BiocatCode Expander Stories:

Beyond the Bench #9

Emilia Iglesias Moncayo

Hi everyone!

A bit more than two years ago, I started my Ph.D. journey in the BiocatCodeExpander consortium at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Moving to the Netherlands has been a wonderful experience, not only on an academic level but also on a personal one.

My Ph.D. project explores the design of new artificial enzymes using noncanonical amino acids based on secondary and tertiary amines. It has been a fascinating journey that has allowed me to combine my interest in chemistry with my curiosity about biology. I am very grateful to have great colleagues who are always willing to discuss science and help to keep the project moving forward. Besides work, it is always great to enjoy borrels together and to learn new techniques in the boulder gym.

However, not everything is just science. Amsterdam is a wonderful city to live in, and after two years, I am happy to share that I have picked up certain essential Dutch skills while biking that I hope will serve me well later on in life. Furthermore, I am a big fan of kruidnoten, stroopwafels, and oliebollen, which help me get through the Dutch winter.

Being part of BiocatCodeExpander has also allowed me to meet other great Ph.D. candidates across Europe and learn from them. They inspired me and have helped me overcome challenges in the laboratory on multiple occasions. In 2024, I had the opportunity to complete a secondment in Spain, and I am currently in Atlanta learning more about computational approaches to the design of artificial enzymes.

BiocatCode Expander Stories:

Beyond the Bench #8

Lauren Quintero

Hello everyone!!! My name is Lauren Quintero, and I am a PhD student working on Project 4 of the BiocatCodeExpander consortium. Two years and two months ago, I changed my entire life and moved from the other side of the Atlantic to Europe to begin my PhD. Fortunately, my university, Rovira i Virgili, is located in a city in Catalonia (Tarragona), in the south of Spain, on the Mediterranean coast. This means it has very favorable weather, and in that sense, it reminds me a lot of my homeland. Although the change was drastic, little by little over time, I have adapted and started to see it as my second home.

The change has not only been personal but also professional, because although I graduated in Chemistry, I had never worked in organic synthesis before. Now, in the SINTCARB lab in Spain, I focus on the synthesis of silicon non-canonical amino acids for genetic code expansion, which is one of the objectives of our project. Working in an organic synthesis lab is tough: you spend many hours setting up reactions, testing conditions, and then studying column behavior or performing purifications. It can also be very frustrating at times, because despite putting in a lot of effort, you don’t always obtain the results you want or the best yields. However, in the end, a solution to the problem is always found. As part of the reward, I have had the opportunity to meet wonderful people, make new friends, and enjoy the beautiful landscape of this region and its beaches, which, although they are not the Caribbean, are still stunning, as well as its incredible gastronomy.

As if that were not enough, in August of this year I moved again, this time for four months to Vienna, Austria, to carry out my first secondment at the Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, where another of our colleagues, Andrea Borgonovo, is working. Here, once again, I shifted from gram-scale reactions and flash chromatography column purifications to Eppendorf tubes and micropipettes. In other words, a completely different kind of science. I am now studying the genetic incorporation of the silicon ncAAs synthesized in Spain. This is my last week here, and part of me does not want to leave, because I must say that I have learned a lot, I love the working environment, and I have received excellent supervision. On the other hand, the city is beautiful, one of the most beautiful in Europe, in my opinion, and life here truly fascinates me. I have thoroughly enjoyed these four months discovering its majestic palaces, interesting museums, and lovely squares—here, even everyday life feels like art!!! I have also been fortunate to be here at this time of year and to experience the magic of Christmas in this wonderful city, especially through its traditional and charming Christmas markets. In addition, I have had the opportunity to visit other charming cities near to Vienna, such as Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, and Ljubljana.

BiocatCode Expander Stories:

Beyond the Bench #7

Stela Galusic

Greetings from Graz!

Hi everyone! It is hard to believe that it has been around a year and a half since I started my PhD journey here in Graz. Time really does fly when you are having fun (at least they say so).

Most of my days start around 9 a.m. and every day can be quite different. Some days I spend hours in the lab doing experiments and collecting data. On other days, I am glued to my computer analyzing results, reading papers or planning the next experiments. My research focuses on developing a high-throughput assay for screening of enzymes and later incorporating NCAAs into the enzyme I am working with. Like every PhD student can most probably confirm, there are periods of amazing progress and periods of complete chaos, and it often feels like they are happening at the same time.

One of the best parts of my work in Graz is the people I get to share my time and space with. I had the opportunity to meet amazing people from all over the world. Also, my dear colleague Odyseass is just one floor away. Sometimes we cross paths during experiments or have productive brainstorming sessions together. As you can see, he is always very happy to see me!

And of course, I have to mention that none of the work that I do, or anyone else in my office, would not be possible without our dear friend Paula <3. She is always there for us, early mornings, late evenings and keeps us running smoothly.

Outside of the lab, Graz has plenty to offer. It is a beautiful and charming little city that has quickly become a second home to me. I am very grateful that it’s not too far away from my real home in Croatia, which means I have a chance to visit my family and friends often, a luxury that not everyone has.

So far, this PhD journey has been full of challenges, discoveries, and constant learning. Some days can be tough, but I am lucky to be surrounded by great people that make all this much easier for me!

Till next time!

Do less, God bless,

Stela 😊

BiocatCode Expander Stories:

Beyond the Bench #6

Jan Hendrik

Science, Collaboration and the First Two Years of My PhD Journey

Hi everyone! I am Jan Hendrik, a PhD student in Amsterdam and part of the BiocatCodeExpander Consortium. Nearly two years have passed since I started this journey in July 2023, and it has been a time filled with science, collaboration, and quite a bit of travel.

Early on, I had the chance to contribute to a shared first-author review in Chemical Reviews with my colleague Emilia and a fantastic team from Groningen. Working on this comprehensive article provided a deep dive into the field and laid a solid foundation for my research ahead. More recently, we published an article in ChemBioChem, accepted in June 2025, which is directly connected to my PhD project. My work focuses on the biosynthesis and direct incorporation of non-canonical amino acids—a technically demanding area with exciting potential for real-world applications down the line.

A highlight of the past two years was a four-month research stay in Winnipeg, Canada, in the summer and early autumn of 2024. Together with Diego, I joined Prof. Ned Budisa’s lab, where I worked closely with Huy Luu, a PhD student in the group. Adapting to a new lab setting, exchanging techniques, learning about Genetic Code Expansion techniques, and approaching challenges from different angles was both a learning experience and a refreshing change of pace.

Outside the lab, I have been fortunate to present at several international conferences, including NextGenBioCat 2024 in Crete, the Protein Society’s annual meeting in Vancouver, and NextGenBioCat 2025 in Milan. These meetings have been great for sharing our work and getting feedback from a broader scientific community. I have also really valued the BiocatCodeExpander training weeks in Amsterdam, Graz, and Berlin—intensive but energising weeks of collaborative learning and exchange with other PhD students and PIs from across the consortium.

Living in Amsterdam has added a special dimension to this experience. The Dutch cycling culture makes commuting a pleasure, and being able to escape to the beach after work or on weekends brings a welcome balance. I have also come to enjoy the rhythm of life here—from lively discussions with colleagues over coffee (and the occasional stroopwafel) to the straightforward, open communication style that characterises Dutch research culture.

These past two years have gone by quickly, but they have been full of growth and discovery. I am looking forward to what comes next.

Until next time,

Jan Hendrik

BiocatCode Expander Stories:

Beyond the Bench #5

Diego

Hello everyone, I’m Diego! 😊

Almost two years ago, I decided to shake up my scientific journey by moving from my home country, Italy, to a completely new one — Czechia. My goal? To contribute to an exciting and innovative research field offered by BiocatcodeExpander!

A typical day as a PhD candidate starts with me waking up (a success on its own!) and getting my daily dose of caffeine to be fully functional once I arrive at Enantis. My research focuses on incorporating non-canonical amino acids into fibroblast growth factors, with the aim of giving these powerful proteins new or improved properties.

No two days are exactly the same — they’re usually a mix of lab work, office tasks, and meetings. After work, I make sure to squeeze in some social time. And what better way to do that than enjoying a Czech beer with friends at a local bar?

Right now, I’m in Spain, spending part of my PhD in beautiful San Sebastian. Here, I’m working with Cecilia, learning new techniques to incorporate non-canonical amino acids, especially azidohomoalanine. This secondment will last three months, until the end of August. I’ve also had the chance to spend four months in Winnipeg, Canada, working with Jan Hendrik — another incredible experience!

Can’t wait to keep collecting exciting data and making progress!

Cheers,
Diego

BiocatCode Expander Stories:

Beyond the Bench #4

Odysseas

Hello guys! Greetings from Graz!

It has been a little over a year since the start of my academic journey in Graz, Austria. Reflecting on the year that passed, there were more than a few highlights! Getting acquainted with the workspaces and meeting my new labmates, exploring and shopping in my new city, learning about the project and having experiments work wonderfully or fail hilariously, traveling for conferences and training events with all the members of our consortium, welcoming friends and family to my new home. A few unfathomable moments were also spread throughout the year, like an unexpected house visit from a bat in the middle of the night (alternative Batman origin story?). Every one of these experiences was laced with anxiety, excitement and at times pure wonder, and even though the passing months seemed heavily packed and difficult to get by, looking back I feel like it was all part of a dream.

Time really flies when you are having fun!

For my thesis, I am focusing on incorporating non-canonical amino acids into enzymes, replacing residues that play crucial roles for catalysis or active site architecture and thus directly influencing the mechanism and biochemical properties. So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed the development of my project since it has allowed me to utilize knowledge I gained during my studies and has led me to learn from and collaborate with brilliant researchers on new techniques and ideas. It has been a challenging, but also quite rewarding process.

On another note, moving from my home city (Athens) to Graz came with a mild shock towards day-to-day routines, but also a sense of validation in my decision. The city offers many choices for leisure activities and spending free time with friends, while its size and rhythm of life make it ideal for the needs of a doctoral student. Strolling around the city centre really feels like a fairytale, especially during wintertime and the holiday season. Bonus: Waking up super early was never really my thing, although ever since moving into my apartment, the stunning views have made breakfast overlooking the sunrise a daily habit!!

That is all for now! Getting lost in everyday problems and feeling that no progress is being made is common, but taking a few moments to reflect on the past months and suddenly nothing is left but a feeling of gratitude. Exciting events await in the near future: conferences, my secondments and of course collaborating and exchanging ideas with the fellow researchers from our consortium. I will tell you all about it in my next post.

Until next time, may the bands on your SDS-PAGE look crispier than ever!!

Ody

BiocatCode Expander Stories:

Beyond the Bench #1

Liu

I am thrilled to share that I have completed my first year as a doctoral researcher in the European Doctoral Network BiocatCodeExpander and at the University of Groningen. Everything was new to me after moving to The Netherlands from China. Fortunately, I got used to the life here quickly and enjoyed it. Research-wise, I am working with an interesting biocatalyst that utilizes N-terminal proline as a catalytic residue, 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT). Non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) were aimed to be incorporated into 4-OT for exploration and improvement of promiscuous activities. Some variants have been prepared successfully so far and further exploration is ongoing. Here I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Gerrit J. Poelarends for the supervision, encouragement, and suggestions which are always detailed and helpful. I am also happy to have so many nice colleagues who bright my life and help me with the experiments. Training events within our BiocatCodeExpander consortium are definitely exciting.

I have finished my first secondment with Dr. Ivana Drienovská, which was a nice experience to work with her and the lovely colleagues there. During the 4-month secondment, I got a better understanding of genetic code expansion. I learned how to incorporate various ncAAs into protein scaffolds and characterize enzymes with incorporated ncAAs. I also learned how to chemically synthesize secondary ncAAs, where I practiced setting up a chemical reaction and doing column chromatography for product purification. I believe the skills I obtained in Dr. Ivana Drienovská’s group are beneficial to my whole research. In our consortium, two workshops, Synthetic Biology School at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Biocatalysis & Enzyme Engineering School at Graz University of Technology, have been hosted, where we presented and discussed the research progress with PIs and DC colleagues, as well as worked at labs for new experimental skills. The semiannual workshops are quite attractive and informative. I have already looked forward to our next workshop in Berlin!

Best,

Liu