January 2025 Newsletter
January 31, 2025
JANUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER
News you can use
Protein Structures May Unlock Insights Into Life's Ancient History
The three-dimensional shape of a protein can be used to resolve deep, ancient evolutionary relationships in the tree of life.
It is the first time researchers use data from protein shapes and combine it with data from genomic sequences to improve the reliability of evolutionary trees, a critical resource used by the scientific community for understanding the history of life, monitor the spread of pathogens or create new treatments for diseases.
Crucially, the approach works even with the predicted structures of proteins that have never been experimentally determined. It has implications for the massive amount of structural data being generated by tools like AlphaFold 2 and help open new windows into the ancient history of life on Earth.
Employee spotlight
Chun-Liang Chen, Ph.D. - Scientist II
Chun-Liang (Chun) Chen began his journey in Structural Biology as an undergraduate student. He received training in Structural Biology and Biophysics during his graduate and postdoctoral programs. He has experience in utilizing X-ray crystallography and cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine macromolecular structures (proteins and viruses). He has acquired techniques for protein production in prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems, protein purification using various strategies, enzyme kinetics, and structure determination of macromolecules.
Featured services
Protein Production - Helix BioStructures is a leading provider of gene-to-structure services. We are equipped with all the instruments & capabilities (Multiple expression systems, Shaking incubators, 5L Bioreactor, Microfluidizers, ÄKTA purification systems, Protein characterization, etc.) required to produce small to large-scale and high-quality structural biology grade proteins.
We provide gene-to-protein service for your research needs and also produce proteins for X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and Biophysical characterization services at industrial speed and affordable rates.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you with your protein production projects.
Helix is hiring!!
Head of Structural Biology: We are looking to add an experienced Structural Biology Leader to our Indianapolis-based team. This role will manage and support the Helix team, planning & tracking all projects to produce high-quality work and support our client’s protein production, biophysical characterization, and structural biology projects.
Senior Scientist - Gene-to-Structure: We are looking to add an experienced senior scientist to join our Indianapolis-based team. This senior-level scientist will support our protein production and structural biology pipelines by producing proteins and setting up crystallization and/or cryo-EM experiments, interfacing with our clients, and writing technical project reports.
HELIX HIGHLIGHTS
Helix Biostructures Celebrated 2024
Before the 2024 year-end holidays, the Helix team and dear friends celebrated their achievements at a Brazilian steak restaurant. The team was proud of all the great work and quality services provided to Helix's valued customers in 2024.
The Helix team is excited to help our customers with their research and project needs and provide the best service possible. We look forward to continuing our partnership in 2025!
Instrument review
Circular Dichroism (CD, Jasco J-715)
CD is a standard method for measuring conformational changes in chiral molecules. CD spectroscopy provides information about the conformational arrangement of molecules or assemblies when coupled to thermal sample control. Helix offers a Jasco J-715 Circular Dichroism Spectropolarimeter service interfaced with thermal sample control and SpectraManager software for instrument control and analysis.
Swag Giveaway!
We're giving away exclusive Cryo-EM swag, including our signature virus-shaped stress balls and logo T-shirts, to keep you calm and collected while you dive into your research ❄️🧬
How to Enter:
1) Follow us on LinkedIn (link here)
2) Comment on one of our posts, tagging a colleague and using the hashtag #CryoNewsletterGiveaway
3) Winners will be revealed next month!
Conferences & more
Helix Protein Art
Happy New Year
