R&D leader responsible for scientific and technological development of cell therapies.http://www.curegenetics.com/

Mammalian Synthetic Biology, Immunology Group• Generated cell lines to facilitate in vitro functional assays to assess immune responses.• Generated large deletion and gene knock-in in human and pig cells using CRISPR/Cas9.• Implemented methods to improve CRISPR/Cas9 multiplexing.• Analysis of CRISPR off-target effect.

Optimizing activities and investigating in the off-target effect of engineered nucleases, which are being used for correcting mutated sequences in genetic diseases (e.g. Sickle Cell Disease) or disruption of genes (e.g. viral genes such as HIV).__________________________________________________________________________________• Working closely with 24 researchers from 7 universities in a multidisciplinary center for translational Sickle Cell Disease treatment. Communicating data in monthly video conferences and semi-annual review meetings.• Edited successful application for $50,000 Seed Grant (HIV) from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory.• Developed/optimized 8+ critical experiment protocols widely used in the lab, including optimizing the automation of high-throughput DNA purification, transfection conditions of 293T cells, and genomic mutation detection assay.• Built a high-throughput pipeline for TALEN/CRISPR assembly and testing in collaboration with colleagues.• Modeled the activity of TALE Nucleases for gene modification using 205 nucleases as the training set. Increased activity by >3 folds.• Identified new safety concerns on CRISPR nuclease by exploring 100+ potential off-target sites using next-generation sequencing tools.• Functionalized nano-particles with polymers attached to functional groups.

• Optimized an anaerobic protein expression system for mutants of E. coli Cyt bd oxidase, part of the energy chain. • Cloned and expressed a novel Cyt bd Oxidase from Chlorobium ferrooxidans.• Identified a key residue in proton conducting channel of Cytochrome bd Oxidase from E. coli based on FTIR, UV-Vis spectrometry, pyridine hemochromogen assay and oxidase activity assay.

• Optimized protein crystalization conditions. Obtained crystals diffracted to 8Å for Pyrroline-5-carboxylate Reductase from a microbial (Sulfolobus solfataricus P2). Characterized the polymerization of this protein based on chemical cross-linking and dynamic light scattering.