Michal Legiewicz
Research Scientist at Yale University
acekci@r.postjobfree.com
Summary
Award winning, accomplished and objective-oriented scientist with diverse skills in biochemistry, molecular
biology and biophysics. Extensive experience and expertise in function and structure of nucleic acids, genomes
of viruses and retrotransposons. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
Experience
Research Scientist at Yale University
April 2011 - Present (3 years 3 months)
• Established and managed research laboratory as Yale Development Plan
• Applied analytical ultracentrifugation to asses folding progression of different molecules
• Determined structure of long non-coding RNA using biochemical and biophysical methods
• Developed standards of procedures for non-denaturing purification of large RNA molecules
• Obtained edited DNA templates using gene assembly in yeast
• Developed R script for processing high throughput structure probing data
• Provided support for RNA-seq project to optimize RNA extraction methods
• Provided experimental support (SHAPE, HRF) for modeling project
• Mentored and trained students
Research Fellow at National Cancer Institute
October 2006 - March 2011 (4 years 6 months)
• discovered a microRNA-induced switch that regulates levels of interferon gamma mRNA
• Identified features in HIV genome that confer resistance to a gene therapy
• characterized binding of HIV Rev protein to target molecule (RRE)
• Identified novel motifs in a retrotransposon that are critical for function in vivo
• Developed innovative biochemical methods for mapping intra-molecular interactions
• Modeled and animated viral macromolecules in 3D
• Mentored a Summer Cancer Research Training Award (CRTA) fellow, 2009
Research Associate at University of Colorado at Boulder
January 2003 - September 2006 (3 years 9 months)
• Obtained RNA molecules that are capable of target binding (aptamers) via directed evolution (SELEX)
• Developed a novel method of calculation of information content of RNA aptamers
Research Assistant at Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences
March 1998 - January 2003 (4 years 11 months)
• Obtained HDV (Hepatitis Delta Virus) ribozyme with significantly improved activity
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• Optimized HDV ribozyme as a molecular trimmer
• Explored kinetics of RNA cleavage and functional requirements of HDV ribozyme
Projects
long noncoding RNAs
Members:Michal Legiewicz
Certifications
Biosafety Level 2
Yale University October 2012
Bloodborne pathogen
Yale University March 2012
Yale University's Standards of Business Conduct
Yale University
Laboratory Chemical Safety
Yale University May 2011
HIPAA for Research Staff
Yale University September 2012
HIPAA Security Training
Yale University September 2012
Human Subject Protections
Yale University September 2012
Radiation Safety
Yale University May 2011
Courses
Research Fellow
National Cancer Institute
Scientists teaching science
Presenting Science 'write way'
Grant writing
MS Project
Data Analysis
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Research Scientist
Yale University
R programming language
Languages
Polish (Native or bilingual proficiency)
German
Russian
English (Full professional proficiency)
Skills & Expertise
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
DNA sequencing
Protein Expression
RNA structure
In Vitro
PCR
Cell Culture
Biotechnology
RNA
Purification
SELEX
In Vivo
Cancer Research
Long non-coding RNA
RNA isolation
High Throughput Screening
Biophysics
Ribozymes
RNA biology
Drug Discovery
Chromatography
Chemical probing
Capillary Electrophoresis
Aptamers
DNA replication
Analytical Ultracentrifugation
Public Speaking
Protein Purification
DNA synthesis
Organization
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Molecular Cloning
Protein Chemistry
FPLC
HPLC
Size Exclusion
Scientific Writing
DNA
Western Blotting
Enzyme Kinetics
Cell
Assay Development
Fluorescence
RT-PCR
Lifesciences
Gel Electrophoresis
qPCR
Tissue Culture
Site-directed Mutagenesis
ELISA
Publications
Visualizing the ai5# group IIB intron
Nucleic Acid Research November 2013
Authors: Srinivas Somarowthu, Michal Legiewicz, Kevin Keating, Anna Marie Pyle
Exploring Ty1 retrotransposon RNA structure within virus-like particles
Nucleic Acid Research January 2013
Authors: Purzycka KJ, Michal Legiewicz, Matsuda E, Eizentstat LD, Lusvarghi S, Saha A, Le Grice SF,
Garfinkel DJ
SHAPE analysis of the FIV Leader RNA reveals a structural switch potentially controlling viral
packaging and genome dimerization
Nucleic Acid Research May 2011
Authors: Kenyon JC, Tanner SJ, Michal Legiewicz, Phillip PS, Rizvi TA, Le Grice SF, Lever AM
Correlating SHAPE signatures with three-dimensional RNA structures
RNA September 17, 2011
Authors: Michal Legiewicz, Eckart Bindewald, Michaela Wendeler, Marion Bona, Yi Wang, M Pritt, Stuart Le
Grice, Bruce Shapiro
We show how signature of chemical modification of different RNAs correlates with interaction seen in
crystal structures
The RNA Transport Element of the Murine musD Retrotransposon Requires Long-range Intramolecular
Interactions for Function
Journal of Biological Chemistry October 26, 2010
Authors: Michal Legiewicz, Andrei Zolotukhin, Guy Pilkington, Katarzyna Purzycka, Michelle Mitchell,
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Hiroaky Uranishi, Jenifer Bear, George Pavlakis, Barbara Felber, Stuart Le Grice
One of the most complex pseudoknot in the RNA structure has been identified. It was facilitated by antisense
interfered SHAPE that we devised specially for this research.
SHAPE technology: a modern framework for RNA structure derivation
European Pharmaceutical Review 2009
Authors: Michal Legiewicz
Resistance to RevM10 inhibition reflects a conformational switch in the HIV-1 Rev response element
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA September 23, 2008
Authors: Michal Legiewicz, Christopher Badorrek, Kevin Turner, Danielle Fabris, Ham Emily, David Rekosh,
Marie Hammarskjöld, Stuart Le Grice
Two silent mutations change the structure of HIV Rev Response Element which leads to drug resistance.
Antigenomic delta ribozyme variants with mutations in the catalytic core obtained by the in vitro
selection method
Nucleic Acid Research March 2, 2006
Authors: Michal Legiewicz, Wichlacz Agnieszka, Brzezicha Bartosz, Jerzy Ciesiolka
Hard core SELEX. Research into a self-cleaving RNA (ribozyme) reveals its catalytic core requirements.
Size, constant sequences, and optimal selection
RNA November 11, 2005
Authors: Michal Legiewicz, Catherine Lozupone, Rob Knight, Michael Yarus
SELEX from various RNA pools reveals the optimal size of the randomized region
A more complex isoleucine aptamer with a cognate triplet
Journal of Biological Chemistry May 2005
Authors: Michal Legiewicz, Yarus M
more is better...
Generating in vitro transcripts with homogenous 3' ends using trans-acting antigenomic delta ribozyme
Nucleic Acid Research February 2004
Authors: Wichlacz A, Michal Legiewicz, Ciesio#ka J
Education
Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences
PhD, chemistry; biochemistry specialization, 1998 - 2002
Activities and Societies: organizing Polish Biochemistry Society Meeting in Poznan
Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu
MA, biotechnology, 1993 - 1998
Activities and Societies: Work for Student Council
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Honors and Awards
•National Cancer Institute Director's Innovation Award for Career Development, 2008 and 2010
•Travel Fellowship by the CCR Office of the Director and the Center of Excellence in HIV/AIDS & Cancer
Virology, 2010
•Presentation award, Spring Research Festival, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, 2008
•J. K. Parnas honor from Polish Biochemical Society, 2007
•National Institutes of Health (NIH) Visiting Fellowship Award, 2006
•Conference Grant form the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP), 2001
•Mentored Research Grant from the State Committee for Scientific Research (KBN), 2000
•Award for work in The Student Council of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, 1998
Interests
Know how: Study structure and function of long noncoding RNAs to develop innovative therapies targeting
pathways of long noncoding RNAs.
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Michal Legiewicz
Research Scientist at Yale University
acekci@r.postjobfree.com
Contact Michal on LinkedIn
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