MEZENTSEV, Alexandre

Associate Research Scientist

630 West 168th Street,
College of Surgeons and Physicians
Vanderbilt clinic, 11-215
Tel: (212) 305-3911
Fax: (212) 305-3229
At my most recent position at the Department of Radiation Oncology I was working
at the scientific project jointly sponsored by DOE and NASA. Using global gene
expression approaches such as Microarray and qPCR analysis we were studying dama
ging effects of ionizing radiation on cell metabolism: differentiation, prolifer
ation and gene expression. In our research program we used a wide spectrum of ex
perimental models such as cell lines, peripheral blood cells and 3-dimensional t
issue models reconstructed from the primary cells. We were the first who charact
erized role of the transcription factor HNF4A in radiation response and identifi
ed 38 novel biomarkers of ionizing radiation. We also designed and tested a real
istic and tractable quantitative models for studies of individual tracks in 3-di
mensional tissue model have provided insights into structural tissue remodeling
caused by single HZE particles. Our main goal at this project was to provide spo
nsors our expertise of possible health risks of ionizing radiation to the astron
auts on the incoming space missions. Working at this project, I became an expert
in detection and quantification of DNA damages and identification of genes that
they have been caused.
I have obtained my university degree in Biochemistry, which has prepared me for
research at the interface of experimental and theoretical biology. My training a
t the University included learning the existing techniques and design of new bio
assays for separation of biomolecules. The School made me a highly trained profe
ssional in the fields of protein purification, enzymology and protein chemistry.
The classes were filled with an extensive analytical work, methods of quantitat
ive analysis, enzyme kinetics, electrophoresis and chromatography. At least a ha
lf of our lab work was dedicated to protein analysis.
My PhD. work in the field of Molecular cloning was aimed at developing the simpl
est model of NAD+-dependent catalysis. At this project, I established the proced
ures for expression, purification and detection of proteins with different mutat
ions in the active center. Moreover, I characterized these proteins by the metho
ds of enzyme kinetics and compared their catalytic mechanisms. The results of th
is work let us formulate the molecular mechanism of action of bacterial formate
dehydrogenase.
My postdoctoral included training in Medical genetics, Molecular Pharmacology, D
ermatology and Radiation Oncology. I participated in the discovery of new signal
ing molecules and molecular basis of lysosomal storage diseases. Working in Dr.
Schwartzman's lab we described a new proinflammatory pathway in the cornea. Part
icularly, we identified 12(R)-HETrE as a mediator of new proinflammatory pathway
and CYP 4B1 as the enzymes that synthesizes 12(R)-HETrE from arachidonic acid.
For the period less than 5 years, we followed 12(R)-HETrE signaling mechanism do
wnstream to the step of transcriptional activation, cloned CYP 4B1 gene and isol
ated promoter. Working at lysosomal storage diseases in St. Justine's hospital o
ur group shed light at origination of galactosialidosis. We identified proteolyt
ic degradation as the main reason of sialidase deficiency in the patient's cells
and demonstrated that it was caused by a point mutation in its binding partner
Cathepsin A.
I anticipate that my new position will help me in my professional growth by shar
pening my experimental and managerial skills. I have years of training in protei
n biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology and radiation oncol
ogy and familiarity with different experimental models such as primary cells, ce
ll lines, peripheral blood cells and tissue samples. I am able to purify and cha
racterize proteins from animal tissues and recombinant proteins expressed in COS
cells, yeast and E.coli. I believe that my broad academic experience and years
of training in protein chemistry make me perfect candidate for this role.

Thank you for your consideration,

Alexandre V. Mezentsev, PhD
(845) 664-8532
mesentsev@yahoo.com