Deepika Philkana Email & Phone Number

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Perform Shearing of DNA, encapsulation and purification of liposomes using AKTA. Perform general molecular techniques such as plasmid linearization and purification, gelelectrophoresis, RNA transcription. Perform DNA/RNA Purification and quantitation, PCR, DNA/RNA electrophoresis. Maintain mammalian cell culture and perform transfections. Perform nucleic.

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Experience in Molecular Biology techniques such as DNA/RNA Purification and quantitation, PCR (Endpoint or Real time PCR), DNA/RNA electrophoresis. Experience performing general molecular techniques such as plasmid purification, gelelectrophoresis, RNA transcription. Experience with mammalian cell culture and transfections. Maintained cell lines and.

University Of Maryland, Baltimore

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Marta Lipinski (Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology)Project: Function and mechanisms of autophagy-lysosomal pathway in traumatic brain injury
• Studied the effect of autophagy on the activation of microglia and macrophages and their polarization using BV2 cells (invitro) and controlled cortical impact (CCI) mouse model of TBI (invivo).
• Sectioned frozen brain from CCI mouse and immunohistostained for M1 and M2 polarization markers using specific antibodies.
• Determined the effects of various pharmacological inducers/inhibitors of autophagy on biochemical outcomes using mouse microglial BV2 cells.
• Used siRNA reverse transfection for disruption of autophagy in BV2 cells.

Department Of Anesthesiology

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Marta Lipinski Project: Elucidating the function of UPS24 gene in autophagy regulation.
• Cloned USP 24 gene to study its function, performed bacterial transformation, transfection, mini prep/midi-prep,
• Performed DNA isolation and quantification, quantitative PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis.

Department Of Cancer Biology

• Maintained breast tumor cell lines
• Performed cell viability and cell proliferation assays
• Isolated RNA, preparation of cDNA, perform qRTPCR and western blotting
• Cultured mammosphere and staining

Worcester, MA

• Handled, collected blood, injected & dissected mice
• Performed various biochemical assays like whole body assay, triglyceride assay, glucose uptake assay
• Assisted in hypoglycemic-euglycemic clamp experiments of mice to study the glucose metabolism using radioactive glucose in obese mice

• Worked on a power point presentation for promoting the concept of Biofuels.
• An article “Biofuels & Renewable Fuels – Are they same?” for Advanced Biofuels USA website.
• Volunteered at Go Green Energy Conference held in June 2010 at Frederick, Maryland to promote the concept of Biofuels
• Volunteered at Outreach event held in May 2010, at Frederick, Maryland to promote the concept of Biofuels

• Extracted and prepared fractions of lantana camara leaves using various techniques
• Studied antimotility and antidiarrheal activity of lantana camara leaf extracts in rats
• Studied the effects of organophosphates dichlorvos and dimethoate in wistar rats and to evaluated the effects of lantana camara leaf extract on organophosphate- induced changes in gastro intestinal (GI) transit in rats.
• Collected, processed specimens and prepared media, reagents and buffers as per protocols
• Maintained chemicals and equipment inventory.
• Assisted and trained master’s students in their understanding of the course matter and lab work, leading review & practical labs sessions, evaluated student work

• Isolated DNA and RNA from Blood samples of CFTR patients, specifically amplified DNA by using various PCR techniques e.g. PCR, Semi-nested PCR, ARMS- PCR
• Identified and analyzed specific mutations by RFLP, Single stranded conformational polymorphism, agarose gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE
• Performed biochemical assays like serum ceruloplasmin and sweat test to detect Wilson’s disease & Cystic Fibrosis in patients.
• Developed animal model for copper toxicity
• Performed P53 polymorphism studies in laryngeal carcinoma tissues

• Prepared serum, RBC membrane, brain synaptosomes, liver PMS and intestinal brush border membrane
• Handled & dosed mice and rats to study the effect of oral ingestion of sodium fluoride
• Performed various biochemical assays for liver function (SGOT, SGPT, ALP), kidney function (Serum urea and creatinine), Oxidative stress (LPO, GST, GR, GSH), glucose 6-phosphatase, acetylcholine esterase, ATPase, serum.
• Prepared media, reagents and buffers as per protocols

• Project: Study the effect of curcumin and its mechanism of action on cancerous cells at different time points.
• Maintained jurkat carcinoma cell lines
• Evaluated the apoptotic potential by Trypan blue assay, MTT, PARP cleavage, caspase 3 activity
• Assisted in western blot and flow cytometry, phase contrast and fluorescent microscopy, bacteriological, sonication work and ELISA

Master'S Degree, Molecular Medicine

Took a 3 year break after 1st semester due to family issues.

Masters In Science ( Honors), Biochemistry

Activities and Societies: “Year of Scientific Awareness”, Science quiz organized by Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University.

Bachelors, Biotechnology