Richard Hughes Email & Phone Number

Research Scientist working with Dr. Mark Banfield at the John Innes Centre. Our aim is to use structural biology to elucidate the avirulence and virulence functions of effector proteins from plant pathogens. We typically do this by adopting a medium-throughput approach to identify soluble effector proteins expressed in E. coli. We use alternative hosts (yeasts, insect cells, plants) where necessary. We then solve the structures of these proteins by X-Ray Crystallography and/or NMR to identify the structural determinants of the effector protein function in the host organism. We are also trying to identify the host-interacting proteins in order to understand the mechanism by which effector proteins are recognised in the plant and how these interactions lead to cellular perturbations.I also have an interest in developing commercial opportunities for a new biocatalyst (a plant P450 enzyme) produced using a patented procedure for the generation of "green leaf volatiles".Specialties: Heterologous Protein Expression (various hosts), Protein Purification (AKTA), Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, P450 Enzymes, Enzymology, Effector Proteins.

Listed skills include Protein Purification, Protein Expression, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and 45 others.