Under the supervision of Prof. José Luis Mascareñas, Soraya Learte has recently defended his thesis entitled "Metallopeptides and Metalloproteins in Chemical Biology: from DNA Binding to Intracellular Catalysis". We invite Soraya to tell us about her time as a PhD student at CiQUS.
What is your research about?
My doctoral thesis describes the design, synthesis, and application of metallopeptides and metalloproteins within the area of Chemical Biology. The first chapter describes a new generation of DNA-binding peptides and miniproteins, which recognize engineered DNA sites with high affinity and selectivity. The second chapter focuses on a metallopeptide that is able to interact with an oncogenic protein and modify its activity. In the third section of this thesis, we discuss the use of a cell penetrating metallopeptide to carry out designed chemical reactions. The final chapter shows the design of a new type of metalloproteins capable of assemble inside living cells, with the aim of converting them into active artificial metalloenzymes.
What would you highlight from your experience at CiQUS these years?
Having completed my doctoral thesis in a research center such as CIQUS has been a privilege, since it is a highly prestigious international center equipped with resources and instruments to carry out research at a high scientific level. In addition, specifically, my doctoral thesis has been very interdisciplinary between the fields of biology and chemistry, so I have been able to learn many varied techniques and methodologies during these years, that will surely help me in my future.
On a personal level, it has been an experience and adventure that I would repeat without any doubt. I am Valencian and I moved to Santaigo to begin the thesis, and here I have met wonderful people who have already become not just in colleagues but in very good friends. In addition, this city is beautiful, the food is wonderful and despite its constant rain, it is very comfortable to live. It will be difficult for me to say goodbye to Galicia.
The way of the PhD is not an easy one with a lot of work, moments of frustration and stress. But I think that if you like research, it is very nice to be able to dedicate 4 years of your life to learn a lot about a field, and finally become an expert in that area and of course, a doctor. So, I would like to recomendent to the youger students think about this possibility in their futures.