Melissa Johnson Email & Phone Number

Greater Seattle Area

• Responsible for the testing, and implementation of Indirect ELISAs used to validate findings for a breast cancer project within the lab.
• Maintained numerous Breast and Colon cancer cell lines. Transfected Human cells to be able to isolate proteins for use in ELISAs.
• Isolated murine splenocytes for analysis with multi-color flow panels with a Canto II flow cytometer.
• Assisted in the maintenance of a murine colony database and organization and set-up of experimental necropsies.

• Headed ELISA validation for the lab. Was Responsible for the testing, trouble-shooting, and implementation of all ELISAs used to validate findings for all projects within the lab. Supervised other technicians in ELISA.
• All duties included in the Technician II position.

• Generated and isolated GST-fused proteins for use in microarray printing experiments.
• Performed transfection of shRNA clones for knockdown experiments in human cell lines.
• Maintained human cell lines for use in IPAS (Intact Protein Analysis System) experiments as well as to test the effects of various drugs, inhibitors, and knockdown complexes to compliment IPAS findings.
• Ran Western Blots to confirm and validate knockdown experiments, IPAS findings and microarray findings.
• Instrumental in developing and running ELISAs to validate IPAS findings.
• Responsible for running samples on protein microarrays and utilizing GenePix to analyze resulting data.

• Maintained murine and human cell lines. Utilized cell lines in ELISAs, proliferation assays and immunofluorescence.
• Improved methodology for the isolation and culturing of primary hepatocytes.
• Facilitated animal specimen collection and analysis. Utilized techniques in tissue preservation and isolation for immunohistochemical, Western blot, ELISA and real-time gene analysis.
• Instrumental in the transition of semi-quantitative radio-labeled real-time PCR methods to more sensitive real-time analysis with RotorGene and ABI 7700. Developed and troubleshot protocols for FAM-labeled real-time.
• Developed and improved PCR genotyping protocols for mouse colonies.
• Standardized and transferred Helicobacter PCR based screening methods.

• Maintained murine and human cell lines for use in screening potential protein targets for immunotherapies.
• Analyzed ELISA and real-time PCR data from in vivo and in vitro models to show protein levels and gene expression of potential targets.
• Utilized Luminex technologies to screen cell lines

• Utilized microarray technology to analyze differential gene expression among samples.
• Isolated yeast RNA, performed PCRs and sequencing and troubleshot protocols for all methodologies used.
• Maintained online database of yeast strains and experimental outcomes.
• Prepared stock solutions and media and ordered supplies.

B.S., Biology

B.S., Chemistry & Biochemistry