Research Assistant

Location:

Plattsburgh, NY

Posted:

November 17, 2012

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Resume:

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: Vrushank Dav

Position: Assistant Professor of Pathology & Cell Biology

Assistant Professor of Oncologic Sciences

Member, H. Lee. Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Molecular Oncology, Drug Discovery & Experimental Therapeutics

Address: Department of Pathology & Cell Biology

College of Medicine, MDC-11

University of South Florida

12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33612

Office: 813-***-**** Lab: 813-***-****

Fax: 813-***-****

E-mail: *****@******.***.***

Nationality: USA

PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVES:

To establish a vigorous research program, participate in teaching medical & graduate students, and

interact productively with strong teams of basic and clinical scientists, developing mouse models of

lung diseases, including lung cancer.

To continue to build upon extramurally funded programs in molecular developmental biology and

develop cancer biology/genetics research projects for high throughput small molecule drug screening,

target elucidation for preclinical/clinical trials.

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

- Tissue-specific inducible & conditional (Cre/loxP) mouse models to elucidate molecular mechanisms of

transcription regulation & cell signaling in lung fibrosis & lung cancer using systems biology approach

Mechanistic understanding of initiation of lung fibrosis & lung cancer using candidate gene approach

Epithelial cell polarity & Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

TEACHING INTERESTS:

Medical Students: Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Cell Signaling, Molecular Biology & Cancer.

Graduate: Chromatin Structure & Dynamics, Histone Code, Mechanism of transcription, replication &

repair, cell signaling, cell-cell communication, cell-polarity, tissue-specific transcription factors & gene

regulatory elements (enhancers/insulators/silencers/LCRs) in development & diseases. Role of unusual

DNA structures, chromatin remodeling & nucleosome modifications, epigenetics in cancer & other

diseases.

EDUCATION:

B.Sc. 1985 Biochemistry (Hons.), Zoology (Elective) St. Xavier s College, India

M.Sc. 1987 Biotechnology (Cell & Molecular Biology)

MS University, Dept. of Biotechnology, Baroda, India

Ph.D. 1994 Biotechnology (Cell & Molecular Biology), Jawaharlal Nehru University

Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, India

Thesis: Bam HI Restriction Endonuclease: Mechanism Underlying

dsDNA Sequence Specific Recognition

Postdoc. 1994 -1996 Cell & Molecular Biology, Division of Molecular Cardiology, University

of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH

Research: Tissue-Specific Transcriptional Regulation of Cardiac,

Smooth, & Skeletal Muscle Specific Genes

Res. Assoc. 1996 -2001 Molecular Developmental Biology, Division of Developmental Biology,

University of Cincinnati Children s Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH

Research: Target gene selectivity mediated by Homeodomain and

Zinc-finger transcription factors during Early Embryogenesis

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS:

Research Instructor Division of Neonatology & Pulmonary Biology, College of Medicine

(2001-2006) University of Cincinnati Children s Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH

Research Assistant Professor Division of Neonatology & Pulmonary Biology, College of Medicine

(2006-2010) University of Cincinnati Children s Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH

Assistant Professor Department of Pathology & Cell Biology,

Dept of Oncologic Sciences

University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida

Member, Moffitt Cancer Center Program in Drug Discovery

Program in Molecular Oncology

Program in Experimental Therapeutics

Cancer Biology Graduate Program

AWARDS & HONORS:

2008-12 Research Grant: American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant SDG-National,

Topic: Calcineurin Effectors in Pulmonary Homeostasis.

2011-- Member, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Programs in Drug Discovery, Molecular Oncology &

Experimental Therapeutics. Graduate Program in Cancer Biology

2008-- Member, Cincinnati Cancer Consortium & Joint Cancer Program of the University Of Cincinnati

College Of Medicine & Children s Hospital Research Foundation.

2011 Invited Senior Lead Facilitator at the American Thoracic Society (ATS), May 13th-18th, Denver, CO.

2011 Invited Speaker: International Conference on Recent Advances in Cancer Research, Central University

of Gujarat, India. February 19-20, 2011.

2011 Session s Chair: World Congress on Biotechnology: Utilizing Conditional & Inducible Mouse Models for

Systems Biology Approaches. March 21-23, 2011.

2010 Invited Facilitator at American Thoracic Society (ATS) for Lung Fibrosis Section. New Orleans, LA.

2007-09 Research Grant: Ohio Cancer Associates: PTEN/PI3K/AKT Pathway in Lung Cancer

2005-07 Research Grant: American Heart Association: Calcinurin/NFAT Pathway in Lung Formation & Function

2005 Invited Speaker: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Meeting, New York: Protein Phosphorylation & Cell

Signaling. Title: Calcineurin/NFAT Pathway in Lung Formation & Function

2004 Invited Speaker: FASEB Summer Research Conference: Lung Surfactant: Cellular & Molecular

Biology, Saxton Rivers, Vermont. Title: Transcriptional Regulation of the murine SP-D gene: Synergistic

interaction between NFATs, C/EBPs & TTF-1.

2003-05 Research Grant: American Lung Association, National: Early Molecular Events in Lung Specification

1994 Invited Speaker: American Heart Association (AHA) 67th Scientific Session, Dallas, Texas

Title: Gene Expression & Cardiac Mechanics in Primate Early Pressure Overload Hypertrophy.

1991 Invited Speaker: Delhi Public School, India. Title: Prevention & Novel Drugs for HIV AIDS

1990 Invited Speaker: B.J. Medical College, India, Title: DNA Structure & Transcription Factors

1990 Invited Speaker: St. Xavier s College, India. Title: DNA-Protein Interaction Studies & Gene Transcription

1989 Invited Speaker: Dept. of Life Sciences, JN University. Title: RNA Editing & Gene Function

1987-92 Fellowship: Jawaharlal Nehru University Graduate Research Fellow, India.

1988-93 Fellowship: Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India.

1990-93 Fellowship: University Grants Commission (UGC), Senior Research Fellow, Govt. of India

1988-90 Fellowship: University Grants Commission (UGC), Junior Research Fellow, Govt. of India

1988-90 DBT Fellowship: Selected amongst top 4 students in the National PhD in Biotechnology

Entrance Exam conducted by the Dept. of Biotechnology for graduate studies, Govt. of India

1987-92 Fellowship: IIT GATE Fellow, Indian Institute of Technology

1985-87 DBT Fellowship: Selected amongst top 20 students in the National Master of Biotechnology

Entrance Exam conducted by Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India

1985 Biochemistry Honors Degree with University First Class & Rank (GPA: 3.9)

1985 Best Research Project in Biochemistry, St. Xavier's College, India

TEACHING:

2006-10 Assistant Professor - Research: Formal Lectures (last 5 yrs) for Advanced Molecular

Genetics Course MG 710-001, Dept. of Molecular Genetics. Conduct exam for the course.

Use E-learning software, Blackboard, and other electronic media. Teach cell & molecular

biology/biochemistry techniques to rotation graduate students, summer students in the lab

CURRENT RESEARCH:

Tissue-specific conditional mouse models of pulmonary epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and epithelial

cell polarity in lung fibrosis. Role of pVHL & HIFs in genetic/epigenetic regulation of EMT.

- PI3K/PTEN/mTOR and ancillary signaling pathways associated with chemo-resistant lung cancer. Epigenetic

signatures that characterize cancer initiating stem cells (CISCs)

- Transcriptional regulatory networks in lung development & lung diseases: Calcinurin/NFAT signaling.

- Structure-function studies: Transcription factor-DNA & protein-protein interaction in specific gene regulation.

LABORATORY TRAINING TO STUDENTS:

DNA isolation, purification and manipulation utilizing state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques. Restriction

digestion, molecular cloning, sequencing and DNA analysis

RNA purification, quantitative Real Time-PCR, Northern blots

Full-length human/mammalian gene characterization & cloning

Construction of recombinant plasmids for large scale expression of proteins for affinity purification for structure

function studies

Site-directed mutational analysis for DNA or protein structure-function studies

DNA-protein interaction studies to identify critical amino acids and DNA bases utilizing gel-shift assays and

DNase I and chemical footprinting assays on sequencing Urea-PAGE

Protein-Protein interactions utilizing co-immunoprecipitations (Co-Ips), GST-pull downs

In vitro recombinant protein synthesis to study protein-protein interactions, domain analysis, DNA-protein

interactions, DNA-protein affinity measurements

Column chromatography based purification of proteins (ion-exchange, reverse-phase-RPC, Ab-affinity and gel

exclusion), and the use of FPLC/HPLC methods

Insect and mammalian cell culture to over-express and purify post-translationally modified proteins for

structure-function studies.

Viral culture/amplification of Adenoviral vectors to express proteins in mammalian cells.

siRNA/shRNA technology to knock-down gene expression of proteins to understand their role in signal

transduction/transcriptional pathways in cell function.

Cell biology techniques, including immuno-cytochemistry, co-focal microscopy.

Primary cell culture of cardiomyocytes and lung epithelial cells

Analysis of cell-cell junctional complexes, morphology and various routine techniques in understanding cell

structure, cell cycle, apoptosis etc.

Stable cell-lines expressing shRNAs or proteins, utilizing specialized vectors that express selection markers for

drug based selection of cells.

Promoter analysis, promoter-reporter plasmid transfections in mammalian cells, identification of tissue specific

regulatory elements.

Basic Bioinformatics, including sequence homology searches, identification of evolutionarily conserved DNA

cis-elements and protein motifs using various web-based and in-house software programs.

Immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization, and most techniques to study microanatomy of lung

abnormalities in disease states.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

1999 -- AAAS: American Association for Advancement of Sciences

2001 -- ATS: American Thoracic Society

2010 -- AACR: American Association for Cancer Research

2011 -- AASLC: International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer

2009 -- TEMTIA: The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition International Association

SERVICE IN ACADEMIA:

LEADERSHIP ROLE

2011-- Member, Committee on Enhancing the Quality of Graduate Education at USF College of Medicine

2007--2010 Director, Lung Biology Weekly Journal Club, University of Cincinnati

Children s Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio

1988-1991 President, Society for Wild-life & Environmental Protection, JN University, India

1987-1991 President, Biotechnology Society, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

1985-1987 Class Secretary on Merit Basis in M.Sc. Biotechnology Class, MS University, India

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

INVITED REVIEWER (JOURNALS):

Biochemistry (American Chemical Society)

American Journal of Respiratory Cell & Molecular Biology (ATS)

Cellular & Molecular Life Sciences (Springer)

European Journal of Cancer (Elsevier)

BioEssays (Wiley Interscience)

Pediatric Research (Wiley Interscience)

Molecular Cancer (BioMed Central)

Frontiers in Biology (Springer)

INVITED REVIEWER (GRANTS):

American Heart Association: Study Section: Genetics & Epigenetics: 2007-- onwards (once or twice/year)

Scientist Development Grant (National), Grant-in-Aid, Pre-doctoral & Post-doctoral Fellowships

COLLABORATIONS:

- 1997-1999

Collaborative projects with Procter and Gamble scientists and completion of two projects on

Topic: Identification of transcription factors critical in cartilage specific gene regulation as a

Research Associate in Dr. Jun Ma s lab.

- 2004-2006

Collaborative project with Genzyme. Topic: Identification of small molecules that activate transcription of

surfactant protein gene SP-D in respiratory epithelial cells. (PI: Whitsett).

- 2011-

A continuing collaboration with Eric Haura, MD/Ph.D., Director, Lung Comprehensive Research Center and

SPORE in Lung Cancer, H. Lee. Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa FL

Topic: Targeting KRAS, PI3K/mTOR and LKB1 Pathways in Preclinical Mouse Models of Lung Cancer

- 2011-

A continuing collaboration with Said Sebti. Ph.D. Program Leader and Chair, Drug Discovery Program, H. Lee.

Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa FL

Topic: Validating novel inhibitors GGTI, FTI and FGTI in efficacy studies on Mouse Models of Lung Cancer.

- 2009-Present

A continuing collaboration with Prof. Yi Zheng, Professor and Director, Division of Experimental

Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children s Hospital Research Foundation

Topic: Identification and molecular characterization of lung cancer initiating (stem) cells (CSCs) using

Cre/loxP based lung-specific conditional PTEN and LKB1 mouse models. Xenograft models to identify and

characterize molecular & epigenetic signatures of lung cancer initiating cells.

GRANTS AND CONTRACTS:

Ongoing Research Support

SDG-0830101N Dave (PI) 01/01/08-1/01/2012

AHA Scientist Development Grant (National): $ 308, 000

Title: Calcineurin Effectors in Pulmonary Homeostasis

Role: PI (Peer Reviewed)

Pending Research Support:

DOD-Lung cancer Research Program Grant: Dave (PI) 01/01/12-1/01/2015

$ 525,000

Title: Targeting KRAS and PI3K/mTOR pathways to develop improved treatment modalities for lung cancer

Uniting Against Lung Cancer Foundation Grant: Dave (PI) 03/01/12-02/28/2014

$ 100,000

Title: Targeting KRAS and LKB1/AMPK/mTOR pathways to develop improved treatment modalities for lung

cancers

Concern Foundation Grant: Dave (PI) 06/01/12-02/28/2014

$ 120,000

Title: Targeting EMT and cancer stem-like cells in lung cancer

PUBLICATIONS:

1. Hardie W.D., Hagood J.S., Dave V., Perl A.K., Whitsett JA, Korfhagen T.R., and Glasser S. (2010).

TGF-alpha Mediated Signaling Pathways Influencing the Epithelial Origins of Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Cell Cycle. 9(14): 2769 - 2776

2. Xu Y., Zhang M., Wang Y., Kadambi P., Dave V., Lu JL & Whitsett J.A. (2010). A Systems

Approach to Mapping Transcriptional Networks Controlling Surfactant Homeostasis BMC

Genomics 11:451

3. Lin XY., Korfhagen TR, Dave V. (2011). VHL Deficiency in the Respiratory Epithelial Cells Induces

EMT and Causes Lung Fibrosis. Am. J. Pathol (in preperation).

4. Dave V., Childs T., Whitsett JA. (2011). Synergistic interactions between NFATc3, C/EBP- & TTF-1

Regulates Sftpd Gene Transcription. J. Biol. Chem. (in preparation).

5. Dave V., Wert S.E., Tanner T., Thitoff A.R., Loudy D. E., Whitsett J. A. (2008). Conditional Deletion

of Pten Causes Bronchiolar Hyperplasia. Am. J. Resp. Cell.Mol. Biol. 38(3):337-45.

6. Maeda, Y., Dave V., & Whitsett JA. (2007). Transcriptional Control of Lung Morphogenesis.

Physiol. Rev. 2007; 87: 219-244.

7. Dave V., Childs T., Xu Y., Ikegami M., Besnard V., Maeda Y., Wert S.E., Neilson J.R., Crabtree G.R.,

Whitsett JA. (2006). Calcineurin/Nfat signaling is required for perinatal lung maturation & function.

J. Clin. Invest. 116(10):2597-2609.

8. Baird-Titus, J.M., Clark-Baldwin, K., Dave, V., Caperelli, C.A., Ma, J., & Rance, M. (2006). The

solution structure of the native K50 Bicoid homeodomain bound to the consensus TAATCC DNA-

binding site. J. Mol. Biol. 356:1137-1151.

9. Maeda, Y., Hunter, T.C., Dave, V., Schreiber, V., & Whitsett, J.A. (2006). PARP2 interacts with

TTF-1 & regulates expression of surfactant protein-B (SP-B).

J. Biol. Chem. 281(14): 9600-9606.

10. Chaney, B.A., Clark-Baldwin, K., Dave, V., Ma, J., & Rance, M. (2005). Solution structure of the K50

class homeodomain PITX2 bound to DNA & implications for mutations that cause Rieger syndrome.

Biochemistry. 44:7497-7511.

11. Dave V., Childs T. & Whitsett J. (2004). Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATs) regulates

transcription of the surfactant protein D gene (Sftpd) via direct interaction with TTF-1 in lung epithelial

cells. J. Biol. Chem. 279(33):34578-88.

12. Zhao C, Fu D, Dave V, Ma J. (2003). A composite motif of the Drosophila morphogenetic protein

Bicoid critical to transcription control. J.Biol.Chem. 278: 439**-*****.

13. Zhao C, Dave V, Fu D., York A. & Ma J (2003). Insights into the molecular functions of the Drosophila

morphogenetic protein Bicoid. Recent Res. Devel. Mol. Cell. Biol. 4: 115-126.

14. Zhao, C., York A., Yang F., Forstheoefel D., Dave V., Fu D., Zhang D., Corada M., Small S., Seeger,

M., Ma J. (2002). The activity of the Drosophila morphogenetic protein Bicoid is inhibited by a

domain located outside its homeodomain. Development. 129(7):1669-80.

15. Dave, V*., Zhao, C., Yang, F., Scarborough, T & Ma, J. (2000). Target selectivity of Bicoid dependent

on non-consensus site recognition. Mol. Cell. Biol. 20:8112-23.

16. Dave, V., Zhao, C., Yang, F., Tung, C-S & Ma, J. (2000). Reprogrammable recognition codes in

Bicoid homeodomain-DNA interaction. Mol. Cell. Biol. 20:7673-84.

17. Dave, V*., Baker, D., Reed, T., Misra, S. & Periasamy, M. (1998). A novel E box/AT rich element is

required for muscle specific expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2) gene.

Nucleic Acids Res. 26(4): 1092-1098.

18. Zilberman, A., Dave, V., Miano, J., Olson, E.N., Periasamy, M. (1998). Evolutionarily Conserved

Promoter Region Containing CarG* - Like Elements Is Criticial for Smooth Muscle Myosin Heavy

Chain Gene Expression: Circ Res. 82: 566-575.

19. Katoh, Y., Molkentin, J.D., Dave, V., Olson, E.N., Periasamy, M. (1998). MEF2B Is a Component of a

Smooth Muscle Specific Complex That Binds an A/T rich Element Important for Smooth Muscle

Myosin Heavy Chain Gene Expression. J. Biol. Chem. 273(3): 1511-1518.

20. Khoury, S.F., Hoit, B.D., Dave, V., Shao, Y., Gable, M., Periasamy, M. & Walsh,R.A. (1996). The

Effect of Thyroid Hormone on Left Ventricular Performance & Steady State mRNA levels for the

Contractile & Calcium Cycling Proteins in the Baboon: Implications for the Force Frequency &

Relaxation Frequency Relationships. Circ Res. 79:727-735.

21. Baker, D.L., Dave, V., Reed, T. & Periasamy, M. (1996). Multiple Sp1 Binding Sites in the

Cardiac/Slow Twitch Muscle SR-Ca2+ATPase (SERCA2) Gene Promoter are required for Expression

in Sol8 Muscle Cells. J. Biol. Chem. 271: 5921-5928.

22. Roy, K.B. & Dave, V. (1995). BamHI Cleaves the Self Complementary Dodecamer d-

CGCGGAGCCGCG, Before the Two G's & Possibly Binds in the DNA Major Groove. Biochem. Mol.

Biol Int. 36: 759-770.

23. Roy, K.B., Dave, V. & Jayaraman B (1994). Use of isotope-dilution phenomenon to advantage in the

determination of kinetic constants Km & Kcat for Bam HI restriction endonuclease: an empirical &

iterative approach. Anal. Biochem. 220(1): 160-164. * Indicates equal authorship.

FORMAL LECTURES (INVITED TALKS):

- Molecular Medicine Seminar Series: Department of Molecular Medicine, USF College of Medicine,

Topic: Conditional Mouse Models of Lung Cancer and Fibrosis ready for Drug

Discovery, April 2011.

- SPORE in Lung Cancer Guest Speaker: Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Title: Preclinical Mouse Models of Lung Cancer, February 14, 2011.

- Nanomedicine Research Center Journal Club, Department of Internal Medicine, USF College of Medicine:

Topic: Engineering Mouse Models to Study Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Remodeling, December 2010.

- Internal Medicine Grand Rounds: Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine University of

Cincinnati Medical Center.

Title: Contribution of EMT to Initiation of Lung Fibrosis. November 23, 2009.

- Biology Journal Club: Cutting Edge Paradigm Series, University of Cincinnati Children s Research

Foundation

Title: Chromatin Hubs & Transcription Factories. September 2008.

- Tumor Biology Nidus Group: Division of Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology, University of

Cincinnati Children s Hospital Research Foundation

Title: PTEN, Polarity & Lung Tumorigenesis. February 2008.

- Lung Cancer Seminar Series: University of Cincinnati Children s Hospital Research Foundation

Title: Properties & Molecular Signatures of Stem Cells. November 2007.

- Fluxes & Barriers: Dept. of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center

Title: PTEN in Respiratory Epithelial Morphogenesis, February 2007.

- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Meeting: Protein Phosphorylation & Cell Signaling.

- New York, New York.

- Title: Calcineurin/NFAT Pathway in Lung Formation & Function. May 2005.

- Lung Cancer Seminar Series: University of Cincinnati Children s Hospital Research Foundation

Title: PI3K/PTEN /mTOR pathway in Lung Cancer May 2005.

- Vascular Biology Seminar Series: University of Cincinnati Children s Research Foundation.

- Title: Calcineurin & NFATs in Lung Morphogenesis & Vasculogenesis. December 2004.

- Lung Development Seminar Series: University of Cincinnati Children s Hospital Research Foundation

Title: Role of NFATs in lung formation & function. November 2004.

- FASEB Summer Research Conference: Cellular & Molecular Biology of Lung Surfactant, Saxtons

Rivers, Vermont.

Title: Transcriptional Regulation of the SP-D gene: Synergistic interaction between NFATs, C/EBPs &

TTF-1. July 2004.

- Novel Mechanisms of Surfactant Regulation: American Thoracic Society: 100th International

conference, Orlando, Florida.

Title: NFATs Regulate SP-D Gene Transcription in Respiratory Epithelial Cells. May 2004.

- Seminars in Lung Development: Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children s Hospital

Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Title: TTF-1 Phosphorylation & transcriptional regulation of surfactant protein genes. April 2003.

- Seminars in Lung Development: Cincinnati Children s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Title: Early transcriptional events in lung progenitor cell development. April 2002.

- Transcriptional Regulation Retreat: Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry & Microbiology,

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Title: Differential modes of DNA binding by homeodomain containing transcription factor Bicoid on

Hunchback gene enhancer. February 1997.

- American Heart Association (AHA): 67th Scientific Session, Dallas, Texas

Title: Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Gene Expression & Cardiac Mechanics in Primate Early Pressure

Overload Hypertrophy. November 1994.

FORMAL LECTURES (DIVISION TALKS):