Raffaela D'Auria

Leading the end-to-end production of target proteins, from cloning and expression across diverse organisms to high-resolution purification utilizing the AKTA system. To support protein quality control and novel small molecule compound screening, I developed and optimized robust in-house assays, specifically HTRF displacement and DSF. My role also entailed driving chemical biology initiatives and protein modifications, where I executed advanced techniques such as diazirine labeling for photo-crosslinking and NEM for cysteine targeting. Furthermore, I managed high-impact collaborative projects with external partners, successfully coordinating crystallography and mass spectrometry analyses to evaluate novel covalent compounds.

Leveraging high-level technical expertise, I spearheaded the technology and knowledge transfer from the University of Cambridge, successfully bridging academia and industry to establish a robust protein expression workflow for an early-stage start-up. Demonstrating deep end-to-end operational capability, I independently built, equipped, and launched the company’s protein purification laboratory entirely from the ground up. To guarantee stable, reliable protein yields for downstream applications, I engineered and optimized a Eukaryotic Insect expression system tailored for the target protein. Additionally, I drove critical structural biology initiatives, accelerating a crystallography project by utilizing SnapGene to deliver precision construct designs.

I independently managed the Clean Tissue Culture facility, ensuring strict compliance while training the protein team on insect cell maintenance, baculovirus amplification, and expression protocols. My technical work spanned small-scale HTP and large-scale E. coli enzyme expression and purification. Furthermore, I collaborated with lab management to implement department-wide risk assessments and Health & Safety measures.