Sofia Khazan Kost

Highly motivated, independent, responsible and committed Ph.D. student (thesis submission: August 2022). Quickly integrates and good at teamwork, has critical thinking and high organization skills. Quick learner of new skills and methods. Experienced in literature review, designing and executing experiments, analyzing results, working with big datasets and databases. Research experience and methods: Biochemistry: Proteins expression, purification (ion exchange, affinity and hydrophobicity) and identification by mass spectrometry (in-gel and in-solution tryptic digestion). Purification and identification of HLA peptides. Proteome and peptidome data analysis (MaxQuant, MSFragger and Perseus). SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, protein quantification, enzymatic activity and kinetics_ Molecular biology: PCR, qRT-PCR, DNA and RNA extractions, transformation, transfection, DNA cloning, molecular markers design. Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in. Cell culture: Mammalian adherent and suspension cultures, hybridoma culture and antibodies purification. Working with human pleural effusion and plasma samples. ELISA and FACS analysis, proliferation assays. Immunogenicity assays (ELISpot and naïve T-cells priming). Phytopathology: Puccinia spp. and B. cinerea culture maintenance, hybridizing wheat genotypes, EMS mutagenesis.