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Quentin Vicens
Assistant research professor
University of Colorado Denver
Summary
Due to the prevalence of RNA molecules for regulating gene expression, my research is focused on the structural aspects of RNA-based regulatory mechanisms. In particular, I use several biochemical and biophysical methods to decipher molecular recognition involving RNA, proteins, and small molecules. I also have 12+ years of experience promoting the development of active learning techniques at universities, in various countries. My area of interest is faculty development, through the organization of courses and online resources.
Due to the prevalence of RNA molecules for regulating gene expression, my research is focused on the structural aspects of RNA-based regulatory mechanisms. In particular, I use several biochemical and biophysical methods to decipher molecular recognition involving RNA, proteins, and small molecules. I also have 12+ years of experience promoting the development of active learning techniques at universities, in various countries. My area of interest is faculty development, through the organization of courses and online resources.
| Current Institution | University of Colorado Denver |
| Current School | School of Medicine |
| Department | Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics |
| Disciplines | |
| Current and Past Advisor(s) | Jeff Kieft, Michael E. Caspersen, Robert T. Batey, Thomas R. Cech, Eric Westhof |
| Address | Denver Colorado 80045 United States Phone: |
| Office Hours | 24/7 - just drop me a line :-) |
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Education
University of Strasbourg
PhD,
Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire - CNRS
(Sep 1998 - Dec 2002)
Work Experience
Assistant Research Professor
University of Colorado Denver - School of Medicine
(Dec 2017 - Present)
Associated with Prof. Jeff Kieft
Topic: Structural and functional analysis of viral RNAs
Methods: Biochemistry, biophysics, chemical probing, molecular Biology, X-ray crystallography
Summary: Tba.
Faculty Developer
Center for Science Education, Aarhus University, Denmark
(May 2012 - Present)
Employed at 50% to help with organizing events, courses, workshops and online resources for teaching staff at the Faculty of Science and Technology
Research Associate
Centre for National Scientific Research, France
(Sep 2015 - Nov 2017)
Associated with Dr. Yaser Hashem
Topic: Cryo-electron microscopy of ribosome complexes from pathogenic eukaryotic and bacterial species.
Methods: Cryo-electron microscopy, computational analysis, modeling.
Summary: Collaborative work on solving the structures of various ribosome complexes. We revealed the architecture of ribosomes from Staphylococcus aureus that dimerize upon the addition of a stress factor. We identified a novel ribosomal protein that is specific for kinetoplastids.
Consultant - Founder
Consulting
(May 2012 - Dec 2016)
Our purpose is to help you capitalize on your professional skills as a scientist so that you can be at the top in your field.
Whether you are doing a PhD, getting a post-doctoral experience, starting a lab, reaching a plateau in your career, or caressing the desire to shift habits in your scientific community, we can assist you in defining, acquiring, developing, or refining the skill set you will need to fulfill your goals.
Find out more at http://qvicensconsulting.com/
Research Associate
Centre for National Scientific Research, France
(Jun 2014 - Aug 2015)
Associated with Dr. Eric Westhof, Dr. Gilbert Eriani
Topic: Structural analysis of long and structured mRNAs.
Methods: Chemical probing, computational analysis, modeling.
Summary: The secondary structures were determined for several RNAs >300 nucleotides long of viral and eukaryotic origins. Three-dimensional models were derived that helped interpret cry-electron density maps and inform various in vitro and in vivo assays.
Science Teaching and Learning Fellow
Center for Science Education, Aarhus University, Denmark
(May 2010 - May 2012)
Summary: Within the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, I am in charge of professional development for teaching staff (all academic levels from teaching assistant to full professor). My role is to help implement sustainable educational improvements.
I use my combined expertise in molecular biology and education to assist in course transformation according to evidence-based science education research. The activities I organize include: workshops, seminars, classroom observations, and working groups. I also participate in improving core courses at the Bachelor and Master levels.
I author a blog on teaching practices at http://thebrokendam.com/ and I participate in establishing online repositories for useful resources.
Research Associate
University of Colorado Boulder
(Apr 2008 - Nov 2009)
Post-doctoral fellow with Prof. Robert Batey
Topic: Biophysical analysis of ligand binding processes for bacterial ribonucleic acid (RNA) regulators
Methods: Biochemistry, biophysics, chemical probing, molecular biology, X-ray crystallography
Summary: Our studies helped uncover a mechanism for ligand binding to bacterial RNA regulators that has implications for the design of novel antibiotics. This work was supported by the company BioRelix.
Instructor
University of Colorado Boulder
(Aug 2007 - Dec 2008)
Instructor for the course MCDB #1150 entitled Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology for the Baker Residential Academic Program (two semesters)
Summary: I taught this course using innovative teaching practices supported by the Science Education Initiative which was founded by Prof. Carl Wieman (http://www.colorado.edu/sei/). I occupied this position in parallel of my post-doctoral position.
Research Associate
University of Colorado Boulder - Howard Hughes Medical Institute
(Apr 2003 - Mar 2008)
Post-doctoral fellow with Prof. Thomas Cech
Topic: Structural and functional analysis of natural group I ribozymes
Methods: Biochemistry, biophysics, chemical probing, molecular Biology, X-ray crystallography
Summary: Our work comprised several breakthroughs: 1. development of a technique to help with growing high quality ribonucleic acid (RNA) crystals; 2. identification of criteria by which RNA function can be inferred from sequence; 3. discovery of an RNA-catalyzed reaction that has implications in evolution and modern biology
Achievements
General
Publication Summary
My list of publications is available here:
http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Quentin_Vicens/?cp=shp
Books
Other Publications
