Biology Research Experience I have extensive research experience, in fields ranging from medical biophysics to synthetic biology to immunology. Each of those expereinces has brought with a wide collection of technical and soft skills that I benefit from daily. I've provided summaries of my key research positions, hopefully showing the wide-variety of research I've explored. Dr. Fussenegger Lab [Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich] I am developing synthetic tools that can later be used in pluripotent stem cells to either study their signalling in more detail, or to differentiate them into target lineages with greater ease and specificity. Please contact me for more information. Dr. Gray-Owen Lab [Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto] I am studying the feasibility of using a model to study Neisseria meningitis infection, and modifying the model to make it more suitable. Techniques involved include: histology, flow cytometry, western blotting of tissue samples, cell culture work, transfections, collection of cells, PCR genotyping. This position also involves some microbiology work to grow up sufficient quantities mammalian vectors. I recently presented a poster that the International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference. See it here. Dr. Sharpe lab [Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto] My role was to label a small synthetically made segment of the human prion protein with a Fluorophore, such that they can then be studied. These segments have been associated with forming amyliod fibrils, which in turn have been associated with various diseases, including Alzheimer's. By studying how these peptides interact with liposomes, one can learn more about why these peptides are cytotoxic, while others are not, and perhaps prevent their damage. Techniques involved included: synthetic peptide synthesis (manual and automated), labeling peptides, making liposomes, fluorescence spectroscopy. Sanofi-Pasteur: Bioprocess Development [Vaccine Industry] My role was to develop an automated/programmed system of testing various filters to determine the best filter, and to subsequently optimize the conditions for the chosen filter. I developed a program that performed all the required tests, and was flexible suit future needs. The job also involved determining which commercially available products would be ideal for the required tasks, or how they can be modified. Dr. Rose Lab [Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto] My role was to modify a protein by excising a trans-membrane domain so that it can be subsequently crystallized and studied. This was my first taste of research work outside of a school setting, and involved PCR, restriction digests, protein kinetics assays. Home Hello! My name is Anton Dobrin, and I am a Masters student in Synthetic Biology at the Swiss Federal Technical Institute (ETH Zurich) in the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering. I'm really fascinated by the possibilities of using biology to improve our lives: nature has had a couple billions years of practice designing solutions to a wide variety of problems, so why not use and improve them? This is precisely what the field of Synthetic Biology strives to do. Using biology to solve problems has the potential to vastly improve our life across the board. From making sidewalks that are self-healing to better medical devices to new ways of harnessing our immune system against cancer - the possibilities for self-healing, self-improving, biology-inspired technologies is almost endless! I have a number of years of experience in biological research! Over 43 months of part time and full time research! I have taken extensive preparation in Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Toronto, and I have improved my mathematics background and learned about its applications in biology at ETH Zurich. I also have a strong interest in programming, as a hobby and to simplify certain common tasks. I have competed in competitions, and designed/built an online appointment-booking system that is used by thousands of people each year for my former high school. I am currently writing the latest variant of the program to add functionality and adapt its interface to the growing numbers of smartphones. Thanks for visiting, and please look through the other sections of my website for more information!For more information, please contact me, or see my CV. Academics Philosophy of Course Selection My course selection philosophy lies in finding courses that are interesting and useful in my future career, with no consideration for difficulty, as I have often found that the courses that other students consider 'difficult' I consider the most interesting and worthwhile. I learned this by making the mistake of taking the 'recommended' mathematics course in first year, while taking a more-advanced-than-recommended physics course. Comparing my experience in both courses to that of my colleagues, I came to the conclusion that I had made a very good decision to take the higher level physics, and regret not doing the same for math. It is my goal to come out of university fully equipped for whatever may lie ahead, and whatever I want to do. While my undergraduate specialization is in microbiology, I took a number of courses from biochemistry and immunology, such that I can benefit from all three of the University of Toronto's research-oriented departments. However, knowing how to do research without context is not sufficient, which is why I have also striven to take courses from the departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physiology, and laboratory medical pathobiology. My current courses at ETH Zurich help me learn to apply the strong basic science background I have to designing synthetic systems Finally, I also want to be qualified in other, non-biological, fields that may also come in use in my future plans. This includes Law, financial investment, Economics, and importantly, Computer Science. Courses I have taken Biology Therapeutic Proteins [ETh Zurich, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences] Advanced Immunology I [University of Basel, BioZentrum] Molecular Biology [UofT, Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology] Genetic Engineering for Prevention and Treatment of Disease [UofT, Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology] Molecular Biology [UofT, Department of Cell and Systems Biology] Cellular & Developmental Biology[UofT, Department of Cell and Systems Biology] Microbiology (Bacteria, Viruses, Lab) [UofT, Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology] Introductory Immunology [UofT, Department of Immunology] Signal Transduction and Cell Cycle Regulation [UofT, Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology] Intro Human Physiology [UofT, Department of Physiology] Biochemistry [UofT, Department of Biochemistry] Proteins [UofT, Department of Biochemistry] Introduction to Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetic Principles [UofT, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology] Concepts in Genetics [UofT, Department of Cell and Systems Biology] Other Sciences Fundamentals of Modern Statistics [ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Technology] Linear Algebra with Applications to Systems Biology [ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Technology Bioinformatics [ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Technology Analysis II (~Calculus II) [ETH Zurich, Department of Mathematics] Calculus [UofT, Department of Mathematics] Intro to Comp Sci [AP, UofT Recognized] Foundations of Physics I/II [UofT, Department of Physics] Introductory Organic Chem I/II [UofT, Department of Chemistry] Other Psychological Aspects of Risk Management[ETH Zurich, Organization Work and Technology] Philosophy, Science and Society [UofT, Humanities Seminar] German A1.1 [Goethe Institute, Toronto] German A1.2 [ETH Zurich] German A2.1 [ETH Zurich] Accounting [High School] Financial Markets [High School] Biosafety Training [UofT, Environmental Health and Safety] Blood Borne Pathogens Training[UofT, Environmental Health and Safety] Informal courses Legal Environment of Business [UofT, Rotman Commerce] Introduction to Biological Engineering Design (20.20) [MIT OpenWetWare] Entrepreneurship 101 [MaRS Discovery District] Contact Something Sounds Interesting? - Let's get in touch! Email: North American Phone: Swiss Phone: Other places where I can be found Online LinkedIn - ca.linkedin.com/in/adobrin TDSB news [re:Science Fair] - http://www.tdsb.on.ca/ab... Facebook - www.facebook.com/adobrin Sanofi-BioGeneius Challenge.ca - http://sanofibiogeneiuschallenge.ca/... National Biology Competition - http://biocomp.utoronto.ca/p.. Other Interests and Projects Online Parent-Teacher Interview System I am currently developing a new, more efficient, system due to decreasing CPU allocation from our hosting provider. I am also going to take the opportunity to introduce new functionality, such as viewing multiple schedules at once, and a phone optimized version. Check back later for a demo. Help Desk Advisor As a part time job, I served the University of Toronto community by helping clients with their computer issues over the phone or in-person. From brief how-to tutorials to virus removal to general advice to password resets, each day brings a new experience. It's always a pleasure to be able to help people resolve their difficulties. Computer Tutor Starting in high school, I tutored a few clients around my community, helping them get more out of their computers. I hope that by the time my appointment is done, they feel at least slight more comfortable with their computers in general and that they have gained more confidence in whatever task we were covering. I currently reside in Switzerland, however, ff you would like to book an appointment (in English), let me know. Hart House Investment Fund Associate - IT I supervised and coordinated all investments in the IT sector for the hart house investment fund, a mock hedge fund. The group meets by-weekly, where we debate various companies, and consider their strengths and weakness. Website Design Occasionally, I have designed and developed websites for clients for their various projects. Generally, this is not a service I offer, but my colleagues will gladly do it: http://tylerfreedman.com/ and http://jonathankoff.com. This website was designed and developed by myself, but would still be showing errors without the invaluable assitance of my friends.