Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)
The Open Bioeconomy Lab, headed by Dr Jenny Molloy (openbioeconomy.org), is seeking a Research Associate for "EngZyme: Engineered Enzymatic Catalysts for In-flow CO2 Upcycling", an EPSRC Prosperity Partnership in collaboration with Hitachi Europe Ltd, developing engineered proteins for carbon upcycling and sustainability.
The role holder will collaborate with computational and biological scientists at the Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory as well as Dr Ljiljana Fruk's team in the BioNano Group at Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. Improved enzymes will be combined with nanoparticle catalysts and novel bioprocessing technologies to deliver efficient pathways for upcycling captured carbon into high value products.
The successful candidate will have a PhD, or be studying towards a PhD, in synthetic biology or a related field, and will have experience with cell-free protein expression systems, protein engineering, high throughput screening and lab automation. Extensive experience with recombinant protein expression and an interest in and familiarity with computational protein engineering approaches is essential. Hands-on experience in computational protein design and engineering is desirable.
The ability to work both as part of a team, and independently, coupled with excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills are essential to this role. More information on the role and person specification is available on the Further Particulars attached. For informal enquiries please contact Dr Jenny Molloy (jcm80@cam.ac.uk).
Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD; those without a PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2028 in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mr Vito Candela, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.
Applications closing dates 15th of June 2025.
Please quote reference NQ46023 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)
The Open Bioeconomy Lab, headed by Dr Jenny Molloy (openbioeconomy.org), is seeking a Research Associate for "EngZyme: Engineered Enzymatic Catalysts for In-flow CO2 Upcycling", an EPSRC Prosperity Partnership in collaboration with Hitachi Europe Ltd, developing engineered proteins for carbon upcycling and sustainability.
The role holder will collaborate with computational and biological scientists at the Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory as well as Dr Ljiljana Fruk's team in the BioNano Group at Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. Improved enzymes will be combined with nanoparticle catalysts and novel bioprocessing technologies to deliver efficient pathways for upcycling captured carbon into high value products.
The successful candidate will have a PhD, or be studying towards a PhD, in synthetic biology or a related field, and will have experience with cell-free protein expression systems, protein engineering, high throughput screening and lab automation. Extensive experience with recombinant protein expression and an interest in and familiarity with computational protein engineering approaches is essential. Hands-on experience in computational protein design and engineering is desirable.
The ability to work both as part of a team, and independently, coupled with excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills are essential to this role. More information on the role and person specification is available on the Further Particulars attached. For informal enquiries please contact Dr Jenny Molloy (jcm80@cam.ac.uk).
Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD; those without a PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2028 in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mr Vito Candela, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.
Applications closing dates 15th of June 2025.
Please quote reference NQ46023 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Engineering Bodipy-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Full-Spectrum Photocatalysis in Amide Synthesis
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2025 Apr 7:e202505405. doi: 10.1002/anie.202505405. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Developing photocatalysts that can efficiently utilize the full solar spectrum is a crucial step toward transforming sustainable energy solutions. Due to their light absorption limitations, most photo-responsive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are constrained to the ultraviolet (UV) and blue light regions. Expanding their absorption to encompass the entire solar spectrum would unlock their full potential, greatly enhancing efficiency and applicability. Here, we report the design and synthesis of a series of highly stable boron-dipyrromethene (bodipy)-based MOFs (BMOFs) by reacting dicarboxyl-functionalized bodipy ligands with Zr-oxo clusters. Leveraging the acidity of the methyl groups on the bodipy backbone, we expanded the conjugation system through a solid-state condensation reaction with various aldehydes, achieving full-color absorption, thereby extending the band edge into the near-infrared (NIR) and infrared (IR) regions. These BMOFs demonstrated exceptional reactivity and recyclability in heterogeneous photocatalytic activities, including C─H bond activation of saturated aza-heterocycles and C─N bond cleavage of N,N-dimethylanilines to produce amides under visible light. Our findings highlight the transformative potential of BMOFs in photocatalysis, marking a significant leap forward in the design of advanced photocatalytic materials with tunable properties.
PMID:40192658 | DOI:10.1002/anie.202505405
Rational Design of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy: from Machine Learning Screening to In Vivo Efficacy
Adv Mater. 2025 Feb 2:e2412757. doi: 10.1002/adma.202412757. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Despite improvements in cancer survival rates, metastatic and surgery-resistant cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, remain challenging, with poor prognoses and limited treatment options. Enhancing drug bioavailability in tumors, while minimizing off-target effects, is crucial. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising drug delivery vehicles owing to their high loading capacity, biocompatibility, and functional tunability. However, the vast chemical diversity of MOFs complicates the rational design of biocompatible materials. This study employed machine learning and molecular simulations to identify MOFs suitable for encapsulating gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and SN-38, and identified PCN-222 as an optimal candidate. Following drug loading, MOF formulations are improved for colloidal stability and biocompatibility. In vitro studies on pancreatic cancer cell lines have shown high biocompatibility, cellular internalization, and delayed drug release. Long-term stability tests demonstrated a consistent performance over 12 months. In vivo studies in pancreatic tumor-bearing mice revealed that paclitaxel-loaded PCN-222, particularly with a hydrogel for local administration, significantly reduced metastatic spread and tumor growth compared to the free drug. These findings underscore the potential of PCN-222 as an effective drug delivery system for the treatment of hard-to-treat cancers.
PMID:39895194 | DOI:10.1002/adma.202412757