Lior Almagor

Staff Research Scientist @ Stanford University School of Medicine

About

Research Scientist: Protein Biochemistry / Structural Biology / Mechanistic Biology • Expert in protein science with extensive hands-on experience designing and executing biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays across multiple protein targets, including kinases, ion channels, and transporters • Deep interest in elucidating the structural basis of protein-protein interactions and mechanisms of action, with a comprehensive understanding of structure-function relationships and a proactive approach to solving long-standing challenges • Independent, productive researcher: proven ability to design creative, reproducible, and generalizable experiments; derive mechanistic insights from experimental data; and develop testable scientific models • Excellent in maintaining rigorous scientific records and communicating results clearly through team presentations, international meetings, and peer-reviewed publications • Strong communication skills with a proven ability to successfully collaborate with other researchers and effectively mentor graduate students and peers Protein Science Competencies • Protein engineering, construct design, stability optimization, and rational design of mutations • Optimization of expression and purification workflows to produce high-purity proteins at high yield • Production of challenging targets, including multi-protein complexes and membrane proteins • 3D structure elucidation by Cryo-EM and crystallography; structure analysis, and interpretation • Protein–protein interaction (PPI) characterization (e.g., BLI, SPR, FP, ITC) • Enzymatic assays for kinase kinetics and the study of mechanisms of action • Assays for phosphorylation, membrane binding, receptor activation, and ion transport • Cell-based assays, including ion-channel electrophysiology

Country

United States

City

San Francisco Bay Area

Industry

Research

Skill

Article Writing, Data Collection, Data Analytics, Protein Expression, Enzyme Kinetics, assay, Natural Sciences, Scientific Background, Enzyme Assays, Bioconjugation, Assay Development, Data Analysis, Structure Determination, Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC), Data Processing, Western Blotting, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Protein Production, Immunoassays, Cell Biology

Experience

Staff Research Scientist

Stanford University School of Medicine

2017 - Present · 9 yrs

Protein Engineering / Production • Apply protein engineering to optimize construct design for stability, homogeneous complex assembly, and functional requirements. • Design and execute recombinant protein expression (e.g., mammalian, bacterial, insect) and purification by FPLC chromatography (AKTA, Biorad), ensuring proteins are fit-for-purpose for downstream assays. • Develop target-specific methods for high-quality production of diverse, challenging proteins, including transmembrane proteins, lipid-protein, and multi-protein complexes. • Establish experimental procedures using bioconjugation techniques to perform precise chemical modifications of proteins. Experimental Design and Execution • Determine Ligand-bound protein complex structures using Cryo-EM, including grid preparation, data collection, data processing (Cryosparc, Relion), model building, refinement, and validation (Phenix, Coot). • Determine protein structures using X-ray crystallography, including hit finding by high-throughput screening, crystal optimization, data collection, processing, model building, refinement, and validation. • Implement biochemical and biophysical techniques to study PPI, protein chemistry, and structural properties, including BLI, FP, ITC, MST, SPR, MALS, CD, and bioluminescence assays. • Design and execute data-driven and structure-based biochemical assays to investigate functional mechanisms and enzymatic properties of protein kinases and kinase-binding proteins. • Develop and implement assays to study molecular proximity using specifically engineered protein-fragment complementation assays. • Apply biochemical methods to investigate mechanisms in GPCR activation. Data Analysis, Modeling, and Knowledge Sharing • Visualize (PyMOL, Chimera) and analyze 3D molecular structure data to design structure-function studies. through rational mutation design, followed by downstream functional assays. • Develop mechanistic models through the analysis of multimodal experimental data.