Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why should I consider studying Chemical Engineering or Molecular Biology?
A: Today's world revolves around our understanding the chemical and molecular compositions of everything we interact with. This knowledge can be used to understand diseases from the molecular to the organismal level, design new medical therapies, and much more.
Q: What skills and knowledge do I need to work in biotechnology?
A: While it helps to have a basic understanding of molecular biology, microbiology or immunology, most people learn what they need as their project progresses. A great advantage of having an interdisciplinary lab, with members trained in different aeas, is that it is easy to learn from the people around you.
Q: What skills will I gain in this lab?
A: At heart, we are an applied protein biochemistry lab, interested in proteins with the potential to treat human diseases. Every project involves understanding and manipulating protein function and every student becomes skilled in protein mutagenesis, directed evolution, protein expression (bacterial, yeast, insect cell and eukaryotic systems), protein purification, protein structure-function relationships and protein-protein interaction kinetics, with a particular emphasis on antibody engineering. Beyond this, we aim to understand the biochemical and cellular mechanisms by which our engineered proteins influence disease pathogenesis, using in vitro and in vivo model systems.
Q: What are my employment options if I earn an advanced degree in ChE or Bio in this lab?
A: There are many opportunities to apply these skills to exciting careers in academia, as well as in the biotechnology/ pharmaceutical industries and other industries (consulting, oil and gas). The fields of protein discovery & engineering, formulation, cell culture process development and downstream process development are particularly relevant. A key advantage of this lab is that you are involved in all stages of protein discovery and development during your project, which positions you to interact productively with the different teams that perform each of these functions in a larger organization.