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

Technical Consultant #2330


Expertise

  • 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.

Experience

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.

Honors & Publications


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

  • University of California, served as President of Graduate Student Association
  • Biological Sciences, University of California, Deans Honor Roll

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;

  • Nannochloropsis- enhanced production of eicosapentaenoic acid
  • Genetic analysis of vitamin B 12-dependent
  • Yeast telomere capping protein
  • Yeast chromosomes
  • DNA topoisomerase II- determinant (tensile properties)

Patents

  • Three patents listed

Education

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