EDUCATION
2010
PhD, Dept of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Thesis: Analysis of the Nucleoprotein Complexes Essential for Plasmid Partition
2003
Honors Bachelor of Science – with High Distinction
Dept of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2014-Present
Research Fellow, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Advisor – Dr. Kiyoshi Mizuuchi
- Managing lab and supervising four research projects
- Developing cell-free imaging techniques
2010-2014
Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institutes of Health
Advisor – Dr. Kiyoshi Mizuuchi
- Developed cell-free imaging to study self-organizing systems
- Reconstituted bacterial DNA segregation & cell division positioning
2003-2010
Graduate Student, Dept of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
Advisor – Dr. Barbara Funnell
- Developed expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics
- Identified and characterized complexes required for bacterial mitosis
2001-2003
Undergrad Research, Dept of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
Advisor – Dr. Barbara Funnell
- Studied the kinetochore protein required for bacterial mitosis
FELLOWSHIPS
2010-Present
Nancy Nossal Postdoctoral Fellowship, NIH
2004-2009
Open Fellowship, University of Toronto
2007
L.W. Macpherson Microbiology Fellowship, University of Toronto
2005
Eric Hani Microbiology Fellowship, University of Toronto
HONORS AND AWARDS
2014
Cozzarelli Prize, Division of Biological Sciences, National Academy of Sciences
2013-2014
Earl Stadtman Investigator Semifinalist, NIH
2013-2014
Fellows Award for Research Excellence, NIH
2012
Best Oral Presentation – NIDDK Postdoctoral Conference, NIH
2010
Barbara Vivash Award – Best PhD Thesis, University of Toronto
2009
Molecular Genetics Poster Competition (2nd), University of Toronto
2006
Molecular Genetics Poster Competition (1st), University of Toronto
TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
2015-Present
Mentor, Kiyoshi Mizuuchi lab, NIH
Currently supervising four research projects in a variety of disciplines
2014
Attendee & Speaker, Synthetic Biology Workshop, University of Toronto
A one week course focused on the current state of synthetic biology
2012-2013
Lecturer, Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES), NIH
Molecular Biology & Genetics – Introductory course
2012
Mentor Training Certificate, Intramural Training & Education, NIH
2008-2009
Teaching Fundamentals Certificate, Training Program, University of Toronto
2005-2009
Laboratory Demonstrator &Teaching Assistant, University of Toronto
Principles of Genetic Analysis under the coordination of Dr. B.E. Funnell
2001-2002
Science OutreachTM Instructor, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toronto
LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY & SERVICE
2013-Present
Ad-Hoc Reviewer, Applied and Environmental Microbiology
2013-Present
Ad-Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Bacteriology
2011-2013
Judge, Montgomery County Science Fairs, MD, USA
2004-2005
Member, Varsity Blues Men’s Volleyball Team, University of Toronto
2003-2004
1st Year Representative, Grad Student Association, University of Toronto
SELECTED INVITED TALKS
2015 – Organizing the Cell with Protein Gradients.
American Society for Cell Biology, Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, USA
2015 – Bacterial DNA Segregation: No spindle required.
Nucleic Acids, Gordon Research Conference. Biddeford, ME, USA
2015 – Spatial Regulators of Bacterial Cell Division form a Standing Wave Oscillator.
Prokaryotic Cell Biology, American Society for Microbiology. Washington, DC, USA
2014 – Intracellular transport and positioning by dynamic protein gradients on biological surfaces.
Earl Stadtman Symposium. NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
2014 – A propagating ATPase gradient drives transport of surface-confined cellular cargo.
American Physical Society, Annual Meeting. Denver, CO, USA
2013 – Surfing the nucleoid: A key role for spatial confinement in ParA-mediated transport.
Chromosome Dynamics, Gordon Research Conference. Barga, Italy
American Society for Microbiology, Annual Meeting. Denver, CO, USA
The Bauer Forum. Harvard University
2008 – Identifying a Role for the Host Nucleoid in Plasmid Partition.
Molecular Mechanisms Meeting. University of Western Ontario, Canada
POSTER ABSTRACTS
2015 – The bacterial Min system self-organizes into a standing wave oscillator on a flat bilayer in vitro.
American Society for Cell Biology, Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, USA
Biophysical Society, Annual Meeting. Baltimore, MD, USA
Boston Bacterial Meeting. Boston, MA, USA
2015 – Directed and persistent movement arises from mechanochemistry of the ParA/ParB system
Chromosome Dynamics, Gordon Research Conference. Waterville Valley, NH, USA
2014 – A propagating ATPase gradient drives transport of surface-confined cellular cargo.
Biophysical Society, Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA, USA
2013 – Surfing the nucleoid: A key role for spatial confinement in ParA-mediated transport.
Chromosome Dynamics, Gordon Research Conference. Barga, Italy
2012 – Transport of DNA via self-organized protein patterning on a “nucleoid” surface.
Chromosome Dynamics Workshop. Woods Hole, MA, USA
2012 – Visualizing bacterial DNA segregation in a cell-free system.
Biophysical Society Meeting, Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, USA
2009 – A role for the host chromosome in plasmid segregation and movement.
Chromosome Dynamics, Gordon Research Conference. Barga, Italy
2007 – Partition Complex Assembly Involves Several Modes of Protein-DNA Recognition.
International Symposium on Plasmid Biology. Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
PUBLICATIONS
Vecchiarelli AG, Li M, Mizuuchi M, Hwang LC, Seol Y, Neuman KC & Mizuuchi K (2016). Membrane-bound MinDE complex acts as a toggle switch that drives Min oscillation coupled to cytoplasmic depletion of MinD. PNAS
- Commentary highlight – Sherratt D (2014). Oscillation helps to get division right. PNAS
Longhua Hu, Vecchiarelli AG, Mizuuchi K, Neuman KC & Liu J (2015). Directed and persistent movement arises from mechanochemistry of the ParA/ParB system. PNAS, E7055
Vecchiarelli AG*, Taylor JA & Mizuuchi K. ParAB motility reconstitution (2015). Building a Cell from its Component Parts. Methods in Cell Biology 128, Chapter 13
* Corresponding author
Vecchiarelli AG, Seol Y, Neuman KC & Mizuuchi K (2015). A moving ParA gradient on the nucleoid directs subcellular cargo transport via a chemophoresis force. BioArchitecture 4, 154
Vecchiarelli AG, Li M, Mizuuchi M & Mizuuchi K (2014). Differential affinities of MinD and MinE to anionic phospholipid influence Min patterning dynamics in vitro. Mol Microbiol 93, 453
Vecchiarelli AG, Neuman KC & Mizuuchi K (2014). A propagating ATPase gradient drive transport of surface-confined cellular cargo. PNAS 111, 4880
- Commentary highlight – Kiekebusch D and Thanbichler M (2014). Plasmid segregation by a moving ATPase gradient. PNAS 111, 4741
- Winner of the 2014 Cozzarelli Prize at PNAS, division of Biological Sciences
- PNAS Science Sessions Podcast
Vecchiarelli AG, Havey JC, Ing L, Wong E, Waples W & Funnell BE (2013). Dissection of the ATPase active site of P1 ParA reveals multiple active forms essential for plasmid partition. J Biol Chem 288, 17823
Vecchiarelli AG, Hwang LC & Mizuuchi K (2013). Cell-free study of F plasmid partition provides evidence for cargo transport by a diffusion-ratchet mechanism. PNAS 110, E1390
Hwang LC*, Vecchiarelli AG*, Han YW, Mizuuchi M, Harada Y, Funnell BE & Mizuuchi K (2013). ParA-mediated plasmid partition driven by protein pattern self-organization. EMBO J 32, 1238
* Equal Contribution
- Commentary highlight – Sherratt D (2013). Plasmid partition: sisters drifting apart. EMBO 32,1208
Vecchiarelli AG & Funnell BE (2013). Probing the N-terminus of ParB using cysteine-scanning mutagenesis & thiol modification. Plasmid 70, 86
Vecchiarelli AG, Mizuuchi K & Funnell BE (2012). Surfing biological surfaces: exploiting the nucleoid for partition and transport in bacteria. Mol Microbiol 86, 513
- Rated a “Must Read” by the Faculty of 1000
Havey JC, Vecchiarelli AG & Funnel BE (2012). ATP-regulated interactions between P1 ParA, ParB & non-specific DNA that are stabilized by the plasmid partition site. Nucl Acids Res 40, 801
Vecchiarelli AG, Han YW, Tan X, Mizuuchi M, Ghirlando R, Biertümpfel C, Funnell BE & Mizuuchi K (2010). ATP control of dynamic P1 ParA-DNA interactions: a key role for the nucleoid in plasmid partition. Mol Microbiol 78, 78
- Commentary highlight – Howard M & Gerdes K (2010). What is the mechanism of ParA-mediated DNA movement? Mol Microbiol 78, 9
- 2010 highlight from the ASM blog “Small Things Considered”
Vecchiarelli AG, Schumacher MA & Funnell BE (2007). P1 partition complex assembly involves several modes of protein-DNA recognition. J Biol Chem 282, 10944
