Juan Carlos Patarroyo (Lab Manager, Staff Research Associate)
Juan has been in the Zamvil lab for nearly 10 years and has taken the role of training new staff and postdoctoral fellows.
I am directly responsible for cellular and molecular biology studies in the laboratory. I am developing and characterizing constructs for generation of transgenic mice that direct cell-type specific gene expression of MHC II and other immune-related gene products (Stuve, et al, J. Immunol. 2002). My expertise also includes performing quantitative real time PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, constructing bone marrow chimera mice to evaluate the role of antigen processing by hematopoetic APC in EAE, tissue culture (including transfections), FACS analysis, and maintenance of cell lines. I coordinated a study to evaluate genetic polymorphisms in the human MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) (Patarroyo, J.C. et al. Genes and Immunity, 2002). In my free time, I oversee certain protocols (animal experimentation, biosafety) and sometimes assist Scott with his grant applications. I received my undergraduate training at San Francisco State University.
Collin Spencer (ITN Lab Coordinator, Staff Research Associate)
Collin joined the lab in 2003 to spearhead human immunological studies for the multi-center clinical trial “Atorvastatin Therapy in Early MS,” sponsored by the Immune Tolerance Network.
As the Laboratory Coordinator for this clinical study, I am responsible for developing and optimizing mechanistic studies to determine the effects of atorvastatin (Lipitor) on peripheral blood monocytes, and have been responsible for all specimen tracking, processing and query resolution. I actively coordinate advertising and public relations efforts to increase patient enrollment into the study, and have orchestrated the transfer of methodologies to other clinical sites involved in the study. In addition to these clinical efforts, I am pursuing basic research projects to better understand the effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) on human monocyte function. Before coming to UCSF, I spent several years as a research associate in the biotechnology industry---most recently at Rigel Pharmaceuticals conducting immunology and functional genomics studies, and prior to that at Clontech Laboratories focusing on apoptosis assay and product development. I completed my undergraduate work at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).
Thomas Prod'homme (Postdoctoral Fellow)
After graduating in France, I decided to improve my English and to visit another continent, but without leaving my main interest---the coolest molecules ever. I mean the Class II Transactivator (CIITA), and its main consequences, the MHC II molecules. Indeed, my research focuses on the role of antigen presentation by MHC II molecules on macrophages and dendritic cells in EAE. We made some transgenic mice specifically expressing CIITA in either macrophages (CD68-pI CIITA) or dendritic cells (CD11c-pI CIITA) that I am currently characterizing. This includes the use of cell biology techniques (cell culture, FACS analysis) as well as molecular biology (mainly PCR, given that with Juan we have the world expert in cloning) and biochemistry (western blot and immunoprecipitations). San Francisco is a wonderful city; I work with great people. Don’t hesitate to come and join us on Friday evening for our happy hour!
Sheena Gupta (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Sheena joined the lab as a postdoctoral fellow in 2008.
Nicolas Molnarfi (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Nicolas joined the lab as a postdoctoral fellow in 2008.