Chloe Wright

2014 - 2017: BSc Biological Sciences (University of East Anglia)

2017 – 2021: UEA funded PhD, School of Biological Sciences (University of East Anglia)

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My PhD, supervised by Dr Laura Lehtovirta-Morley, focussed on exploring the structure and function of the ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) from ammonia oxidising archaea (AOA), a key enzyme in the nitrification pathway catalysing the oxidation of ammonia to hydroxylamine. Active AMO is difficult to purify. By characterizing the inhibition of archaeal AMOs to specific inhibitors and comparing with other members of the copper-dependent membrane monooxygenase family, I provided insights into the structure of the archaeal AMO active site(s) and its potential substrate range.

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My current research in the Murrell lab focuses on characterising the kinetic parameters of key enzymes in the microbial isoprene degradation pathway.  This includes the isoprene monooxygenase (IsoMO), a soluble di-iron monooxygenase (SDIMO) which has homology to the soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) as well as the alkene/aromatic monooxygenases, and catalyses the oxidation of isoprene to epoxyisoprene. 

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Techniques used: PCR, cloning, gas chromatography, O2 electrode, protein purification, enzyme kinetics