Field of Expertise
I specialize in protein chemistry with a focus on collagen biochemistry, proteomics, and peptidomics. My research integrates advanced analytical techniques to investigate protein structure, function, and modifications, particularly within collagen and collagen-derived peptides.
Key areas of expertise include:
- Collagen Biochemistry: In-depth study of collagen's molecular structure, assembly, and functional properties, with a focus on oxidative modifications and cross-linking processes.
- Proteomics: Application of proteomic techniques to analyze protein profiles, identify post-translational modifications, and track molecular processes in collagen and related proteins.
- Peptidomics: Profiling collagen-derived peptides to explore their physiological, functional, and bioactive properties, including roles in wound healing, inflammation, and taste modification.
- Collagen Utilisation: Developing innovative methods for the extraction, purification, and fractionation of collagen from underutilised animal by-products, enhancing its value for use in food and biomaterial applications.
Expertise
The underutilisation of collagen-rich by-products, such as skin, bones, and tendons from the meat industry, presents a significant opportunity for innovation in multiple sectors, including food, biomedicine, and material science. Despite their abundant availability, these collagen sources remain largely untapped, with limited application beyond basic uses, despite their substantial bioactive and structural potential.
As a Senior Scientist at AgResearch Ltd., my expertise lies in protein chemistry and the functional conversion of collagen, with a focus on leveraging advanced proteomic technologies to optimise the extraction, characterisation, and application of collagen-based materials. My research addresses key industry challenges by employing techniques such as chromatography, electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry to investigate the molecular processes underlying collagen function, oxidative modifications, and cross-linking, as well as the discovery of bioactive peptides.
Key areas of my expertise include:
- Collagen Extraction and Purification: I have developed proprietary methods for isolating and fractionating collagen from low-value animal by-products, improving yields and enhancing the quality of collagen for diverse applications, from food to biomaterials.
- Characterisation of Bioactive Collagen Peptides: Through comprehensive peptidomic profiling, I identify collagen-derived peptides with potential therapeutic, physiological, and functional properties, including wound healing, anti-inflammatory effects, and bioactivity relevant to taste enhancement in food products.
- Collagen in Biomaterial Development: My research into the molecular assembly and structural integrity of collagen provides critical insights for developing collagen-based biomaterials with tailored properties for use in medical devices, tissue engineering, and other advanced applications.
By combining molecular understanding with applied proteomic techniques, I aim to address critical gaps in collagen utilisation, enabling the transformation of waste streams into high-value materials. This expertise offers solutions to pressing challenges in sustainable food production, healthcare, and biomaterials development, with the potential to advance both industrial applications and scientific understanding of collagen’s versatile properties.