Marcos Pinto

Cell Culture:

- Extensive experience in maintaining cell lines and primary cells under sterile conditions in BSL2/GMP-like laboratory environments

Transfection:

- Proficient in developing and optimizing transfection protocols using reagents such as PEI

- Strong hands-on experience in delivering nucleic acids into various cell types in vitro

Viral and Non-Viral Applications:

- In-depth knowledge of safe handling practices for both viral (AAV, lentivirus) and non-viral delivery systems

- Skilled in using AAVs and lentiviral vectors to transduce cell lines such as HEK293T

Nucleic Acid and Particle Characterization Techniques:

- Familiar with the use of Nanodrop for the assessment of DNA and RNA concentration and purity

qPCR and Western Blotting:

- Solid experience in performing PCR and qPCR, as well as protein extraction, quantification, and analysis via Western blotting using samples from cells and animal tissues

Histological Techniques and Advanced Microscopy:

- Hands-on experience with immunohistochemistry protocols applied to brain tissue, including antibody optimization for both fluorescent and chromogenic labeling

- Proficient in operating advanced imaging platforms, including high-resolution and high-throughput microscopy systems (eg, Cell Discoverer)

- Skilled in image analysis using both fluorescence and brightfield microscopy, with experience in software such as Zeiss ZEN, QuPath, and ImageJ

Involvement in Advanced Therapy Development:

- Active contributor to the development of advanced therapeutic approaches through collaboration with ViraVector@UC, a national research infrastructure that provides expert support for the safe implementation of vector-based technologies and offers tailored design and production of various viral vectors to serve the research community and other partners