Yi-Lin Chen Email & Phone Number

United States

Project: Buffer Formulation for Recombinant CspZ-YA Protein, a Promising Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate• Investigated biophysical and biochemical properties of CspZ-YA in different buffer systems to facilitate optimization of protein purification process and downstream formulation.• Evaluated CspZ-YA’s conformation, hydrophobicity, aggregation assessment, thermal stability, and secondary structure to determine the optimal pH and salinity for long-tern storage of vaccine antigen candidates.• Published one journal paper article in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.Project: Investigate the protection mechanism of Lyme disease vaccine candidate CspZ mutated protein, CspZ-YA (Collab. Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH, Albany, New York)• Developed purification scheme and isolated antibodies that identified distinct epitopes on CspZ-YA protein through surface modification/ substrate immobilization on the resin. • Evaluated the protection effect of poly- and monoclonal antibodies recognizing CspZ FH-binding/non-FH-binding sites. • Identified protective epitopes of CspZ-YA, contributing to potential advancements in precision antigen engineering for innovative vaccine development against Lyme disease. • Published one journal paper article in Infection and Immunity.

Quality Control, Analytical Assay Development, Protein Purification and Formulation • Develop and execute analytical assays for formulated protein (or purified protein) quantification and characterization with biochemical, biophysical, and immunological methods.• Develop and optimize the purification process of vaccine antigen candidates. • Monitor and characterize the vaccine candidates (drug product/drug substance) for stability study to ensure safe usage.• Develop and conduct different vaccine formulations for in vitro or in vivo studies. • Synthesize and purify mRNA for mRNA vaccine development. • Execute quality control activities and conduct stability or batch production protocols for protein antigens or formulated vaccines candidate. • Draft and review SOPs, technical reports, protocols, deviation reports and other regulatory documents for stability analysis and characterization study of potential vaccine antigens. • Communicate and collaborate with Quality Assurance team with auditing.

Houston, Texas, United States

• Complete 10+ leadership development programs; improve personal leadership performance in various roles such as in research collaboration or student organization. • Assist Doerr staff organizing different outreach event and accompany in exclusive networking events.• Represent the Doerr Institute at graduate student orientation and various outreach events on campus.

Houston, Texas Area

Laboratory of Soft Matter Engineering (Biswal's Group)Project: Role of phospholipid membrane in cell exosomes interaction (Collab. MD Anderson’s Cancer Research Center) • Built model phospholipid membranes to simulate the exosomes (cancerous/healthy) interaction with biological systems. • Discovered different absorption behavior between cancerous and healthy exosomes, using microfluidic devices or surface analytical techniques (QCM-D). • Proposed possible mechanism of cell uptake protocol of exosomes, and its potential in drug delivery applications.Project: Investigate mechanism of lysosomotropic detergent lysis membrane of lysosomes • Determined the critical lipid/detergent ratio for the onset and complete solubilization of liposomes (3D) through UV/vis spectroscopy and supported lipid bilayers (2D) through QCM-D and Nanoplasmonic spectroscopy.• Proved that both 3D and 2D systems follow the same solubilization mechanism.Project: Tuning adsorption of switchable surfactant by solution environment • Measured the dynamic adsorption of industrial grade switchable cationic surfactant (TTM) on solid substrate under different salinity and pH levels using QCM-D.• Discovered the adsorption mechanism to follow the “two-step” model for cationic surfactant by fitting measured parameters to different known theoretical models.• Discovered that low salinity and pH level gives the least surfactant adsorption, potentially beneficial to enhanced oil recovery

Teaching assistant for Senior Process Control, Fundamentals of Biomolecular Engineering, and Colloidal & Interfacial Phenomena-Taught both undergraduate & graduate student level courses.-Assisted and supported the professors with lesson material.-Helped students acquiring the knowledge of the courses

Taipei City, Taiwan

Laboratory of Protein EngineeringProject: Inhibition effect of Erythrosine on Amyloid fibril formation of Lysozyme • Discovered the inhibitory effect of erythrosine (edible dye) on the amyloid fibril formation of denatured lysozyme through circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopies.• Proposed possible inhibition mechanisms of erythrosine on lysozyme denaturation through comparison with molecular dynamics simulations, suggesting possible treatments for amyloid-associated diseases, e.g. Parkinson’s or Huntington’sProject: Protein purification using modified Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous Membrane • Designed edible dye modified PAN membranes for high selectivity protein purification. • Determined the optimal condition (dye concentration, pH level) for the highest amount of protein absorption.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Chemical Engineering

Bachelor'S Degree, Chemical Engineering