Peak Proteins’ Welcomes Dr Stephen Moss
Peak Proteins welcomes Dr Stephen Moss as a Protein Purification Specialist. Stephen has a keen interest in protein biology and how protein functions are achieved at a molecular level. Having expressed and purified proteins, Stephen also enjoys studying protein structure and function using X-ray crystallography, kinetic and biophysical techniques. Stephen has extensive computational experience.
Starting Academic Life as a Biochemist
Stephen graduated from the University of Bath with a degree in Biochemistry. The degree included an industry placement at Syngenta where Stephen developed a method for characterisation and quantification of fungal lipids using two-dimensional gas chromatography and identified inhibitors of specific fungal protein targets using HTP screening assays.
Stephen’s final year research project was based on expression, purification, and crystallisation of recombinant protein as well as extensive computational modelling and refinement of crystal structures.
Continuing his academic career, Stephen went on to carry out research for a PhD at the University of Bath characterising amyloid-degrading enzymes using molecular cloning, protein expression and optimisation in bacterial, yeast and mammalian cell lines, protein purification using affinity, ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography and protein crystallisation and structural determination using X-ray crystallography.
Stephen commented, “My PhD research was focussed on understanding the structure-function relationship of key amyloid-beta degrading enzymes. The primary aim of the research was to determine co-crystal structures of target proteins with substrates to better understand the specificity. I thoroughly enjoyed the project, and I am always excited to determine novel structures.”
The Move into Industry
Stephen joined Domainex after graduating with a PhD, working as a senior protein scientist where he continued to gain experience of design and cloning of target protein gene constructs, the expression, purification, and characterisation of varied protein molecules, crystallisation and structural determination of protein and DNA targets using X-ray crystallography and high throughput screens in the identification of early drug candidates.
Joining Peak Proteins
Stephen was eager to continue working in protein science and structural biology and was delighted at the opportunity to join Peak Proteins
“I am thrilled to be joining the Peak Proteins team. Peak Proteins stood out to me because of their high-quality work and impressive range of clients. I know that my background as a protein scientist and X-ray crystallographer will be a perfect fit for the company. I am very excited to apply my knowledge to a range of projects and look forward to continuing to grow and learn as a protein scientist.”, added Stephen.
Mark Abbott, CEO, commented “We’re delighted that Stephen has joined the team. His experience in protein expression and purification and in particular x-ray crystallography is perfect for Peak Proteins. All areas of the business are growing, and we’ve seen a rise in crystallography projects in recent months. Our team has grown significantly in the past year and there is a great mix of new graduates, post docs and scientists with industry experience”.
Life Outside Work
Stephen added, “When not in the lab, I enjoy getting outside and can regularly be found hiking or rock climbing in the nearby Peak district or North Wales. More recently, I have been persuaded to join my wife in a local yoga group – I am far from flexible but can now almost cross my legs. If I am not outside on the weekends, I can be found on the sofa watching Formula 1 and often taking a nap halfway through the race”.
