Luke Helgeson Email & Phone Number

I am an expert in protein biology with over 14 years of experience modifying, purifying, and functionally testing proteins. Motivated by a mechanistic understanding of biology, I have been driven to explore how protein-to-protein interactions give rise to all the fascinating cellular functions we observe. Leveraging multidisciplinary skills, I have developed many protein-based single-molecule and bulk-binding assays, performed kinetic and structural modeling, and written custom software for improved data analysis. On paper I am a biochemist but in-reality, I am an expert problem solver with a proven track-record of knowing how to collect, analyze, and share data regardless of the method or problem. I enjoy working hard to accomplish tasks and am seeking technically challenging and intellectually stimulating projects to tackle with a highly motivated team. Accomplishments:• Purified and assayed over 50 different proteins and protein complexes, including purifications of cytoskeletal proteins and a 7 subunit protein complex from endogenous source material.• Developed multiple single-molecule fluorescence microscopy assays that identified novel kinetic parameters in protein-protein interactions. • Developed and measured protein-protein interactions and reaction kinetics using fluorescence spectroscopy, optical tweezers, and analytical chromatography.• Implemented protein conjugation reactions to attach fluorescent dyes, small molecules, and other proteins for use in functional assays.• Designed and assembled novel oligomeric particles of a protein complex that mimicked their hypothesized native biological architecture. • Wrote multiple pieces of custom data-analysis software leading to rapid increases in data processing, greater analysis flexibility, and improved accuracy.• Mentored multiple undergraduate and graduate students in bench work and scientific communications.• Independently funded by grants from National Institute of Health and the Washington Research Foundation.• 3 first author peer-reviewed publications and 12 peer-reviewed publications in total. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Helgeson+LA&sort=date)• First author of “The Journal of Biological Chemistry best article of 2014 in Molecular Biophysics”.https://www.jbc.org/best-of-2014• Collaborated extensively with scientists across various disciplines.• Prepared and presented scientific seminars and posters at numerous conferences and symposiums.