Jacinto Villanueva
About Jacinto Villanueva
Jacinto Villanueva serves as the Director of Protein Affinity Reagent Discovery at Nautilus Biotechnology, where he has worked since 2021. He has a strong background in genetics and has contributed to significant research and development projects across various biotechnology companies.
Work at Nautilus Biotechnology
Jacinto Villanueva has served as the Director of Protein Affinity Reagent Discovery at Nautilus Biotechnology since 2021. In this role, he focuses on the development of innovative protein affinity reagents, contributing to the company's mission of advancing biotechnology solutions. His position is based in San Carlos, California, where he leads efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of protein discovery methodologies.
Previous Experience at Abcam
Prior to his current role, Villanueva worked at Abcam as the Global Director of Project Management for Custom Solutions from 2019 to 2021. During his tenure, he managed various projects aimed at delivering tailored solutions to meet client needs. His leadership contributed to the growth and success of the organization in the competitive biotechnology landscape.
Education and Expertise
Jacinto Villanueva holds a Doctorate in Genetics from the University of California, Davis. He also earned a Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Science in Genetics from the University of California, Berkeley. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in protein affinity reagents and molecular biology.
Research Contributions
During his postdoctoral research, Villanueva developed the workflow and methodology for an ordered mutant library of the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. He also identified and cloned resistance genes of the host Caenorhabditis elegans at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. His research has contributed to advancements in understanding genetic resistance mechanisms.
Achievements in Antibody Development
Villanueva has made significant contributions to antibody development, including the creation of a highly sensitive antibody reagent against the Malarial parasite for a US Army SBIR grant while at Epitomics, Inc. He also developed the 4B5 anti-HER2 antibody, which is essential for effective diagnosis in cancer treatment. These achievements highlight his expertise in the field of immunology and diagnostics.