Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Publications
Keywords
Timeline
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Vijayasshekar Manukonda

Cary,NC

Summary

Driven by a passion for innovation in biotechnology, I've made impactful contributions at Syngenta Crop Lab and in academia, mastering skills in molecular biology, protein purification, and team collaboration. My work, highlighted by pioneering disease-resistant crops and uncovering autoimmune disorder mechanisms, showcases a blend of technical expertise and a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience

Work History

Genetic Engineering for Disease Resistance in Plants

Syngenta Crop Lab
RTP, NC
11.2023 - 06.2024
  • Effector proteins secreted by pathogens are detected by specific resistance (R) genes in plants, initiating a defense response that enhances disease resistance
  • By identifying and incorporating these R genes into breeding programs, researchers can create plant varieties with improved resistance to pathogens, following the gene-for-gene model of plant-pathogen interactions
  • Mapped Gene Product Specificities: Leveraged advanced biochemical and structural techniques to delineate the specificities of effector and resistant gene products in tobacco and soybean, enhancing understanding of plant-pathogen interactions
  • Developed Gene Expression Cassettes: Engineered and infiltrated various expression cassettes carrying effector genes, both individually and in combination with resistant genes, into soybean and tobacco plants to elucidate effector-resistant gene interactions and promote the development of disease-resistant crop varieties
  • Identified Promising Correlations: Conducted preliminary studies that revealed a significant correlation between pathogen effectors and resistant genes in Nicotiana, underscoring the potential for targeted interactions to improve disease resistance

Research Associate

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
09.2022 - 04.2023
  • My current research focuses on autoimmune disorders, particularly Type 1 diabetes
  • I investigate T cell-mediated autoimmune responses and develop therapeutic treatments, aiming to map the AIM2 inflammasome interactome
  • Notably, mice lacking AIM2 are free of diabetes
  • I hypothesize that AIM2, a critical regulator in pathways like PI3K/DNA-PK/AKT, affects self-tolerance and the diabetes response
  • By employing molecular and biochemical techniques, I seek to identify AIM2 interactors and uncover new mechanisms that regulate self-tolerance, paving the way for potential therapeutic interventions
  • Engineered Retroviral Constructs: Developed retroviral fusion constructs of TURBO-AIM2 within mammalian expression vectors, facilitating the generation of viral particles that express the TURBO-AIM2 fusion protein for mapping AIM2 binding partners in the inflammasome interactome complex
  • Published Research Findings: Rapidly published an article in 2023 based on initial results and supporting hypotheses, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field

Research Associate

Oklahoma State University
Tulsa, OK
11.2021 - 08.2022
  • I researched ADAMTS metalloproteases involved in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, focusing on their roles in hemostasis and extracellular matrix remodeling
  • My work specifically examined the allosteric regulation and substrate specificities of ADAMTS13 and ADAMTS7, highlighting their implications in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a serious blood clotting disorder
  • Purified Recombinant Proteins: Successfully purified multiple recombinant substrates of ADAMTS-13 and ADAMTS-7 using advanced affinity and gel-filtration chromatography techniques
  • Established Stable Cell Lines: Developed stable cell lines for ADAMTS-13 and ADAMTS-7, facilitating continuous protein expression for in vitro binding assays to identify potential substrates
  • Presented Research Findings: Presented initial results as a conference poster, culminating in publication in Blood (2022), demonstrating significant contributions to the field

Education

PhD - Biotechnology

JNT University
Hyderabad, India

MSc - Biotechnology

Acharya Nagarjuna University
Guntoor, AP, India

Skills

  • Molecular biology
  • Recombinant cloning in EColi
  • Insect and Mammalian cells
  • Site directed mutagenesis
  • Transient transfections
  • Stable cell lines generation
  • Plasmid extraction
  • DNA/RNA extractions
  • PCR
  • RTPCR
  • QPCR
  • FPLC
  • Protein purification
  • Affinity chromatography
  • Ion exchange chromatography
  • Gel filtration chromatography
  • Invitro assays
  • SDS-PAGE
  • Western blot
  • Protein-Protein Interaction Studies
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Cell culture
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • GraphPad Prism
  • Bioinformatics tools
  • Pull down assays
  • Microscopy
  • ELISA
  • Virus particle generation
  • Cell transfections and transductions
  • Spectrophotometry
  • CGMP and FDA regulations compliance
  • MS Office

Publications

  • The regulation of self-tolerance and the role of inflammasome molecules, Qi Ke, Ashley Nicole Greenawalt, Veera Manukonda, Xingqi Ji, Roland Michael Tisch, Frontiers in Immunology, Review article, Accepted manuscript, 03/01/23
  • Regulation of VWF Cleavage Is Mediated By Coupling ADAMTS13 D- and C- Domain Binding Sites, Joshua Muia, J. Cameron Barton, BS, Kathryn L Smith, BS, Karen Vanhoorelbeke, Veera V Manukonda, Anna Platt, BS4, Frida Miranda, Blood, Poster Abstract, 11/01/22, https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2022-168339
  • Structural plasticity of neurexin 1 α: implications for its role as synaptic organizer, Sekhar Reddy, Jianfang Liu, Anurag Misra, Mark White, Gang Ren, Journal of Molecular Biology, Accepted Manuscript, 08/01/18
  • Molecular Architecture of Contactin-associated Protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) and its Interaction with Contactin 2 (CNTN2), J Biolo Chem, 09/01/16
  • Calsyntenin-3: molecular architecture and interaction with neurexin 1alpha, J Biol Chem, 12/12/14
  • Diphenylether derivative as selective inhibitor of PTP1B over TCPTP identified through virtual screening study, Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry, 11/01/13
  • X-ray crystal structure of PTP1B in complex with a new PTP1B inhibitor, Protein & Peptide Letters, 01/01/14
  • Design and synthesis of 2-substituted benzoxazoles as novel PTP1B inhibitors, Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 05/01/13
  • Design and synthesis of novel 2-substituted benzothiozole compounds as PTP1 inhibitors, Letters in Drug Design & Discovery, 05/01/13
  • Small molecule inhibitors of PTP1B and TCPTP, Int.J.Pharm.Phytopharmacol.Res., 01/01/12

Keywords

  • Molecular biology
  • Recombinant cloning in E.Coli
  • Insect and Mammalian cells
  • Site directed mutagenesis
  • Transient transfections
  • Stable cell lines generation
  • Plasmid extraction
  • DNA/RNA extractions
  • PCR
  • RTPCR
  • QPCR
  • FPLC
  • Protein purification
  • Affinity chromatography
  • Ion exchange chromatography
  • Gel filtration chromatography
  • In-vitro assays
  • SDS-PAGE
  • Western blot
  • Protein-Protein Interaction Studies
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Cell culture
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Graph pad prism
  • Bioinformatics tools
  • Pull down assays
  • Microscopy
  • ELISA
  • Virus particle generation
  • Cell Transfections and transductions
  • Spectrophotometry
  • CGMP and FDA Regulations Compliance
  • MS office
  • ASCP(MB) certification eligible

Timeline

Genetic Engineering for Disease Resistance in Plants

Syngenta Crop Lab
11.2023 - 06.2024

Research Associate

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
09.2022 - 04.2023

Research Associate

Oklahoma State University
11.2021 - 08.2022

PhD - Biotechnology

JNT University

MSc - Biotechnology

Acharya Nagarjuna University

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