Jay Leipheimer

• Delivered high-quality mRNA at scales up to 0.5g to support preclinical studies in cell, mouse, and non-human primate models for Eli Lilly and VERTEX partner programs.
• Designed, synthesized, purified, and characterized lead mRNA candidates for both Eli Lilly and VERTEX collaborations.
• Developed a rapid generation method for mRNA variants using cloning-friendly plasmid templates, enabling the production of over 300 unique mRNA constructs to support R&D activities.
• Collaborated with the CMO and internal development teams to implement a cost-effective process that significantly increased reaction yields.
• Engineered novel co-transcriptionally added mRNA cap analogs to enhance eIF4E recruitment and decapping resistance, improving mRNA potency.
• Established in vitro assays to evaluate eIF4E recruitment and decapping resistance of novel mRNA cap analogs.
• Partnered with the internal synthetic RNA chemistry team to design and evaluate novel 3' end stabilizing elements, co-transcriptionally bound to mRNA, resulting in enhanced stability and protein production.
• Assessed potential of circRNAs and saRNAs for gene editor delivery in comparison to traditional linear RNA designs.
• Led design, validation, and training of a user-friendly benchtop method for RNA encapsulation into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).
• Mentored and trained a team of four junior scientists, fostering their development and technical skills.
• Documented changes during experiments, noting unexpected issues arising during research activities.

• Contributed to and actively participated in research design and execution of a high-throughput approach to sequence tRNA expression levels and RNA modification variance.
• Explored the effect post-transcriptionally modified bases effected translation and RNA decay kinetics.
• Leveraged understanding of RNA chemistry and translational pitfalls to design conditions for optimal protein expression.
• Differential Proteomic Analysis of ribosome Associated proteins.
• Trained 5 Ph.D. candidates in experimental techniques and analysis Designed novel techniques with NIH collaborators to analyze effects RNA modifications have on translation.
• Generated 50+ data sets using PCR-based methods complemented with various molecular techniques to interpret the dynamic relationship between RNA decay and protein biogenesis both in vivo and in vitro.
• Adapted lab practices in response to COVID-19 to maintain high-quality work in a time of crisis.
• Communicate research findings to team members on a weekly basis.

Thesis: Dynamic Interplay between mRNA turnover and translation in response to perturbation in a human fungal pathogen.

• Initiated a line of research that led to the acquisition of a $387,000 NIH funded grant
• Analyzed and interpreted changes in mRNA expression over time following cellular perturbation.
• Collaborated with colleagues to author 6 highly respected peer-reviewed publications.
• Constructed and verified numerous genetic strains using state of the art cloning methods followed by PCR validation.
• Presented research findings to a large professional audience at 6 conferences, both domestic and international
• Instructed over 100 undergraduate students in Microbiology Lab Courses