1. Professional Experience:
Senior Research Scientist, Neumedicines, Inc., Pasadena, CA 2008-2016
• Identified retained intron sequences in Interleukin 12A are common and may function in
immunobiology of IL-12
• Identified biomarkers associated with efficacy of IL-12 in treatment of CTCL (Cutaneous T cell
lymphoma) in Phase 2A clinical study
• Searched for biomarkers associated with radioprotection induced by IL-12
• Development of an enhanced tumor-directed huIL-12 protein
• Analysis of tumor cell lines for HSS1 (Hematopoietic Signal peptide-containing Secreted 1)
expression
Senior Associate Scientist, Cancer Biology, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 1996-2007
• Cloned, expressed, and characterized huTERT (human telomerase) from colon carcinoma cell line
• Validated telomerase as a potential cancer therapeutic target by demonstrating inhibition of
telomerase in epithelial carcinoma cells results in apoptosis
• Identified TP1 as a telomerase-associated protein
• Screened for small molecules inhibitors of the E3 ubiquitin ligase of the anaphase promoting
complex to develop as cancer therapeutics
• Screened for small molecule inhibitors of HIF (hypoxia inducible factor) to develop for cancer
therapy
Research Associate, Developmental Biology, Amgen Inc. 1993-1996
• Member of project team that first cloned and expressed thrombopoietin (MGDF)(megakaryocyte
growth and differentiation factor) by screening lambda and BAC human fetal liver libraries
1992 Daylight Ct.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(805) 523-2435
VMar1@Yahoo.com
CURRICULUM VITAE
Vernon L. Mar
A Discovery Research Scientist with a background in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, and
protein science. Extensive in-depth technical experience in laboratory research. Proven research success
in hematological growth factors, cancer biology, and vaccine development. Ready to take innovative
approaches to achieve research goals; e.g., development of a dramatically improved vaccine for major
childhood disease. Seeking opportunities in research and development to improve or develop new
treatments for human disease.
Summary:
2. • MCAT-1 (murine ecotropic retrovirus receptor) was identified as essential for normal
erythropoiesis by creating a germline null mutation of the gene
Research Associate, Molecular Biology and Vaccine Development, Amgen Inc. 1982-1993
• Developed a Pertussis toxoid with no enzymatic activity and retention of neutralizing epitope by
site mutagenesis of toxin gene (licensed to Novartis)
• Developed a methods for in vitro reassembly of Pertussis B oligomer from recombinant toxin
subunits
Staff Research Associate, Infectious Diseases Laboratory, VA Medical Center, Martinez, CA
• Identified a major source of cytomegalovirus reactivation in immunocompromised persons
(established that latent virus is reactivated in spleen B cell population and proliferation occurs in
permissive macrophages
Additional Experience:
Research Associate, Comparative Oncology Lab, Univ. of Calif. Davis
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Microbiology Dept., San Diego State Univ.
Laboratory Assistant, Dept. of Food Science and Technology, Univ. of Calif. Davis, Bodega Marine
Laboratory
2
• Molecular Biology Procedures
- DNA purification and plasmid preps (classical methods-alkaline lysis, CsCl density centrifugation
or Qiagen silica resin methods)
- Molecular cloning (restriction digestion, DNA modification, cDNA, ligation, bacterial
transformation, site-directed mutagenesis and gene fusions)
- DNA analysis (agarose and acrylamide gel electrophoresis, Southern hybridization)
- Detection methods (radiolabeling of probes, colony or library screening (bacterial, phage, and BAC
libraries), β-Gal blue-white screening, GFP)
- PCR methods (PCR cloning and analysis, RT-PCR (Real Time), quantitative PCR (TaqMan)
analysis)
- RNA methods (isolation and purification, Northern blot analysis, microarray analysis (Rosetta
Resolver), in vitro transcription (Riboprobes), siRNA knock-down and RNAi expression vector)
- Software (MacVector, Vector NTI, Clone Manager)
• Protein Expression and Analysis
- SDS-PAGE ( Coomassie and silver staining, 35
S-Met-labeling, Western blot analysis)
- Bacterial and Mammalian expression (constitutive and inducible vectors (tet-inducible and
ecdysone systems)
- In vitro translation (rabbit reticulocyte lysate method)
- Expression reporter systems (luciferase, GFP, lac Z, beta-lactamase)
- Instrumentation (Tecan Safire, Rubystar, Wallac and Molecular Devices plate readers)
- Immunoprecipitation (protein A or G or Sepharose conjugate)
• Protein Purification
- Precipitation methods (ammonium sulfate, TCA, acetone methods)
- Column Purification methods (gel filtration (Sepharose), ion exhange (DEAE), affinity (antibody,
ligand-receptor)
- His-tagged protein purification (Ni-Sepharose)
- Ultra-filtration (centrifugal and stirred cell)
• Immunological Methods
- Immunohistochemical staining with fluorescent conjugated antibodies
- Flow cytometry with BD FACS Calibur (cell cycle analysis with propidium iodide stained cells and
fluorescent tagged antibodies)
- ELISA assays (with coated plates and bead assays, kinase assays with phospho-sp. antibodies)
- Alphalisa immunoassay
- Antibody arrays for biomarker development
Technological Experience:
3. 3
• Other Biochemical Assays
- Apoptosis assays (Annexin V, TUNEL, Caspase-Glo, PARP, M30)
- Cell proliferation assays (XTT, alamar blue, ATPlite)
- IGEN electrochemiluminescent (ECL) assay (ubiquitination assay)
• Cell Culture
- Primary cells and cell lines
- Tissue explants
- Virus plaque assays
- DNA transfections for transient and stable expression
• Animal experimentation (mice) (limited)
- IP, tail vein injections
- Spleenectomy
- Parotidectomy
• Computer Software
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
- GraphPad Prism
- Adobe Photoshop
Education:
M.S. in Microbiology, San Diego State University
Thesis title: "Structural Polypeptides of Ortho- and Paramyxoviruses"
Postgraduate courses, University of California, Davis
B.S. in Biochemistry and A.B. in Chemistry, University of California, Davis
4. Scientific Publications:
Jordan, M.C., V.L. Mar (1982) Spontaneous activation of latent cytomegalovirus from murine spleen
explants. Role of lymphocytes and macrophages in release and replication of virus. J. Clin. Invest. 70:
(4) 762-768.
Burnette, W.N., V.L. Mar, W. Cieplak, C.F. Morris, K.T. Kaljot, K.S. Marchitto, R.K. Sachdev, C.
Locht, and J.M. Keith (1988) Direct expression of Bordetella pertussis toxin subunits in Escherichia coli.
Bio/Technology 6:699-706.
Cieplak, W., W.N. Burnette, V.L. Mar, K. T. Kaljot, C.F. Morris, K.K. Chen, H. Sato, and J.M. Keith
(1988) Identification of a region in the Sl subunit of pertussis toxin that is required for enzymatic activity
and that contributes to the formation of a neutralizing antigenic determinant. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
85:4667-4671.
Burnette, W.N., W. Cieplak, V.L. Mar, K. T. Kaljot, H. Sato, and J.M. Keith (1988) Pertussis toxin S1
mutant with reduced enzymatic activity and a conserved protective epitope. Science 242:72-74.
Burnette, W.N., V.L. Mar, W. Cieplak, C.F. Morris, K.T. Kaljot, H. Sato, and J.M. Keith (1988)
Toward development of a recombinant pertussis vaccine, p. 75-85. In L. Lasky (ed.), Technological
Advances in Vaccine Development. Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York.
Keith, J.M., W. Cieplak, V.L. Mar, K.T. Kaljot, K.S. Marchitto, H. Sato, and W.N. Burnette (1988)
Biochemical and immunological analyses of pertussis toxin subunits produced in recombinant Escherichia
coli, p. 99-103. In H. Ginsberg, F. Brown, R.A. Lerner, and R.M. Chanock (eds.), Vaccines 88. New
Chemical and Genetic Approaches to Vaccination: Prevention of AIDS and Other Viral, Bacterial, and
Parasitic Diseases. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York.
Burnette,W.N., D.W. Whiteley, V.L. Mar, D.L. Burns, H.R. Kaslow, W. Cieplak,J.M. Keith, and T.D.
Bartley (1989) Developments toward a recombinant pertussis vaccine. p. 1-7. In M.Z. Atassi (ed.),
Immunology of Proteins and Peptides, V: Vaccines: Mechanisms, Design, and Applications. Plenum
Publishing Corp., New York
Burnette, W.N., T.D. Bartley, D.W. Whiteley, V.L. Mar, W. Cieplak, J.M. Keith, and D.L. Bums
(1989) Recombinant analogs of pertussis toxin S1 subunit, p. 239-242. In R.A. Lerner, H. Ginsberg, R.M.
Chanock, and F. Brown (eds.), Vaccines 89. Modem Approaches to New Vaccines Including Prevention
of AIDS. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York.
Kaslow, H.R., J.D. Schlotterbeck, V.L. Mar, and W.N. Burnette (1988) Evidence that cysteine-41, but not
cysteine-200, decreases the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of the S1 subunit of pertussis toxin. J. Biol.
Chem. 264:6386-6390.
Bartley, T.D., D.W. Whiteley, V.L. Mar, D.L. Burns and W.N. Burnette (1989) Pertussis holotoxoid
formed in vitro with a genetically deactivated S1 subunit. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:8353-8357.
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5. Burnette, W.N., D. W. Whiteley, V.L. Mar, D.L. Bums, H.R. Kaslow, W. Cieplak, J.M. Keith, and
T.D. Bartley (1989) Developments toward a recombinant pertussis vaccine. Adv. Exp. Med. &
BioL251:1-7.
Cieplak, W., Jr., C. Locht, V.L. Mar, W.N. Bumette, and J.M. Keith. (1990) Photolabeling of authentic
and recombinant forms of the S1 subunit of pertussis toxin with NAD+. Biochem. J. 268:547-55 1.
Arciniega,J.L., R.D. Shahin, W.N. Bumette, T.D. Bartley, D.W. Whiteley, V.L. Mar, and D.L. Burns
(1991) Contribution of the B oligomer to the protective activity of inactivated pertussis toxin. Infection and
Immunity 59:3407-3410.
Burnette, W.N., V.L. Mar, V. W. Platler, J.D. Schlotterbeck, M.D. McGinley, D.S. Stoney, M.F. Rohde,
and H.R. Kaslow (1991) Site-specific mutagenesis of the catalytic subunit of cholera toxin: substituting lysine
for arginine 7 causes loss of activity. Infection and Immunity 59:4266-4270.
Burnette, W.N., V.L. Mar, T.D. Bartley, H.R. Kaslow, W. Cieplak, Jr., J.M. Keith, H. Sato, D.L. Bums,
J.L. Arciniega, R.D. Shahin, K. Redhead, K.H.G. Mills, K. Saukkonen, and E. Tuomanen. (1991) The
molecular engineering of pertussis toxoid. Dev. Biol. Standard. 73:75-78.
Saukkonen, K., W.N. Burnette, V.L. Mar, H.R. Masure, and E. Tuomanen (1992) Pertussis toxin has
eukaryotic-like carbohydrate recognition domains. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:118-122.
Kaslow, H.R., J.D. Schlotterbeck, V.L. Mar, and W.N. Bumette (1992) Site-specific mutagenesis of the
pertussis toxin S1 subunit gene: effects of amino acid substitutions involving residues 50-58. Vaccine Res.
1:47-54.
Burnette, W.N., V.L. Mar, D.W. Whiteley, and T.D. Bartley (1992) Progress with a recombinant
whooping cough vaccine: a review. J. Royal Soc. of Med. 85:285-287.
Burnette, W.N., J.L. Arciniega, V.L. Mar, and D.L. Bums (1992) Properties of pertussis toxin B oligomer
assembled in vitro from recombinant polypeptides produced by Escherichia coli. Infection and Immunity
60:2252-2256.
Kaslow, H.R., B. Platler, T. Takada, J., Moss, V.L. Mar, and W.N. Burnette (1992) Effects of site-
directed mutagenesis on cholera toxin Al subunit ADP-ribosyltransferase activity. p.197-198. In Witholt et
al. (eds.), Bacterial Protein Toxins (Zbl. Bakt.Suppl. 23). Gustav Fisher, Stuttgart.
Van 'T Wout, J., W.N. Burnette, V.L. Mar, E. Rozdzinski, S.D. Wright, and E.I. Tuomanen (1992)
Role of carbohydrate recognition domains of pertussis toxin in adherence of Bordetella pertussis to human
macrophages. Infection and Immunity 60:3303-3308.
Rozdzinski, E., W.N. Burnette, T. Jones, V. Mar, and E. Tuomanen (1993) Prokaryotic peptides that block
leukocyte adherence to selectins. J. Exp. Med. 178:917-924.
Hase, C.C., L.S. Thai, M. Boesman-Finkelstein, V.L. Mar, W.N. Burnette, H.R. Kaslow, L.A. Stevens, J.
Moss, and R.A. Finkelstein (1994) Construction and characterization of recombinant Vibrio cholerae
strains producing inactive cholera toxin analogs. Infection and Immunity 62:3051-3057.
Burnette, W.N. and V.L. Mar (1994) Pertussis: molecular design, protein engineering, and assembly of a
hexameric toxoid vaccine, p. 149-164. In G. Pifat-Mrzljak (eds.) Supramolecular Structure and Function.
Balaban Publishers, Rehovoth, Israel.
Bartley, T.D., J. Bogenberger, P. Hunt et al. (1994) Identification and cloning of a megakaryocyte growth and
development factor that is a ligand for the cytokine receptor Mpl. Cell 77:1117-1124.
Chang, M.S., J. McNinch, R. Basu, J. Shutter, R. Hsu, C. Perkins, V. Mar et al. (1995) Cloning and
characterization of the human megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) gene. J. Biol. Chem.
270:511-514.
Perkins CP. Mar V. Shutter JR.del Castillo J. Danilenko DM. Medlock ES. Ponting IL. Graham M. Stark KL.
Zuo Y. Cunningham JM. Bosselman RA. Anemia and perinatal death result from loss of the murine ecotropic
retrovirus receptor in mCAT-L [Journal Article] Genes &Development. 11 (7): 914-25, 1997 Apr 1. UL
9106662
Harrington, L., McPhail, T., Mar, V., Zhou, W., Oulton, R., Amgen EST Program, Bass, M., Arruda, I., and M.
O. Robinson, A Mammalian Telomerase- Associated Protein, Science, 275, 973-977, 1997.
Harrington, L., Zhou, W., McPhail, T., Oulton, R., Yeung, D., Mar, V., Bass, M. and M. O. Robinson, The
human telomerase complex evolutionarily conserved catalytic and structural Subunits. Genes & Development.,
11,3109-3115,1997.
Zhang, X., Mar, V., Zhou, W., Harrington, L. and M. O. Robinson, Telomere shortening and apoptosis in
telomerase-inhibited human tumor cells, Genes & Development. 13,2388 -2399,1999.
Basile, Lena A., Ellefson, Dolph, Gallaher, Timothy K., Gluzman-Poltorak, Zoya, Junes-Gill, Katiana, Mar,
Vernon, Mendonca, Sarita, Miller, Joseph D., Tom, Jamie, Trinh, Alice (2012) HemaMaxTM
(rIL-12) is a
Potent Mitigator of Acute Radiation Injury in Mice and Non-Human Primates. PLOS 7(2): e30434.
Junes-Gill, Katiana, Lawrence, Chris E., Mar, Vernon, Shiri, Liron, and Basile, Lena A. (2014) Human
Hematopoietic Signal peptide-containing Secreted 1 (hHSS1) modulates genes and pathways in glioma:
implications for the regulation of tumorigenicity and angiogenesis. BMC Cancer. 14, 920-936.
Patent Application:
"Recombinant B oligomer of pertussis toxin", U.S. Patent Application #07/705,433, filed May 24, 1991.
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