Joseph Neos Cruz

EDUCATION

College / University

University of the Philippines Diliman

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Cruz

Country

Philippines

Lab Experience

Molecular biology: DNA/RNA/protein extraction, qPCR, semi qRT-PCR, gRNA design, PCR primer design, PCR, AGE, RE digestion, cloning by site-directed mutagenesis, In-fusion/Gibson cloning, TA- and sticky-end cloning, cell fractionation, Western blot, SDS-/native PAGE, bacterial transformation, preparation of ultracompetent cells, basic microbiology lab techniques.
Cell culture and imaging: routine maintenance (seeding, splitting, cryopreservation, and revival) of cells, transient transfection by lipofection, directed differentiation of neural stem cells and neuroblastoma cells into neurons, cellular assays (caspase 3/7 activity assay, RealTime-Glo Annexin V, LDH-based assay, dual-luciferase assay, MTS assay for cellular proliferation), immunocytochemistry, fluorescence and phase contrast microscopy, high-content imaging.

Projects / Research

  • 10/2020 – 07/2021: “Mechanisms of penetrance and expressivity in X-linked Dystonia Parkinsonism”. Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Germany
  • 10/2019 – 09/2020: Drug Discovery: “Screening synthetic compounds and lead hits for their ADME-Tox properties”. National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Philippines
  • 07/2019 – 08/2019: “Strategies utilizing miR-17~92 as possible therapeutic target in ALS-associated motor neuron degeneration”. Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
  • 2018 – 2019: Undergraduate thesis: “Functional characterization of NOVA and PTBP – Putative splicing regulators of the neuronal isoform of TAF1”. University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines

Scholarships / Awards

2021 – 2022: Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2015 – 2019: Department of Science and Technology Merit Scholarship

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

Because of my previous lab experiences, I became drawn to RNA biology—in particular, pre-mRNA splicing, non-coding RNA biology, and transcriptional regulation. I would like to investigate how dysregulation of the mechanisms involved in these processes can lead to disease. Moreover, I am also keen to gain experience in structural biology as I believe the field has tremendous potential in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in diseases.