Join us for The Chemistry of Life – Early Career Researchers Symposium!

Welcome to two inspiring days highlighting cutting-edge work by early‑career researchers in structural and chemical biology. The symposium features talks, posters, networking, and a MAX IV facility tour.

When: 21-22 May, 2026

Where: LINXS, The Loop, Rydbergs torg 4, Lund, Sweden

Organisers: Chemistry of Life Theme at LINXS, Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology second-year PhD students.

About

This two‑day symposium brings together early career researchers working across structural biology, chemical biology, biophysics, and molecular interactions. Participants will hear flash talks, thematic sessions, posters, and new research insights spanning targeted therapies, RNA biology, signalling, disease mechanisms, and more.
A guided MAX IV Tour is also included in the programme.

• Programme

  The programme is preliminary and may be subject to change

  Thursday, 21 May 2026

  09:00–12:00 — MAX IV Tour

  13:05–13:25 — Talk

  Speaker: Hagar Abdalla

  13:25–13:45 — Talk

  Speaker: Bouthayna Rabhi

  Lunch Break

  Session 1 — Structural, Biophysical and Molecular Interactions

  13:45–14:05 — Shu Gao
  Title:Investigating the Role of Cysteine Modifications in Oncogenicity of the KRAS G12C Mutant

  14:20–14:40 — Shaymaa Alkandari (TBC)
  Title:Using Long RNA Fragments to Investigate Protein–RNA Interactions in the Pathogenesis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

  Session 2 — Chemical Biology Approaches to Targeted Therapy

  Chair: Shu Gao (2nd chair TBC)

  14:45–15:05 — Nicholas Ralphs
  Title:Chemical and Biological Determinants of para‑Menthane‑3,8‑Diol Repellence in Malaria Vector Management

  15:05–15:25 — Charlotte Gwinnell
  Title:Tumour‑Specific Delivery of MCL1 Inhibitors Using Novel Peroxynitrite‑Cleavable Antibody‑Drug Conjugates

  15:30 — Poster Session & Dinner Buffet

  Friday, 22 May 2026

  Session 3 — Regulation of Cellular and Biological Systems

  Chair: TBC

  10:30–10:50 — Andy Hui
  Title:An Investigation of Mycobacterial Distributive Conjugal Transfer

  10:50–11:10 — Robert Blore
  Title:The Role of Haem in Plant Signalling and Regulation

  11:10–11:30 — Ethan York
  Title:Exploring the Role of Reactive Sulfur Species in Tumour Hypoxia

  11:30–11:50 — Connor Robertson
  Title:Mechanism of Control of 3D Genome Organisation

  12:00–13:00 — Lunch & Goodbyes

• Abstracts

  1. Structural and Mechanical Characterisation of a Macroscopic Fibre Induced by the Intrinsically Disordered Regions of Sam68

  Author: Hagar Abdalla
  Sam68 is a versatile RNA-binding protein with defined functions in RNA metabolism and oncogenic signalling. While its role in alternative splicing is well studied, its contribution to cytoskeletal reorganisation is less understood. Sam68 contains intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) enriched in low-complexity domains (LCDs), known to facilitate biomolecular condensate formation via liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS).
  Preliminary work shows that the N‑terminal IDR of Sam68 undergoes a structural shift when incubated with HeLa cytoplasmic extract, forming macroscopic fibres enriched with cytoskeletal and RNA-binding proteins. Using SEM, TEM, micro‑CT, and mass spectrometry, fibre formation has been validated in vitro, and its composition is being mapped.
  These findings suggest that an RNA-binding protein IDR can adopt higher-order structures under physiological conditions and may function as a molecular scaffold that organises cytoskeletal regulators. Current efforts focus on structural characterisation and mechanistic dissection of fibre assembly.

  2. Unravelling the Mechanism of BMX Activation in Health and Disease

  Author: Bouthayna Rabhi
  Apoptosis is essential for cellular homeostasis, with BAK functioning as a key effector protein. Its activation is controlled by the tyrosine kinase BMX, which phosphorylates BAK at Y108 to keep it inactive.
  This project aims to establish a structural model of BMX regulation through domain interactions and conformational changes. Individual BMX domains were expressed and purified, with crystallography and NMR used to study their organisation and interactions. Analytical gel filtration revealed a novel interaction between the PH/BTK and kinase domains.
  These findings highlight key intramolecular regulatory mechanisms that may open opportunities for developing selective BMX inhibitors beyond current kinase‑domain–targeting drugs.

  3. Investigating the Role of Cysteine Modifications in Oncogenicity of the KRAS G12C Mutant

  Author: Shu Gao
  KRAS.G12C can be targeted by covalent inhibitors, but efficacy is limited by post-translational modifications (PTMs) at Cys12, which may block inhibitor binding. Previous studies using a “Cys‑light” KRAS model suggested that Cys12 can undergo PTMs interfering with drug interaction, but it remains unknown whether this occurs in the presence of native cysteine residues.
  Recombinant KRAS.G12C was prepared and treated with modification reagents, with intact MS confirming that modifications occur at C12. Bottom-up MS to identify modified residues remains challenging due to reversible modification transfer and inefficient cysteine capping.
  This project aims to optimise capping conditions to obtain reliable PTM profiles of KRAS.G12C.

  4. Using Long RNA Fragments to Investigate Protein–RNA Interactions in SMA Pathogenesis (via 19F NMR)

  Author: Shaymaa Alkandari
  Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) arises from dysregulation of SMN2 pre‑mRNA splicing, particularly exon 7 inclusion/exclusion. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate these splicing events.
  This research examines how specific RBP RNA‑binding domains interact with parts of SMN2 pre‑mRNA using 19F‑labelled RNA and NMR. Short fluorinated RNAs already show distinct protein‑binding signatures, including evidence for competitive and cooperative RBP interactions.
  To explore more binding sites, longer fluorinated RNAs are needed. The project focuses on synthesising these via in vitro transcription and splinted ligation. The developed methods can be applied broadly to RNA–protein interaction studies across biological systems.

  5. Chemical and Biological Determinants of para-Menthane‑3,8‑Diol (PMD) Repellence in Malaria Vector Management

  Author: Nicholas Ralphs
  Vector‑borne diseases such as malaria and Zika disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. PMD, a naturally occurring monoterpenoid from lemon‑scented gum trees, is a promising non‑toxic mosquito repellent with efficacy comparable to DEET.
  PMD exists as eight stereoisomers; all are bioactive and can be sustainably synthesised. Its high molecular weight limits its use as a spatial repellent, so low‑molecular‑weight analogues are being developed.
  PMD also shows potential as a chemical larvicide due to partial water solubility. Improving solubility could enable its deployment in stagnant water where mosquito larvae develop.

  6. Tumour‑Specific Delivery of MCL1 Inhibitors Using Novel Peroxynitrite‑Cleavable Antibody–Drug Conjugates

  Author: Charlotte Gwinnell
  Apoptosis suppression via BCL2 family proteins is a hallmark of malignancy. MCL1 inhibitors have therapeutic potential but cause toxicity.
  This project explores antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) with peroxynitrite‑cleavable linkers to deliver MCL1 inhibitors specifically to tumour cells. Cancer cells overproduce peroxynitrite, enabling selective cleavage of the linker after internalisation, releasing the inhibitor only in malignant cells.
  Release also activates a fluorescence signal, enabling real‑time imaging and theranostic applications.

  7. An Investigation of Mycobacterial Distributive Conjugal Transfer

  Author: Andy Hui
  Mycobacteria use distributive conjugal transfer (DCT), an unusual form of horizontal gene transfer that produces genomic mosaicism and contributes to pathogen evolution.
  DCT relies on type VII secretion systems (T7SS), especially ESX‑1 and ESX‑4. Despite ESX‑1’s role in virulence, its structure remains unresolved.
  This study purifies and examines EccA1 and EccC, essential ATPases of ESX‑1, using cryo‑EM and other techniques to uncover mechanisms underlying DCT.

  8. The Role of Haem in Plant Signalling and Regulation

  Author: Robert Blore
  Haem is essential across organisms, performing roles in oxygen transport, redox chemistry, and enzymatic catalysis. Emerging evidence suggests it also has regulatory functions through transient binding to proteins.
  This study deploys the mEGFP‑mAPX haem sensor in plant cell lines for the first time, enabling non‑destructive monitoring of intracellular haem via MP‑FLIM microscopy.
  Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana expressing the sensor will be subjected to abiotic stress conditions to study haem dynamics. Additional biosensor development investigates oxidation-state‑specific haem binding.

  9. Exploring the Role of Reactive Sulfur Species in Tumour Hypoxia

  Author: Ethan York
  Hypoxia drives cancer progression and therapy resistance. While ROS have been considered key mediators of hypoxic oxidative stress, new evidence points to reactive sulfur species (RSS) as the true drivers.
  This project investigates RSS‑mediated signalling in hypoxia. Initial results show substantial increases in cellular RSS under hypoxic conditions, while ROS levels remain unchanged.
  Persulfide donor treatments mimic hypoxia‑induced phosphorylation patterns, suggesting RSS involvement in signalling cascades. Ongoing work integrates phosphoproteomics, transcriptomics, and sulfur‑omics, as well as patient‑derived tumour explants, to understand RSS‑driven immune and cellular responses.

  10. Mechanisms of Control of 3D Genome Organisation

  Author: Connor Robertson
  The 3D organisation of the genome influences gene expression, replication, and repair. At large scales, the genome segregates into active A and inactive B compartments; at smaller scales, TADs constrain regulatory interactions.
  This project investigates two regulatory layers:

  1. Regulation of p300, a major acetyltransferase controlling active chromatin compartments, with a focus on capturing structures of autoinhibited p300 and its activation by transcription factors.

  2. Cohesin–ligand interactions, examining how different cellular ligands influence cohesin’s role in genome topology.
     Together, this work aims to advance understanding of genome folding mechanisms.

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