Jesús Baltanás Copado

Protein Scientist leading and supporting R&D efforts in protein engineering and early discovery for Orikine Bio’s therapeutic programs.

I focused on discovering small-molecule inhibitors of CDK proteins to support the development of new therapeutic candidates. I co-led the structural biology work with Dr. Alex Bullock, covering molecular biology, protein production, biophysical profiling, enzymatic assays, and structure-based drug design. Key highlights: -Produced multiple CDK complexes for biochemical and structural studies. -Performed biophysical and cellular assays (MS, TSA, NanoBRET, FRET and bioluminescence kinase assays) to evaluate inhibitor potency and target engagement. -Solved 27 CDK–inhibitor co-crystal structures (CDK12-CCNK, CDK13-CCNK, CDK9-T1), enabling structure-guided optimization. -Established and validated a NanoBRET intracellular affinity assay in HEK cells.

Remote collaboration with University of Helsinki. Project: Mechanism of actin cross-linking by Fascin. -Cryo-electron tomography microscopy assays.

My PhD focused on the structural and functional characterisation of PKC kinases and their interactions with regulatory proteins and substrates. I combined molecular biology, biophysical assays, and structural biology to investigate PKC regulation and activity. Key highlights: -Performed construct design, protein expression and purification of PKC family members. -Applied biophysical techniques (SPR, FRET, DLS or ITC) to study binding and protein behaviour. -Used X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM for structural characterisation. -Conducted insect and mammalian cell culture, including confocal microscopy, western blotting and immunofluorescence. -Delivered 180 hours of practical Biochemistry teaching to university students.

Invigilator and adviser in Biology during the University access exams.

Scientific Campus Mare Nostrum. -I taught molecular biology and protein purification techniques to secondary school students.

Summer School FabioUMU "Un paseo por la biología". -I taught molecular biology and protein purification techniques to high school students.

Remote Collaboration with eBIC: Electron Bio-Imaging Centre. Diamond Light Source. Project: Structural Biology of PKCα Protein Complexes in Cancer. -CryoEM.

Remote collaboration with the University of Helsinki. Project: Structural Biology of PKCα Protein Complexes in Cancer. -CryoEM

PhD internship (6 months) in the STRUBI, Structural Biology Division of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine. University of Oxford. My structural biology project (Structural Biology of PKCα Protein Complexes in Cancer) was awarded with an INSTRUCT-ERIC grant in 2018 among other 5 people all around Europe. -Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM). -X-ray crystallography. -Thermal shift assay.

Short stay (from 11-06-2018 to 15-06-2018) in the Oxford Particle Imaging Centre, Division of Structural Biology, University of Oxford. Project: Structural Biology of PKCα Protein Complexes in Cancer -Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM).

Short stay from 22-01-2018 to 02-02-2018, in the University of Oxford. Project: Structural Biology of PKCα Protein Complexes in Cancer. -Thermal shift assays. -Crystallization screenings. -Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM).

Short stay from 17-07-2017 to 21-07-2017 in the IBS, Grenoble. Project: Structural Biology of PKCα Protein Complexes in Cancer. -SPR (surface plasmon resonance).

Short stay in the University of Oxford from 27-02-2017 to 3-03-17. Project: Structural Biology of PKCα Protein Complexes in Cancer. -Crystallization screenings -Thermal fluor assays.