Ankit Agrawal

Ankit Agrawal
University of California, USA

Biography

University of California San Francisco, USA (Postdoctoral Scholar) (?14-present) ? Collaborated with Moderna Therapeutics (Cambridge, MA) to study a key biological challenge for most modified mRNA-based drug technologies; designed a novel qRT-PCR based validation assay to quantitatively measure drug efficiency; SOP transferred to Moderna; managed ~$500,000 grant ? Identified novel translationally repressed RNAs using RNA-Seq based methodology; currently validating selected targets through CRISPR/Cas9 editing & molecular assays ? Developed a novel reporter assay through creative cloning strategies to study unusual proteins as biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS ? Supervised the upkeep & maintenance of all laboratory equipment ? Communicated results and ideas through informal discussions and formal presentations & reports ? Initiated relationships with several scientific vendors & service providers; negotiated favorable deals University of Georgia, USA (Graduate Researcher) (?08-?14) ? Described a paradigm changing model for RNA processing in bacteria; contributed to ~$2.2M NIH grants ? Discovered novel capabilities of an essential enzyme through in vivo & in vitro assays ? Collaborated to develop the patented RNA purification technique RNAsnap?, currently used globally ? Served as designated Lab Safety Officer Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, India (Research Assistant) (?06-?07) ? Developed yeast 2-hybrid based proof-of-concept system to study protein-protein interactions in Chandipura virus; ~$50,000 grant award