Phil Sanders, Phd Email & Phone Number

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Barcelona Area, Spain

Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Group,Department of Biomedicine,University of Barcelona.Scientific Results • Implemented and oversaw a pluripotent stem cell-based neuronal differentiation protocol in an ISO 9001 qualified environment which has contributed to 16 thesis projects and 5 publications.• Designed and coordinated a high value pluripotent stem cell-based project involving a team of researchers that utilised single cell RNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, and other techniques to generate high quality data sets to study striatal development in Huntington’s disease. • Designed, executed, and analysed a diverse range of cell culture-based experiments, including single cell RNA-seq, atomic force microscopy, and invasion assays, to study the role of Ikaros during striatal development leading to a new model of striatal development, a patent application, and a first author publication in preparation. • Developed novel array-based cell culture methods with bioengineers and biophysicists to study the role of extracellular matrix in neuronal differentiation and standardise neuroepithelial rosette production. • Identified and validated cell type-specific markers from single cell RNA-seq data that form the basis of a PhD thesis project and three publications in preparation, and contribute to the development of a cell therapy-based treatment of Huntington’s disease.• Designed, executed, and analysed qRT-PCR assays to study gene expression changes during neuronal differentiation in healthy and Huntington’s disease contexts, contributing to two publications. Project management & Leadership • Results obtained and grant writing skills directly contributed to the acquisition of €2.2 million of funding.• Prioritised experiments and maintained a strategic overview to ensure the efficient progression of multiple high value projects in parallel. • Provided scientific guidance and support during the supervision of 10 thesis projects.

Barcelona Area, Spain

Gene Network Engineering Group,EMBL/CRG Research Unit in Systems Biology.• Developed a qRT-PCR and flow cytometry-based reporter system and engineered a panel of molecular constructs to study the effect of stop codon-proximal 3’-UTR structures on gene expression following an initial RNA quadruplex transfection-based microarray experiment. This work resulted in the identification of a novel mechanism of gene expression regulation and a first author publication. • Designed, validated and optimised a system for engineering pattern-forming gene networks in mammalian cells using localised transfection that resulted in the generation of a synthetic biology tool kit for the group.

Babraham, Cambridgeshire

• Validated and optimised the company’s core protein microarray technology platform using a broad range of molecular biology techniques resulting in the generation of functional protein microarrays.• Developed a range of functional protein microarray-based assays for the high-throughput in vitro identification of protein-protein interactions.

Sandwich, England, United Kingdom

• Rapidly learnt and applied a range of molecular and cellular biology techniques to investigate the role of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) in Transforming Growth Factor Beta-mediated stimulation of dermal fibroblast procollagen synthesis.• Received a Pfizer Impact Award for the development of bacterial and mammalian CTGF expression systems.

Phd, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Developmental Biology, Genetics

Supervisor: Professor Alfonso Martinez Arias, Genetics Department. Thesis title: A biochemical analysis of regulatory interactions between.

Bsc (Hons), Molecular & Cellular Biology

Including a one year professional training placement at Pfizer. Awarded a distinction for the work performed during this period.