Nacyra Assad-Garcia is a Staff Scientist who joined the JCVI in 2002 from Celera. For the past 15 years she has been a microbiologist specializing in Mycoplasma genomics. She is an integral member of the synthetic biology team with expertise in manipulating and transplanting mycoplasma genomes (up to 1.1 Mb). This technology enables the changing of one mycoplasma species into another and is essential for the creation of synthetic and minimized cells. These techniques will be useful to understand basic cellular processes. She will drive the wet lab work on a new project attempting to create the first vaccine for Africa Swine Fever Virus, the virus that causes porcine hemorrhagic fever primarily affecting pig-holders in Africa.

Nacyra received her BSc degree from the National Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico. After graduating, Nacyra worked for CINVESTAV-IPN Unidad Irapuato in Irapuato, Mexico. She was then recruited to Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD and subsequently to Celera, Rockville, MD.

Awards

• Dexter Patent Award: "Regeneration of Plants using a new plant hormone". Life Technologies, Inc. AgBiotech Group. 1999.
• Monthly Recognition Award for "Continued Achievement". CINVESTAV-IPN, Inc.1994.

Granted Patents

Installation of genomes or partial genomes into cells or cell-like systems

Patent number: 9434974

Abstract: A method is provided for introducing a genome into a cell or cell-like system. The introduced genome may occur in nature, be manmade with or without automation, or may be a hybrid of naturally occurring and manmade materials. The genome is obtained outside of a cell with minimal damage. Materials such as a protein, RNAs, polycations, nucleoid condensation proteins, or gene translation systems may accompany the genome. The genome is installed into a naturally occurring cell or into a manmade cell-like system. A cell-like system or synthetic cell resulting from the practice of the provided method may be designed and used to yield gene-expression products, such as desired proteins. By enabling the synthesis of cells or cell-like systems comprising a wide variety of genomes, accompanying materials and membrane types, the provided method makes possible a broader field of experimentation and bioengineering than has been available using prior art methods.

Type: Grant

Filed: December 22, 2006

Date of Patent: September 6, 2016

Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.

Inventors: John I. Glass, Lei Young, Carole Lartigue, Nacyra Assad-Garcia, Hamilton O. Smith, Clyde A. Hutchison, J. Craig Venter

Auxinic analogues of indole-3-acetic acid

Patent number: 6815205

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and compositions capable of stimulating plant growth, regeneration of plant cells and tissues, and transformation of plant cells and tissues, comprising mono- and multi-substituted auxinic analogues of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) comprising substituent groups such as halo-, alkyl-, alkoxy-, acyl-, acylamido- and acyloxy-groups. The invention relates to a method of using such mono- and multi-substituted auxinic analogues of IAA to affect growth, regeneration or transformation in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, as well as in transgenic plant tissues. The invention also contemplates the use of these auxinic IAA analogues in the presence of other plant growth regulators, such as cytokinin, etc., to enhance plant growth.

Type: Grant

Filed: February 6, 2001

Date of Patent: November 9, 2004

Assignee: Invitrogen Corporation

Inventors: Jhy-Jhu Lin, Jianqing Lan, Nacyra Assad-Garcia

Regeneration of both plant tissues and transgenic plant tissues using a new plant hormone, 5-bromoindole-3-acetic acid

Patent number: 6610544

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of 5-bromoindole-3-acetic acid (5-B-IAA) as an auxin affecting plant cell growth. The invention relates to the use of 5-B-IAA compositions to affect growth in monocotyledonous as well as in dicotyledonous plants. The invention also describes the use of 5-B-IAA in plant growth affecting compositions for the regeneration of both plant tissues and transgenic plant tissues. Further, the invention provides plant growth affecting compositions comprising 5-B-IAA alone or in a mixture comprising one or more additional plant growth regulators, such as cytokinin, etc.

Type: Grant

Filed: August 7, 2001

Date of Patent: August 26, 2003

Assignee: Invitrogen Corp National

Inventors: Jhy-Jhu Lin, Jianqing Lan, Nacyra Assad-Garcia

Regeneration of both plant tissues and transgenic plant tissues using a new plant hormone, 5-bromoindole-3-acetic acid

Patent number: 5994135

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of 5-bromoindole-3-acetic acid (5-B-IAA) as an auxin affecting plant cell growth. The invention relates to the use of 5-B-IAA compositions to affect growth in monocotyledonous as well as in dicotyledonous plants. The invention also describes the use of 5-B-IAA in plant growth affecting compositions for the regeneration of both plant tissues and transgenic plant tissues. Further, the invention provides plant growth affecting compositions comprising 5-B-IAA alone or in a mixture comprising one or more additional plant growth regulators, such as cytokinin, etc.

Type: Grant

Filed: May 22, 1997

Date of Patent: November 30, 1999

Assignee: Life Technologies, Inc.

Inventors: Jhy-Jhu Lin, Jianqing Lan, Nacyra Assad-Garcia

Publications