One of OXIPRO’s aims is to encourage capacity building and upskilling among all its partners, and to provide opportunities to do so, particularly for Early Career Researchers (ECRs). Here we report on the recent experience of Espen Joon Søvik, who joined the Marine Biotechnology group at NORCE as part of his MSc journey.

 

Espen says:

I recently had the opportunity to be part of the Marine Biotechnology group at the NORCE Norwegian Research Center, where I successfully completed my Master’s thesis in molecular biology. My focus during this period was on a monooxygenase targeted for industrial application in the hydrolysis of fish byproducts. The goal is to use the enzyme to improve the organoleptic profile of the resulting protein hydrolysate, making it more palatable as a food ingredient.

 

My role involved searching for novel targets for this versatile enzyme and introducing specialized methods to streamline the mutant screening process, in addition to investigating potential leaks in the enzyme’s pathway. This experience allowed me to delve into a wide range of molecular methodologies, including protein expression in E. coli, protein purification and enzyme activity measurements, molecular cloning, and plasmid design, accruing skills that strongly align with my aspirations toward a career in research.

 

Throughout my time at NORCE, I enjoyed a positive and fulfilling experience. The group, consisting of strong leadership, experienced and competent researchers, provided a warm and welcoming environment. I encourage anyone interested in research grounded in modern applied biotechnology, with a clear vision for the future and well-defined goals, to explore the innovative work conducted by the Marine Biotechnology group in Bergen, Norway.