Forensic restoration focuses on remediation of indoor environments that are contaminated with potentially hazardous biological materials. Some of the more challenging cases are those where someone has died alone and remained undiscovered for some time. Decomposition begins almost immediately after death: blood stops circulating and starts to pool and coagulate, and cells undergo autolysis. Our commensal microbes, critical to health during life, turn against us after death and start consuming us from within. Anaerobic microbial processes produce odorous volatile organic compounds and fluids that seep into the floor. Insects can oviposit in the body, resulting in masses of larvae feeding on the body. When ready to pupate, larvae leave, acting as vectors which can spread contamination around the site. Remediating a home where an unattended death has occurred involves removal of fluid-soaked items and a load reduction to remove soil, followed by a thorough cleaning to remove organic materials and prepare surfaces for disinfection, all while keeping operators safe from potential infectious agents. It’s certainly not a job for everyone, but one couple is trying to bring a higher level of science-based practices and training to the industry.
{"title":"“Out, Damned Spot”: The art and science of forensic restoration","authors":"Jennifer DeBruyn","doi":"10.1042/bio_2023_141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_141","url":null,"abstract":"Forensic restoration focuses on remediation of indoor environments that are contaminated with potentially hazardous biological materials. Some of the more challenging cases are those where someone has died alone and remained undiscovered for some time. Decomposition begins almost immediately after death: blood stops circulating and starts to pool and coagulate, and cells undergo autolysis. Our commensal microbes, critical to health during life, turn against us after death and start consuming us from within. Anaerobic microbial processes produce odorous volatile organic compounds and fluids that seep into the floor. Insects can oviposit in the body, resulting in masses of larvae feeding on the body. When ready to pupate, larvae leave, acting as vectors which can spread contamination around the site. Remediating a home where an unattended death has occurred involves removal of fluid-soaked items and a load reduction to remove soil, followed by a thorough cleaning to remove organic materials and prepare surfaces for disinfection, all while keeping operators safe from potential infectious agents. It’s certainly not a job for everyone, but one couple is trying to bring a higher level of science-based practices and training to the industry.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135813524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This beginner’s guide to supervision has been created for anyone who supports postgraduate researchers (PGRs) with any aspect of their research or the completion of their degree. The supervision of PGRs is a complex and time-consuming job, with a high degree of responsibility. Good supervision is a key component of PGR success and is vital to the health of our research as a nation as well as the health of our individual researchers. In the recent research literature, supervision has been shown to impact on PhD completion time, retention of students, their success, their perceptions of the value of the PhD, their mental health and well-being and their career choice. In acknowledgement, the UKRI statement of Expectations for Postgraduate Training states that “Research Organisations are expected to provide excellent standards of supervision, management and mentoring…” and the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency states that therefore “Supervisors should be provided with sufficient time, support and opportunities to develop and maintain their supervisory practice”. Noting that “supervisors represent the most important external influence in the learning and development that occurs in students’ training” the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s Committee on Education details interpersonal responsibilities of the supervisor that cover the need to work as partners, see the student as a whole person, be aware of power imbalance and develop strategies for the resolution of relationship difficulties, as well as giving academic and career support.
{"title":"A beginner’s guide to supervising a PhD researcher","authors":"Kay Guccione, Rhoda Stefanatos","doi":"10.1042/bio_2023_140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_140","url":null,"abstract":"This beginner’s guide to supervision has been created for anyone who supports postgraduate researchers (PGRs) with any aspect of their research or the completion of their degree. The supervision of PGRs is a complex and time-consuming job, with a high degree of responsibility. Good supervision is a key component of PGR success and is vital to the health of our research as a nation as well as the health of our individual researchers. In the recent research literature, supervision has been shown to impact on PhD completion time, retention of students, their success, their perceptions of the value of the PhD, their mental health and well-being and their career choice. In acknowledgement, the UKRI statement of Expectations for Postgraduate Training states that “Research Organisations are expected to provide excellent standards of supervision, management and mentoring…” and the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency states that therefore “Supervisors should be provided with sufficient time, support and opportunities to develop and maintain their supervisory practice”. Noting that “supervisors represent the most important external influence in the learning and development that occurs in students’ training” the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s Committee on Education details interpersonal responsibilities of the supervisor that cover the need to work as partners, see the student as a whole person, be aware of power imbalance and develop strategies for the resolution of relationship difficulties, as well as giving academic and career support.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136262507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
October is the month many cultures reflect on death and the afterlife. As we enter autumn in the northern hemisphere and the nights get longer, we see the emergence of fungi that feed on decaying material in woods and forests. This October issue has feature articles dedicated to some of the physical changes that happen to our bodies after we die. This issue may not be for everyone, but it is an important area of study and research. It isn’t a celebrated topic of conversation, but I have encouraged people for many years to talk more about it – to discuss what you wish to happen with friends and family so if they need to make decisions when you die, they know what your wishes are. This is a darker topic than usual for The Biochemist but there’re still lots of fascinating science to uncover, from the organisms that colonize flesh to the biochemistry of the changes that take place to break biological material down.If this does sound too intense, then we also have our usual news and informative articles from across biochemistry and this issue includes an interview with the Colworth medal winner Dr Thi Hoang Duong (Kelly) Nguyen. Donated in 1963 by Unilever Research Colworth Laboratory, the award is made to an early career scientist who is within 10 years of receiving their highest qualification.We also have a very handy ‘Beginners Guide’ to supervising your first PhD student and some top tips for inclusive and engaging teaching! Behind the scenes, I have been involved in judging the Science Communication Awards for The Biochemical Society, which are always an absolute pleasure to be involved with. The entries are entertaining, informative and often unexpected! I can’t wait until the winners are revealed.As always, please do get in touch with us at The Biochemist. We accept submissions on a number of different article types, and you can see all of our upcoming themes that we have planned through the website.
{"title":"Death and decomposition","authors":"Heather Doran","doi":"10.1042/bio_2023_148","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_148","url":null,"abstract":"October is the month many cultures reflect on death and the afterlife. As we enter autumn in the northern hemisphere and the nights get longer, we see the emergence of fungi that feed on decaying material in woods and forests. This October issue has feature articles dedicated to some of the physical changes that happen to our bodies after we die. This issue may not be for everyone, but it is an important area of study and research. It isn’t a celebrated topic of conversation, but I have encouraged people for many years to talk more about it – to discuss what you wish to happen with friends and family so if they need to make decisions when you die, they know what your wishes are. This is a darker topic than usual for The Biochemist but there’re still lots of fascinating science to uncover, from the organisms that colonize flesh to the biochemistry of the changes that take place to break biological material down.If this does sound too intense, then we also have our usual news and informative articles from across biochemistry and this issue includes an interview with the Colworth medal winner Dr Thi Hoang Duong (Kelly) Nguyen. Donated in 1963 by Unilever Research Colworth Laboratory, the award is made to an early career scientist who is within 10 years of receiving their highest qualification.We also have a very handy ‘Beginners Guide’ to supervising your first PhD student and some top tips for inclusive and engaging teaching! Behind the scenes, I have been involved in judging the Science Communication Awards for The Biochemical Society, which are always an absolute pleasure to be involved with. The entries are entertaining, informative and often unexpected! I can’t wait until the winners are revealed.As always, please do get in touch with us at The Biochemist. We accept submissions on a number of different article types, and you can see all of our upcoming themes that we have planned through the website.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136262553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elijah Sunom Umaru, Abdulmajid Ibrahim, Naomi Thomas
The Pharmafluence Education Advancement Network (PEAN) organized a science career outreach program at a special education school in Nigeria, inspiring over 110 hearing-impaired students to pursue science careers. The students participated in hands-on activities, received informative booklets and expressed concerns about educational and employment inequalities. PEAN aims to break barriers, promote inclusivity and empower students with disabilities. This initiative highlights the transformative power of education and the importance of equal opportunities for all individuals.
{"title":"Empowering students with hearing impairment to pursue science careers in Kaduna State, Nigeria","authors":"Elijah Sunom Umaru, Abdulmajid Ibrahim, Naomi Thomas","doi":"10.1042/bio_2023_124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_124","url":null,"abstract":"The Pharmafluence Education Advancement Network (PEAN) organized a science career outreach program at a special education school in Nigeria, inspiring over 110 hearing-impaired students to pursue science careers. The students participated in hands-on activities, received informative booklets and expressed concerns about educational and employment inequalities. PEAN aims to break barriers, promote inclusivity and empower students with disabilities. This initiative highlights the transformative power of education and the importance of equal opportunities for all individuals.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135779224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
When we die, we will decompose and we may be colonized by carrion insects. These insects recycle our bodies back to the earth but, as insects develop at a predictable rate and colonize in a predictable sequence, they can be used to indicate the minimum elapsed time since death, which is extremely important in a homicide investigation. Insects are often the first witnesses to a crime. Knowing the time of death can make or break an alibi and help identify an unknown victim. Carrion insects can also indicate whether the body has been moved or disturbed, has suffered wounds or has been poisoned, and can even be used to identify a victim when no body is found. In living victims, insects may cleanse necrotic wounds and can be used to estimate how long an abused or neglected person or pet has suffered.
{"title":"Do you know what happens to you after you die?","authors":"Gail S. Anderson","doi":"10.1042/bio_2023_135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_135","url":null,"abstract":"When we die, we will decompose and we may be colonized by carrion insects. These insects recycle our bodies back to the earth but, as insects develop at a predictable rate and colonize in a predictable sequence, they can be used to indicate the minimum elapsed time since death, which is extremely important in a homicide investigation. Insects are often the first witnesses to a crime. Knowing the time of death can make or break an alibi and help identify an unknown victim. Carrion insects can also indicate whether the body has been moved or disturbed, has suffered wounds or has been poisoned, and can even be used to identify a victim when no body is found. In living victims, insects may cleanse necrotic wounds and can be used to estimate how long an abused or neglected person or pet has suffered.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135730054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Colworth Medal is an esteemed annual award for outstanding research by a young biochemist of any nationality who has carried out the majority of their work in the UK or Republic of Ireland. Donated in 1963 by Unilever Research Colworth Laboratory, the award is made to an early career scientist who is within 10 years of receiving their highest qualification. Interviews with past winners from 1963 to 2013 were previously published throughout 2013. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Colworth Medal, interviews with our latest winners have been included in The Biochemist throughout 2023. In this final issue, we will hear from Dr Melina Schuh (2019), Dr Tanmay Bharat (2022) and Professor Stephen Wallace (2023).
{"title":"Sixty years of the Colworth Medal","authors":"Lucy Ollett","doi":"10.1042/bio_2023_145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_145","url":null,"abstract":"The Colworth Medal is an esteemed annual award for outstanding research by a young biochemist of any nationality who has carried out the majority of their work in the UK or Republic of Ireland. Donated in 1963 by Unilever Research Colworth Laboratory, the award is made to an early career scientist who is within 10 years of receiving their highest qualification. Interviews with past winners from 1963 to 2013 were previously published throughout 2013. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Colworth Medal, interviews with our latest winners have been included in The Biochemist throughout 2023. In this final issue, we will hear from Dr Melina Schuh (2019), Dr Tanmay Bharat (2022) and Professor Stephen Wallace (2023).","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135859108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dr Emma Yhnell of Cardiff University is the inaugural winner of the 2024 Teaching Excellence Award – Early Career, recognizing individual excellence, commitment to continuing professional development, commitment to students and colleagues, and sustained and continued impact. Emma advocates championing excellence in teaching and learning and demonstrating that academics can be engaging, creative and enthusing whilst still maintaining academic credibility. Emma wants to use winning this prestigious award to encourage others to be braver and bolder in their teaching and to try out teaching innovations. Whether incorporating a prop, trying some interactive polling or even playing some music, she actively encourages other educators to ‘give it a go’, as it will benefit learners and help you develop as an educator too.
{"title":"The future of lectures: ten top tips for engaging and inclusive teaching","authors":"Emma Yhnell, Nigel J. Francis","doi":"10.1042/bio_2023_144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_144","url":null,"abstract":"Dr Emma Yhnell of Cardiff University is the inaugural winner of the 2024 Teaching Excellence Award – Early Career, recognizing individual excellence, commitment to continuing professional development, commitment to students and colleagues, and sustained and continued impact. Emma advocates championing excellence in teaching and learning and demonstrating that academics can be engaging, creative and enthusing whilst still maintaining academic credibility. Emma wants to use winning this prestigious award to encourage others to be braver and bolder in their teaching and to try out teaching innovations. Whether incorporating a prop, trying some interactive polling or even playing some music, she actively encourages other educators to ‘give it a go’, as it will benefit learners and help you develop as an educator too.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136208826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Throughout the year, the Biochemical Society offers a programme of grants for all career stages supporting research, attendance at scientific conferences and the sponsorship of events. So far in 2023, we have awarded over £262,000 towards international conference participation, summer laboratory placements and the organization of independent lectures and diversity-related projects. In this article, we are delighted to share a few insights from our community that highlight the variety of projects and opportunities made possible by our funding. For more information about our funding opportunities and the application process, please visit our website.
{"title":"Biochemical Society support in action: experiences from our community","authors":"Lucy Ollett","doi":"10.1042/bio_2023_143","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_143","url":null,"abstract":"Throughout the year, the Biochemical Society offers a programme of grants for all career stages supporting research, attendance at scientific conferences and the sponsorship of events. So far in 2023, we have awarded over £262,000 towards international conference participation, summer laboratory placements and the organization of independent lectures and diversity-related projects. In this article, we are delighted to share a few insights from our community that highlight the variety of projects and opportunities made possible by our funding. For more information about our funding opportunities and the application process, please visit our website.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135344147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Proteins are the molecular machineries of life, and engineering them in order to probe and tailor biological function has long remained pure imagination. Cracking the genetic code, the blueprint of proteins, gave the spark to turn precise protein engineering into reality, and even to explore new designer genetic codes. Organisms in all kingdoms of life evolved a highly similar genetic code, which defines how genetic information is translated into proteins. Only a small set of 20 so-called canonical amino acids are used by ribosomes to build proteins. Is the genetic code in this form key to all lives, no matter where in the universe it evolved? Already on Earth we find two powerful exceptions. Selenocysteine represents the 21st canonical amino acid and can even be found in some human proteins. Pyrrolysine is termed the 22nd proteogenic amino acid and has been identified, e.g., in archaeal organisms that grow in anaerobic environments, such as the sludge of a lake or the paunch of a cow. So if one could expand the genetic code even further, proteins could be generated consisting partially or even entirely of artificial amino acid polymers, giving rise to a large diversity of novel natural and unnatural functions. In fact, this future is already present, with genetic code expansion representing a powerful technique which allows to equip proteins with hundreds of non-canonical amino acids, including ones that do not exist in nature. This opens a treasure chest of entirely new protein structures and functionalities. Despite the great potential for biotechnology and medicine, installing a new genetic code, especially in human cells, still bears major challenges. Our laboratory, among others, strives to develop new strategies to expand the genetic code inside of living cells and, at the same time, maintain their native genetic code. Come and join us for this brief journey through the milestones of protein engineering, up to the latest breakthroughs in encoding non-natural chemical properties, and you may get as excited as we are about where protein engineering is heading in the upcoming years.
{"title":"Unboxing the treasure chest: tinkering proteins beyond the natural repertoire","authors":"Cosimo Jann, Edward A. Lemke","doi":"10.1042/bio_2023_122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_122","url":null,"abstract":"Proteins are the molecular machineries of life, and engineering them in order to probe and tailor biological function has long remained pure imagination. Cracking the genetic code, the blueprint of proteins, gave the spark to turn precise protein engineering into reality, and even to explore new designer genetic codes. Organisms in all kingdoms of life evolved a highly similar genetic code, which defines how genetic information is translated into proteins. Only a small set of 20 so-called canonical amino acids are used by ribosomes to build proteins. Is the genetic code in this form key to all lives, no matter where in the universe it evolved? Already on Earth we find two powerful exceptions. Selenocysteine represents the 21st canonical amino acid and can even be found in some human proteins. Pyrrolysine is termed the 22nd proteogenic amino acid and has been identified, e.g., in archaeal organisms that grow in anaerobic environments, such as the sludge of a lake or the paunch of a cow. So if one could expand the genetic code even further, proteins could be generated consisting partially or even entirely of artificial amino acid polymers, giving rise to a large diversity of novel natural and unnatural functions. In fact, this future is already present, with genetic code expansion representing a powerful technique which allows to equip proteins with hundreds of non-canonical amino acids, including ones that do not exist in nature. This opens a treasure chest of entirely new protein structures and functionalities. Despite the great potential for biotechnology and medicine, installing a new genetic code, especially in human cells, still bears major challenges. Our laboratory, among others, strives to develop new strategies to expand the genetic code inside of living cells and, at the same time, maintain their native genetic code. Come and join us for this brief journey through the milestones of protein engineering, up to the latest breakthroughs in encoding non-natural chemical properties, and you may get as excited as we are about where protein engineering is heading in the upcoming years.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136235523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The 2-day training event discussed strategies to engineer sufficiently pure, homogenous and high-quality recombinant proteins that are critical for subsequent structural and functional studies.The selling point of our training event was to teach delegates the science through truly interactive hands-on activities, where participants learn and discuss protein strategies directly with experts from academia and industry.The quality of the training was amazing. Delegates were enthusiastic and happy to network in person, regularly asking questions and presenting their own research protein challenges. We had over 50 participants, mainly early career researchers (ECRs), who enjoyed networking with our keynote trainers: Dan Rigden (Liverpool, UK), Nicola Burgess-Brown (Oxford, UK) and Magdalena Richter (AstraZeneca, UK). We had nine invited trainers from all over the UK and EU with a good mix of academia and industry. We also had flash poster sessions, which were excellent and acted as a great advertisement for the poster sessions held, leading to prizes being awarded.Most of the science and technology was taught through case studies and a unique ‘choose your own adventure’ activity, where delegates learnt by doing and questioning rather than passively listening to speakers. We have all learned a lot, and this type of training in recombinant proteins certainly opened the horizon for many of the ECRs attending.Since we all enjoyed it so much last year, we are returning to the amazing new future-facing venue, The Spine in Liverpool, on 27–28 November 2023. We are again aiming at ECRs or anyone starting out in making and researching proteins, covering the latest bioinformatics tools for construct design and protein characterization, tips and tricks for improving protein expression, purification, stability and evaluating quality with biophysical techniques. There are options to bring samples for demos on the latest protein instruments and to present posters explaining any particular protein problems people are facing.Find out more about the event and register here.
{"title":"Meeting Reports","authors":"Elliott Stollar, Nicola Burgess-Brown, Rivka Isaacson","doi":"10.1042/bio_2023_142","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_142","url":null,"abstract":"The 2-day training event discussed strategies to engineer sufficiently pure, homogenous and high-quality recombinant proteins that are critical for subsequent structural and functional studies.The selling point of our training event was to teach delegates the science through truly interactive hands-on activities, where participants learn and discuss protein strategies directly with experts from academia and industry.The quality of the training was amazing. Delegates were enthusiastic and happy to network in person, regularly asking questions and presenting their own research protein challenges. We had over 50 participants, mainly early career researchers (ECRs), who enjoyed networking with our keynote trainers: Dan Rigden (Liverpool, UK), Nicola Burgess-Brown (Oxford, UK) and Magdalena Richter (AstraZeneca, UK). We had nine invited trainers from all over the UK and EU with a good mix of academia and industry. We also had flash poster sessions, which were excellent and acted as a great advertisement for the poster sessions held, leading to prizes being awarded.Most of the science and technology was taught through case studies and a unique ‘choose your own adventure’ activity, where delegates learnt by doing and questioning rather than passively listening to speakers. We have all learned a lot, and this type of training in recombinant proteins certainly opened the horizon for many of the ECRs attending.Since we all enjoyed it so much last year, we are returning to the amazing new future-facing venue, The Spine in Liverpool, on 27–28 November 2023. We are again aiming at ECRs or anyone starting out in making and researching proteins, covering the latest bioinformatics tools for construct design and protein characterization, tips and tricks for improving protein expression, purification, stability and evaluating quality with biophysical techniques. There are options to bring samples for demos on the latest protein instruments and to present posters explaining any particular protein problems people are facing.Find out more about the event and register here.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135742084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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