Atanu Paul Email & Phone Number

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Watertown, Massachusetts, United States

1) Lead biologist for a new oncology target in solid tumors to devise and implement cellular and biochemical assays to understand the mechanism of action of heterobifunctional PROTAC.2) A key contributor to the development and implementation of high throughput cell-based assays for hit finding and hit-to-lead optimization both internally and CROs.3) Generated genetically engineered cell lines using CRISPR/RNAi as an orthogonal validation of lead molecules for selectivity profiling and identifying “off-targets” and potential biomarkers.4) Designed and implemented high throughput assays for phenotypic selectivity to enable biomarker-driven patient stratification.5) Developed and implemented strategies to confirm superior degrader advantage compared to SMIs.6) Routinely communicated scientific concepts and complex data in a concise and effective manner to facilitate project prioritization decisions.

Watertown, Massachusetts, United States

1) Lead biologist for an exploratory project targeting membrane protein for targeted protein degradation using heterobifunctional PROTACs.2) Developed in vitro assays for screening PROTAC molecules.3) Analyzed, troubleshoot, and present data internally in cross-functional team meetings to facilitate go/no go decisions.4) Actively managed CROs.

Watertown, Massachusetts, United States

1) Performed Mechanism of Action analysis for heterobifunctional PROTAC (IRAKIMiD- KT-413) and Molecular Glues (Imids) to understand differential drug mechanisms of action in heme malignancies.2) Compared superior phenotypic response in targeting both IRAK4 and Imid substrates with KT-413 than Imid-based molecular glues by cell-based and biochemical assays.3) Implemented, analyzed, and troubleshoot assays in-house in a timely manner and maintained electronic notebook.4) Actively managed CROs.

Cambridge, Ma

1) Involved in early discovery biology projects aiming to identify and validate novel gene(s) involved in cancer cell signaling pathways.2) Using Genome-wide unbiased CRISPR screen, identified a transmembrane protein, KIRREL1, in modulating the Hippo-YAP pathway at the plasma membrane (Paul et al, Nature Communication, 2022)3) Performed biochemical and cell biological-based MoA studies to uncover the regulatory role of KIRREL1 in activating Hippo pathway at cell-cell contact sites.4) Carried out genome-wide CRISPR screen to identify and characterize a novel mechanism of potential cross-talk between TGFβ and Wnt signaling pathways in solid tumor model.5) Devised, implemented, analyzed, and troubleshoot assays to finish projects in a timely manner.6) Maintained electronic notebook for record keeping.

Houston, Tx

Dissertation Title: Phosphorylation And Ubiquitin Modification At DNA Damage Sites In Response To Double-Strand Breaks1) Uncovered the role of BRCA1-A complex protein - Abraxas in maintaining genome stability and tumor suppression (Cell Reports 2014).2) Identified and characterized the role of DNA damage-dependent Abraxas phosphorylation in the stabilization of BRCA1 dimerization and subsequent accumulation of BRCA1 to DNA damage sites (Molecular Cell 2016).3) Discovered a novel epigenetic modification by Lys11-linkage-specific ubiquitination of histones and characterized its role in inducing transcriptional silencing at the damaged chromatin (Molecular Cell 2017).4) Characterized both SUMOylation and Ubiquitination-dependent recruitment of BRCA1-A complex to the DNA damage sites (JBC 2012).

El Paso

Thesis Title: A specific regulatory role for SGTα on the maturation and activation of steroid hormone receptorsCharacterized a newly identified Hsp90-Hsp70-associated cochaperone SGTA in regulating specific steroid hormone receptor complex and identified SGTA’s role in inhibiting FKBP52-mediated potentiation of receptor activity (JBC 2014).

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Biochemistry And Molecular Cell Biology, 3.65

Master’S Degree, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology, 3.92

Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine (Dvm), Veterinary Medicine, 3.93