Assistant Cover Letter

Curriculum Vitae

Mamta Kaura

Academic Rank: PhD Graduate Student

Department: Chemistry, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 3025, Moscow, ID 83844-3025

University of Idaho

Expected Graduation: May 2014

acaz1i@r.postjobfree.com

Contact # 208-***-****

Objective: Looking for an ideal position to put my knowledge and skills for effective use in

research and development

Education:

2000-2003: B.Sc (Hons), Chemistry, Punjab University, CHD, India, GPA: 3.5

2003-2005: M.Sc (Hons), Chemistry, Punjab University, CHD, India, GPA: 3.5

2008-Present: PhD graduate research scholar under the supervision of Associate

Professor, Patrick. J. Hrdlicka at University of Idaho, anticipated May 2014. Current

GPA: 3.70

Thesis Title: “Novel approach for efficient targeting of single stranded RNA via

chemically modified oligonucleotides”

Research Experience:

Independently conducted synthesis of purines and pyrimidines nucleobase modified

conformationally restricted Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) for targeting RNA, on large

and small scales.

Synthesized compounds have been included in patent. Patent Title: “NUCLEOBASE-

FUNCTIONALIZED CONFORMATIONALLY RESTRICTED NUCLEOTIDES AND

OLIGONUCLEOTIDES FOR TARGETING OF NUCLEIC ACIDS” (Patent Application

No: 201********)

Characterized products using multidimensional NMR techniques viz, 1H, 13C, 31P, COSY,

HSQC, DEPT and ROESY.

Designed synthetic schemes for the synthesis of C8 purine functionalized LNAs and C5

pyrimidine functionalized LNAs.

Skills:

Well versed with purification techniques such as Column Chromatography, distillation,

recrystallization and precipitation

On instrumentation, gained experience on use of DNA synthesizer, HPLC, UV vis

spectrophotometer, fluorescence spectrophotometer, pH meter, NMR-300MHz, IR, MS-

TOF

Instructed Advanced Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratories

Short Term Jobs:

June 2005- Dec 2005: Trainee Chemist in Process Development Lab in Ind Swift

Laboratories, India

Feb 2006- Feb 2007: Chemistry Lecturer in Engineering College on 1Yr contract, India

Dec 2007- June 2008: Project Assistant, level-II in CSIO (Central Scientific

Instrumentation Organization), India

Currect Teaching Experince:

Fall 2008: Teaching Assistant for General Freshmen Laboratory

2009- 2010, 2010- 2012: Teaching Assistant for Advanced Organic Laboratory

Student Evaluation (Mean: 3.6)

Award:

Travel Award for attending Roundtable Conference On Nucleic Acids in Montreal,

Quebec, Canada, 2012

Conference Attendance:

2009: Donald S. Matteson Symposium, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

2010: ACS Norm, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

2010: College of Science (COS) Poster Competition, U of Idaho. Presented Poster titled

"Synthesis of C5-functionalized Tetazole Deoxyuridines and Construction of Arrays for

Effective Targeting Of Nucleic Acids”

2012: Roundtable Conference on Nucleic Acids, Quebec, Montreal, Canada Presented

Posted titled: “Synthesis and hybridization properties of oligonucleotides modified with

5-(1-aryl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2’-deoxyuridines”

2013: 9th Annual Student Research Exposition at U of I, Poster presentation, Title:

“Synthesis and Hybridization Properties of Carbohydrate-functionalized Locked Nucleic

Acids (LNAs): A New class of Antisense Oligonucleotides”

Publications:

Mamta Kaura, Pawan Kumar and Patrick J. Hrdlicka; “Synthesis and Hybridization

Properties of Oligonucleotides Modified with 5-(1-Aryl-1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)-2'-

Deoxyuridines” Org. Biomol. Chem., 2012, 10, 8575-8578, selected as hot article.

Mamta Kaura, Patrick J. Hrdlicka; “Synthesis and Hybridization Properties of

Carbohydrate-functionalized Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs): A New class of Antisense

oligonucleotides”, in preparation.

Cover Letter

Mamta Kaura

Department of Chemistry

Renfrew Hall,

University of Idaho

Moscow, ID, 83843

acaz1i@r.postjobfree.com

Nov 15, 2013

Concinnity group,

Santa Clara, CA

Concinnity Group,

I am writing to express my interest in the contract position for an oligonucleotide synthesis

chemist in Santa Clara, CA, posted on your website. I am currently a final year PhD student in

department of Chemistry, U of I and intend to graduate in May 2014. Your job posting

immediately drew my attention as I find myself a suitable candidate under the listed

requirements of posting.

My research field pertains to the synthesis and characterization of nucleobase functionalized

Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) as a new generation of RNA targeting oligonucleotides. During

the course of my study I got an opportunity to independently conduct synthesis of purine and

pyrimidine functionalized LNA (an RNA mimic) building blocks, as a next generation of

antisense ONs. Chemical synthesis of monomer provided me a handful experience of techniques

such as column chromatography, distillation, precipitation, recrystallization, NMR analysis (1H,

13

C, DEPT, HSQC, COSY, 31P), IR and mass spectra. In addition, I also learnt Solid phase

synthesis of oligonucleotides on DNA synthesizer, their purification via HPLC, precipitation of

oligos, Tm determination on UV- Vis Spectrophotometer, fluorescence analysis using

fluorescence spectrophotometer and finally the use of MALDI for mass analysis.

Through my education and practical training, I gained extensive experience of synthesizing

nucleic acid analogs and their solid phase synthesis. Working as an oligonucleotide synthetic

chemist in your company will provide me an opportunity to apply the skills that I developed

during these years of my research. Apart from this, I further developed a strong knowledge of

literature and writing papers. I have published one of my papers as a lead author (mentioned in

CV) which got selected as a hot article and next is in pipeline.

I am excited to send you my application for consideration for this job and I look forward to

hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Mamta Kaura

Contact this candidate