Palaniappan Ramanathan
Waltham
Summary
Dynamic Investigator II at CSL Seqirus with extensive experience in mRNA vaccine development and assay design. Skilled in optimizing RNA strategies and leading collaborative projects across functions. Committed to mentoring teams and advancing research initiatives, contributing to numerous intellectual property filings and enhanced vaccine safety.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Investigator II
CSL Seqirus
Waltham
03.2022 - Current
- New targets: Led two self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) vaccine projects (EBV, EV-D68) through their initial phases to proof-of-concept, involving five pre-clinical studies. Successfully identified three lead candidates for further development. Optimized multicistronic constructs to fine-tune antigen expression and viral-like particle (VLP) formation, resulting in improved immunogenicity.
- Improving safety profile: Identified two base/sugar modifications that surpassed benchmarks in reducing the innate immune response of sa-mRNA vaccines without compromising immunogenicity. Demonstrated proof-of-concept that co-expressing an interferon antagonist within an sa-mRNA vaccine mitigated reactogenicity while modestly enhancing antigen expression. Currently evaluating external partners utilizing different viral antagonists or oligonucleotides to diminish RIG-I/TLR7/8 induced responses.
- RNA improvements: Collaborated with external partners to enhance RNA quality through process improvements, including continuous flow in vitro transcription (IVT) and co-transcription capping, resulting in better immunogenicity. Additionally, evaluated various cap analogs to reduce reagent costs.
- Assay development: Established in-house next-generation sequencing (NGS) capabilities for both short and long-read sequencing, as well as single-cell genomics. Created bioinformatics pipeline with CSL and external resources. Optimized assays to monitor innate immune response using THP1 and human PBMC tests, screening sa-mRNA candidates developed by diverse workstreams of the sa-mRNA taskforce.
- Contributed significantly to multiple intellectual property filings, including EBV, EV-D68, base modified sa-mRNA, interferon antagonist, and chemoattractants. Additionally, provided support for further intellectual property filings by the carrier team.
- Invited six external speakers with extensive expertise in vaccine research over the past two years.
Research Scientist II
Galveston National Laboratory, UTMB
Galveston
06.2014 - 02.2022
- Researched therapeutics for negative and positive strand RNA viruses, focusing on host-virus interactions.
- Developed first and second-generation recombinant vaccines using Ebola glycoprotein in paramyxovirus vectors, addressing pre-existing immunity issues and advancing these candidates for clinical trials.
- Tested small molecule antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, and immunological and epigenetic inhibitors in vitro and in vivo.
- Detailed the phospho-proteome of filoviruses and discovered a role for viral antagonists in genome replication and transcription. (co-first author paper in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2020 and JVI, 2023)
- Developed and refined a strand-specific quantitative PCR assay to distinguish the three strands of filovirus RNA. (co-first author paper in JVI 2018)
- Investigated the role of host factors identified by mass spectrometry in Ebola viral replication.
- Coordinated a multi-PI program grant investigating virus-dependent epigenomic changes in dendritic and hepatic cells, resulting in a successful PO1 grant award. Lead program project at the core biosafety facility and collaborated with various core facilities and collaborating centers, including the sequencing core, proteomics core, bioinformatics and modeling core.
- Co-authored manuscripts on mRNA vaccine responses and adaptive immunity in COVID-19 patients, published in JCI and Journal of Immunology.
- Created qPCR assays for detecting viremia and viral shedding, and ELISA assays to assess immune response for vaccine and antibody evaluation.
- Coordinated multiple collaborative projects and trained junior staff and graduate students.
Kansas State Visiting Scholar/ ORISE Visiting Scientist
Plum Island Animal Disease Center
Orient Point
06.2010 - 06.2014
- Successfully designed and optimized cloning strategies for Ad5 vector expressing bovine and porcine cytokines.
- Developed rapid-acting therapeutics against viral diseases in livestock using a recombinant adenoviral vector platform. (Awarded a US Patent)
- Optimized an ELISA-based cytopathic effect reduction assay for the evaluation of cytokines.
- Small scale production of recombinant Adeno viruses, purification and efficacy testing in pigs and cattle.
Education
Postdoctoral Research Fellow -
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, CO01.2010
Ph.D. - Veterinary Science
University of Sydney
Camperdown, NSW, Australia01.2008
M.App.Sci. - Molecular Biotechnology
University of Sydney
Camperdown, NSW, Australia05-2004
B.V.Sc. - DVM equivalent
Tamilnadu Veterinary And Animal Sciences University
Chennai, India04-2000
Skills
- Project management and data analysis
- Vaccine development and assay design
- Next-generation sequencing techniques
- Immunology research expertise
- RNA optimization strategies
- Intellectual property management
- Partner collaboration
- mRNA vaccine technology
- Bioinformatics methodologies
- Team leadership skills
- Mentoring and coaching
- CRISPR-Cas9 applications
- Effective communication skills
Publications
Palaniappan Ramanathan - Google Scholar, https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=XWQxX3UAAAAJ&hl=en
Awards
- Patent number US11582956B2, Recombinant adenovirus-based interferon biotherapeutics in swine., 02/21/23, 12/31/40
- Abstract selected for oral presentation, American Society of Virology (2016, 2017, 2020 & 2021)
- ORISE Research Fellowship, (2010-2013)
- International Milk Genomics Consortium (IMGC) Portal Content Development Award, (2010) – Role of miRNAs in mammary gland development and lactation – (USD 4,000.00)
- IMGC Travel award, to attend the 4th and 7th International Milk Genomics and Human Health Symposium, California, USA. (2007, 2010)
- FH Loxton Postgraduate Research Scholarship, (2004 - 2007)
- CRC for Innovative Dairy Products Top-up Scholarship, (2004 - 2007)
- TANUVAS Merit Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Performance, (1994 - 1999)
Leadership Experience
- Supervised 2 Scientific Associates, enhancing their research skills and productivity, leading to successful completion of internal and external projects.
- Collaborated with team members across functions to achieve project goals, covering Discovery, Preclinical, BPD, CSL Melbourne, and wet lab due diligence for 8 external partners.
Timeline
Investigator II
CSL Seqirus
03.2022 - Current
Research Scientist II
Galveston National Laboratory, UTMB
06.2014 - 02.2022
Kansas State Visiting Scholar/ ORISE Visiting Scientist
Plum Island Animal Disease Center
06.2010 - 06.2014
Postdoctoral Research Fellow -
University of Colorado Denver
Ph.D. - Veterinary Science
University of Sydney
M.App.Sci. - Molecular Biotechnology
University of Sydney
B.V.Sc. - DVM equivalent
Tamilnadu Veterinary And Animal Sciences University