User:JernejTurnsek

I am a molecular marine biology Ph.D. Candidate at Harvard University working in the laboratory of Pamela Silver. I am fascinated by the untapped microbial diversity in the world's oceans and am striving to push the nascent field forward by developing molecular tools to study diatoms, highly abundant and evolutionarily successful photosynthetic unicellular algae with intricately ornamented species-specific silica cell walls. I am interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms guiding the morphogenesis of diatom cell walls and more specifically in the role polyamines play in this process. Biological problems surrounding diatom cell wall biogenesis lead me to my broader research questions: [1] how have mineral skeletons in ocean microorganisms and biomineralization as a biological phenomenon in general evolved, [2] what is the molecular basis of biosynthesis of such biominerals and other intricately patterned naturally occurring biomaterials and [3] how is polyamine metabolismregulated across kingdoms.

I am also an avid triathlete with a goal to become an Ironman.

Interests

• Biomineralization | Biomaterials | Morphogenesis | Self-Assembly
• Marine Microbiome | Marine Natural Products
• Astrobiology | Space Exploration | Origins of Life
• Endurance Sports | Exercise Physiology | Sports Technology

Projects

• Spatial and whole cell biosilicification-specific proteomics in the model diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana.

Figure 1 | Overview of the biosilicification process in diatoms. (Left) Diatom cell wall is synthesized inside an acidic compartment called the silica deposition vesicle (SDV). (Right) It is hypothesized that the interaction of silaffins with long-chain polyamines (LCPA) inside the SDV leads to the formation of an organic matrix, the structure of which is controlled by the silaffins (adapted from Kröger, 2007, and Kröger & Poulsen, 2008).

References

1. Kröger N. Prescribing diatom morphology: toward genetic engineering of biological nanomaterials. Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2007 Dec;11(6):662-9. DOI:10.1016/j.cbpa.2007.10.009 |
2. Kröger N and Poulsen N. Diatoms-from cell wall biogenesis to nanotechnology. Annu Rev Genet. 2008;42:83-107. DOI:10.1146/annurev.genet.41.110306.130109 |

Figure 2 [A] Morphological diversity of diatom cell walls. The image represents cleaned diatom cell walls arranged in the star-like pattern by the UK-based microscopist and diatom artist Klaus Kemp. [B] SEM image of Thalassiosira pseudonana, the model diatom for biomineralization studies (credit: Nils Kröger). [C] Thalassiosira pseudonana cells. Red and green correspond to plastid autofluorescence and silica, respectively.

See poster links under the "Conferences" section for more details.

Funding

My work is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation: "The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation believes in bold ideas that create enduring impact in the areas of science, environmental conservation and patient care. Intel co-founder Gordon and his wife Betty established the foundation to create positive change around the world and at home in the San Francisco Bay Area. Science looks for opportunities to transform–or even create–entire fields by investing in early-stage research, emerging fields and top research scientists. Environmental conservation efforts promote sustainability, protect critical ecological systems and align conservation needs with human development. Patient care focuses on eliminating preventable harms and unnecessary healthcare costs through meaningful engagement of patients and their families in a supportive, redesigned healthcare system." Visit Moore.org or follow @MooreFound and read more about the broader research initiative my projects fall under on the following link.

Publications

1. Conrado RJ, Wu GC, Boock JT, Xu H, Chen SY, Lebar T, Turnšek J, Tomšič N, Avbelj M, Gaber R, Koprivnjak T, Mori J, Glavnik V, Vovk I, Benčina M, Hodnik V, Anderluh G, Dueber JE, Jerala R, and DeLisa MP. DNA-guided assembly of biosynthetic pathways promotes improved catalytic efficiency. Nucleic Acids Res. 2012 Feb;40(4):1879-89. DOI:10.1093/nar/gkr888 |

Conferences

A New Age of Discovery for Aquatic Microeukrayotes, 26-29 Januar 2016, EMBL Heidelberg, Germany

This conference celebrated efforts of three major contributions to microeukaryote biology, ecology, and evolution that are catapulting the field forward: the Marine Microbial Eukaryote Transcriptome Sequencing Project (MMETSP), the Tara Oceans Expeditions, and the Malaspina Expedition. You can find the poster I presented at the conference on this link.

The Eleventh Annual Broad Institute Retreat, 14-15 December 2015, Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA

This event brings together researchers and affiliates of the Broad Institute to discuss institute's most recent advances at the interface of science and technology. You can find the poster I presented at the retreat here

Wyss Institute 7th Annual Retreat, 19 November 2015, Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, MA

This event brings together researchers and affiliates of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering to discuss institute's most recent advances at the interface of science and technology. You can find the poster I presented at the retreat on this link.

Molecular Life of Diatoms 2015, 7-10 July 2015, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Molecular Life of Diatoms 2015 brought together an interdisciplinary mix of scientists to discuss recent advances in our understanding of diatoms and the way they shape our planet. You can find the poster I presented at the conference here.

Talks

• Synthetic Biology Platform Meeting, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, 1 March 2016 | slides

Teaching

• Biochemistry Bootcamp Mentor, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, January 2015

I served as a mentor for the inaugural biochemistry bootcamp aimed at promising undergraduates at Wellesley College. Students expressed a protein in bacteria, purified it, assayed its activity, and presented their findings to their classmates. I directly supervised a pair of undergraduate participants. The administrators at Wellesley agreed to offer this bootcamp opportunity to students again in 2016.

Outreach

SITN Waves Correspondent

• Going with the Flow: New Evidence for Liquid Water on Mars

SITN Waves Expert

• Friend or Foe? Getting the body to make peace with bioengineered drug delivery systems
• Algae: Applications in Removing Arsenic and Beyond
• Can we send a message to the future with DNA?
• Electric Bacteria – Groundbreaking Science or Old News?

Science Art

• Diatoms: Nature's Nanotechnologists
• DNA Scikus

In the news

• MetaPHoDcast, January 2016 (in Slovene)
• Wyss Institute, December 2015
• Finance, February 2015 (in Slovene)

Past Affiliations

• Ginkgo BioWorks, Inc., Boston, MA (10/2012 - 06/2013) | Ginkgo BioWorks
• Jerala Lab at the National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia (05/2010 - 07/2012) | Jerala Lab

Selected Awards & Accomplishments

• Kavčič Prize for young writers in natural sciences, 2013
• University of Ljubljana Prešeren Award for Diploma Thesis, 2012 (in Slovene)
• 42nd Krka Prizes - Krka Prize for Diploma Thesis, 2012 (in Slovene)
• Gold medal, BIOMOD 2011 | Learn more about BIOMOD Slovenia 2011
• Grand Prize, World Champion, iGEM 2010 | Learn more about iGEM Slovenia 2010

Education

• University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Diploma in Biotechnology, 06/2012
• Diploma thesis entitled: "Synthetic biology approach towards improvement of carotenoid biosynthetic pathway using zinc fingers"

Sports

• Harvard Triathlon Team
• Harvard University Cycling Association
• November Project

• Olympic distance triathlon PR | Lobsterman Triathlon 09/2014: 2h 40' 32"
• Sprint distance triathlon PR | New England Season Opener 05/2016: 1h 04' 12"
• 26.2 PR | Baystate Marathon 10/2013: 3h 30' 55"
• 13.1 PR | Boston's Run to Remember 05/2013: 1h 26' 30"
• 10K PR | B.A.A. 10K 06/2015: 40' 20"
• 5K PR | Ras na hEireann 5KM 03/2016: 19' 39"
• University of Ljubljana basketball champion in 2008 and 2009.

Podcasts

Science, Technology, Entertainment, Design

• Chemistry World | Disruptive | Discovery | Nature | Nature Biotechnology | NPR: Invisibilia | NPR: Ted Radio Hour | Science Magazine | Science Talk | Science Weekly SIT'N Listen! | StarTalk Radio | Stuff You Should Now | WNYC's Radiolab

Sports

• Endurance Nation | Over The Top Cycling | The Rich Roll Podcast | TOWER26 | Zen and The Art of Triathlon | 220 Triathlon Magazine

EDM

• Club Kerry NYC | Miami Sessions | UMEK's 1605

Slovenian

• Apparatus | Frekvenca X | Meta PHoDcast | Podrobnosti | Studio ob 17h | Stevilke | Vroci Mikrofon

Other

• Documentaries | Fresh Air | Hello PhD | The 5AM Miracle Podcast

Web

Marine Microbiology

• Tara Oceans | The Secret Life of Plankton | Five Reasons to Thank Plankton | Ocean Drifters | The Diatomist

Biomaterials

Science, Technology, Entertainment, Design

• Compound Interest | Khan Academy | ScienceDaily | Selected Lectures on Science and Engineering in the Boston Area | TED |

Sports

• Endurance races in the USA | Triathlete | USA Triathlon

EDM

• Kraftwerk and Electronic Revolution | Krautrock: The Rebirth of Germany | Sasha: Airdrawndagger (ADD)

Contact Info

Lab

Jernej Turnšek | Ph.D. Candidate

Harvard Medical School | Department of Systems Biology | 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University | Center for Life Science Boston Bldg., 5th Floor | 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115

Phone: 617-797-5386 | Fax: 617-432-5012 | Email: turnsek@fas.harvard.edu | CV as of Dec 15'

Email me through OpenWetWare

Social Media

Visit my LinkedIn profile. Follow me on Twitter.