Lewis Hatton

Supervisor: Dr Louis Luk

Enabling novel organocatalytic in an artificial enzyme through protein engineering

• Ability to work efficiently and manage multiple projects, collaborating with researchers in and out of the group.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills by presenting a poster at two conferences and contributing to a peer-reviewed paper in a high-impact journal.
• Expanded genetic code to engineer protein scaffolds, creating catalysts with reactive secondary amines.
• Identified unexploited protein scaffolds using natural co-factors for reactivity with iminium ions and enamine species.
• Refined artificial enzyme using genetic engineering to screen amino acid reactivity with iminium ions through proximity catalysis.
• Mentored 2 undergraduate students and 2 new lab members, teaching lab procedures, safety, and instrument SOPs.
• Managed multiple laboratory instruments, performing general maintenance and organising engineer visits as needed.
• Developed creative methods to communicate research progress and scientific ideas in monthly group meetings.
• Created a bank of multiple-choice questions for undergraduate exam revision based on past papers.
• Taught general undergraduate chemistry labs throughout duration of PhD, 50+ students per session.
• Attention to detail and critical thinking to review and give constructive comments to over 10 papers and grants.

Final year project supervisor: Dr. Louis Luk

Exploring the effects of SpyTag/SpyCatcher protein cyclisation on the thermal stability of a plastic degrading enzyme.

• Developed expertise in cell culture, protein expression and purification, gel electrophoresis, and circular dichroism under supervision of a senior PhD student.
• Discovered that protein cyclisation preserved enzyme activity even after being heated beyond it’s melting temperature.
• Generated fluorescence assay to monitor enzyme activity.
• Gained familiarity with lab procedures, including health and safety and risk assessments, over three years of undergraduate lab sessions.
• Consistently attained high grades across diverse modules, showcasing strong chemistry knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities.