RENU GOPINATHAN

Molecular and Microbiology Protein Biochemistry Worm Genetics

Worcester, MA 508-***-**** adchlh@r.postjobfree.com

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Goal-oriented, meticulous and curiosity driven, I am a molecular biologist with 7 years of research experience and strong analytical skills. My passion is in biomedical research with a specific interest in protein biology and translational research. I am seeking exciting and challenging opportunities as a research associate to further my research career. My future career goals include transitioning into an industry role with close ties to clinical research and therapeutics.

PROJECT MILESTONES/ACHIEVEMENTS

Increased the hit rate of kinase screening assay by 400%.

Initiated and fostered partnerships with local hospitals for patient sample collection to test Raman diagnostic tool.

Completed multiple large scale long-term projects within established deadlines.

Developed research collaboration with 3 labs across 2 research institutes

Patented sample processing and diagnostics using Raman Spectroscopy (Patent Pending)

DETAILED TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Protein purification – Expressed and purified 25 proteins using affinity, ion exchange and size-exclusion chromatography

Large scale screening of kinase substrates in vitro – Screened 25 proteins and 154 one-to-one interactions

Kinase assay optimization – Evaluated multiple reaction conditions to optimize signal-to-noise ratios

High throughput small molecule inhibitor assays – Analysed single and synergistic drug effects on growth inhibition in a 96-well format

Optimization of human sputum sample processing for Raman Spectroscopy – Achieved 100% sample decontamination and retrieval for Raman Spectroscopy diagnostics.

SKILL LIST

Aseptic and maintenance of:

BSL-3 class pathogens - Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, H37Ra, clinical patient isolates

Mouse embryonic stem cells and mammalian cell lines

C.elegans – maintenance, crossing, genotyping

Cell Biology

Lipid mediated transfection

Epifluorescence microscopy

Western blotting and SDS-PAGE

Immunoprecipitation

Protein-protein and protein-ligand interaction

Protein over-expression and purification using affinity chromatography

Biolayer Interferometry (Octet)

Radio labelled in vitro kinase assays

Recombinant DNA and chromatin biology

DNA and RNA purification, qRT-PCR, gene cloning, site directed mutagenesis, ChiP-seq (Cut&Run)

EDUCATION

M.Sc. in Microbiology

The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India 2010-2012

B.Sc. in Microbiology

University of Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India 2008-2010

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Graduate student (Graduate program of Biomedical Sciences) 2018-2019

University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA

Created two new mutant lines to analyze C. elegans neuronal spine formation

Generated C. elegans double mutant lines to study axonal regeneration

Investigated the role of genomic organisation in the maintenance of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells.

Developed guidelines for biological image acquisition and processing using fluorescence microscopy.

Research Assistant 2014-2018

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India

Employed in vitro and genetic approaches to quantify interactions between two component signaling systems and the Serine/Threonine protein kinases of M. tuberculosis.

Implemented Raman spectroscopy to develop a rapid diagnostic tool to detect Mycobacterium from sputum samples.

Initiated 2 new collaborations for procurement of clinical samples to test our diagnostic tool.

Research Intern 2012-2014

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India

Investigated malachite green toxicity in soil and water organisms.

Mastered scientific communication and data presentation.

PUBLICATIONS

Kumar S., Gopinathan R., Chandra G.K., Umapathy, S. and Saini D.K. (in press) Rapid detection of bacterial infection and viability assessment with high specificity and sensitivity using Raman microspectroscopy. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (Cover Page).

Huisman M., Hammer M., Rigano A., Farzam F., Gopinathan R., Smith C., Grunwald D., Strambio-De-Castillia C. (2019). Minimum Information guidelines for fluorescence microscopy: increasing the value, quality, and fidelity of image data. (DOI: arXiv:1910.11370).

Hariharan V.N, Thakur C., Singh A., Gopinathan R., Singh D.P., Sankhe G., Chandra N., Bhatt A. and Saini D.K. (2019). The histidine kinase PdtaS is a cyclic di-GMP binding metabolic sensor that controls mycobacterial adaptation to nutrient deprivation. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/615575) BioRxiv.org

Gopinathan R., Kanhere J., Banerjee J (2015). Effect of malachite green toxicity on non-target soil organisms. Chemosphere 120:637-644. (DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.09.043)

Kanhere J., Gopinathan R., Banerjee J (2014). Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of malachite green on non-target aquatic organisms: Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Daphnia magna. Water Air Soil Pollution 225:2134. (DOI: 10.1007/s11270-014-2134-3).

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