Diana Rodriguez

Diana Rodriguez is part of the Torrente lab’s goal to uncover the relation between epigenetics and protein aggregation through the mechanism of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), especially in the context of diseases such as ALS/FTD. Diana’s specific project is identifying transcriptomic changes in yeast caused by histone PTM changes of the prion [PIN+] and [PIN+] related protein aggregation. Diana is currently working on chromatin immunoprecipitation and Western Blot experiments to uncover how histone PTMs link to [PIN+]. In addition, she will test the ability of Rnq1, whose prion form is [PIN+], to undergo phase separation and its effect on prionogenic and epigenetic abilities. When not in the lab, Diana loves to draw and read.

• Software: Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, Excel), MestReNova, and Chem Draw Office.
• Molecular biology laboratory skills: Yeast culture, Western Blot, Gel electrophoresis, chromatin immunoprecipitation.
• Organic chemistry laboratory skills: Column chromatograph (Isolera One Biotage), Shimadzu Preparative HPLC system, Shimadzu analytical UFLC system, Microwave synthesizer (Biotage Initiator+ Microwave system with Robot Eight), Advion Expression Compact Mass Spectrometer, Bruker 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer, Rotavap evaporator, Nitrogen/high vacuum trap, Thin layer chromatography, Lyophilizer freeze dryer.