Peak Proteins Welcomes Dr Jack Wright

Peak Proteins welcomes Dr Jack Wright as a Protein Purification Specialist. Jack recently completed his PhD and brings with him expertise in protein expression & purification and the structural biology of membrane proteins. He also has a keen interest in research commercialisation.

Starting Academic Life as a Biomedical Scientist

Jack graduated from De Montfort University with a BSc in Biomedical Science.

His degree included a one-year research placement at the University of Leeds where he expressed and purified the several domains from the Haemophilus surface fibril (Hsf), an unusually large trimeric autotransporter adhesin (TAA) expressed by the most virulent strains of H. influenzae. Research had suggested that this TAA might adopt a novel ‘hairpin-like’ architecture, but no high-resolution structural data was available. Through this placement work, the crystal structure of Hsf putative domain 1 (PD1) was later determined, representing the first Hsf domain to be solved.

As an undergraduate, Jack also carried out two Frontrunner research internships, one of which focused on the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded oncoprotein, LMP1, the best-documented oncoprotein of the EBV latent gene products which is implicated in EBV-related human cancers.

After his BSc, Jack went on to complete a MRes in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Birmingham. The first of his two research projects was under the supervision of Professor Andrew Lovering, Professor of Structural Biology at the School of Biosciences studying the unusual predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio. His second research project was under the supervision of Dr Timothy Knowles, Reader in Structural Biology at the School of Biosciences studying the folding of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) in Gram-negative bacteria by the β-barrel assembly machine (BAM) complex [2].

PhD Years

Jack went on to carry out research in structural biology at the University of Leeds under the White Rose BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) in Mechanistic Biology, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). This partnership brings together the research of the world-class molecular and cellular bioscience centres at the White Rose universities of Leeds, Sheffield, and York. His work focused on structural and functional studies of CTS, a family D ABC transporter, primarily by cryo-EM. Despite the significant time loss caused by the COVID pandemic lockdowns – which hit during his most critical years – he nonetheless managed to generate the first 3D cryo-EM map (albeit low-resolution!) of this intriguing protein.

Jack’s interest in the commercial side of science led him to take a Professional Internship for PhD Students (PIPS) opportunity as part of his PhD. He worked at Oxford University Innovation (OUI), which manages the University’s technology transfer and consulting activities. There Jack supported OUI managers in curating their large portfolio of projects in the life sciences team, helping to drive forward academic ventures and commercial ones. Continuing his interest in the commercialisation of science, Jack entered the Biotechnology Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) competition, and along with his team, became one of the competition finalists. The YES competition is an innovative global competition developed to raise awareness among PhD students, postdocs and research staff how ideas can be commercialised.

Joining Peak Proteins

Jack heard of Peak Proteins due to a friend and previous colleague of his, Dr Steven Harborne, joining the company a few years prior. Jack commented, “Despite the difficulties posed by membrane proteins, I’m not ready to give them up just yet, and I am still keen to understand more about the commercialisation of science; working for a smaller business will give me plenty of opportunity to explore how a business works”.

Dr Steven Harborne, Specialist in Membrane Protein Biochemistry added, “It’s great to have Jack on board.  His experience of protein expression, purification and structural biology including for membrane proteins is a perfect combination for us”.

Life Outside Work

Jack like many other team members tries to keep fit either in the gym or by cycling. He also does sport climbing and bouldering (a form of free climbing that is performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without the use of ropes or harnesses), though he is not as strong as he used to be!