Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Patents
Products
Publications
References
Timeline
Generic

Vincenzo Favaloro

San Francisco

Summary

Over 15 years of expertise in designing, expressing, purifying, and characterizing recombinant proteins, spanning cytosolic, nuclear, membrane, and secreted protein domains. Holds a PhD in Biology, with 5 years of postdoctoral research and 9 years of industry experience. Specialized in designing and cloning recombinant proteins with enhanced features, along with developing and executing strategies for protein expression and multistep purification processes. Proven leadership in guiding small teams of research associates and collaborating effectively with other teams. Author of 8 peer-reviewed articles published in high-impact journals, including Nature, Neuron, and the Journal of Cell Science. Holder of 2 granted patents, with one successfully launched product in the market.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Protein Science Consultant

Stealth Mode Company
San Francisco
06.2021 - 12.2023
  • Collaborated with the founder team to lead the development of a groundbreaking protein expression platform positioned to revolutionize the industry and rival existing systems
  • Conceptualized and created intellectual property for this innovative platform, took charge of the design and implementation of proprietary expression vectors, and developed specialized expression and purification protocols tailored to its unique requirements
  • Provided oversight for the Design of Experiments conducted by contracted research organizations (CROs) and analyzed the results to validate the proof of concept.

Research Scientist R&D

Grifols Diagnostic Solution
Emeryville
08.2015 - 04.2021
  • Balanced responsibilities between managing research associates and coordinating collaborations with other teams, and hands-on wet lab work
  • Developed a comprehensive portfolio of innovative recombinant blood antigens and antibodies, overseeing the entire process from conceptual design to proof of concept, feasibility stage, and technical transfer to MS&T
  • Led the development of new fusion proteins aimed at enhancing the functionality of the recombinant antigens and took the lead on other projects focused on the production of membrane proteins.

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Stanford University
07.2010 - 06.2015
  • Investigated the neuron wiring in the Drosophila olfactory system, employing biochemical and genetic methodologies
  • Utilized biochemical techniques such as chemical crosslinking and large-scale pull-downs coupled with mass spectrometry to identify interactors of a cell surface membrane protein crucial for dendrite wiring
  • Validated these interactions using genetic techniques, including single-cell genetic manipulation using MARCM, followed by immunohistochemistry and analysis through confocal microscopy
  • Actively collaborated with fellow lab members to contribute to the development and execution of biochemical experiments for their respective projects.

Graduate Researcher

Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Germany
12.2005 - 06.2010
  • Investigated the biogenesis of Tail-Anchored (TA) proteins, delving into their post-translational targeting and insertion into the ER membrane
  • Identified Asna1 as a crucial cytosolic protein for this process and co-expressed and purified the functional Asna1-TA-proteins complex in E
  • Coli
  • Designed a specialized coexpression plasmid to ensure a precise balance in the expression of both proteins, significantly increasing the complex yield within cells and facilitating successful purification
  • Enabled a detailed biochemical characterization of the isolated complex and crystallization trials.

Master Student Researcher

Università degli studi di Palermo
Italy
01.2003 - 02.2005
  • Focused on the study of the RNA-binding protein PIPPin
  • Conducted various treatments on bacterial cultures to enhance the solubility and functionality of the overexpressed PIPPin, enabling the purification of a soluble and functional recombinant form
  • Conducted an RNase protection assay to assess its functionality using radiolabeled H1 RNA.

Education

PhD - Biological Science

Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
06.2010

Diploma di laurea - Biological Science

Università degli studi di Palermo
02.2005

Skills

  • Molecular biology: DNA cloning, PCR, DNA sequencing analysis, site directed mutagenesis, plasmid DNA isolation from bacteria, designing and realization of customized expression vectors for single and multiple expression of proteins in E coli, insect (Schneider 2) and mammalian (Expi293 and ExpiCHO) cells, in vitro transcription/translation
  • Biochemistry: protein engineering, expression and purification by FPLC AKTA (affinity chromatography (IMAC, GST, MBP, Protein-A/G) IEX, HIC, SEC), SDS-PAGE and Blue-Native PAGE analysis, IEF, western blot and dot blot analysis, immunoprecipitation, binding assays, ELISA, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR Biacore), Wyatt Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS), HPLC (Agilent), in vivo and in vitro radioactive labeling of proteins and pulse-chase analysis, cell free protein synthesis, conjugation of proteins by chemical cross-linking, MAL-PEG modification of sulfhydryl groups, large scale protein pull-down for mass spectrometry analysis
  • Cell biology: Mammalian and insect cell culture, DNA transfection, flow cytometry, subcellular fractionation, immunofluorescence, protein aggregation assay
  • Computer software: Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, ImageJ, DNAstar, Geneious, Unicorn Software

Patents

  • An oligomerization tag comprising an immunoglobulin fc region and a polyhis domain, EP3587445A1, 01/01/2020
  • Compositions, methods and/or kits comprising a recombinant human CD38-extracellular domain, WO2019030581A1, 02/14/2019

Products

sCD38, soluble recombinant human CD38 that neutralizes therapeutic anti-CD38 as Daratumumab present in the patient's plasma and eliminates its interferences with routine pre-transfusion testing., https://www.diagnostic.grifols.com/documents/4804410/4807854/Brochure_Grifols_sCD381.pdf/268182d2b29c-b550-6d33-ade04acf4933?t=1698793524337

Publications

  • Toll Receptors Instruct Axon and Dendrite Targeting and Participate in Synaptic Partner Matching in a Drosophila Olfactory Circuit, Neuron, 03/04/2015
  • The SUMO Protease Verloren Regulates Dendrite and Axon Targeting in Olfactory Projection Neurons, J Neurosci, 06/13/2012
  • Trans-synaptic Teneurin signalling in neuromuscular synapse organization and target choice, Nature, 03/18/2012
  • EBV protein BNLF2a exploits host tail-anchored protein integration machinery to inhibit TAP, J Immunol, 03/15/2011
  • Asna1/TRC40-mediated membrane insertion of tail-anchored proteins, J Cell Sci, 05/01/2010
  • Structural insights into tail-anchored protein binding and membrane insertion by Get3, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 12/15/2009
  • Distinct targeting pathways for the membrane insertion of tail-anchored (TA) proteins, J Cell Sci, 06/01/2008
  • Thyroid hormones induce sumoylation of the cold shock domain-containing protein PIPPin in developing rat brain and in cultured neurons, Endocrinology, 01/01/2007

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Protein Science Consultant

Stealth Mode Company
06.2021 - 12.2023

Research Scientist R&D

Grifols Diagnostic Solution
08.2015 - 04.2021

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Stanford University
07.2010 - 06.2015

Graduate Researcher

Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
12.2005 - 06.2010

Master Student Researcher

Università degli studi di Palermo
01.2003 - 02.2005

PhD - Biological Science

Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg

Diploma di laurea - Biological Science

Università degli studi di Palermo
Vincenzo Favaloro