Develop curative gene therapies using a variety of novel CRISPR associated editing systems such as nucleases, base editors, and prime editors.Assist in developing a comprehensive competitive landscape for different gene therapy indications.Propose therapeutic approaches for new indications and initiate early stage R&D.Closely work with external biotech partners to create goals and meet deadlines on joint projects.Independently propose, research, implement, and teach new processes with relevance to both company/ project objectives.Present complicated research in an easily digestible format to a broad audience with varying levels of scientific expertise.Research responsibilities:Collaborate with the early discovery team to employ novel editing technologies such as nucleases, base editors, and prime editors in therapeutically relevant models. Develop and optimize protocols to screen guides across different nuclease systems in a variety of cell lines, including primary hepatocytes, neural progenitor cells, myocytes, and iPSC using a variety of transfection methods (lipofection, nucleofection, and LNPs).Formulate and manufacture Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs) for use during In Vivo studies.Generate novel LNPs to increase ex-hepatic specificity Establish assays for the quantification and characterization of RNA.Design qPCR and ddPCR assays to quantify gene expression levels for targets of interest.Design NGS (Illumina short read) assays to qualitatively analyze gDNA and RNA variants post-editing.Design long read (Oxford Nanopore) assay to characterize RNA variants and quantify the frequency of different outcomes.Develop RNAseq pipeline and work bioinformaticians to analyze data.Create novel assays to improve off target profiling, specifically for Type V CRISPR systems, and work cross functionally to get initial proof of concept tested.Establish medium throughput methods for harvesting soft tissues and isolating high quality gDNA/ RNA for downstream analysis.

Molecular cloning using restriction digest, SLIC, LIC, Gibson Assembly and other cloning techniquesPCR and ddPCRCreating archival system for plasmidsCompetent cell generationDeveloping strain database for bacteriaNextGen Sequencing (NGS) Short read sequencing Long read sequencing Writing SOPs Cross functional team collaboration Regulatory affairs

Execute laboratory experiments; make detailed observations and analyze dataFormulate reagents for detection and ancillary products Prepare technical reports, summaries, and quantitative analysesMaintains complete and accurate records compliant with ISO 9001:2015 standards along with GMP/ GLPWorks on projects and discusses data within a groupFacilitate merger of companies to ensure smooth transition of physical material and technical skills

Dr. Jensen's lab studies the immunology and pathogenesis of the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of human toxoplasmosis. We use genetic, molecular and immunological approaches to identify parasitic virulence factors that modulate a range of immunologically based phenotypes. These phenotypes include intestinal inflammation, macrophage function, T cell stimulation and the ability of Toxoplasma to evade immunological memory responses.