Scott Tekawa

Responsibilities include assay development, antibody screening, NGS library preparation, flow cytometry, and cell-based functional assays.

Supporting role responsible for production of lentiviral vectors to support CAR T-cell therapy research. Routine responsibilities include production of lentiviral vectors, QC assays, maintenance of immortalized cell lines, LIMS implementation and optimization, media preparation, and process development. Other supporting responsibilities include process development and automation.

Supporting role responsible for assisting T cell research and viral vector production teams. Routine responsibilities tasks include preparing media and reagents for production and research, viral vector harvesting, aliquoting, and banking, GFP titering (Guava easyCyte), starting and performance checking flow cytometers (Attune NxT, Intellicyt iQue, Sony SA3800), maintaining and tracking inventory, and equipment upkeep. Other supporting responsibilities include thawing, counting, and activating T cells, passaging cells, and organizing bench tops, refrigerators, and freezers.

Part of Synthetic Biology's Assembly team and responsible for high throughput ligation of DNA constructs. Daily responsibilities include PCR, gel electrophoresis, ligating DNA fragments, transforming and culturing cells, and preparing solid and liquid media for production. Other supporting responsibilities include producing and culturing competent cells, using BLAST for simple sequence analysis, troubleshooting lab equipment, and properly disposing of biohazardous waste.

Some relevant science courses include: General and Organic Chemistry (with lab), General Microbiology (with lab), Microbial Diversity and Ecology (with lab), Cell Biology, Genetics, Recombinant DNA Cloning, and Yeast Molecular Genetics.