Sarah Minich

- Developed and performed assays to characterize reni-cel, an ex-vivo gene editing therapy for patients with severe sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia - Collaborated with other analysts on routine drug product analytical testing involving erythroid differentiation, CFC, ELISA, MSD, cell lysis, flow cytometry, nucleic acid extraction, ddPCR, and NGS preparation - Frequently processed of healthy donor and clinical patient cells - Executed studies in a timely fashion to support reni-cel IND amendments, aided in resulting technical reports - Developed and conducted sample testing (5-10 samples/month) of three immunoassays to quantify residual cytokines in edited drug product, critical for safety studies - Supported development of cell culture assay to improve editing efficiency, essential for patient lot release - Authored and reviewed four test methods and three assay development reports - Advised fellow colleagues on ELISA and MSD through Editas Peer Alliance Coalition, which provides interested employees with background information, observation opportunities, and hands-on experience - Led efforts for increased team data traceability and efficiency via Benchling workflow establishment - Presented study results and experimental findings to a variety of teams

- Designed guide RNA sequences targeting Angptl3 knockout as a proposed treatment for familial hypercholesterolemia - Introduced Angptl3-aiming Cas12a RNP into Hepa 1-6 cells via electroporation and quantified editing efficiency using T7E1 cleavage assay - Optimized multiplex delivery of Angptl3 knockout Cas12a RNP with previously validated Cypor knockout Cas9 RNP in the Hepa 1-6 cell line as a proposed method to give edited cells a natural advantage over native cells after acetaminophen (APAP) selection after ex-vivo gene editing - Mentored an undergraduate student in basic lab skills and CRISPR biology knowledge - Established various experimental protocols for the Cottle Lab including dual-RNP electroporation, electroporation involving Cas12a nuclease, rhAmpSeq library preparation, and T7E1 cleavage assay with subsequent analysis on Bioanalyzer 2100

- Learned about the applications of prime editing - Recreated a previously published design, and delivered the components to HEK293 cells via electroporation - Developed basic lab skills and molecular biology knowledge

- Managed a team of 70-80 general engineering undergraduate teaching assistants - Responsible for hiring, training, and scheduling undergraduate teaching assistants - Assisted the general engineering staff, faculty, and facility as needed