Constanze Cavalier

MSc Biochemistry, 2018

I am a master’s research student in the Department of Biochemie. Previously I obtained a BSc in Biophysics at the Humboldt-University Berlin (Germany), with a medical and computer science background. In addition to experimental science, I am interested in Data Science for life science and Healthcare application.

My current work focuses on a fungal membrane protein which is a potential target for the treatment of fungal infections that are a significant threat to immunocompromised patients. Currently, I conduct research in the Biochemistry Department, where I explore polymer solubilisation of fungal membranes to study membrane proteins in their native lipid environment for applications in structural biology. I am working on membrane protein solubilisation and the further development of preparation of protein samples for structural research using a novel copolymer of styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) and Lipidomics to analyse copurified lipids. Structural information about membrane proteins in a preserved native environment and knowledge about the specific lipid analysis will help to tailor drugs against fungal infections.