Benjamin Steil Email & Phone Number

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Responsible for research and development of new products used for molecular biology, next generation sequencing, RNA and DNA FISH, and synthetic biology based on our in-house DNA and RNA synthesis platform.

Global Vaccines, Inc. Research Triangle Park, Nc

• Production of a VEE virus derived adjuvant, GVI3000, using ATCC certified Vero cells, RNA transcription, electroporation, and ultracentrifugation. • Design and cloning of a new RNA expression system to increase the safety of GVI3000 production. • Design, cloning and testing for virulence and safety of recombinant GVI3000 particles containing a near complete genome of an attenuated VEE virus that could theoretically occur during GVI3000 production to ensure that our production methods are safe.• Demonstrated that the cytopathic effect safety test used to detect propagation-competent recombinant virus can detect down to 1 PFU of virus (GVI3000 is not propagation-competent).• Quantification of GVI3000 infectious particles using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.• Conducted a year-long longevity study of the immunological response in mice to GVI3000 combined with H5N1 influenza vaccine, analyzing serum and mucosal antibody titers by ELISA and T cell responses by ELISpot.• Designed the cloning of an adjuvant similar to GVI3000 but based on Sindbis virus and then directed a technician who executed the project.

Rtp, Nc

• Use of mice knocked out for different innate immune recognition and signaling proteins to determine which innate immune pathway is important for the GVI3000 adjuvant effect using a model antigen.• Investigated the innate immune response to GVI3000 in mouse serum and lymph nodes at several timepoints by analysis of type I interferons, as well as several cytokines and chemokines either by bioassay, ELISA, or milliplex.• Harvested and cultured bone-marrow derived dendritic cells from knockout mice that were then infected with GVI3000 and vesicular stomatitis virus.• Optimized the electroporation of human A549 cells with siRNA and siRNA-expressing DNA plasmids to knockdown particular innate immune proteins.• Wrote an SOP for the detection of GVI3000 RNA genomes by quantitative real-time PCR.• Quantified the number of genomes of GVI3000 particles per lot and then determined the ratio of genomes to actual infectious units of GVI3000.• Bred knockout mice to homozygosity which then lacked two innate immune genes verified by PCR genotyping.• Trained two interns in the lab, one for one month and one for 6 months in standard lab skills such as ELISA for the detection of serum IgG, Western blotting, and RNA transcription.• Collaborated with the Netherlands Vaccine Institute to publish two papers on the successful use of GVI3000 with the inactivated poliovirus vaccine to boost the immune response in rats and mice.• Wrote half of an NIH RO1 grant that was funded after receiving a percentile score of 3.

Ph.D., Microbiology And Immunology

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Chemistry Major, Biology And Spanish Minors