Immunology

Currently spearheading the project of investigating the anti-tumor role of natural IgM antibodies and PDL2 positive B-1 B lymphocytes in in a melanoma mouse model by using a PDL2 positive B1 cell depletion inducible mouse model as well as a lymphocyte knockout mouse model and techniques like ELISA, tumor infiltrating lymphocyte isolation and multi-color Flow Cytometry, IHC and tumor size measurements. A first author manuscript for the same is currently under revision for publication.• Involved in establishing the anti-cancer effect of PDL2 positive B-1 B lymphocytes in a 3D model of B16-F10 melanoma.• Engaged in developing a novel rapid isolation method for enriching B-1 B lymphocytes using magnetic nanoparticles.• Involved in the evaluating the efficacy of chemokine loaded temperature sensitive liposomes to recruit immune cells in a mouse melanoma model.• Currently managing the independently run Zhong lab IHC Core facility which provides histology services to researchers at BU and external users (July 2017-current).• Managed the Boston University Immunohistochemistry Core from November 2016 to June 2017 including helping core users with tissue embedding, sectioning and IHC staining.• Analyzed data and prepared data for publication using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Image editing software (ImageJ, BZX-Analyzer), Statistical software (GraphPad Prism).• Responsible for managing all other general laboratory activities including coordinating lab safety, purchasing supplies and equipment, scheduling maintenance and repair of instruments, drafting SOP’s and experimental protocols, composing new experimental animal protocols and amending existing ones in keeping with Boston University’s IACUC guidelines for experimental research.

• Coordinating the clinical research activities in the Fried lab including recruitment of patients into the studies and collecting, handling and storage of human adipose tissue• Preparing isolated fat cells from human and rodent adipose tissues for metabolic studies and performed methods for measurement of adipocyte metabolism (e.g. lipolysis, adipokine release, glucose uptake and metabolism, lipogenesis, hormone signaling), and methods for adipocyte sizing.• Processing adipose tissue for histology/immunohistochemistry, RNA, DNA, and protein extraction.• Isolating adipose stromal cells from human and rodent adipose tissue.• Conducting preadipocyte culture and differentiation into adipocytes (human and rodents), adipose tissue explants cultures and measurement of adipokines.• Management of all other laboratory activities including safety coordination, scheduling of inspections and equipment repair, primarily responsible for purchasing and ordering of lab supplies.

• Spearheaded the development of a high throughput screening assay for quantification of amyloid fibril burden of tissues in vitro using the property of increase in fluorescence intensity of Congo Red dye upon binding to amyloid fibrils, the publication is pending• Prepared recombinant light chain and transthyretin protein in bacterial expression systems and conducted further purification by immobilized metal affinity chromatography followed by further characterization of protein by SDS-PAGE/Coomassie staining, silver staining and western blotting• Extracted light chain amyloid fibrils from mammalian tissue• Investigated the in vitro efficacy of tetracycline analogs in disruption of ex vivo amyloid fibrils using electron microscopy and spectrophotometric assays• Developed protocols for in vitro formation of fibrils from recombinant light chain and tranthyretin protein• Maintained the laboratory supplies and equipment and assisted with management of all laboratory activities including purchasing and ordering• Maintained lab notebooks and analyzed data for preparation of reports on the status of the research including statistical and graphical summaries

• Characterized amyloidogenic light chain expression and amyloid formation in a transgenic mouse model of AL amyloidosis using immunohistochemistry and other staining procedures in addition to analysis of nucleic acids and protein expression using a variety of techniques like Southern blotting, restriction enzyme digestion, Western blotting and ELISA• Maintained mammalian cell lines and investigated the functional efficacy of light chain production of plasmid constructs in cell lines after stable and transient DNA transfection• Investigated the in vivo efficacy of doxycycline and other tetracycline analogs in disruption of amyloid deposits in a transgenic mouse model of AL amyloidosis using histology • Managed multiple colonies of transgenic mice including breeding, genotyping by PCR, timed matings, and treatment of animals• Implemented drug treatment studies with tetracycline including preparation of drug and dosing of the mice• Assisted with training summer students and interns in basic molecular biology techniques

Evaluation of novel cannabinoidomimetics in rodent behavioral models, Design and implementation of animal dosing studies, Performance of physical dependence studies with cannabinoids, Preparation and dosing of rodents with cannabinergic agents through intraperitoneal injections, Performance of behavioral tests with rodents that were administered various cannabinoids, Analysis of the data using ODlog software and Microsoft office.

Creation of profiles for ongoing and recently completed clinical trials for novel drugs and new drug regimens currently undergoing investigation.

Biochemical analysis, microbial limit test of water, environmental monitoring, In-process and finished product testing of MMR group of vaccines and DTP group of vaccines, packaging material testing, Instrumentation, raw materials testing.