Tom Sheard

My one-year MRC innovation placement with biotechnology company Badrilla has come to an end. It has been a pleasure to be a part of the Badrilla team, many thanks to John, Moninder, Richard and Ashlea.

Whilst on placement with Badrilla I aimed to undertake a research project developing new microscopy imaging probes for the cardiac ryanodine receptor, and learn about the workings of industry and its symbiosis with academia.

The research project concerning RyR peptide imaging probes was successful, concluding with a pre-print publication , check out my other blog post for more details. In undertaking this exciting research project, I got a chance to develop new skills in protein chemistry, bioconjugation, and structural biology, as well as implement existing skills in microscopy and cellular cardiology to a novel research question. It was stimulating to work with new international collaborators based in the USA and Mexico, and troubleshoot the experimental approach.

I spent a significant amount of time helping John assess the company eCommerce platform. This involved reviewing and optimising the current website in terms of Google Analytics, functionality and contents. I have also been involved with content creation, making the first steps into creating a Knowledge Base for the website. Further, I worked alongside Mo and Richard on a separate project, learning aspects of marketing strategy and intellectual property. It has been a refreshing change of pace to the scientific research to be able to explore these other aspects of working in industry.

Thanks again to all at Badrilla, collaborators on the research project, the MRC and DiMeN DTP for funding the innovation placement. With the conclusion of my placement, I am returning to work my PhD studentship work, hoping to hand-in in 2021.