Skilled molecular biologist

OBJECTIVE:

To pursue a research career in biomedical sciences and technology

EDUCATION:

• December 2011, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fl, Master of Science in Biotechnology, GPA-4.0

• June 2009, Anna University, Chennai, India, Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology, GPA-8.6/10

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RESEARCH SKILLS:

• Molecular biology:

Bacterial cloning and transformation of gene of interest, PCR, DNA & RNA isolation, plasmid sub cloning, miniprep, gel extraction, gene integration verified by southern blot analysis with radioactive probes (certified practician)

• Biochemistry:

Protein expression studies - SDS PAGE electrophoresis and Immuno blotting, ELISA assay, protein purification study using nickel column affinity chromatography, coomassie and silver staining assays, protein immunoprecipitation assays, Lyophilization process

• Immunology:

Cell culture – Isolation of lymphocytes from spleen, lymph nodes and peyer’s patches, culture of lymphocytes and maintenance of mammalian cell lines, flow cytometry, Immunohistostaining,

Animal handling – mice

• Tissue culture:

Biolistic particle delivery for plant transformation, tobacco and lettuce plant regeneration in culture media, in vitro and green house plant maintenance

• Software skills :

NCBI bioinformatic tools (BLAST, GENBANK)

DNA star Lasergene,

MATLAB

MS office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Research Assistant Volunteer

Jan ’12 to present

Working on T- regulatory cells in Type 1 diabetes. Culturing T-regulatory cells and analyzing cytokine environment using ICCS (Intra cellular cytokine assays).

Graduate Research Assistant

Aug ‘09 – Dec –‘11

Plant Molecular Biology Lab

Thesis: Expression of CTB – ESAT6 fusion protein in lettuce using chloroplast engineering and its efficacy as an oral tuberculosis vaccine.

Aim: To express Cholera Toxin B subunit, oral adjuvant conjugated with ESAT6, tuberculosis vaccine antigen in Lettuce chloroplasts. This study also focused on the oral delivery of the vaccine antigen

Research experience:

• Developing CTB - ESAT6 fusion protein expressing lettuce plants and growth conditions were optimized to increase their yield.

• Characterization of their functional activity using different assays.

• Purification enrichment studies were carried out by covalent cross linking antibody immunoprecipitation.

• Stabilization studies for storage to ensure the fusion proteins were stable.

• Digestion assays mimicking the stomach conditions for oral delivery of antigens were tested.

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Aug ‘09 – Dec’11

Immunology, Immuno Diagnostics Laboratory course

University of Central Florida

• Initiated active group discussions for students – involves identifying difficult concepts for the

students and aiding them by illustration and simplification of concepts.

• Mentoring students by preparing syllabi and maintaining regular log of Laboratory activities

Research Assistant

Jan ’09 – May ‘09

Advisor: Dr. S. Ramesh

Department of Molecular Biology, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai, India

Assisted in Research project : “Identification Of Sex Specific EST’s in Pandanus fasicularis.

• Sex-specific expression profiles of 6 genes were identified in this study and observed by Northern hybridization using EST Probes.

PROJECT INTERN

Research project: “Extraction and purification of Immunoglobin [IgG] from different sources and Isotyping”. May ’08 – july ‘08

Ventura Institute of Biosciences, Hyderabad, India.

Training in “Technology of Electron microscopy and Cytogenesis” – June ‘07

Coursework: differential diagnosis of tumors and karyotyping, banding patterns.

Dept. of Cytogenesis and Electron microscopy, Cancer Research Institute, Chennai, India.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS:

Doug – Mowry International Scholarship 2010 – 2011awarded for academic excellence.

Received scholarship award in Bachelor’s degree for excellence in Annual Examinations.

PRESENTATIONS / SEMINAR:

Poster presentation on “Oral Tuberculosis vaccine in lettuce chloroplasts”, in the Biomedical Sciences Annual graduate research symposium, University of Central Florida - 2011

Oral presentation on “Monoclonal Antibody therapy in Non hodgkinson’s Lymphoma and current treatment”, Chennai, India - 2009

Participated in National Conference on Current Trends in Biomaterials, India - 2009

Participated in Developing Entrepreneurship Skills in Biotechnology, India - 2009

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