Daniel Cortes
· Assistant ProfessorVirginia Tech · Biology
Active 1999–2024
About
Daniel Cortes is an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on cell division machinery, specifically the coordination between spindle-driven chromosome segregation and contractile ring-driven membrane ingression during cell division. He combines cell biology techniques, such as quantitative fluorescence microscopy and genetics, with computational methods like agent-based modeling to investigate the molecular mechanisms of cell division. His work emphasizes understanding how chromosome segregation defects in anaphase influence contractile ring composition and dynamics during cytokinesis and abscission. Cortes received his Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the University of California-Davis in 2015. He has held postdoctoral positions at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the University of California-Davis before joining Virginia Tech in 2016. His research aims to elucidate the processes ensuring successful cell division, contributing to the broader understanding of cellular biology and division mechanics.
Research topics
- Biology
- Chromatography
- Pharmacology
- Combinatorial chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Computational biology
- Agroforestry
- Biotechnology
- Ecology
- Biophysics
- Agronomy
Selected publications
Analytical Chemistry · 2020 · 32 citations
- Chemistry
- Computational biology
- Biophysics
Complex biotherapeutic modalities, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), present significant challenges for the comprehensive bioanalytical characterization of their pharmacokinetics (PK) and catabolism in both preclinical and clinical settings. Thus, the bioanalytical strategy for ADCs must be designed to address the specific structural elements of the protein scaffold, linker, and warhead. A typical bioanalytical strategy for ADCs involves quantification of the Total ADC, Total IgG, and Free Warhead concentrations. Herein, we present bioanalytical characterization of the PK and catabolism of a novel ADC. MEDI3726 targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PMSA) and is comprised of a humanized IgG1 antibody site-specifically conjugated to tesirine (SG3249). The MEDI3726 protein scaffold lacks interchain disulfide bonds and has an average drug to antibody ratio (DAR) of 2. Based on the structural characteristics of MEDI3726, an array of 4 bioanalytical assays detecting 6 different surrogate analyte classes representing at least 14 unique species was developed, validated, and employed in support of a first-in-human clinical trial (NCT02991911). MEDI3726 requires the combination of heavy-light chain structure and conjugated warhead to selectively deliver the warhead to the target cells. Therefore, both heavy-light chain dissociation and the deconjugation of the warhead will affect the activity of MEDI3726. The concentration-time profiles of subjects dosed with MEDI3726 revealed catabolism of the protein scaffold manifested by the more rapid clearance of the Active ADC, while exhibiting minimal deconjugation of the pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) warhead (SG3199).
Functional Plant Breeding Journal · 2020 · 17 citations
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Agronomy
The papaya crop occupies 32 thousand hectares of planted area in Brazil, with a total annual production of 1.6 million tons (12.5% of the world supply). The country stands out in this scenario as the second biggest producer of the fruit worldwide, only after India. The narrow genetic base of the crop once limited its variability, but the use of classical and molecular plant breeding techniques has enabled the development of a number of higher-yielding cultivars with different levels of resistance to fungal diseases. However, many studies still ought to be undertaken to investigate the papaya crop, given the constant search for higher-yielding cultivars with quality and flavor attributes and the wide range of pathogens affecting the crop, which has not yet shown fully resistant genotypes. Advances in the genomics of papaya provide tools that may improve cultivar production and development systems. This article describes studies conducted by the genetics and breeding group at UENF, in a partnership with Caliman Agrcola S.A., using conventional breeding, diallel cross, and topcross, among other techniques, for the development of 21 hybrids, which were registered at MAPA, in addition to studies with DNA-based markers for sex determination and for the generation of resistant and productive cultivars. This review focuses on the 22 years of conventional breeding for the most recent molecular progress in papaya growing. The information reported here is extremely useful for breeders to develop resistant, productive, and high-quality varieties through assisted selection.
Frequent coauthors
- 36 shared
Messias Gonzaga Pereira
- 36 shared
Renato Santa‐Catarina
State University of Norte Fluminense
- 32 shared
Júlio Cesar Fiorio Vettorazzi
- 32 shared
Helaine Christine Cancela Ramos
State University of Norte Fluminense
- 19 shared
Vladimir Shulaev
- 18 shared
Tathianne Pastana de Sousa Poltronieri
State University of Norte Fluminense
- 18 shared
Alinne Oliveira Nunes Azevedo
State University of Norte Fluminense
- 18 shared
Silvaldo Felipe da Silveira
Education
- 2017
Dr, Genetic and Plant Breeding Lab
Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro
Awards & honors
- T32 Training Grant, NIH (2020 – 2022)
- Postdoctoral Diversity Supplement, NIH (2016 – 2017)
- First Year Seminar Mini-grant, University of California - Da…
- T32 MCB Training Grant, NIH (2013 – 2014)
- Floyd and Mary Schwall Medical Research Fellowship, Universi…
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