Reece Muir

EDUCATION

College / University

Heriot-Watt University

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours)

Major Subjects

Biological Sciences (Molecular Biology, Microbiology)

Country

Scotland

Lab Experience

Gel electrophoresis (Agarose, SDS); PCR; Colony PCR; Bacterial culture; Bacterial transformation; Protein expression; Protein purification (Affinity, SEC); Restriction enzyme cloning; Plasmid DNA extraction; Cryo-EM (with assistance)

Projects / Research

2024 – 2025: Undergraduate Honours project, “Investigation of Microcin J25 Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Avian Environmental Samples and Advancement of Putative Novel Lasso Peptide BG_k127_389075”, supervisor: Dr. L. Kerr, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland
2024: Summer Intern, “Optimisation of single particle cryo-EM”, supervisor: Dr. C. Crowe-McAuliffe, Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
2023: Summer Intern, “Co-transcriptional miRNA biogenesis and the mechanism of host cap snatching by influenza RNA polymerase”, supervisor: Dr. A. H. Rotsch, Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany

Scholarships / Awards

2025 – 2026:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2025:	Louis Fletcher Memorial Prize
2021 – 2022, 2023 – 2024:	Two-time recipient of the Deputy Principal’s Award

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I am currently interested in the idea of exploring underexplored environments to discover novel compounds that could help address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). I am also keen to understand how structural biology, combined with AI, can improve drug discovery for AMR and related challenges, particularly in areas like predictive modelling and compound screening. As I begin this programme, I am excited to explore various research areas and see how my interests evolve as I gain exposure to new ideas and methods. I am looking forward to developing my analytical and technical skills, both in the wet and dry lab. I hope this degree will help me find my research niche, while also building the confidence and independence needed to become a competent researcher, ultimately preparing me for a future PhD.