norwich, breast cancer with scientists from London, antibodies with a group in Dundee…..   so I have to do a lot of project management!!  Some of these scientists come to visit us so I do a lot of teaching in the lab and even run courses, which I love.  The picture is from a course last year with students from all over Europe.

If I’m purifying proteins, first thing in the morning I take the E. coli out of the freezer to defrost.  I also start up the purification machine because it needs 2 hours before it’s ready to use.  Then I have coffee and a chat.  After this I break the E. coli cells so that all the proteins come out.  You also get lots of DNA and fats which are in the cells.  I remove the lumpy bits by spinning the experiment really fast.  The protein is then left in the liquid at the top.  Next, I use the purification machine to separate my protein from the other E. coli proteins.  This is automatic so the machine does it for me.  Although after I have to make sure my protein is nice and pure so I do some analysis.

Protein purification machine

Protein analysis on a mass spectometer