3 reasons why that protein structure may be closer than you think with Dr. Alex Snow

Intelligent Infusions Masterclass on the topics of Cell-Free Protein Expression, Copolymers, and CryoEM.
RESEARCH FOCUS:
Dr. Alexander JD Snow is a postdoctoral researcher working with Professor Alexander Breeze and Dr. Stephen Muench at the Astbury Biostructure Laboratory, University of Leeds. For the last two years he has focussed on characterising the receptor tyrosine kinase, FGFR3, through cryoEM. Over this time, he has spearheaded method development for the production and characterisation of elusive, difficult-to-express proteins. In his current research, Alex showcases the utility of cell-free expression and copolymer membrane reconstitution to biophysically and structurally characterize a full-length oncogenic variant of FGFR3, which has proven intractable through traditional expression systems. Alex plans to leverage his work on this oncoprotein as the basis of a fellowship, through which he intends to comprehensively explore and expand the application of cell-free expression for the structural and biophysical characterization of complex and challenging proteins and protein complexes.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The system used to express a protein can make an enormous difference in the behaviour of that protein. A more native-like system isn’t always better!
- Cell-free protein expression technology has matured enough to allow even complex and sensitive membrane proteins to be produced, with the right preparation.
- With the correct combination of technologies, reconstitution of membrane proteins using copolymers is achievable directly from these cell-free systems. This can result in activity being retained as shown in an RTK case study: FGFR3-TACC3.
- Choice of copolymer used should be tuned for the studies planned.