Qualifications

(2014-2018) PhD Pharmacology, University of Cambridge
(2008-2012) BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, Newcastle University

Previous positions

(2018-2019) Senior Biochemical Research Scientist - Imperial College, London
(2013-2014) Research Assistant - Oxford Protein Production Facility, Harwell
(2012-2013) Research Scientist - Defense Science and Technology Laboratories, Porton Down
(2010-2011) Industrial Trainee - Pfizer, Sandwich

New antibody technologies for the use as molecular detection tools

My scientific background has primarily focused on the development and use of new antibody technologies as tools to use for molecular detection.  Using recombinant shark antibody technology, I have previously been involved in the development of new strain specific antibodies capable of detecting pathogens found in complex environmental samples.  These leverage the strength of shark antibody technology and combined this with Pichia pastoris based recombinant protein expression platforms which helped reduced the cost, complexity and time taken to produce reagents which were comparable or superior to standard monoclonal antibodies currently deployed.

Building on this work, my PhD focused on the use of recombinant antibodies (this time from llamas) to develop new tools to understand the biological implication specific cancer associated mutations had on the tumour suppressor protein p16INK4a.  This protein plays a key role in the control of the cell-cycle and is attributed to a range of different cancers including melanoma and cervical.  The identification of new recombinant antibodies against p16INK4a has lead on to further work which is now looking at developing these antibodies further for use as immunohistochemistry diagnostic tools in HPV mediated cervical cancer screening.

Further work along side this leveraged the knowledge surrounding llama antibodies to develop a range of new novel antibody based super-resolution microscopy tools for expanding dual colour labelling to include a third colour channel.

Funding

(2014-2018) Cancer Research UK funded PhD