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Immunology, Molecular Biology, Mouse models, Drug Discovery

Location:
Natick, MA
Posted:
May 21, 2020

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Resume:

MADHUMITA DAS, Ph.D.

** ******* **** ****, ****** MA 01760, USA

E mail – addc0e@r.postjobfree.com. Cell - 508-***-****

SUMMARY:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology with excellent ability to provide scientific and strategic leadership in the areas of immunology and immune related diseases including auto-immune and inflammatory diseases and cancer.

• Strong publication record.

• Excellent presentation, communication and leadership skills with strong interpersonal ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment.

• Extensive hands-on experience with models of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis (EAE model), colitis and hepatitis.

• In-depth knowledge of in vivo GvHD animal model or other mouse models of transplantation.

• Extensive hands-on experience with in vitro and in vivo models of cancer with in-depth knowledge of checkpoint therapy.

• Extensive knowledge of biology of immune tolerance and autoimmunity, including T regulatory cells (Tregs) and dendritic cells.

• Expertise in T cell cultures, DC-T cell proliferation assays, T cell suppression, MLR, and antibody effector function and dendritic cells cell cultures.

• Proficiency with multi-color Flow-cytometry, immunophenotyping, ELISA, Western blots and Immunoprecipitation.

• Extensive experience with culturing mammalian cells including tumor cell lines and primary cells.

• Wide experience in biochemical, molecular, cell biology and cell-based assays including cell survival, death and apoptosis assays, signaling pathways, cytokine secretion assays, PCR, cloning, and qPCR.

• In-depth experience with in vivo and in vitro genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9 technology and gene manipulation using viral vectors.

• Exposure in developing, optimizing, and validating biochemical and cellular assays for small molecule drug discovery programs.

EXPERIENCE:

HOOKE LABORATORIES 2019 - Present

Director, Immunology

• Exploring immunological principles and disease mechanisms using in vitro and in vivo models for evaluating immune modulatory activities of therapeutic treatment regimens in auto-immune diseases.

• Developing in-house research initiatives with mouse models of cancer to study immune checkpoint inhibitors in preclinical studies.

• Supervising and developing scientific staff for contract research projects and in-house exploratory projects for proof-of-concepts.

• Collaborating with partners from Industry and academia.

• Preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL/BWH 2014 - 2019

Research Faculty (Instructor)

• Actively studied immune cell signaling using in vitro systems and mouse models of autoimmunity.

• Successfully elucidated the molecular mechanisms of immune tolerance and resistance to checkpoint therapy mediated by checkpoint molecules.

• Studied T cell signaling responses involving immune-modulatory molecules using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, including IP-coupled mass spectrometry.

• Studied tolerance induction in T cells and dendritic cells and Tregs mediated by immune checkpoint molecules.

• Investigated the biology of immune-regulatory molecules using CRISPR-Cas9 technology.

• Contributed effectively to research proposals and grants writing and mentoring junior scientists.

Beantown Biotech, NATICK, MA 2013 - 2014

Senior Scientist

• Actively involved in execution of biochemical and cellular assays in microplate format.

• Performed assay designs, executed assays and interpreted enzyme assay data. Performed high quality screening of small molecules targeted against epigenetic and kinase targets involved in cancer. Success with lead optimization of molecules (determination of IC50).

• Success with conducting and interpreting cell-based oligonucleotide screening to determine efficiencies and outcomes of RNA targeted therapy in neuro-degenerative diseases.

• Actively involved in overseeing the progress of projects and mentoring of junior scientists.

TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER, BOSTON, MA 2012-2013

Research Instructor, Molecular Oncology

• Investigated and elucidated the role of Tpl2 and AKT signaling in colorectal cancer using RNAi-mediated approaches in cell lines and using transgenic and knockout mice. Investigated role of Tpl2 in epithelial, immune and stem cell compartment.

• Actively worked as a part of cross-functional team of basic scientists, doctors and clinicians to elucidate the role of the drug metformin on colon cancer.

• Actively participated in preparation of grants and submission. Reviewed and prepared SOPs for projects. Mentored junior scientists and technicians.

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL, WORCESTER, MA 2008 - 2011

Research Instructor, Molecular Medicine

• Highly successful in establishing the role of JNK signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma. Explored the role of JNK pathway in immune cells in mediating cancer.

• Explored the role of JNK signaling in inflammation, fibrosis and regeneration in a rodent model of drug-induced liver injury.

• Published in highly-acclaimed journals

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SCHOOL, WORCESTER, MA 2003 – 2008

Post Doc, Molecular Medicine

• Successfully elucidated the molecular mechanism of promotion of hepatitis by JNK signaling.

• Established the use of TNF-alpha measurement in serum as a biomarker to measure efficacy of JNK inhibitors used for therapeutic interventions.

• Created JNK1 knockout mice through genetic manipulation for use as a cell culture systems and mouse models for in-depth study of key life processes and diseases.

• Established the role played by JNK signaling pathway in cellular proliferation and senescence.

• Published in highly-acclaimed journals.

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Jadavpur University, Calcutta, India.

Dissertation Title: Regulation of the expression of galK gene in Mycobacterium Smegmatis.

MS in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology: University of Calcutta, India.

Awarded Best Student in order of Merit.

SKILL SETS:

Immunological and Biochemical assays:

Multi-color Flow-Cytometry Enzyme-linked ImmunoSorbant Assay (ELISA) Protein Gel Electrophoresis: SDS-PAGE (Co)Immunoprecipitation Biochemical analysis of tissue and fluid samples and enzyme assays Immunofluorescence

Cell Biology/Cell based assays: Cell culture including cancer cell lines and epithelial cells and isolation and characterization of immune cells Retroviral and Lentiviral techniques- Transient and stable Transfection Retroviral Transfection and Adenoviral production and infection Cell/Fluorescent-based Assay Development Brightfield/Confocal/ Fluorescence Microscopy

Molecular Biology: Cloning, Vector Design Plasmids and Viral vectors Site-directed Mutagenesis RNA/DNA Gel Electrophoresis Nucleic Acid Labeling/Detection PCR Analysis of Gene Expression by RT PCR Reporter Assays Restriction Enzyme Digestion RNA/DNA Isolation and Quantitation In-depth knowledge of Next-Generation sequencing.

CRISPR/Cas9 technology: In-depth experience with in vitro and in vivo genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.

Mouse models and related methodologies: Xenograft and transgenic cancer mouse models with application in checkpoint therapy Mouse models of colitis, hepatic inflammatory diseases and multiple sclerosis (EAE model). Genotyping Tissue harvesting and blood collection in mice Dissections and tissue preparation Necroscopy and perfusion Intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous injection techniques and oral gavage in mice.

Drug Discovery: Assay Development/Optimization (including assays for kinases and enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation High throughput screening Lead optimization (IC50) Cell-based oligonucleotide screening to determine efficiencies and outcomes of RNA targeted therapy Biochemical Assays involving Fluorescence, Luminescence, AlphaScreen, ELISA Immunoassays.

PUBLICATIONS:

1. Madhumita Das, Chen Zhu and Vijay K Kuchroo. Tim-3 and its role in regulating anti-tumor immunity. Immunol Rev.(2017)276, 97–111.

2. Madhumita Das, David S Garlick, Dale L. Greiner, and Roger J.Davis. Role of JNK in the development of Hepatocellular carcinoma (2011). Genes and Development 2011 25: 634-645.

3. Madhumita Das, Guadalupe Sabio, Feng Jiang, Mercedes Rincon, Richard A. Flavell, and Roger J.Davis (2009) Induction of Hepatitis by JNK-Mediated Expression of TNF-a. Cell136, 249–260.

4. Guadalupe Sabio, Madhumita Das, Alfonso Mora, Zhiyou Zhang, John Y. Jun, Hwi Jin Ko, Tamera Barrett, Jason K. Kim, and Roger J. Davis (2008). A Stress Signaling Pathway in Adipose Tissue Regulates Hepatic Insulin Resistance. Science 322, 1359- 1343.

5. Madhumita Das, Feng Jiang, Hayla K. Sluss, Chao Zhang, Kevan M. Shokat, Richard, A Flavell, and Roger J. Davis. (2007). Suppression of p53-dependent senescence by the JNK signal transduction pathway.

ProcNatlAcadSci USA 104, 157**-*****.

6. Ping Xu, Madhumita Das, Judith Reilly, and Roger J. Davis. JNK regulates FoxO-dependent autophagy in neurons (2011). Genes and Development 2011 25: 310-322.

7. Cristina Cellurale, Guadalupe Sabio1, Norman J. Kennedy, Madhumita Das, Marissa Barlow, Peter Sandy, Tyler Jacks, and Roger J. Davis. (2011). Requirement of JNK for Ras-initiated Tumor Formation.

Mol. Cell. Biol.published online ahead of print on 31 January 2011.

8.Raychaudhuri, S., Basu, M*, and Mandal, N.C.(1998) Glutamate and cyclic-AMP regulate the Expression of galactokinase in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Microbiology144, 2131-2140 (* Maiden name).

IMMIGRATION STATUS: US citizen.



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