Molecular biologist

PRIYADARSHINI P.RAVINDRAN

**** ******** **** *****, ******* FL-32826 | 407-***-**** | **********************@*****.***

PORTFOLIO OF SKILLS

• Assiduous student with a consistent academic track record

Sound knowledge in the basics of molecular biology and biochemistry

Proficient understanding of gene regulation and cell signaling concepts

• Intent researcher with adaptability and reliability as strong foot holds

• An adept understanding of a wide array of RNA, DNA and protein molecular techniques

• Enthusiastic and affable team player with uncompromising work ethic

EDUCATION

• University of Central Florida Orlando, FL

M.S Molecular and Microbiology Aug’11

GPA: 3.63/4.0

• Anna University Chennai, India

B.Tech Biotechnology May’08

GPA: 3.8/4.0

Outstanding student of Biotechnology Department (Mepco Schlenk Engineering College Sivakasi, India):2004 -2008

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Molecular biology techniques

Basic microbial cloning, native and denaturing PAGE, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, Kunkle mutagenesis, site-directed mutagenesis (PCR), colony PCR, In-vitro transcription

• RNA-protein interactions

Phage display method, Phage ELISA, Dot blots assays

• Protein expression and purification

Affinity column chromatography, Ion-exchange chromatography, nuclease test assays

• Crystallization techniques

Sitting drop and hanging drop crystal screens

• Radioactive isotope handling

Associate lab investigator with extensive training in P32 labeling

• Software skills

pyMol, Genious, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

• Research Assistant Jan’10-Aug’11

Jingdong Ye, PhD

Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida

Optimized the general framework of a crystallization chaperone - Fab, a synthetic antigen binding fragment, binding to functional RNAs

Employed the Surface Entropy Reduction technique on Fab to increase the crystallizability of RNA

Identified and Mutated high surface entropy residues to smaller side chain residues on the test model Fab2 protein- C209P4P6 RNA complex

Expressed and purified C209P4P6-Fab2 mutant proteins on large scale

In-vitro transcribed and gel purified C209P4P6 RNA on large scale

Set up crystal screens for C209P4P6-Fab2 mutant complexes

Observed increase in crystal hit ratio in both 4 C and 20 C crystal screens when compared to the wild-type complex

• Publication

The manuscript titled Improvement of the Crystallizability and Expression of an RNA Crystallization Chaperone has been published online in The Journal of Biochemistry.

• Research Assistant Jan’08-April’08

M.Premanathan, PhD

Department of Biotechnology, MSEC Sivakasi, India

Provided rationale to mechanism of action of eight anti-cancer homeopathic drugs and studied their effectiveness against leukemia cell lines MOLT4 and HL 60

Trained in basic animal tissue culture techniques, MTT assay and FACS analysis

INTERNSHIPS

• Interned at Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, in June’07 and worked on Anaerobic digestion of solid waste from leather industry

• Interned at Fourrts (India) Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, in July’07 and was trained in drug production and quality control

• Trained at Orchid Pharmaceuticals R&D, Chennai, in June’06 in basic molecular biology wet-lab techniques

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Teaching assistant Aug’09-Jan’10

Human Physiology laboratory,

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences UCF

Assisted in setting-up and instructing experiments

EXTRA AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Editor-in-chief Campus trails MSEC 2007-2008

• Secretary of Sangam (Indian students’ association at UCF) 2010 - 2011

• Creative head (Indian Society for Technical Education Students’ chapter) and Co-chairperson-Biotech Students’ Association MSEC 2007 - 2008

References available upon request

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