Synthetic Biology: Immunology, DNA, Specialty Chemicals, and Nutraceutical Products Consultant

Technical Consultant #2330

Assessments and due diligence for funding of synthetic biology companies. Mentor to start-ups within the Biological portfolio to attain seed and series funding.
Synthetic biology, specialty chemicals, and nutraceutical products.
Develop and execute cell-based, immuno, and molecular assays for release of large molecule therapeutics.
Development of assays for large molecule therapeutics from multiple modalities including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), T-cell engagers, and small peptides.
CHO cell-line development to produce the next generation of recombinant protein therapeutics, using CRISPR gene editing, RNAi, automated cloning, and high throughput screening techniques.
Maintenance, transfection, and testing of mammalian cell lines for potency, cytotoxicity, proliferation, and gene expression assays.
Immunological testing including ID ELISA, residual Protein A, and CHO host cell protein.
DNA testing for residual CHO cell DNA using qPCR analysis.
Oversight of next-generation sequences approaches for production cell lines.
Laboratory compliance in a GMP environment with strict adherence to FDA regulatory guidelines.

Expert Witness Experience

Due Diligence for synthetic biology company producing flavors, fragrances, and specialty chemicals.
Due Diligence for synthetic biology company producing first in class pain relief drugs.

Undisclosed Company, Senior Scientist, 2015 - Present

Gene Editing and Release Testing

Managing a team of over ten Ph.D., scientists, associate scientists, and senior associates to develop and execute cell-based, immuno, and molecular assays for release of large molecule therapeutics.
Development of assays for large molecule therapeutics from multiple modalities including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), T-cell engagers, and small peptides.
CHO cell-line development to produce the next generation of recombinant protein therapeutics, using CRISPR gene editing, RNAi, automated cloning, and high throughput screening techniques.
Maintenance, transfection, and testing of mammalian cell lines for potency, cytotoxicity, proliferation, and gene expression assays.
Collaborations with external CRO and CMO for the timely completion of projects and initial submission of IND.
Immunological testing including ID ELISA, residual Protein A, and CHO host cell protein.
DNA testing for residual CHO cell DNA using qPCR analysis.
Oversight of next-generation sequences approaches for production cell lines.
Laboratory compliance in a GMP environment with strict adherence to FDA regulatory guidelines.

Stanford University, Stanford CA, Staff Scientist, 2014 - 2015

Gene Editing and Laboratory Manager-Department of Biology

Combining CRISPR genome editing tools and Illumina DNA/RNA next-generation sequencing to address the regulation and evolution of gene expression and human disease.
Genome-wide scans to identify mechanisms of evolution in the budding yeast, S. cerevisiae and in mammalian systems.
Examining species hybrids to identify the molecular mechanism of gene expression adaptation.
Laboratory manager in charge of purchasing, training, safety, and budgeting.

Aurora Algae Inc. , Hayward CA, Senior Scientist, 2011 - 2014

Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering

Group Lead directly responsible for designing, training, and implementation of molecular biology and metabolic engineering assays.
Project manager for high throughput screen for generation of non-GMO production strain.
Generation of algae strains with over 50% increased yields of omega-3 fatty acids which were sent to the field.
Next-generation sequencing platforms used to assemble DNA genomes and RNA transcriptomes to identify and annotate genes.
Analysis of large data sets from high-throughput screens, next-generation sequencing, and photobioreactors using Excel, Spotfire, GraphPad Prism, and Toad for MySQL.
Managed several research associates, interns, and other scientists on a variety of projects.
Primary author on four patents contributing to algal strain development.

Scientist, Strain Development

Numerous approaches used to engineer strains for increased lipid production including classic mutagenesis, homologous recombination, protein evolution, overexpression constructs, and high throughput screening using liquid handling robotics.
Characterization of strains using GC lipid analysis, qPCR, Western blotting, and flow cytometry.
Synthetic biology techniques used to engineer algae and yeast including Gibson assembly, CRISPR genome editing, synthesized gene scaffolds, and in-vivo assembly of overlapping DNA.
Preparation of samples for next generation sequencing instruments including Ion Torrent and Illumina systems.
Construction of vectors in-silico using Vector NTI and DNAStar Lasergene Core Suite.

Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, Postdoctoral Fellow, 2009 - 2011

Department of Systems Biology

Genetic manipulation of yeast strains to assay key proteins involved in genetic stability and chromosome segregation as it relates to cancer progression.
Engineered proteins in S. cerevisiae and E. coli strains with fluorescent and epitope tags that can be assayed using SDS-PAGE, Western analysis, ChIP, and imaging techniques.
High resolution live-cell fluorescence microscopy used to determine protein distribution and function in real time using solid-state illumination microscopy.
Correlate in-vitro crystal structure of kinetochore proteins with in-vivo function.

University of California, Riverside CA, Graduate Researcher, 2002 - 2009

Department of Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology

Using S. cerevisiae as a model organism elucidated the functional significance of DNA Topoisomerase II during chromosome segregation.
Developed time - and cost - efficient method for chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) in yeast.
Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assays developed using scanning confocal microscopy.
Identification of function of SUMO protein conjugation to Topoisomerase II.
Novel assays created for visualization of in-vivo chromosome topology in yeast.

Credentials

Postdoctoral Fellow - Harvard Medical School, Department of Systems Biology
Good Manufacturing Practices ( cGMP) - The Center for Professional Innovation and Education

Academic and Professional Affiliations

Awards

Symposium for Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology (UC Riverside). First place award, Second place award and peer-reviewed award

Publications

Author and Co-Author of numerous publications in the area of;

Patents

Ph.D. Cell, Molecular - Developmental Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA
B.S. Biological Sciences, University of California, Riverside CA