Research Assistant
Resume:
CHHAVI SOOD
Cell: 256-***-**** Email: ************@*****.***
SUMMARY
* ***** ** ********** ** designing and conducting series of experiments in the field of cell culture
and molecular biology
Planned & conducted lectures and laboratory for undergraduate students for 2 years
Efficient in basic cell culture, molecular biology, biochemical and microbiological techniques
Ability to work in a team with minimal supervision
WORK EXPERIENCE
University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA - Aug 2011 to Present
Research Assistant
Being a part of research team at Center for Cellular Neurobiology and Neurodegeneration Research,
designed and conducted experiments exploring the development of axons.
Key Projects:
Studying the role of Serine-493 of Heavy chain Neurofilament in axonal transport and bundling.
The effect of Colchicine on axonal transport and bundling of neurofilaments when phosphorylation by
Casein Kinase I and Glycogen Synthase Kinase was inhibited in differentiated NB2a/d1 cells.
Studying the timeline of differentiated NB2a/d1 cells when phosphorylation by Casein Kinase I and
Glycogen Synthase Kinase was inhibited.
Technique & Tools:
Cell Culture Techniques: Passaging and maintenance of NB2a cell line (Mouse Neuroblastoma
Cells) and cortical neurons, Confocal Microscopy, Cytostaining, Immunocytochemistry,
Cryopreservation, Transient and stable transfection of mammalian cell lines
Molecular Biology Techniques: Primer designing, PCR, PCR optimization, Bacterial cell
Transformation, Plasmid Purification, Plasmid Amplification, Genomic DNA purification, Restriction
Digestion, DNA extraction from the gel, Construction of Recombinant constructs, Agarose Gel
Electrophoresis, Southern blotting, Northern blotting, Probing northern blots with radioactive probes,
DNA sequencing
Biochemical Techniques: Extraction of cytoskeletal proteins and neurofilaments, Protein
Purification, Protein Estimation, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, Protein Quantification using BCA-Assay,
TLC, Ion-exchange chromatography, Dialysis, Spectrophotometry
Sotfware: Microsoft Office, Volocity, Adobe Photoshop, Image J
University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA - Sep 2011 to Present
Teaching Assistant
2 years’ experience in conducting a Life Science laboratory course for undergraduate students
Assisted Professor to define subject matter for the semester and plan sessions
Conducted lectures and experiments, evaluated assignments & graded exams
Institute of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology, Pune, India - Jul 2010 to Dec 2010
Research Assistant
Extraction and purification of compatible solutes - ectoines and hydroxyectoines from marine
bacterial samples
o Separation of bacterial cells from the nutrient media using Centrifugation
o Disruption of the cells for extraction of compatible solutes using the Sonicator
o Purification of the compatible solutes
o Identification by means of Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Biological Sciences University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA
GPA: 3.89 - May 2013
Thesis title ‘Effect of site-directed mutagenesis on Neurofilament dynamics’
Volunteered as a judge for a Regional Science Fair held at St. Michael’s School, Lowell
Served as a Senator of Indian Students Association for the academic year 2011-2012
Presented a poster titled ‘Effect of site-directed mutagenesis on Neurofilament dynamics’ in Student
Symposium 2013
Academic Projects:
Identification, cloning and expression of a gene from PBC virus using pMAL-c5E vector in E. coli to
produce a desired fusion protein
o Designed primers and amplified gene from PBC virus using PCR technique
o Performed restriction digestion of gene and vector using restriction enzymes and ligated them
o Transformed ligated constructs on to competent E. coli cells and purified plasmid DNA from the
cultures
o Screened clones using Agarose gel electrophoresis, RE digestion, colony PCR and Southern
blot
o Transformed ligated constructs on to competent E. coli cells and expressed fusion protein
containing maltose binding protein (MBP) at the N-terminus
o Purified fusion protein using Affinity chromatography and confirmed identity of desired protein
using SDS-PAGE and Western blot where antibodies were targeted against MBP
o Sequenced gene from PBC virus using Sanger method and analyzed output using FinchTV
Isolation and purification of Wheat Germ Acid Phosphate (WGAP)
o Optimized protocol for purifying WGAP by determining the relation between purity and activity at
each step
o Isolated and purified WGAP from its crude source using centrifugation, ammonium sulfate and
MnCl2 precipitation and dialysis
o Performed Bradford and Warburg-Christian assay to determine protein concentration at each
purification step
o Performed Gel electrophoresis and alkaline phosphatase assay to determine activity (specific)
at each purification step
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology University of Pune, India
GPA: 4.0 - May 2010
Presented at an inter-collegiate seminar on ‘Environmental Awareness’
Stood 4th in an inter-collegiate science quiz ‘Mimamsa-2010’
Participated in chemistry quiz ‘Chemiad-2008’ held by University of Pune
Participated in the annual culture festival ‘Micro-Fest’ held by the department
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