Michael Dimattia Email & Phone Number

New York City Metropolitan Area

New York City Metropolitan Area

New York City Metropolitan Area

New York, Ny

SUMO is a protein that is attached to other proteins (post-translationally) to regulate their function, typically by altering enzymatic activity, subcellular localization, or interfaces involved in other protein interactions. This modification regulates differentiation, apoptosis, the cell cycle, and response to stress. My postdoctoral work here involves RanBP2, a nuclear pore complex protein that catalyzes SUMOylation. I have in vitro reconstituted a relevant 11-protein human complex for structural investigation by cryo-EM and image analysis. This investigation will clarify how RanBP2 catalyzes SUMO attachment to proteins, and how this process may be important for nucleocytoplasmic transport and chromosomal segregation during mitosis, both processes that often go awry in cancer.

Bethesda, Maryland

HIV Rev is a small regulatory protein that mediates nuclear export of viral RNAs -- an essential step in the HIV replication cycle. In this process, Rev cooperatively oligomerizes onto a highly structured RNA motif. My postdoctoral work here encompassed cryo-EM and helical image reconstruction of in vitro assembled Rev filaments, in order to better understand higher-order Rev oligomerization, and therefore Rev function. I also performed hot spot analysis of the protein-protein interfaces involved in order to better guide anti-Rev target development.

Oxford, United Kingdom / Bethesda, Md, Usa

Anti-HIV drugs have been developed against several viral protein targets, including protease, integrase, reverse transcriptase, and more recently, envelope glycoproteins. However, no therapeutics exist that target HIV Rev, an essential viral protein that regulates the nuclear export of HIV RNAs needed for proper assembly of infectious particles during replication. I determined the crystal structure of HIV Rev in order to better understand how Rev coopts host cell mechanisms to assist HIV replication. Additionally, I pursued in silico fragment screening against our newly-determined crystal structures in order to initiate efforts toward the development of anti-Rev HIV inhibitors.

Gainesville, Florida

I brought a dedicated, detail-oriented, and energetic approach to managing a research lab of 12-15 members. I provided lab support to the research staff; maintained lab supplies, orders, and finances; and oversaw lab safety. In addition, I shifted from training lab members, as needed, to sustaining baculovirus tissue culture (viral capsid production) for lab and sample analysis via negative stain electron microscopy (EM).

Gainesville, Florida

I sought out basic science research in the lab of Dr. Mavis Agbandje-McKenna, studying parvovirus host cell recognition and entry. Specifically, I explored the connection between structure and function of various non-pathogenic viruses known as AAVs (adeno-associated viruses). Such viruses show promise for development as gene therapy vectors for treatment of hereditary diseases. Here, I first learned and employed X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron (cryo-EM) microscopy as techniques for structural investigation.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Structural Biology

As part of the National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program, I embarked on doctoral work that was highly collaborative.

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Biochemistry And Molecular Biology

Thesis title: "Correlating structure to biological function of the Adeno-associated virus serotype 5 capsid" Mentor: Mavis Agbandje-McKenna