Seino Jongkees

Specialty: Biochemistry and Chemistry
Personal story: I am a tenure track assistant professor in the department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery. I did my undergraduate studies in my home country of New Zealand, where I studied both chemistry and biochemistry as well as philosophy. From there I moved to Vancouver, Canada, for a Ph.D. in Chemistry, working on the chemical mechanisms of carbohydrate active enzymes. After that, I decided to move across the pacific again and carry out some post-doctoral research in Tokyo, Japan. This was accompanied by a shift in field, as I started working on peptide chemistry with an in vitro selection technology. In my research in Utrecht, we are looking at ways to target carbohydrate binding sites with peptide ligands, and also to develop new applications of peptide display technology. The iGEM competition struck me as a way to broaden my horizons and make new contacts, as well as a chance for me to pass on what I have picked up so far. I really like the idea of working on a student-driven project, where they are in control.

Team:Utrecht/Team