Jones Huang
San Diego,CA
Summary
An experienced research scientist with more than 7 years of hands-on skills in oligonucleotide therapeutics and delivery, solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides (including chemically modified nucleotides), analytical chemistry (LC/MS), upstream drug design, conventional SELEX library-screening, particle-display-driven high-throughput oligonucleotide (RNA, 2'-OMe/Fluoro-RNA, DNA) screening, NGS, assay development, and scientific project management.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Scientist II
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
San Diego, California
11.2021 - Current
- Managing three research projects regarding oligonucleotide therapeutics for liver fibrosis and genetic neurological diseases
- Development of cutting-edge oligonucleotide therapeutical strategies, including siRNA design, optimization of modification patterns, in vitro screening, in vivo potency/efficacy assessment, exploring various delivery modalities consisting of GalNac, LNP, and antibody-oligo-conjugates (AOC)
- Development of high-throughput oligo manufacturing platform, via MermadeX192 synthesizer, automatic OPC purification system, liquid handling system, and own-developed automatic data processing capacity
- Development of tangential flow filtration (TFF) system and large-scale endotoxin monitoring/removal platform to scale up the non-GMP oligo manufacturing to 30-50 grams level
- Actively cooperating with several CROs for manufacturing/in-vitro screening and working closely with our CMC development partners.
Research Scientist
Aptitude Medical Systems, Inc.
Goleta, California
02.2021 - 10.2021
- Developing RNA oligonucleotide (aptamer)-based ophthalmology drugs for diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration, involving RNA synthesis, purification, pegylation/polymerization, multi-valency (enhanced avidity) design, multi-armed modification, in vitro/in vivo characterization, and preclinical assessment
- Development of Metrix POC device (OTC) for rapid, PCR-quality, and qualitative molecular (nucleic acid) testing, which has been authorized for emergency use by FDA.
Assistant Scientist
Aptitude Medical Systems, Inc.
Goleta, California
04.2018 - 02.2021
- Discovering VEGF-targeted DNA/RNA oligonucleotide (aptamer) for ocular vascular disease, including constructing high-throughput platform for screening oligomers, establishing and maintaining HPLC/FPLC chromatography (RP, AEX, SEC, IMAC) platforms for identification/characterization/purification, functional characterization (Kd, IC50, RIC50, PKPD, stability), and 2’-Fluoro/2’-OMe modification/characterization of RNA oligonucleotides (aptamers).
Research Assistant
Tianjin Institute of Industrial Microbiology
China
07.2007 - 12.2007
- Lab-scale (10 L) and pilot-scale (30 L) fermentation (bioreactor) of engineered Trichoderma reesei for the overexpression of functional protein
- Establishing platform for purifying target protein at industrial level.
Research Assistant
Union Medical & Pharmaceutical Technology (Tianjin) Ltd.
China
03.2007 - 07.2007
- Developing time-resolved immunofluorometric assay for in vitro diagnosis of cancer.
Research Assistant
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu Institute of Biology
China
07.2005 - 08.2005
- Evaluation of the antimicrobial effect of the nisin polycyclic peptide on fresh milk.
Education
Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineering
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH12-2017
Master of Science - Microbiology
Nankai University
Tianjin, China06-2010
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
Sichuan Agricultural University
Yaan, China06-2007
Skills
- Oligonucleotide Synthesis (MermadeX192; MermadeX12; OP-100; Waters Andrew automated liquid handling)
- AKTA Purification Systems
- Analytical HPLC Systems (Agilent)
- UPLC-Q-TOF-MS
- Tangential Flow Diafiltration (TFF) System
- Organic Chemical Conjugation and Modification
- Oligonucleotide Library Design and High-throughput Screening
- Molecular Interactions (Molecular binding kinetics and relevant assays)
- Biochemistry and Immunology
- Surface/Material Analytical Techniques
- Characterization at Nanoscale
- Drug delivery/Tissue Engineering
- Molecular Biology (RT-qPCR; NGS)
- Stem Cell Relevant
Patents
Method For Extracting II Type Epiphyte Hydrophobic Protein by Ultrafiltration Method, 07/09/2008, CN101215321
Journal Papers
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4oSaiS0AAAAJ&hl=zh-CN&oi=ao
Timeline
Research Scientist II
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
11.2021 - Current
Research Scientist
Aptitude Medical Systems, Inc.
02.2021 - 10.2021
Assistant Scientist
Aptitude Medical Systems, Inc.
04.2018 - 02.2021
Research Assistant
Tianjin Institute of Industrial Microbiology
07.2007 - 12.2007
Research Assistant
Union Medical & Pharmaceutical Technology (Tianjin) Ltd.
03.2007 - 07.2007
Research Assistant
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu Institute of Biology
07.2005 - 08.2005
Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineering
The Ohio State University
Master of Science - Microbiology
Nankai University
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
Sichuan Agricultural University