I returned to the U.K in 2002 to start an MSc in Informatics. My thesis focused on molecular modelling of beta defensin monomers and dimers.

In july of 2004 I joined Dr Perdita Barran’s group to do a PhD in the same line of work. My current research focusses on two facets of the problem:

1. Rational structure prediction of defensins: In this area I aim to develop novel sampling algorithms for solving defensin structures. It is hoped that some day a theoretical understanding of this class of protein will avoid the necessity of costly NMR and crystal structure information.

2. Molecular modelling of defensins with suspected target sites: Carbohydrate residue development of suspect Lipopolysacharde elements provide the first basis for elucidating the mechanism of defensin binding.

I graduated in 2002 from the Université Paris-Sud, Orsay (France) with a degree in Chemical Physics. In 2005 I obtained a DPhil. in Chemical Physics from the Université Paris-Sud. I did my PhD thesis in Laboratoire Francis Perrin at the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique Saclay (France) under the supervision of Dr Michel Mons. My work was concerned with the structural characterisation of small model peptides in the gas phase using laser-based spectroscopic techniques (ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy) combined with mass spectrometry. My work also relied on theoretical tools such as Density Functional Theory.

I joined Perdita's group in 2006 as a postdoctoral fellow. My current research focusses on the characterisation of defensin structures as well as defensin-disaccharide complexes in the gas phase using ion mobility mass spectrometry techniques.

I graduated in 1996 from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in Biomedical Chemistry.  This incorporated a 12 month industrial placement at Syntex Research Ltd looking at drug metabolites by LC-APCI-MS and a 3 month Erasmus placement at L’Universite Catholique de Louvain la Neuve in Brussels performing RT-PCR on HIV patient samples.

I spent the following 3 years at PPL Therapeutics in the Protein Chemistry department. My principal work involved the development of assays for identifying and characterising transgenically expressed proteins in milk.

I joined Edinburgh University under Professor Mike Shipston in 2000 as part of the Membrane Biology Group where I was involved in research looking at potassium ion channels in the hypothalamus and effects of specific exons being expressed within the channels.

In 2002 I moved across to the EPIC Proteomics Facility under Dr. Andy Cronshaw. I specialised in protein analysis by MALDI-ToF MS and worked on the method development of characterising posttranslational modifications using this technique.

At the start of 2004, I became a postgraduate student looking at protein-ligand interactions using LC-SSI-MS as a screening tool with a view to finding potential drug targets.

I graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2003 with an MChem. in Chemical Physics with Industrial Experience.

I spent a year (2001-2) working for Glaxo Wellcome in Stevenage in their Physical Measurements section.

I have a CASE award for my PhD. in conjunction with Waters Ltd.
My PhD project is principally based on integrating ion mobility apparatus with a Micromass Q-Tof.

I joined the University of Edinburgh in 2003 to study Medicine. At the
end of my second year I took the opportunity to intercalate in
Molecular Biology, the project component of which I am currently
undertaking with Dr. Barran's group.

I have been studying the protein melittin through a variety of hydrogen
deuterium exchange mass spectrometry methods.

Following the completion of my intercalation in May 2006 I will be
returning to complete my medical studies - with an estimated graduation
year of 2009!

Young Jess did a masters project with us on various aspects of the protein melittin. Her work included a molecular modeling component and a heavy experimental component, which involved techniques such as PLIMSTEX.

Jess finishes her final year of her Masters program in July of 2006. When she finishes she hopes to travel to China. Good luck with the rest of it!

Having completed an M.Chem degree in Chemistry, I am now undertaking an MSc in Sports Science at the Univerisity of Edinburgh

My final year project was based on using HD exchange to evaluate the structure of membrane interacting peptides.

graduated in 1998 with BSc (Hons) in Forensic and Analytical Chemistry from the Chemistry Dept at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. During my degree I had two, six-month industrial placements, at GlaxoWellcome’s primary production site in Montrose, Scotland, and at KraftJakobSuchard’s R&D site in Munich, Germany. I also participated in a 3 month Eramus exchange to Prof. J.H. van der Maas at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

After graduating I worked in the analytical laboratory for East of Scotland Water for a year, routinely testing for trace organics in drinking and waste waters.

In 1999, I moved to Edinburgh University chemistry department . Here I worked as a mass spectrometry technician, for the Edinburgh Centre for Protein Technology.