Meet the Protein Expression Team

If our Membrane Protein Team is one of our superpowers, then our Protein Expression Team are our foundation. Protein Science and Structural Biology at Sygnature would be totally unable to function without this team who are the bedrock of all that we do.

Protein expression is a critical step in enabling successful purification and downstream applications. At Sygnature Discovery, our dedicated Protein Expression Team plays a pivotal and vital role in ensuring that we consistently deliver high-quality, functional proteins for use in drug discovery.

This vastly experienced “cells team” focuses on rigorous, reproducible methods and is constantly improving and expanding our expression capabilities. Their work underpins everything from routine protein production to solving complex expression challenges.

We operate across three core systems:

• E. coli (various strains)
• Insect (baculovirus infected Sf9, Sf21, Hi5 cell lines)
• Mammalian (HEK 293-6E, Expi293F, CHO-3E7, ExpiCHO-S)

Each system includes multiple cell lines, allowing us to tailor strategies to the specific needs of each project.

Key strengths of the team include:

• Optimising expression protocols for yield, quality, and scalability
• Improving expression of “low-yield” or “difficult-to-express” proteins
• Boosting expression of biotherapeutics and isotopically labelled proteins
• Scouting constructs at small scale, including for membrane protein projects
• Scaling up to wave bag systems for large-scale protein production

Having a dedicated team of “cell expression experts” means we can maintain robust standard protocols while also adapting and innovating when needed. Their flexibility and problem-solving mindset are central to our ability to support diverse and demanding drug discovery programmes.

Meet the Protein Expression Team Below

Meet Dr. Mark Elvin:

As a Principal Scientist, Mark leads the hugely experienced Protein Expression team within Sygnature Discovery’s Protein and Structure Department. A specialist in multi-system protein expression, he brings deep expertise across insect (Sf9/Sf21/Hi5), mammalian (HEK/CHO), and bacterial (E. coli) expression platforms. Since joining in October 2020, Mark has headed up the cells team and played a key role in ensuring the seamless delivery of high-quality proteins to support a wide range of client projects. Outside of work, Mark is a proud Yorkshireman who has rekindled his passion for cricket and enjoys spending time with his two teenage sons, frequently supporting their sporting adventures across the whole of Yorkshire!! (aka taxi driver).

Meet Catherine Geh:

Catherine is a long-standing member of the Protein Expression Team and the resident “HEK whisperer”. A Senior Cell Scientist 2  with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, she is happiest in the lab using her skills to deliver high quality grows and optimise the expression of tricky proteins. Outside of work she can often be found with her nose in a book or singing with a local choir.

Meet Margaret Veldman-Jones:

Originally from the Netherlands, Margaret Veldman-Jones is a Senior Cell Scientist 2 with expertise across all major cell expression systems though she primarily specialises in insect cells. She takes great pride in producing high-quality cell pellets that keep our protein scientists smiling. Margaret is happiest in the lab, preferring a pipette in her hand to time spent in meetings or at a desk. When she’s not looking after cells, her part-time role gives her the flexibility to pursue another passion: art. Since earning a Foundation Degree in Art & Design in 2017, she’s developed a wildlife-focused practice “My Visual Joy“,  from her home studio, earning recognition in several prestigious art auctions and exhibitions.

Meet Rosyln Brant:

A dedicated Senior Cell Scientist with deep expertise in Expi293F cells and broad experience across all in-house expression platforms. She is passionate about the scientific challenge of optimising expression protocols and rigorously testing hypotheses to push the boundaries of protein production. Outside of the lab, she’s a pickleball obsessive with an aggressive play style that’s earned both admiration and mild concern. She also, loves good food (especially cheese) and is happiest on holidays surrounded by wildlife and nature.

Meet Ian Hampton:

Ian has experience of most of the systems used within the protein expression team, and currently he is concentrating on baculovirus infected insect cell expression. He enjoys seeing improved yields for difficult to express constructs and successful outcomes for all of the team’s efforts. His part-time role leaves plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the local area which is varied and beautiful.

Meet Emma Cain:

Emma is a Senior Cell Scientist 2 who joined Sygnature Discovery 5 years ago, following extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry.  She has experience in many cell expression systems, but in recent years has specialised in mammalian expression, including establishing CHO cell expression at Sygnature.  Whilst she loves tending to her cells, she also appreciates the occasional escape to the protein purification lab to keep her cross-lab skills fresh. She also loves when she gets the opportunity to tinker with new ‘lab toys’ (otherwise known as expensive lab equipment).  Away from the lab, her time is taken up by both her human and feline family.

Meet Sarah Beck:

Sarah is a Senior Scientist 2 cell biology enthusiast and loves using her skills to express proteins in mammalian, insect and E. coli systems. Sarah has a deep understanding of drug discovery from previous experience in the pharmaceutical industry and enjoys her role as a Project Leader within the Protein Science department. Outside of the lab Sarah loves spending time close to nature on walks with her Miniature Schnauzer dog Bessie and on bike rides.

Meet Clare Ridgway:

Clare is a Senior Scientist 2 within the cells team mainly focusing on insect expression systems but puts her hand to mammalian and E. coli systems. Clare has worked within the pharmaceutical industry, companion diagnostic field and gene therapy manufacturing industry. Clare enjoys working with a broad range of teams and regularly serenades everyone with her tuneful songs of the day both at the desk and in the lab. Outside of the lab Clare loves spending time with her two young children outdoors jumping on the trampoline and occasionally gardening or filling the holes the children have created in the mud.

Meet Ailsa Townley:

Our main inhabitant of the microbial lab, Ailsa enjoys all things E. coli, working on an ever expanding list of cell strains and medias to tackle many different expression challenges. She’s especially pleased with any opportunity to perform larger scale grows using her pet 10 L fermenter which she has nicknamed named “Fergus”.

Meet Dr Michela Pulix:

A crazy cat lady who works almost exclusively to pay for her fur babies’ expensive freeze-dried chicken, she enjoys working with different cell expression systems for the production of biologics. With experience in mammalian, insect and E. coli systems, she’ll happily express proteins, viruses and plasmid DNA without discrimination. She occasionally enjoys becoming her alter-ego SHEzilla, nagging people about health and safety. In her spare time, she fulfils her patriotic duty by being an active member of the Italian Food Police, judging people’s pasta and correcting pronunciation of words such as “prosciutto” and “bruschetta”.

Meet Dr Catherine Bardelle:

Catherine is a Senior Scientist with a deep love for growing cells and expressing proteins and brings energy and precision to every experiment. Catherine enjoys a challenge and thrives on seeing cellular work contribute to drug discovery. Catherine is happiest at the bench and is known for her meticulous technique and collaborative spirit. Outside the lab, she’s a devoted cat lover and fierce supporter of the French rugby teams.

Meet Dr Tony Melarangi:

Tony has been primarily focused on using insect expression systems since joining the Cell Science Team in April 2025. Previously, he has used HEK, CHO and E. coli to generate biologics at a wide range of scales.  Outside of work, Tony enjoys bouldering and cycling.

Meet Claire Griffin:

Originally from the exotic area of North Manchester, Claire is a seasoned member of the microbial lab team, bringing extensive experience in E. coli expression and DNA purification. She thrives in the lab environment, where hands-on science takes precedence over screen time, rarely sitting at her desk for more than ten minutes before finding something to reorganise or clean. Outside of work, she enjoys the catharsis of loud, angry music, the calm precision of cross stitching, and long walks with her beautiful miniature labradoodle, Rigby, alongside her family.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Take a look at some of our protein expression case studies (see table below) and get in touch to see how our experienced Protein and Structural Biology team can work with you to drive your project forwards.