Jay Kapadia Email & Phone Number

Canada

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Laval, Quebec

This project was to study RNA based amplifier, that can potentially amplify a small strand of RNA (22 nucleotide). This amplifier comprised of two components and both are minimal hammerhead ribozymes. Ribozymes are the RNA molecules that folds into active structures which will allow them to catalyze specific biochemical reactions. Hammerhead ribozymes are small RNA molecules that catalyzes nucleotide strand cleavage reaction when folds into appropriate active form. All the ribozymes needed to be in correct folding to catalyze any kind of reaction. Hammerhead ribozymes comprised of two stem loops, which folds to form an active core. This core has conserved base pairing and for ribozyme to catalyze reaction, this core must be in correct folding. Some ribozymes need some external molecules to bind with it to take correct conformation, same as co-enzymes or co-factors that are needed for enzymes. In the case of amplifier, an RNA strand was used as activator molecule for hammerhead ribozymes, so upon binding with small RNA strand, ribozyme will take active form and catalyze strand cleavage reaction. The small activator RNA was termed as Input and the strand that will be cleaved and released was termed as output.Developed a new methodology to analyze kinetics of cis-cleaving hammerhead ribozyme. A fluorescent probe was designed which contains fluorophore and quencher pairs. The whole reaction process was designed based on toehold mediated strand displacement reactions.The methods used in this project were assembly PCR, Ribozyme kinetics assay, Radioactive material handling, Radioactive transcription, 3’- radioactive labeling , 1D gel analysis and phosphor imaging band analysis and DNA and RNA handling.

Montreal, Canada Area

In 2017, I was chanced to do my internship in the lab of Dr. Denis-Claude Roy. Here, I was involved in two main projects. The first project involves the role of ThPOK in lineage commitment of T-cells. Previous studies showed that ThPOK is a transcription factor that determine the fate of double positive T-cells in thymus. In the presence of ThPOK, the double positive T-cells will be converted to CD8+ T-cells, while in the absence of ThPOK, the cells will be developed as CD4+ T-cells. Current project was to determine the dosage dependent mechanism of ThPOK in lineage commitment in thymus from CD4+ to CD8+ T-cells. The molecular mechanism of ThPOK was determined using different mice knockouts as well as overexpression studies. All the knockouts were confirmed using PCR genotyping. The phenotypes were determined by blood sample staining and flow cytometry. To determine the exact target of transcription factor ThPOK, Luciferase promoter assay was performed. The results from these studies confirm the previous hypothesis that ThPOK transcription factor works in dosage dependent manner.The second project that I did in the same institute aims to study open angle glaucoma, an age-related disease that can impair the vision as well as it also causes severe pain in the glaucomatous eye. The project involves handling of animal glaucoma model. Various ophthalmological techniques were also employed as a part of project. One of the most crucial technique learned during this project was laser trabeculoplasty, which requires extensive knowledge of human eye anatomy and animal handling. So, the first internship incorporates various molecular biology, cell biology, ophthalmology and cell culture techniques.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Biology/Biological Sciences, General

Master'S Degree, Electrical And Computer Engineering, 4.0/4.3

Extra Credit Course, Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, And Computational Biology

Arts And Science Extended Credit Course, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, 3.9/4.3

Post Secondary Diploma, Biotechnology, 4.031/4.3 Gpa

Bachelor'S Degree, Biotechnology, 8.0/10