SANKAR DAS, PH.D.

11813 Shady Wood Ct. ~ Richmond, VA 23233 ~ 804-310-7409 ~ sd10c8272@westp

ost.net

QUALIFICATIONS PROFILE
Research & Teaching ~ Experiment Design ~ Presentations ~ Laboratory Set-u
p and Management
Hardworking, self-directed professional offering a versatile combination of rese
arch and teaching experience paired with a keen ability to work successfully wit
h a diverse range of scientists, educators, professionals, and students. Holds a
Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Excels at establishing new laboratories and overseeing d
aily management to facilitate research objectives. Produced multiple articles in
peer-reviewed publications. Brings strengths in supervising large teams and mot
ivating students and junior fellows. U.S. Permanent Resident/Green Card. Availab
le for travel and relocation. Additional expertise includes:
* Teaching & Lecturing
* Curriculum Implementation
* Data Analysis
* Sample Collection * Biochemical & Clinical Experiments
* Laboratory Testing
* Team Leadership
* Technique Design
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY, Richmond, Virginia (2002
- 2009)
Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology (2
003-2009)
Demonstrated strong leadership and initiative while starting and overseeing a te
mporary laboratory. Designed and conducted research projects to identify virulen
ce determinants and potential vaccine candidate for streptococci causing bacteri
al endocarditis, utilizing bioinformatics and molecular biology. Worked extensiv
ely with physicians and local populations to acquire samples. Planned and implem
ented experiments, ensured timely reports, and liaised to key stakeholders.
Key Achievements:
* Designed a technique entitled Arbitrary primed PCR which uniquely identified a
n unknown gene.
* Recognized as the first to report the lipoprotein virulence in Gram positive b
acteria.
* Mentored and developed undergraduates, graduate students, junior fellows, and
technicians.
Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Internal Medicine, GI Division (2002-2003)
Scrutinized the mechanism of molecular signaling of muscle contraction and relax
ation in the intestinal smooth muscle. Oversaw characterization of signaling by
EDG receptors and regulation of cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) by cAMP
-dependent protein kinase (PKG)-dependent phosphorylation and protein phosphatas
e type 2A.
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, Lexington, KY (1998 - 2001)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine
Showed effective leadership while driving start-up of a new laboratory. Conceive
d and led a research project entitled "Investigating the clinically relevant mol
ecular mechanisms involved in S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) deficient dysregulatio
n of cytokine expression and apoptosis in Raw cell and HepG2 cell."
BOSE INSTITUTE, Calcutta, India (1989 - 1995)
Research Fellow, Department of Botany
Charted design and implementation of studies examining cellular responses of Bra
ssica campestris under salinity stress with a special emphasis on polyamine (PA)
and its major metabolic enzymes, major biosynthetic enzymes, (Arginine decarbox
ylase-ADC and Ornithine decarboxylase-ODC) and biodegradative enzymes (Diamine o
xidase-DAO and Polyamine oxidase-PAO).
INDIAN STATISTICAL INSTITUTE, Calcutta, India (1986 - 1998)
Senior Technical Officer, Biometry Research Unit (1996-1998)
Project Assistant, Biometry Research Unit (1986-1989)
Spearheaded numerous research projects involving biochemical and clinical experi
ments and population surveys in rural and industrial areas of India. Served as t
eam leader charged with organizing and managing a new
SANKAR DAS, PH.D.
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RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
INDIAN STATISTICAL INSTITUTE, Calcutta, India (1986 - 1998) Continued
laboratory and interfacing with various officials. Drove the collection of resea
rch samples, conducted laboratory testing, developed and disseminate research re
ports, and submitted papers for publication.
Key Achievements:
* Examined the impact of oral anti-Diabetic drugs at the immunoglobulin and hapt
oglobin level on long-term control of the disease.
* Investigated the comparative growth pattern of Indian Major Carp from the Bund
h breed, including hatchery and reverine sources.
* Scrutinized the variations of blood viscosity under different chemical stress
and X-irradiation.
* Explored the impact of medicinal plants on subjects with Diabetes.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
INDIAN STATISTICAL INSTITUTE, Calcutta, India (1994 - 1998)
Instructor
Presented college-level instruction while teaching a range of courses, such as B
iology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA, Richmond, VA (2004 - 2005)
Cardiac Monitor Tech, Department of Cardiology
Reviewed and recorded cardiac rhythms. Alerted RNs to urgent changes for interve
ntion by physicians.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Ph.D., Biochemistry, 1996 - University of Calcutta, West Bengal, India
M.Sc., Biochemistry, 1985 - University of Calcutta, West Bengal, India
B.Sc., Chemistry, 1983 - University of Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Registered Nursing Program, Expected 6/2011 - Medical Careers Institute, ECPI Co
llege of Technology
AFFILIATIONS
* American Society for Microbiology, 2003-2008
PUBLICATIONS
1. T.K. Basu, S. Ganguly, S.K. Sarkar, R.N. Banerjee and S. Das (1987). Effect o
f Chloropropamide at the protein and immunoglobulin in levels of maturity onset
diabetic subjects. Ann. Natl. Mad. Sci. (India) 23: 19-23.
2. R.R. Chottopadhyay, C. Medda, S. Das, T.K. Basu, and G. Poddar (1993). Hypogl
ycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in rats. F
itoterapia LXIV: 450-454.
3. R.R. Chottopadhyay, S.K. Sarkar, S. Ganguly, S. Das, T.K. Basu and C. Medda (
1993) Haematological study of whole body X- irradiation on experimental animals.
Environment and Ecology 11: 531-533.
4. S. Das, M. Chandra and B. Ghosh. (1994). Responses of two cultivars of Brassi
ca campestris to salinity stress. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 21: 76-79.
5. T.K. Basu, R.R. Chottopadhyay, S.K. Sarkar, S. Ganguly and S. Das. (1995). Ef
fect of chemically induced stress on blood viscosity of rabbits. Indian J. Exp.
Biology 33: 213-216.
SANKAR DAS, PH.D.
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PUBLICATIONS
6. S. Das, A. Bose and B. Ghosh (1995). Effect of salt stress on polyamine metab
olism in Brassica campestris. Phytochemistry 39: 283-285.
7. S. Das, T.J. Bhadhuri, A. Bose and B. Ghosh. (1996). Purification and partial
characterization of Arginine decarboxylase from Brassica campestris. J. Plant B
iochemistry and Biotechnology 5:123-126.
8. Zhou H, Das S, Murthy KS (2003). Erk1/2-and p38MAP kinase-dependent phosphory
lation and activation of cPLA2 by m3 and m2 receptors. Am J Physiol Gastrointest
Liver Physiol. 284(3): G472-480.
9. Paik S, Senty L, Das S, Noe JC, Munro CL, Kitten T (2005). Identification of
virulence determinants for endocarditis in Streptococcus sanguinis by signature-
tagged mutagenesis. Infect Immun. Sep; 73(9):6064-74
10. Das S, Noe J C, Paik S, Kitten T (2005). An improved arbitrary primed PCR me
thod for rapid characterization of transposon insertion sites. J. Microbiol Meth
ods. Oct; 63(1):89-94.
11. Das S, Kanamoto T, Unoki T, Munro C L, Kitten T (2009). Contribution of lipo
proteins and lipoprotein processing to endocarditis virulence in Strepotococcus
sanguinis. J. Bacteriology. July; 191(13):4166-4179.
12. Senty LT, Das S, Kanamoto T, Munro C L, Kitten T (2009). Development of gene
tic tools for in vivo analysis of Streptococcus sanguinis. J. Microbiology (PMID
: 19423626 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]).
PRESENTATIONS & ABSTRACTS
1. Zhou H, Murthy K S, Das S, Grider JR, Makhlouf G M.(2003). Multiple Signaling
Pathways for EDG (Endothelial Differentiation Gene) Receptors in Gastric Smooth
Muscle. The American Physiological Society Meeting, Orlando, FL.
2. Das S, Zhou H, Murthy K S, (2003). Stimulatory phosphorylation of cyclic AMP-
specific PDE4D5 by contractile agonists is mediated by PKC/ERK1/2-dependent inac
tivation of protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A). The American Physiological Socie
ty Meeting, Orlando, FL.
3. Paik, S., Das, S., Maziarz, S., Zollar, N. and Kitten, T. (2004) Lessons in e
ndocarditis taught by bacterial mutants. VCU School of Dentistry Clinic Day.
4. Kitten, T. Paik, S., Das, S. and Maziarz, S. (2004) Streptococcus sanguis vir
ulence determinants identified by signature-tagged mutagenesis. Mid-Atlantic Mic
robial Pathogenesis Meeting, Wintergreen, VA.
5. Das S, Munro C L, Kitten T (2005) Identification and Role in Endocarditis Vir
ulence of Lipoprotein Genes in Streptococcus sanguinis. ASM VA Branch Meeting,
Virginia Wesleyan College, Norfolk, VA.
6. Das S, Munro C L, Kitten T (2005) Identification and Role in Endocarditis Vir
ulence of Lipoprotein Genes in Streptococcus sanguinis. ISCVID Meeting, Charlest
on, SC.
7. Das S, Munro C L, Kanamoto T, Kitten T (2006) Identification of lipoprotein g
enes contributing to endocarditis virulence in Streptococcus sanguinis. National
ASM, Orlando.
8. Das S, Munro C L, Kanamoto T, Kitten T (2007) A comprehensive analysis of lip
oprotein genes and their contribution to endocarditis virulence in Streptococcus
sanguinis. Mid-Atlantic Microbial Pathogenesis Meeting, Wintergreen, VA.
9. Das S, Munro C L and Kitten T (2007) Characterization of lipoprotein genes co
ntributing to endocarditis virulence in Streptococcus sanguinis. ASM VA Branch M
eeting, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA.
10. Kitten T, Das S, Munro C L, Kanamoto T, and Unoki T. (2008) Contribution of
Streptococcus sanguinis Lipoprotein to Endocarditis virulence. 37th Meeting of A
merican Assoc. of Dental Research (AARD), Dallas, TX.
11. Senty L, Das S, Munro C L, Kanamoto T, and Kitten T. (2008) Development of G
enetic Tools for Analysis of Streptococcus sanguinis. 37th Meeting of American A
ssociation of Dental Research (AARD), Dallas, TX.
INVITED PRESENTATIONS
* 3/2001 "Role of S-adenosyl methionine in the Apoptosis of HepG2 cells". Depart
ment of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Oh
io, USA

SANKAR DAS, PH.D.

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TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

* Cell and tissue culture: Eukaryotes and prokaryotes

* Electrophoresis types
* Biochemical techniques in enzyme analysis and protein purification
* ELISA
* Radioactive tracer technique, autoradiography/ fluorography
* Antibody preparation and immunodiffusion
* Isolation of DNA, RNA, and plasmid
* RNase Protection Assay (RPA)
* Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA)
* Molecular cloning: Restriction digestion, ligation, transformation, electropor
ation
* Amplification of DNA using PCR and RT-PCR
* Real time PCR
* Fluorescence and confocal microscopy
* Northern, Southern, Western and Dot Blot analysis
* Thin layer chromatography
* High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
* Overexpression of protein in bacteria, purification and antibody preparation
* Mutation of gene by signature tagged mutagenesis
* Gene splicing by overlap extension
* Sequence analysis and genetic mapping using gene construction program