Curriculum Vitae
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Cell and Molecular Biology
Department of Biology
University of California at San Diego
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Arizona
Awards / Scholarship (Awarded)
2013 – Present National Institutes of Health NRSA F32 Fellowship (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease) Developing Hydra as a Model Organism for Viral Symbioses (Principal Investigator) (5F32AI098418) ($178,986)
2015 Helmsly Foundation Scholarship to attend Cold Spring Harbor Workshop on Computational and Comparative Genomics ($1750)
2014 Keystone Symposia Scholarship to attend Mechanisms and Consequences of Invertebrate-Microbe Interactions ($1000)
2014 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Supplementary Grant for Virome Sequencing (BO 848/17-1) (20,000€)
2012 – 2013 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Inflammation at the Interfaces Supplementary Grant for Hydra Virome Research (BO 848/17-1) (72,000€)
2011 – 2013 National Institutes of Health R21 Grant (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease) Hydra as a Mucosal Innate Immunity Model System (Co-PI) (1R21AI094534) ($224,250)
2006 – 2009 Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Scholarship ($7500/year)
2001 California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) grant for travel to Keystone Meeting on T Lymphocyte Activation, Differentiation, and Death ($500)
Awards / Scholarship (Submitted / In Revision / Under Review)
2015 National Institutes of Health Career Transition Award K22 (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease) The Basal Metazoan Hydra as a Model Organism for Host-Mucosa-Virome Interactions (Principal Investigator) (1K22AI123480) ($270,000)
Currently under revision to become a R21 Award submission to the NIAID as recommended by the review committee and program officer (to be submitted October 2016)
2015 National Institutes of Health Research Scientist Development Award K01 (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Determining Viral Dysbioses in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Susceptibility Models (Principal Investigator) (1K01DK109109) ($438,000)
Currently under revision to become a R21 Award to the NIDDK as recommended by the review committee and program officer (to be submitted February 2017)
2016 Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Career Development Award Determining Viral Dysbioses in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Susceptibility Models (Principal Investigator) (ID: 370426) ($297,000)
Currently under revision to become a New Investigator Award to the CCFA as recommended by the review committee and the funding agency (to be submitted July 2017)
Publications (Published / Accepted / In Press)
McDole-Somera, T., B. Bailey, K. Barott, J. A. Grasis, J. Nulton, B. Bailey, B. Nosrat, C. Sullivan, M. Hatay, K. Barott, R. E. Brainard, and F. Rohwer. (2016) Energetic Differences between Bacterioplankton Trophic Groups and Coral Reef Resistance. Proc. B. Roy. Soc. 283:20160467.
Engel, P., W. K. Kwong, Q. McFrederick, V. Doublet, J. Evans, M. Flenniken, J. A. Grasis, H. Koch, V. Martinson, N. Moran, M. Muñoz-Torres, P. Schmid-Hempel, D. VanEngelsdorp, and B. Dainat. (2016) The Bee Microbiome: Impact on Bee Health and Model for Evolution and Ecology of Host-Microbe Interactions. Mbio. 7(2):e02164-15.
Bosch, T. C. G., J. A. Grasis, and T. Lachnit. (2015) Microbial Ecology in Hydra: Why Viruses Matter. J. Microbiol. 53:193-200.
Grasis, J. A., T. Lachnit, F. Anton-Erxleben, Y. W. Lim, R. Schmieder, S. Fraune, S. Franzenburg, S. Insua, G. Machado, M. Hayes, M. Little, R. Kimble, P. Rosenstiel, F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2014) Species-Specific Viromes In the Ancestral Holobiont Hydra. PLoS One. 9:e109952.
Bosch, T. C. G., M. Adamska, R. Augustin, T. Domazet-Loso, S. Foret, S. Fraune, N. Funayama, J. A. Grasis, M. Hamada, M. Hatta, B. Hobmayer, K. Kawai, A. Klimovich, M. Manuel, C. Shinzato, U. Technau, S. Yum, and D. J. Miller. (2014) How do environmental factors influence life cycles and development? An experimental framework for early-diverging metazoans. BioEssays. 36(12):1185-1194.
Quistad, S. D., A. Stotland, K. L. Barott, C. Smurthweites, B. J. Hilton, J. A. Grasis, R. Wolkowicz, and F. L. Rohwer. (2014) The Evolution of TNF-induced Apoptosis Reveals 550 Million Years of Functional Conservation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 111(26):9567-9572.
Willner, D., M. Furlan, R. Schmieder, J. A. Grasis, D. T. Pride, D. A. Relman, F. E. Angly, T. McDole, R. P. Mariella, Jr., F. Rohwer, and M. Haynes. (2011) Metagenomic Detection of Phage-Encoded Platelet Binding Factors in the Human Oral Cavity. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 108: Suppl. 1:4547-53.
Grasis, J. A., and C. D. Tsoukas. (2011) Itk: The Rheostat of the T Cell Response. J. Signal Transduction. 2011:1-23.
Grasis, J. A., D. M. Guimond, N. R. Cam, K. Herman, P. Magotti, J. D. Lambris, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2010) In Vivo Significance of ITK-SLP-76 Interaction in Cytokine Production. Mol. Cell. Biol. 30:3596-3609.
Grasis, J. A.. (2009) Controlling T Lymphocyte Activation with a Molecular Rheostat. Dissertation. Univ. Calif. San Diego. 1-287.
Huang, Y. H., J. A. Grasis, A. T. Miller, R. Xu, S. Soonthornvacharin, A. H. Andreotti, C. D. Tsoukas, M. P. Cooke, and K. Sauer. (2007) Positive Regulation of Itk PH Domain Function by Soluble IP4. Science. 316:886-889.
Tsoukas, C. D., J. A. Grasis, C. D. Browne, and K. A. Ching. (2006) Inducible T Cell Tyrosine Kinase (ITK) Structural requirements and actin polymerization. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 584:29-41.
Grasis, J. A., C. D. Browne, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2003) Inducible T cell tyrosine kinase regulates actin-dependent cytoskeletal events induced by the T cell antigen receptor. J. Immunol. 170:3971-3976.
Tsoukas, C. D., J. A. Grasis, K. A. Ching, Y. Kawakami, and T. Kawakami. (2001) Itk/Emt: a link between T cell antigen receptor-mediated Ca2+ events and cytoskeletal reorganization. Trends Immunol. 22:17-20.
Ching, K. A., J. A. Grasis, P. Tailor, Y. Kawakami, T. Kawakami, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2000) TCR/CD3-Induced activation and binding of Emt/Itk to linker of activated T cell complexes: requirement for the Src homology 2 domain. J. Immunol. 165:256-262.
Publications (Submitted / In Revision / Under Review)
Grasis, J. A., F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. Viral Self/Non-Self Discrimination at the Exposed Epithelium of a Basal Metazoan. Nature Immunology.
Quistad, S. D., J. A. Grasis, J. J. Barr, and F. L. Rohwer. Viruses and the Origin of Microbiome Selection and Immunity. ISME Journal.
Grasis, J. A., T. C. G. Bosch, and F. L. Rohwer. RNA Viral Communities Infecting Hydra Resemble the Mammalian Gut. PLoS Biology.
Grasis, J. A., T. C. G. Bosch, and F. L. Rohwer. Emergent Retroelement Populations in the Germ-Free Hydra. Genome Biology.
Grasis, J. A.. The Involvement of Viruses in the Holobiont. Frontiers in Immunology.
Selected Presentations (Oral / Poster)
Grasis, J. A., F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2016) Insights Into Innate Immune Interactions from a Basal Metazoan. Keystone Symposia on Systems Immunology: From Molecular Networks to Human Biology. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2015) The Balance Between Resistance and Tolerance in Hydra-Virus Interactions. International Workshop: New Perspectives From Early Emerging Metazoans. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2015) The Basal Metazoan Hydra as a Model for Host-Virome-Interactions. Gordon Research Conference on Animal-Microbe Symbioses: Identifying the Common Language of Host-Microbe Associations. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2015) Insights of Host-Mucosa-Virome Interactions from a Basal Holobiont. Pomona College. Invited Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2015) The Basal Metazoan Hydra as a Model for Host-Mucosa-Virome-Interactions. Keystone Symposia on Gut Microbiota Modulation of Host Physiology: The Search for Mechanism. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2014) The Viral View of the Hydra Holobiont. Duke University. Invited Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2014) Viral Insights from the Hydra Holobiont. Wake Forest University. Invited Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2014) The Viral View of Hydra. University of California at Irvine Symposium on Host-Microbial Interactions. Invited Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2014) Coevolution of an Ancient Immune System with a Microbiota: Insights from the Hydra Holobiont. Keystone Symposia on Mechanisms and Consequences of Invertebrate-Microbe Interactions. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., T. Lachnit, F. Anton-Erxleben, Y. W. Lim, R. Schmieder, S. Fraune, S. Franzenburg, P. Rosenstiel, F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2014) Species-specific viromes affect holobiont metabolism in the basal metazoan Hydra. Keystone Symposia on Mechanisms and Consequences of Invertebrate-Microbe Interactions. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2014) Viral Recognition in the Basal Metazoan Hydra. Keystone Symposia on Innate Immunity to Viral Infections. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2013) Species-specific viromes in the ancestral holobiont Hydra. International workshop: Unraveling the Developmental Regulatory Network in Early Animals. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., S. Fraune, S. Franzenburg, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2013) Viral Recognition in Hydra. International workshop: Unraveling the Developmental Regulatory Network in Early Animals. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2013) Studying the Hydra Virome to Understand an Ancestral Holobiont. International Joint Meeting of the German Society for Cell Biology and the German Society for Developmental Biology. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., T. Lachnit, F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2013) Deciphering the Hydra Virome. Inflammation at the Interfaces Interdisciplinary Symposium. Poster.
Grasis, J. A. and F. L. Rohwer. (2011) Deciphering the Hydra Virome and Antiviral Response. International Workshop: Searching for Eve: Basal Metazoans and the Evolution of Multicellular Complexity. Poster.
Willner, D., J. A. Grasis, M. Furlan, R. Schmieder, D. T. Pride, D. Relman, F. E. Angly, R. P. Mariella, Jr., M. Haynes, and F. Rohwer. (2010) Metagenomic Detection of Phage-Encoded Platelet Binding Factors in the Human Oral Cavity. 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Poster.
Grasis, J.A., K. Hermann, P. Magotti, J. Lambris, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2009) The regulation of inducible T cell tyrosine kinase by cell-penetrating peptides. La Jolla Immunology Conference 2009. Poster.
Huang, Y. H., J. A. Grasis, A. T. Miller, S. Soonthornvacharin, C. D. Tsoukas, M. P. Cooke, and K. Sauer. (2006) IP4 is essential for TCR signaling during positive selection. Keystone Symposia In Lymphocyte Activation and Signaling 2006. Poster.
Grasis, J. A., P. Bettinger, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2005) Inducible T cell tyrosine kinase regulation of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein. Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Cell Signaling Conference 2005. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2004) Itk regulation of actin polymerization in T lymphocytes. San Diego Actin Forum 2004. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2004) Itk regulates T cell antigen receptor-induced actin polymerization. La Jolla Immunology Conference 2004. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., C. D. Browne, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2004) Inducible T cell tyrosine kinase regulates actin-dependent cytoskeletal events induced by the T cell antigen receptor. San Diego Cell Biology Meeting 2004. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2003) The role of Emt/Itk in TCR/CD3 mediated cytoskeletal events. Molecular Basis of Immune Cell Activation and Immunologic Disorders. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., G. Machado, Y. Kawakami, T. Kawakami, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2002) Emt/Itk involvement in actin dependent events in T lymphocytes. Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Cell Signaling Conference 2002. Poster.
Ching, K. A., J. A. Grasis, Y. Kawakami, T. Kawakami, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2001) Emt/Itk-LAT association required for TCR/CD3 activation of Emt/Itk. Keystone Symposia in T Lymphocyte Activation, Differentiation, and Death 2001. Poster.
Grasis, J. A., Ching, K. A., Y. Kawakami, T. Kawakami, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2000) Role of SH2 and SH3 domains of Emt/Itk in TCR/CD3 signaling. Keystone Symposia in Oncogene Networks in Signal Transduction 2000. Poster.
Sandstrom, D. J., J. A. Grasis, and L. L. Restifo. (1999) Epidermal tendon cells require Broad Complex function for correct attachment of the indirect flight muscles in Drosophila melanogaster. The Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting 1999. Poster.
Sandstrom, D. J., J. A. Grasis, and L. L. Restifo. (1998) Broad-Complex transcription factors regulate thoracic muscle attachment in Drosophila. The Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting 1998. Poster.
Professional Experience
2012 – Present Post-Doctoral Fellow
Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
Zoological Institute
Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology
Developed project on antiviral innate immunity to establish Hydra as a model organism for intestinal mucosal immunity. Combined with viral genomics, identify host-pathogen interactions and host-viral co-evolution amongst Hydra species and other Cnidarians.
2011 – Present Post-Doctoral Fellow
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Department of Biology
Initiated project to identify the viral communities associating with the model organism Hydra. Work utilizes metagenomics to determine viruses present, viral community structure, effects on symbiotic metabolism, comparative viral genomics, and novel virus discovery.
2010 Post-Doctoral Research Associate
University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA
Department of Biology
Examined T cell activation using multi-parameter flow cytometry, laser scanning confocal microscopy, proteomics, cytometric bead arrays, and ELISAs to determine role of certain chemokines in asthma pathogenesis.
2003 – 2009 Graduate Research Associate
University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA
San Diego State University
Joint-Doctoral Program in Biology
Department of Biology
Research on ITK modulation of the strength of the T cell response to antigen, in particular for T cell differentiation, through the extracellular release of cytokines. Developed microscopic localization assays, co-immunoprecipitation proteomic techniques, initiated transgenic mouse technologies, established lab FRET techniques, devised multi-parameter flow cytometry assays, and launched cell-penetrating peptide technology in the lab. Worked as technician monitoring the use of FACS Aria Flow Cytometer. Duties included daily maintenance, teaching new users, data analyses, and sorting.
2003 – 2009 Graduate Teaching Assistant
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry
Advanced Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Lab (CHEM 467), Fall 2009
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Lab (BIO 356), Fall 2008
Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology Lab (BIO 202) Fall 2006, Fall 2007
General Biology Lab (Bio 100) Fall 2003, Fall 2004
Instructed laboratory courses for graduate and undergraduate students, prepared and presented lectures, wrote and evaluated assignments and exams. Organized lab structure, wrote lab manual and syllabus (CHEM 467), coordinated lab experiments, and held office hours.
1999 – 2003 Research Assistant
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Department of Biology
Lab Manager with duties including accounting, purchasing, managing lab supplies, and instructing incoming lab members. Conducted and published research related to ITK activity through mutational analysis.
1997 – 1999 Research Assistant
1996 – 1997 Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Department of Neurobiology
Maintained fruit fly stocks, performed drosophila genetic crosses, performed histological assays analyzing muscle morphology as well as prepared samples for electron microscopy.
1994 – 1996 Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Department of Computer Science
Created and maintained a database for journal articles and technical reports.
Professional Service
Ad-Hoc Reviewer National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health
Reviewer Journal of Immunology, Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers in Microbiology
Scientific Outreach Activities
2016 Organizing Committee. Biennial meeting on Hydroid biology. NSF funded (IOS-1637184, $21,750)
2014 Participant. NSF NEScent BeeBiome Workshop on bee related microbiomes. Durham, NC.
2013 Instructor. Helgoland Research Center, Helgoland, Germany. Workshop on Marine Biology. Instruction for advanced undergraduates and graduate students on the microbes and viruses found in coastal waters and associating with animals found near Helgoland.
2012 Instructor. Inflammation at the Interfaces Workshop on Mucosal Immunology, Lübeck, Germany. Instruction for advanced undergraduates and graduate students on viruses found associating within mucosal surfaces, focusing on the gut and lungs.
2005 – 2007 Poster Judge for Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, Junior Division (Grades 7-12), San Diego, CA – Served as panelist for competition of student science fair projects spanning various scientific disciplines (e.g. biochemistry, physics, etc.). The students present their projects in poster format where local area scientists and science teachers judge them.
2005 – 2006 Graduate Student Representative, Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego. Served as a liaison between students and faculty in departmental issues, organized and hosted weekly student seminars, and coordinated the annual graduate student symposium consisting of 200 attendees. The invited speaker for the symposium was Dr. Robert Gallo, a two-time Lasker Award winner, National Academy of Sciences member, and co-discoverer of HIV.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Cell and Molecular Biology
Department of Biology
University of California at San Diego
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Arizona
Awards / Scholarship (Awarded)
2013 – Present National Institutes of Health NRSA F32 Fellowship (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease) Developing Hydra as a Model Organism for Viral Symbioses (Principal Investigator) (5F32AI098418) ($178,986)
2015 Helmsly Foundation Scholarship to attend Cold Spring Harbor Workshop on Computational and Comparative Genomics ($1750)
2014 Keystone Symposia Scholarship to attend Mechanisms and Consequences of Invertebrate-Microbe Interactions ($1000)
2014 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Supplementary Grant for Virome Sequencing (BO 848/17-1) (20,000€)
2012 – 2013 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Inflammation at the Interfaces Supplementary Grant for Hydra Virome Research (BO 848/17-1) (72,000€)
2011 – 2013 National Institutes of Health R21 Grant (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease) Hydra as a Mucosal Innate Immunity Model System (Co-PI) (1R21AI094534) ($224,250)
2006 – 2009 Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Scholarship ($7500/year)
2001 California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) grant for travel to Keystone Meeting on T Lymphocyte Activation, Differentiation, and Death ($500)
Awards / Scholarship (Submitted / In Revision / Under Review)
2015 National Institutes of Health Career Transition Award K22 (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease) The Basal Metazoan Hydra as a Model Organism for Host-Mucosa-Virome Interactions (Principal Investigator) (1K22AI123480) ($270,000)
Currently under revision to become a R21 Award submission to the NIAID as recommended by the review committee and program officer (to be submitted October 2016)
2015 National Institutes of Health Research Scientist Development Award K01 (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Determining Viral Dysbioses in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Susceptibility Models (Principal Investigator) (1K01DK109109) ($438,000)
Currently under revision to become a R21 Award to the NIDDK as recommended by the review committee and program officer (to be submitted February 2017)
2016 Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Career Development Award Determining Viral Dysbioses in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Susceptibility Models (Principal Investigator) (ID: 370426) ($297,000)
Currently under revision to become a New Investigator Award to the CCFA as recommended by the review committee and the funding agency (to be submitted July 2017)
Publications (Published / Accepted / In Press)
McDole-Somera, T., B. Bailey, K. Barott, J. A. Grasis, J. Nulton, B. Bailey, B. Nosrat, C. Sullivan, M. Hatay, K. Barott, R. E. Brainard, and F. Rohwer. (2016) Energetic Differences between Bacterioplankton Trophic Groups and Coral Reef Resistance. Proc. B. Roy. Soc. 283:20160467.
Engel, P., W. K. Kwong, Q. McFrederick, V. Doublet, J. Evans, M. Flenniken, J. A. Grasis, H. Koch, V. Martinson, N. Moran, M. Muñoz-Torres, P. Schmid-Hempel, D. VanEngelsdorp, and B. Dainat. (2016) The Bee Microbiome: Impact on Bee Health and Model for Evolution and Ecology of Host-Microbe Interactions. Mbio. 7(2):e02164-15.
Bosch, T. C. G., J. A. Grasis, and T. Lachnit. (2015) Microbial Ecology in Hydra: Why Viruses Matter. J. Microbiol. 53:193-200.
Grasis, J. A., T. Lachnit, F. Anton-Erxleben, Y. W. Lim, R. Schmieder, S. Fraune, S. Franzenburg, S. Insua, G. Machado, M. Hayes, M. Little, R. Kimble, P. Rosenstiel, F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2014) Species-Specific Viromes In the Ancestral Holobiont Hydra. PLoS One. 9:e109952.
Bosch, T. C. G., M. Adamska, R. Augustin, T. Domazet-Loso, S. Foret, S. Fraune, N. Funayama, J. A. Grasis, M. Hamada, M. Hatta, B. Hobmayer, K. Kawai, A. Klimovich, M. Manuel, C. Shinzato, U. Technau, S. Yum, and D. J. Miller. (2014) How do environmental factors influence life cycles and development? An experimental framework for early-diverging metazoans. BioEssays. 36(12):1185-1194.
Quistad, S. D., A. Stotland, K. L. Barott, C. Smurthweites, B. J. Hilton, J. A. Grasis, R. Wolkowicz, and F. L. Rohwer. (2014) The Evolution of TNF-induced Apoptosis Reveals 550 Million Years of Functional Conservation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 111(26):9567-9572.
Willner, D., M. Furlan, R. Schmieder, J. A. Grasis, D. T. Pride, D. A. Relman, F. E. Angly, T. McDole, R. P. Mariella, Jr., F. Rohwer, and M. Haynes. (2011) Metagenomic Detection of Phage-Encoded Platelet Binding Factors in the Human Oral Cavity. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 108: Suppl. 1:4547-53.
Grasis, J. A., and C. D. Tsoukas. (2011) Itk: The Rheostat of the T Cell Response. J. Signal Transduction. 2011:1-23.
Grasis, J. A., D. M. Guimond, N. R. Cam, K. Herman, P. Magotti, J. D. Lambris, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2010) In Vivo Significance of ITK-SLP-76 Interaction in Cytokine Production. Mol. Cell. Biol. 30:3596-3609.
Grasis, J. A.. (2009) Controlling T Lymphocyte Activation with a Molecular Rheostat. Dissertation. Univ. Calif. San Diego. 1-287.
Huang, Y. H., J. A. Grasis, A. T. Miller, R. Xu, S. Soonthornvacharin, A. H. Andreotti, C. D. Tsoukas, M. P. Cooke, and K. Sauer. (2007) Positive Regulation of Itk PH Domain Function by Soluble IP4. Science. 316:886-889.
Tsoukas, C. D., J. A. Grasis, C. D. Browne, and K. A. Ching. (2006) Inducible T Cell Tyrosine Kinase (ITK) Structural requirements and actin polymerization. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 584:29-41.
Grasis, J. A., C. D. Browne, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2003) Inducible T cell tyrosine kinase regulates actin-dependent cytoskeletal events induced by the T cell antigen receptor. J. Immunol. 170:3971-3976.
Tsoukas, C. D., J. A. Grasis, K. A. Ching, Y. Kawakami, and T. Kawakami. (2001) Itk/Emt: a link between T cell antigen receptor-mediated Ca2+ events and cytoskeletal reorganization. Trends Immunol. 22:17-20.
Ching, K. A., J. A. Grasis, P. Tailor, Y. Kawakami, T. Kawakami, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2000) TCR/CD3-Induced activation and binding of Emt/Itk to linker of activated T cell complexes: requirement for the Src homology 2 domain. J. Immunol. 165:256-262.
Publications (Submitted / In Revision / Under Review)
Grasis, J. A., F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. Viral Self/Non-Self Discrimination at the Exposed Epithelium of a Basal Metazoan. Nature Immunology.
Quistad, S. D., J. A. Grasis, J. J. Barr, and F. L. Rohwer. Viruses and the Origin of Microbiome Selection and Immunity. ISME Journal.
Grasis, J. A., T. C. G. Bosch, and F. L. Rohwer. RNA Viral Communities Infecting Hydra Resemble the Mammalian Gut. PLoS Biology.
Grasis, J. A., T. C. G. Bosch, and F. L. Rohwer. Emergent Retroelement Populations in the Germ-Free Hydra. Genome Biology.
Grasis, J. A.. The Involvement of Viruses in the Holobiont. Frontiers in Immunology.
Selected Presentations (Oral / Poster)
Grasis, J. A., F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2016) Insights Into Innate Immune Interactions from a Basal Metazoan. Keystone Symposia on Systems Immunology: From Molecular Networks to Human Biology. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2015) The Balance Between Resistance and Tolerance in Hydra-Virus Interactions. International Workshop: New Perspectives From Early Emerging Metazoans. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2015) The Basal Metazoan Hydra as a Model for Host-Virome-Interactions. Gordon Research Conference on Animal-Microbe Symbioses: Identifying the Common Language of Host-Microbe Associations. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2015) Insights of Host-Mucosa-Virome Interactions from a Basal Holobiont. Pomona College. Invited Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2015) The Basal Metazoan Hydra as a Model for Host-Mucosa-Virome-Interactions. Keystone Symposia on Gut Microbiota Modulation of Host Physiology: The Search for Mechanism. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2014) The Viral View of the Hydra Holobiont. Duke University. Invited Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2014) Viral Insights from the Hydra Holobiont. Wake Forest University. Invited Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2014) The Viral View of Hydra. University of California at Irvine Symposium on Host-Microbial Interactions. Invited Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2014) Coevolution of an Ancient Immune System with a Microbiota: Insights from the Hydra Holobiont. Keystone Symposia on Mechanisms and Consequences of Invertebrate-Microbe Interactions. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., T. Lachnit, F. Anton-Erxleben, Y. W. Lim, R. Schmieder, S. Fraune, S. Franzenburg, P. Rosenstiel, F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2014) Species-specific viromes affect holobiont metabolism in the basal metazoan Hydra. Keystone Symposia on Mechanisms and Consequences of Invertebrate-Microbe Interactions. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2014) Viral Recognition in the Basal Metazoan Hydra. Keystone Symposia on Innate Immunity to Viral Infections. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2013) Species-specific viromes in the ancestral holobiont Hydra. International workshop: Unraveling the Developmental Regulatory Network in Early Animals. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., S. Fraune, S. Franzenburg, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2013) Viral Recognition in Hydra. International workshop: Unraveling the Developmental Regulatory Network in Early Animals. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2013) Studying the Hydra Virome to Understand an Ancestral Holobiont. International Joint Meeting of the German Society for Cell Biology and the German Society for Developmental Biology. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., T. Lachnit, F. L. Rohwer, and T. C. G. Bosch. (2013) Deciphering the Hydra Virome. Inflammation at the Interfaces Interdisciplinary Symposium. Poster.
Grasis, J. A. and F. L. Rohwer. (2011) Deciphering the Hydra Virome and Antiviral Response. International Workshop: Searching for Eve: Basal Metazoans and the Evolution of Multicellular Complexity. Poster.
Willner, D., J. A. Grasis, M. Furlan, R. Schmieder, D. T. Pride, D. Relman, F. E. Angly, R. P. Mariella, Jr., M. Haynes, and F. Rohwer. (2010) Metagenomic Detection of Phage-Encoded Platelet Binding Factors in the Human Oral Cavity. 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Poster.
Grasis, J.A., K. Hermann, P. Magotti, J. Lambris, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2009) The regulation of inducible T cell tyrosine kinase by cell-penetrating peptides. La Jolla Immunology Conference 2009. Poster.
Huang, Y. H., J. A. Grasis, A. T. Miller, S. Soonthornvacharin, C. D. Tsoukas, M. P. Cooke, and K. Sauer. (2006) IP4 is essential for TCR signaling during positive selection. Keystone Symposia In Lymphocyte Activation and Signaling 2006. Poster.
Grasis, J. A., P. Bettinger, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2005) Inducible T cell tyrosine kinase regulation of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein. Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Cell Signaling Conference 2005. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2004) Itk regulation of actin polymerization in T lymphocytes. San Diego Actin Forum 2004. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A.. (2004) Itk regulates T cell antigen receptor-induced actin polymerization. La Jolla Immunology Conference 2004. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., C. D. Browne, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2004) Inducible T cell tyrosine kinase regulates actin-dependent cytoskeletal events induced by the T cell antigen receptor. San Diego Cell Biology Meeting 2004. Poster.
Grasis, J. A.. (2003) The role of Emt/Itk in TCR/CD3 mediated cytoskeletal events. Molecular Basis of Immune Cell Activation and Immunologic Disorders. Selected Oral Presentation.
Grasis, J. A., G. Machado, Y. Kawakami, T. Kawakami, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2002) Emt/Itk involvement in actin dependent events in T lymphocytes. Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Cell Signaling Conference 2002. Poster.
Ching, K. A., J. A. Grasis, Y. Kawakami, T. Kawakami, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2001) Emt/Itk-LAT association required for TCR/CD3 activation of Emt/Itk. Keystone Symposia in T Lymphocyte Activation, Differentiation, and Death 2001. Poster.
Grasis, J. A., Ching, K. A., Y. Kawakami, T. Kawakami, and C. D. Tsoukas. (2000) Role of SH2 and SH3 domains of Emt/Itk in TCR/CD3 signaling. Keystone Symposia in Oncogene Networks in Signal Transduction 2000. Poster.
Sandstrom, D. J., J. A. Grasis, and L. L. Restifo. (1999) Epidermal tendon cells require Broad Complex function for correct attachment of the indirect flight muscles in Drosophila melanogaster. The Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting 1999. Poster.
Sandstrom, D. J., J. A. Grasis, and L. L. Restifo. (1998) Broad-Complex transcription factors regulate thoracic muscle attachment in Drosophila. The Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting 1998. Poster.
Professional Experience
2012 – Present Post-Doctoral Fellow
Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
Zoological Institute
Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology
Developed project on antiviral innate immunity to establish Hydra as a model organism for intestinal mucosal immunity. Combined with viral genomics, identify host-pathogen interactions and host-viral co-evolution amongst Hydra species and other Cnidarians.
2011 – Present Post-Doctoral Fellow
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Department of Biology
Initiated project to identify the viral communities associating with the model organism Hydra. Work utilizes metagenomics to determine viruses present, viral community structure, effects on symbiotic metabolism, comparative viral genomics, and novel virus discovery.
2010 Post-Doctoral Research Associate
University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA
Department of Biology
Examined T cell activation using multi-parameter flow cytometry, laser scanning confocal microscopy, proteomics, cytometric bead arrays, and ELISAs to determine role of certain chemokines in asthma pathogenesis.
2003 – 2009 Graduate Research Associate
University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA
San Diego State University
Joint-Doctoral Program in Biology
Department of Biology
Research on ITK modulation of the strength of the T cell response to antigen, in particular for T cell differentiation, through the extracellular release of cytokines. Developed microscopic localization assays, co-immunoprecipitation proteomic techniques, initiated transgenic mouse technologies, established lab FRET techniques, devised multi-parameter flow cytometry assays, and launched cell-penetrating peptide technology in the lab. Worked as technician monitoring the use of FACS Aria Flow Cytometer. Duties included daily maintenance, teaching new users, data analyses, and sorting.
2003 – 2009 Graduate Teaching Assistant
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry
Advanced Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Lab (CHEM 467), Fall 2009
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Lab (BIO 356), Fall 2008
Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology Lab (BIO 202) Fall 2006, Fall 2007
General Biology Lab (Bio 100) Fall 2003, Fall 2004
Instructed laboratory courses for graduate and undergraduate students, prepared and presented lectures, wrote and evaluated assignments and exams. Organized lab structure, wrote lab manual and syllabus (CHEM 467), coordinated lab experiments, and held office hours.
1999 – 2003 Research Assistant
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Department of Biology
Lab Manager with duties including accounting, purchasing, managing lab supplies, and instructing incoming lab members. Conducted and published research related to ITK activity through mutational analysis.
1997 – 1999 Research Assistant
1996 – 1997 Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Department of Neurobiology
Maintained fruit fly stocks, performed drosophila genetic crosses, performed histological assays analyzing muscle morphology as well as prepared samples for electron microscopy.
1994 – 1996 Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Department of Computer Science
Created and maintained a database for journal articles and technical reports.
Professional Service
Ad-Hoc Reviewer National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health
Reviewer Journal of Immunology, Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers in Microbiology
Scientific Outreach Activities
2016 Organizing Committee. Biennial meeting on Hydroid biology. NSF funded (IOS-1637184, $21,750)
2014 Participant. NSF NEScent BeeBiome Workshop on bee related microbiomes. Durham, NC.
2013 Instructor. Helgoland Research Center, Helgoland, Germany. Workshop on Marine Biology. Instruction for advanced undergraduates and graduate students on the microbes and viruses found in coastal waters and associating with animals found near Helgoland.
2012 Instructor. Inflammation at the Interfaces Workshop on Mucosal Immunology, Lübeck, Germany. Instruction for advanced undergraduates and graduate students on viruses found associating within mucosal surfaces, focusing on the gut and lungs.
2005 – 2007 Poster Judge for Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, Junior Division (Grades 7-12), San Diego, CA – Served as panelist for competition of student science fair projects spanning various scientific disciplines (e.g. biochemistry, physics, etc.). The students present their projects in poster format where local area scientists and science teachers judge them.
2005 – 2006 Graduate Student Representative, Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego. Served as a liaison between students and faculty in departmental issues, organized and hosted weekly student seminars, and coordinated the annual graduate student symposium consisting of 200 attendees. The invited speaker for the symposium was Dr. Robert Gallo, a two-time Lasker Award winner, National Academy of Sciences member, and co-discoverer of HIV.