Molecular & Cell Biology Techniques

I have the standard panoply of molecular techniques in terms of DNA (i.e. cloning, purification, PCR, expression and Southern blot identification); RNA (Purification, identification by RT PCR, Northern blotting, In situ hybridisation) and proteins (Western blotting). 

By way of example, see my first two publications, circa 1988-1995:

  1. EBV.
  2. Cell Junction studies. 

To emphasise the Cell junction studies in particular, not only did this work culminate in the aforementioned publication, but an archetypal description of a cell junction isoform was integral to this publication and resulted in the deposition of primary sequence, and citations thereof, in Genbank,  referencing in MGI Jackson database and Ensembl as well. Furthermore, this seminal paper describing the cell junction isoform included spatial IHC expression studies, which were featured on the front cover on that edition of the journal. 

In addition I have skills pertaining to gene expression work, including protein expression & purification (for drug discovery assays), IHC P (including tissue microarrays), immuno fluorescence, ELISA, (35S) in situ hybridisation, RNA CISH (RNAScope®), RT PCR, real time qRT PCR including Taq Man, high throughput Affymetrix Microarray biochips & Automated DNA Sequencing.

By way of example, see:

  1. Micro array gene expression.
  2. Automated DNA Sequencing.
  3. Protein Expression.

I also have applied/high through put molecular skills such antibody panel screening using tissue microarrays, (BAC clone derived) shot gun sequencing; Genome scans; & biochemistry skills: in particular, development & optimisation of a high throughput (FRET) drug discovery assay; Drug screening, efficacy testing & enzyme kinetics (e.g. Michaelis Menten kinetics and computing substrate Km);& enzyme expression & purification (for drug discovery assays).

By way of example:

  1. Drug Discovery.
  2. Drug discovery #2.

I possess the standard panoply of TC skills, i.e. in vitro culture, growth curves & transfections (for example). I have also generated primary cell lines from human tissue explants (thymus), derived and cultured macrophages from whole blood and buffy coat extracts, as well as worked in specialist TC (Cat #3) facilities (for example) and maintained a Cat #2 TC facility, including cell line testing for Mycoplasma. I have practiced and developed both viability assays & cytotoxic assays (to implement high through put in vitro screens).

By way of example:

  1. Primary culture and gene expression (qRT-PCR).
  2. Primary culture and gene expression #2.

Paper describing DSC-2

This paper, in which I am a co author, is the reference on Gen Bank for DSC-2 and features my spatial expression data. This IHC work was performed at the University of Manchester, circa 1992-1995. 

Paper Elucidating TP in EBV

This publication features a lot of work by me i which I clarify expression patterns of EBV Terminal protein by Western blotting in lymphocytes. Work was performed at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, circa 1988-1991.

Discovery & Description: Murine Desmocolin 2 (DSC 2), a protein isoform junction rivet

In the last section I made reference to an index paper, quoted on Ensembl and Gen Bank.

This paper and the associated primary sequence pertain to characterising the gene for a protein isoform that is integral to a cell junction protein called Desmocollin 2. My contribution was to elucidate spatial expression by in situ hybridisation in FFPE sections of key tissues.   

Description of Mouse DSC-2

This is a depiction of a CDS for murine desmocollin type 2 (DSC-2) deposited in GenBank. 

Paper describing DSC-2

This paper, in which I am a co author, is the reference on Gen Bank for DSC-2