John Vassiliadis Email Address

Senior Scientist

Blueprint Medicines engages in the discovery and development of highly selective kinase inhibitors for genomically defined cancer subsets.

• Credentialed pathways/targets responsible for kidney injury/inflammation/fibrosis in acquired and inherited kidney diseases using RNA technologies integrated with genomic approach. • Established and managed collaborations with internal/external research teams to define therapeutic strategies for rare inherited genetic disorders leading to kidney injury. • Developed cell-based assays to support lead validation and optimization; developed in-vitro and ex-vivo models to screen tool compounds against fibrotic/inflammatory response and cellular injury. • Prepared study protocols and generated proof-of-concept data in established and novel in-vivo models to assess preclinical efficacy of lead candidates in preventing kidney fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. • Employed immunoassays (SDS-PAGE, ELISA, luminex), molecular/cellular assay (QRT-PCR, TLDA, RNAi, and cell proliferation/differentiation/cytotoxicity), exosome, and Flow Cytometry • Analyzed RNA data to identify pharmacodynamic biomarkers associated with mechanism of action to support clinical development of drug candidates for metabolic and kidney diseases. • Supervised research associates including hiring, training, and performance reviews. Explored cellular stress/oxidative stress/mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney cell damage and apoptosis; developed cellular assays to evaluate biological targets responsible for damage and apoptosis. • Used RNAi-based gene silencing, in vivo siRNA Delivery, and genetic and developed novel mouse models to explore the role of kidney disease, fibrosis and metabolic diseases. • Identified biological targets and explored therapeutic implications in preclinical mouse models of diabetes and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis to improve renal function and inflammation. • Developed fluorescence-based cellular and imaging assays to measure calcium channel activity and cellular stress. • Supervised students and laboratory technicians.