Research associate

Priyanka Chandrasekaran

*** ***** **** ***, *** # 219

Belmont, CA 94002

Ph: (617) -909 5838

Email: *************@*****.***

Objective

Research Associate position in a biotechnology industry

Skills

Molecular Biology: Plasmid DNA Isolation, primer design, site-directed mutagenesis, PCR, transformation, DNA gel electrophoresis, expression of recombinant genes.

Biochemistry: Protein purification by Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (Bio-Rad Biologic HR workstations), affinity and gel-filtration chromatography, protein purification from inclusion bodies, SDS PAGE, UV-Vis, Absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, Dialysis, sample preparation for mass spectrometry, LC/MS

Biochemical assays for enzymatic activity: Stopped Flow and steady-state kinetics

Education

San Francisco State University (SFSU)

Master of Science, Chemistry

Concentration in Bio Chemistry

San Francisco, CA

Expected graduation: April 2012

Thesis: Biochemical and kinetic characterization of mutants of styrene monooxygenase from P.putida S12

Relevant coursework: Biochemistry of cellular signaling pathways, Proteins and enzymes: structure, function and engineering, Organic spectroscopic methods, Biophysical chemistry laboratory, Enzymology, Biochemical spectroscopy, Seminar.

Anna University

Bachelor of Technology, Industrial Biotechnology

Chennai, India

Graduated in: May 2006

Relevant coursework: Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetic Engineering, Bio-process Engineering Immunology, Molecular Pathogenesis, Protein Engineering, Cell Biology, Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Biopharmaceutical technology, Microbiology, Genomics and Proteomics, Instrumental methods of analysis, Enzyme engineering & technology

Research Experience

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

Research Assistant

Jun 2010 - present

1.Predicted enzyme active sites using molecular visualization software tools

2.Designed and produced active site mutants of styrene monooxygenase gene by Polymerase Chain Reaction and site-directed mutagenesis

3.Revised the expression protocol for maximum expression of the mutant genes and obtained significantly higher protein yield than the traditional protocol.

4.Purified the mutants by Nickel-affinity chromatography and characterized the mutants on SDS PAGE and LC/MS

5.Enzyme kinetics using stopped flow absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy and steady state kinetics.

Cellworks Research India Limited

Bangalore, India

Associate Bio-modeling Scientist

Jun 2006 – Nov 2006

1.Identified the metabolic pathways impacted in Parkinson's disease and simulated the synthesis of neurotransmitters (Glutamate, GABA, Acetylcholine): a systems biology approach

Anna University

Chennai, India

Undergraduate Researcher

Dec 2005- May 2006

1.Identified the metabolites whose concentrations are affected by the phosphoglucose isomerase deficiency in erythrocytes and the effects of these metabolites in the cell’s physiology

2.Simulated the metabolic consequences of hemolytic anemia caused by pyruvate kinase deficiency in erythrocytes using E-Cell2 simulation software – a systems biology approach

Tata Institute Of Fundamental Research

Mumbai, India

Summer Research Fellow

May 2005- Jul 2005

1.Calculated the melting temperature of Cytochrome C at various pH using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

2.Established the dependence of the stability of the Cytochrome C on salt concentration.

Work Experience

Cognizant Technology Solutions

Chennai, India

Programmer Analyst

Dec 2006- May 2009

Developed software solutions for information media and entertainment industry.

Presentations

1. Priyanka Chandrasekaran, George Gassner, Preparation and Biochemical characterization of mutants of styrene monooxygenase from Pseudomonas putida S12, Poster session presented at: 23rd Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium Jan 7-8 2011, Orange County, California

2. Priyanka Chandrasekaran, George Gassner, Preparation and Biochemical characterization of mutants of styrene monooxygenase from Pseudomonas putida S12, Poster session presented at: 241st ACS National meeting and Exposition in Mar 27-31 2011, Anaheim, California

3. Priyanka Chandrasekaran, George Gassner, Preparation and Biochemical characterization of mutants of styrene monooxygenase from Pseudomonas putida S12, Poster session presented at: Student Project Showcase, College of Science and Engineering, SFSU, San Francisco, California

4. Priyanka Chandrasekaran, George Gassner, Biochemical characterization of mutants of styrene monooxygenase from Pseudomonas putida S12, Poster session presented at: 24th Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium, Jan 6-7 2012, Santa Clara, California

Awards And Honors

1.Provost Scholar Award for the academic year 2009-2010 at San Francisco State University

2.Summer research fellowship award by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, India

3.'Above & Beyond' appreciation award from Cognizant Technology Solutions and ‘Star Award’ from the client Dun & Bradstreet, UK (D&B, UK) for implementing my first project for D&B, UK under strict time-lines in 2007

Computer Skills

1.Bioinformatics tools: PyMol, Swiss PDB Viewer, Expasy tools, ClustalW (Sequence Alignment)

2.Data Analysis software: IgorPro, Kaleidagraph, Softmax Pro, ChemDraw

3.Languages known: C,C++

4.Proficient in Mac and Windows, Microsoft Office

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