Daniel Watkins Email & Phone Number

Newport, Wales, United Kingdom

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

In this role I designed, produced and tested proprietary artificial membrane binding proteins (AMBPs) for enhancing cancer cell therapy using the following skills and techniques:-Rational protein design, facilitated by literature searches and bioinformatic structural information.-Molecular biology and advanced cloning techniques such as Gibson or golden gate.-Use and manipulation of bacterial and mammalian cells including E. coli, CHO, HEK and HeLa cells.-Extensive use of… Show more In this role I designed, produced and tested proprietary artificial membrane binding proteins (AMBPs) for enhancing cancer cell therapy using the following skills and techniques:-Rational protein design, facilitated by literature searches and bioinformatic structural information.-Molecular biology and advanced cloning techniques such as Gibson or golden gate.-Use and manipulation of bacterial and mammalian cells including E. coli, CHO, HEK and HeLa cells.-Extensive use of recombinant protein expression and purification.-Knowledge of GMP-based manufacture. -Vast experience in QC methods such as flow cytometry and protein biophysical analysis. I acquired several additional responsibilites during this position such as: -Head of Internship Programme.-Biosafety Officer.-Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) Officer, ensuring the laboratory ran in a safe and efficient manner. For example, by reducing plastic waste and improving recycling as a result of policies I implemented.-I also led a project to ensure our electronic lab notebook database operated efficiently and that data recording was streamlined and hygienic for maximum output and insight, resulting in improved standard operating procedures and increased protein yields.-Safeguarding company intellectual property with patents. -Conveying scientific results to colleagues and board members/investors Show less

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Based in a the membrane protein biochemistry lab of Professor Ian Collinson conducting basic research of bacterial and mitochondrial protein translocation across membranes and involvement of these mechanisms in disease and antimicrobial resistance.I led a project to design a recombinant method for manufacturing the yeast mitochondrial import machinery in a 20 L bioreactor, and characterised the product using cryo-EM. I also developed a high-throughput luminescence-based assay using… Show more Based in a the membrane protein biochemistry lab of Professor Ian Collinson conducting basic research of bacterial and mitochondrial protein translocation across membranes and involvement of these mechanisms in disease and antimicrobial resistance.I led a project to design a recombinant method for manufacturing the yeast mitochondrial import machinery in a 20 L bioreactor, and characterised the product using cryo-EM. I also developed a high-throughput luminescence-based assay using Promega’s NanoLuc technology to monitor secretion of bacterial proteins and import of mitochondrial proteins in real time.During the Covid 2020 lockdown, I conducted a project with the aim of observing interactions between recombinantly expressed coronavirus spike protein and the ACE2 receptor, both on transfected HeLa cells, using the luminescent assay described above.In collaboration with the University of Leeds, I produced proteoliposomes containing site-specific fluorescently labelled Sec translocon and labelled SecA for single molecule FRET studies, with the aim of deciphering the mechanism of Sec-mediated translocation of proteins across the bacterial inner membrane.As Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework Officer, I achieved 3 years of silver award for implementing excellent sustainable laboratory practices. Show less

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

I used a synthetic biology approach to recombinantly manufacture, purify, and incorporate unnatural amino acids into the bacterial Sec translocon via amber suppression to identify protein-protein interactions via UV-induced non-specific crosslinking.

Bristol, United Kingdom

During my Ph.D I worked with the head of postgraduate teaching to give feedback from my cohort of postgraduates about the provided teaching, to arrange social events and to provide support to students.

Kumasi, Ghana

I spent the summer working in a clinical analysis lab. My role involved admission and testing of patients for disease. This involved taking and analysing blood samples, or processing urine or stool samples with commonly employed lab tests, for diseases such as diabetes (glucose tolerance test), HIV or hepatitis.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Biochemistry

I conducted a synthetic biology focussed Ph.D in de novo protein design, with the goal of engineering enzymes that could be used.

Bsc, Biochemistry

During my 3rd year dissertation in the protein engineergin lab of Professor Dafydd Jones, I utilised amber suppression to incorporate.