CURRICULUM VITAE

Patrick S. Miller

 

The University of Illinois at Chicago

The Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

900 South Ashland Avenue (M/C 870)

Chicago, IL 60607

Lab Phone:  (312) 996-1687

Fax:  (312) 413-9303

Email:  pmille8@uic.edu

 

EDUCATION

 

Ph.D. Candidate                    Current               University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

Ph.D. Candidate                    2001-2002          University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (transferred)

B.S.  Biochemistry                May 1999            University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln, NE

 

HOMETOWN

Lincoln, NE

 

GRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT

 

My research focuses on enzymes from the DXP/MEP pathway of isoprenoid precursor biosynthesis in Bacillus anthracis. The purified enzymes are being used for crystallization trials and enzyme kinetics experiments to study the mechanisms. Compounds libraries will be screened for inhibitory activity against enzymes in this pathway.

 

 

EXPERIENCE

 

2002-Current      University of Illinois at Chicago, Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 

Graduate Research Assistant under Dr. Andrew Mesecar.   

2002-2003          University of Illinois at Chicago, Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 

Teaching Assistant for Pharmacy courses for three semesters.

1999-2001          MDS Pharma Services. Lincoln, NE. Validation Scientist.  Develop and validate methods to quantitate xenobiotics or endogenous compounds in human plasma or urine by LC/MS-MS or ELISA for use in clinical trials. GLP work environment.

1999                  University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Biochemistry Undergraduate Research Credit: Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide Oxidation on Free Cysteine and Free Glutathione Levels in Bovine Retinas.

1992-1995          University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Animal Sciences; Ruminant Nutrition Laboratory. Student Worker. Performed Kjeldahl nitrogen assays on grain samples to estimate protein concentrations. Assisted graduate student (now Dr.) Timothy Wester with numerous research activities, e.g. taking blood samples from lambs.

 

 

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

 

2004                  Travel award from UIC Graduate College to present a poster at the annual meeting of the American Crystallographic Association (ACA), July 2004

2004                   Travel award from UIC Graduate Student Council to present a poster at the annual meeting of the ACA, July 2004

2001-2002          Pre-doctoral Fellowship, University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign, Molecular Biophysics Training Grant

1994-1998          University of Nebraska-Lincoln David Memorial Scholarship

 

 

MEMBERSHIPS AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

 

American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and the UIC-AAPS Student Chapter

-Executive Committee Vice Chair (2003); Executive Committee Chair (2004)

American Crystallographic Association (ACA)

 

ABSTRACTS AND POSTER PRESENTATIONS

 

  1. Patrick Miller, Andrew D. Mesecar. (2004) “Preliminary X-Ray Analysis of BphC1, an Extradiol Dioxygenase from Sphingomonas strain BN6”. Midwest Enzyme Chemistry Conference. University of  Chicago, Chicago, IL.  October 9, 2004.

 

  1. Patrick Miller, Kiira Ratia, Andrew D. Mesecar. (2004) “Preliminary X-Ray Analysis of BphC1, an Extradiol Dioxygenase from Sphingomonas strain BN6” American Crystallographic Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL.  July 17-22, 2004.

 

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

 

  1. Literature Seminar.  “Enzyme DXR of the Deoxyxylulose Phosphate Pathway of Isoprenoid Biosynthesis as an Antibacterial Target”.  University of Illinois at Chicago.  Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy.  April 1, 2004.

 

CONFERENCES ATTENDED

 

October 9, 2004           Midwest Enzyme Chemistry Conference XXIV

Local Committee Member – Setup Oral Presentations

July 2003, 2004           American Crystallographic Association (ACA) Annual Meetings

October 4, 2003           Midwest Enzyme Chemistry Conference XXIII                   

 

X-RAY INSTRUMENTATION EXPERIENCE

 

APS Synchrotron:        Argonne National Labs

                                           Beamlines:          SER-CAT  monochromatic and MAD data collection

                                                                    BIO-CARS  monochromatic and MAD data collection

X-ray Equipment:         In house system.          Raxis IV++ detector (Rigaku) with inverted phi axis

        

LABORATORY SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES

        

*     Cloning and construction of expression vectors

*     Optimization of protein expression conditions

*     Refolding of proteins from inclusion bodies

*     Protein Purification - column chromatography

*     Gel chromatography

*     SDS PAGE protein gels:  coomassie blue staining

*     Agarose DNA gels

*     Native protein gels

*     Thin Layer Chromatography

*     Crystallization

*     Random Factorial and Optimization of crystal growth conditions

*     Heavy atom soaks

*     Cryo-protectant condition screening and cryo-freezing

*     Capillary mounting

*     Macro-seeding and streak micro-seeding

*     Structure Determination techniques via X-ray Crystallography

*     Molecular Replacement

*     MAD Phasing

*     NCS

 

COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE

 

*     Familiar with:

*     Unix (including editors jot)

*     Denzo/Scalepack (x-ray crystallography processing)

*     SOLVE/RESOLVE (x-ray crystallography)

*     CNS (x-ray crystallography)

·       (x-ray crystallography)

*     HKL2000, Crystal Clear (x-ray crystallography)

*     Swiss PDB-Viewer (structure visualization)