Johnston, Rhode Island, United States
Postdoctoral fellow focused on UPEC invasion and colonization of a bladder epithelial cell culture model. Trained in molecular, cellular, and biochemical methods including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/RT-qPCR, protein purification, etc. Experienced with mammalian tissue culture in both 2D and 3D as well as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and E. coli strains (BSL-2).
During my PhD, I studied SWI/SNF, an evolutionarily conserved eukaryotic chromatin remodeler, in yeast and cell culture. In yeast, I purified protein complexes through epitope tags and performed in vitro assays to determine and understand biochemical and functional changes of SWI/SNF. To determine SWI/SNF localization on the chromosome during stress, I performed ChIP-seq in wild-type and mutant strains. In cell culture, I focused on environmental stresses that may alter the heterogeneity of the SWI/SNF complexes. I characterized the complexes by immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry and western blots as well as glycerol gradient sedimentation. I also performed RT-qPCR and cell viability assays to assess changes in mRNA levels of genes reliant on SWI/SNF and cell proliferation, respectively, when unique subunits were knockdown by siRNA. I transitioned to 3D cell culture, specifically spheroids, to study SWI/SNF in this model. Working collaboratively with another professor, I optimized protocols for spheroid formation for different cell lines. Using these spheroids, I performed drug treatment assays to compare efficacy between the 2D and 3D model. - Teaching Assistant for Introductory to Microbiology Lab: I taught introductory laboratory skills and this could be applied in a microbiology environment. - Teaching Assistant for Pathogenetic Bacteriology Lab: I supported the professor who ran the lab with preparation of the class and helping students on the variety of experiments. - Teaching Assistant for Biochemistry Lab: Unfortunately, this was taught virtually, but students were taught different methods that would have been used in the lab, specifically protein purification and running Westerns. - Teaching Assistant for Genetics Recitation: I supported the professor who taught the class.