Nicholas Yamahoki

Name: Nicholas Yamahoki

Batch: 2021

E-mail: nicholasyamahoki@gmail.com

Interests: Molecular microbiology and virology, Immunology, Molecular epidemiology, Medical biotechnology, particularly development of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and immunobiotechnology.

Research Experience

In my thesis project, I worked on the development of a multiepitope peptide-based COVID-19 vaccine from SARS-CoV-2 structural and non-structural proteins using reverse vaccinology approach. That vaccine candidate is projected to be developed as a safe, effective, and variant-proof COVID-19 vaccine in an effort to deal with the pandemic. I successfully performed the peptide expression using bacterial platform and its purification. Furthermore, I proved its antigenicity to COVID-19-specific serum antibodies using ELISA method. In addition, I also tried to develop COVID-19 diagnostic tests using that multiepitope peptide.

Skills

Microbial cultivation (bacteria, yeast, fungi, and microalgae), microbial assay (molecular- and culture-based), DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, genetic transformation, recombinant protein technology, SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISA, basic animal cell culture, basic bioinformatics.

Testimonial

Biotechnology SITH ITB prepares students to be competent and relevant to today’s world. Through the curriculum that allows students to choose one of three areas of specialization, courses designed to cover specific topics, and teaching staff who are experts in their fields, students are encouraged to master a specific field in biotechnology. So far, I really enjoy the academic culture at SITH ITB, either in the class or in the lab, where everyone can explore any question they have and find the answer.