Stephen Muench
- Areas of expertise
- Stephen is an expert in membrane biology and cryoelectron microscopy providing essential expertise for the functionalisation and analysis of the artificial cells.
- Location
- UK: University of Leeds
Stephen is currently a Professor in membrane biology and structural biology at the University of Leeds. His group works on a range of different systems and technologies from developing new small molecules, membrane protein scaffolds, biosensors and time-resolved approaches.
Major contributions to the field include: (i) The use of EM to drive inhibitor design for membrane proteins such as TRPC1 and the bc1 complex, (ii) development of time-resolved methodologies for cryoEM, (iii) better understanding of sample preparation within single particle cryoEM, (iv) work on SMA polymers and hybrid vesicles with block co-polymers to improve membrane protein lifetimes.
Key references:
Cell-free expression and SMA copolymer encapsulation of a functional receptor tyrosine kinase disease variant, FGFR3-TACC3.
Snow A.J.D., Wijesiriwardena T., Lane B.J., Farrell B., Dowdle P.C., Katan M., et al.
Scientific Reports 15 (1), 2958 (2025)
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-86194-6
Cycloalkane-modified amphiphilic polymers provide direct extraction of membrane proteins for CryoEM analysis.
Higgins A.J., Flynn A.J., Marconnet A., Musgrove L.J., Postis V.L.G., Lippiat J.D., et al.
Communications Biology (vol 4, 1337, 2021)
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02834-3
Swinging lever mechanism of myosin directly shown by time-resolved cryo-EM.
Klebl D.P., McMillan S.N., Risi C., Forgacs E., Virok B., Atherton J.L., et al.
Nature, 642, 519β526 (2025)
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08876-5