Stijn De Schepper

DC12

Intergation of IM-HRMS data into MD simuations to gain understanding the gas-phase transition of macromolucules

Uppsala University (Sweden)

Background

My academic journey began in 2019, when I started a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at Ghent University, Belgium. This culminated in a bachelor thesis at the Laboratory of Microbiology (LM-UGent), where I used MS to identify a gut bacterium in butterflies and hornets. This project first piqued my interest in MS and demonstrated the versatility of this technique.

I continued at Ghent University, pursuing a Master of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology, specialising in structural biology. This brought me to Sweden, where I spent a year at Umeå University as part of an Erasmus exchange. It also brought me back to LM-UGent for my master thesis. This research, conducted in cooperation with AmphiStar, focused on protein engineering and gave me expertise in molecular dynamics simulations (MD) of protein/ligand systems.

My research in the MobiliTraIN network focuses on the interplay between computational MD and experimental IM-HRMS. My work strives to facilitate the integration of data obtained from IM-HRMS into MD simulations. These findings will also be used to explore the gas-phase transition of proteins.

I’m excited to join the MobiliTraIN network, as it allows me to combine my knowledge of MD simulations and interest in IM-HRMS, and to work together with international experts in both of these fields. I hope our collective efforts can make IM-HRMS a fine addition to the versatile applications of MS.

Secondments

Micromass UK Ltd. (Waters)

Country:  United Kingdom

Duration: 3 months

Purpose: In silico design of artificial protein standards

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

Country:  France

Duration: 2 months

Purpose: Training in the measurement and reporting of CCS distributions of biotherapeutics under different conditions. Getting CCS data for subsequent MD simulations.

University of Geneva (UNIGE)

Country:  Switzerland

Duration: 3 months

Purpose: Training on energy-resolved CIU experiments for model proteins