Welcome to the home of Papa Smurf

Curriculum vitae

Virgil R. Schirf
8418 Timberwilde
San Antonio TX 78250-4427
(210) 680-9265
schirfv@biochem.uthscsa.edu

Current Position
Research Technical Director, Center for Macromolecular Interactions, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Biochemistry, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900

Military Service
United States Army, Preventive Medicine Specialist (91S). Honorably discharged.

Education
 M.S. Biology:  The University of Texas at San Antonio, TX  78249, 1986.
 THESIS:  Seasonal acclimatization in the bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, and temperature exposure in the perch, Tilapia aurea: effects on energy metabolism.

 B.S. Biology:  The University of Texas at San Antonio, TX  78249, 1982.

 A.S. Biology:  San Antonio Community College, San Antonio, TX, 1979.

 Graduated from U. S. Army Preventive Medicine School, Fort Sam Houston, TX, 1971.

Experience

  • Research Technical Director, 2007 - present. The University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Biochemistry, San Antonio, TX
    • Manage the UTHSCSA core laboratory in macromolecular interactions which includes analytical ultracentrifugation, surface plasmon resonance, and light scattering.
    • Train researchers in the preparation of samples and use of the instrumentation.
    • Provide maintenance and minor repairs of the instrumentation
    • Manage scheduling, accounting, web sites
  • Research Associate, 1997 - 2007. The University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Biochemistry, San Antonio, TX
    • manage the Center for the Analytical Ultracentrifugation of Macromolecular Assemblies, a UTHSCSA core facility, which includes scheduling of experiments, operation of the instruments, routine maintenance, data management, preliminary analyses, and keeping records using a MySQL database for billing and reports
    • provide training on the use and maintenance of the instruments during private sessions and workshops
    • responsible for upkeep of the CAUMA and surface plasmon resonance web sites
    • studies involving structure and function of chromatin
    • provide expertise in several general areas to the Department of Biochemistry
  • Adjunct Faculty, 1996. Northwest Vista College, San Antonio, TX
    provide lecture and laboratory instruction in freshman zoology course
  • Research Associate, 1990 - 1996. The University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Microbiology, San Antonio, TX
    • cell culturing of established cell lines:  media preparation, cell growth, freezing of cells for storage
    • protein analysis:  protein isolations, gel chromatography, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting , immunoblotting, protein assays
    • bacteria culturing:  grow and enumerate laboratory strains of bacteria, water sample testing for bacterial contamination, assaying anti-bacterial properties of various substances
    • DNA and RNA isolations from cell and plant materials, Northern blotting, agarose gel electrophoresis, plasmid preparations
    • in vitro DNA and RNA synthesis, autoradiography
    • intracellular fluorescent staining for calcium in response to growth factors
    • use of radioisotopes/non-radioisotopes to measure DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and ion influx
    • radioimmunoassays, hemagglutination assays
    • manuscript preparation, library searches, procurement
  • Research Associate, 1989 - 1990. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
    • collection and storage of tissues from laboratory animals
    • RNA isolations from a variety of tissues
    • plasmid preparations
    • agarose electrophoresis, Northern blotting, hybridizations, autoradiograph, densitometry
  • Research Scientist Associate II, 1986 - 1989. The University of Texas at San Antonio, Division of Life Sciences, San Antonio, TX.
    • fluorimetric assays of lyzosomal enzymes, protein assays
    • SDS-PAGE, agarose gel electrophoresis
    • computer related analysis of data
    • supervision of undergraduate and graduate students
    • routine culturing of mosquitoes
    • handling of mice and gerbils
    • preparation of manuscripts, library searches, presentation at local and national meetings
  • Teaching Associate I, 1986. The University of Texas at San Antonio, Division of Life Sciences, San Antonio, TX.
    the instruction of freshman and sophomore students in a general biology laboratory.
  • Teaching Assistant I, 1982 - 1986. The University of Texas at San Antonio, Divsion of Life Sciences, San Antonio, TX.
  •  the instruction of undergraduate laboratory students in microbiology, biochemistry and genetics
     volunteer duties included substitute teaching for various professors.
  • Technical Staff I, 1980 - 1982. The University of Texas at San Antonio, Division of Life Science, San Antonio, TX.
    the ordering of supplies and preparation of reagents and equipment for an undergraduate biochemistry laboratory.

Special Training:

1986:  Methods in Oligonucleotide Site-Directed Mutagenesis, Center for Advanced Training in Cell and Molecular Biology, Catholic University, Washington,DC.

1987:  Radioisotope Users Training Course, the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.

1993:  Introduction to PCR, Biotechnology Training Programs, Inc. The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.

1999: Safety Training, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.

2000: General Compliance Training, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.

2000: Kinetic and Affinity Analysis using BIA, Level 1, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.

Committees and other Special Roles

2006 - 2009:  UTHSCSA Parking and Traffic Safety Committe

2006 - :  TSR, Department of Biochemistry, UTHSCSA

Professional Society
Sigma Xi

Awards

2007 Presidential Employee Excellence in Service Award, UTHSCSA

Publications

Abstracts1 and papers personally presented2:

  1. 1, 2V. Schirf, P. Turner, L. Selby, C Hannapel, P. De La Cruz, and P. F. Dehn. 1984. The effects of starvation on energy metabolism in the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. Texas Academy of Sciences. 25(s):87.
  2. 1, 2V. Schirf and P. F. Dehn. 1985. Seasonal study of energy metabolism in the bluegill sunfish. Texas Academy of Sciences. 26(2):67.
  3. 1, 2V. Schirf and P. F. Dehn. 1986. The effect of temperature on energy metabolism in the perch, Tilipia aurea:  I. White epaxial muscle. Texas Academy of Sciences. 27(s):69.
  4. 1 F.M. Velazquez, V.R. Schirf, C.K. Castro and P.H. Rodriguez. 1986. Comparative filarial development and lysosomal enzyme differences in specific genotypes of Aedes aegypti. Washington, D.C. MBRS Biomedial Symposium, Abstr. 15th Annual Meeting: 137.
  5. 1, 2V. R. Schirf, P. H. Rodriguez, and C. K. Castro. 1988. Changes in acid hydrolases in specific genotypes of Aedes aegypti infected with Brugia malayi. Texas Academy of Sciences. 29(s):41.

    1Gonzalez, C. I., D. N. Schirf, V. R. Schirf and P. H. Rodriguez. 1987. Characterization of lysosomal enzymes in specific genotypes of mosquitoes. El Paso, Texas. Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Abstr. 1987 Conference: 19.

  6. 1Tamayo, M., V. R. Schirf and P. H. Rodriguez. 1987. Characterization of lysosomal enzymes in Aedes togoi. El Paso, Texas. Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Abstr. 1987 Conference: 52.
  7. 1M. R. Tamayo, V. R. Schirf, D. Nasr-Schirf, C. I. Gonzalez, and P. H. Rodriguez. 1988. Variation in acid hydrolase activities in filarial susceptible and refractory strains of Aedes aegypti. XVIth International Congress of Genetics. Toronto, Canada. Abstr. 32.14.7.
  8. 1P. H. Rodriguez, G. A. Larson, and V. Schirf. 1988. Chemical induced changes in filarial susceptibility in Aedes aegypti. XVIth International Congress of Genetics. Toronto, Canada. Abstr. 31.54.9.
  9. 1Tamayo, M, V. R. Schirf and P. H. Rodriguez. 1988 Variation in acid hydrolase activities in filarial susceptible and refractory strains of Aedes aegypti. Annual MARC Honors Conference, Washington, D. C. November 4. Abstr. P45.
  10. 1Franceschi, F. R., V. R. Schirf and P. H. Rodriguez. 1989. Changes in lactic dehydrogenase and transaminases in Meriones unguiculatus infected with Brugia malayi. 17th NIH-MBRS Symposium, Houston, TX, October 5. Abstr. 113.
  11. 1W. D. Winters, V. R. Schirf, and N Hagino. 1993. Effects on rat embryo neuron cells of in utero and in vitro exposures to uniform 60 Hz magnetic fields. BRAGS.
  12. 1W. D. Winters, V. Schirf, A. Sampson, and R. Sampson. 1995. Electric field generated iodine:  A superior disinfectant. 15th Annual Meeting of the Society for Physical Regulation in Biology and Medicine.
  13. 1Lisa J Whitson, Duane Winkler, Virgil Schirf, Borries Demeler and P John Hart. 2005. Dissociation and aggregation studies of familial amytrophic lateral sclerosis Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase mutants. Society for Neuroscience.

Papers:

  1. P. F. Dehn and V. R. Schirf. 1986. Energy metabolism in largemouth bass (Micropterus floridanus salmoides) from stressed and non-stressed environments:  Adaptation in the secondary stress response. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 84A(3):523-528.
  2. V. R. Schirf, P. Turner, L. Selby, C. Hannnapel P. De La Cruz, and P. F. Dehn. 1987. Nutritional status and energy metabolism of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii Girard) muscle and hepatopancreas. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 88A(3):383-386.
  3. P. H. Rodriguez, W. J. Hamm, F. Garcia, M. Garcia, and V. Schirf. 1989. Reduced productivity in adult yellowfever mosquito (Diptera:  Culicidae) populations. J. Econ. Entomol. 82(2):519-523.
  4. D. N. Schirf, P. H. Rodriguez, V. Schirf, C.I. Gonzalez and M. Tamayo . 1989. Variation in four acid hydrolase activities in filarial susceptible and refractory genotypes of Aedes aegypti. Biochem. Genet. 27(9/10):533-539.
  5. C. F. Bouthet, V. R. Schirf, and W. D. Winters. 1995. Stimulation of neuron-like cell growth by aloe substances. Phytotherapy Res. 9:185-188.
  6. C. F. Bouthet, V. R. Schirf, and W. D. Winters. 1996. Semi-purification and characterization of hemagglutinin substance from Aloe barbadensis. Miller. Phytotherapy Res. 10:54-57.
  7. Huo Y., Schirf V.R., and Winters W.D. 1997. The differential expression of NGFS-like substance from fresh pilose antler of Cervus nippon Timminck. Biomed Sci Instrum 33:541-543.
  8. Carruthers L.M., Schirf V., Demeler B. and Hansen J.C. (2000) Sedimentation Velocity Analysis of Macromolecular Assemblies. Methods in Enzymology: Numberical Methods, Part C, eds M. Johnson and L. Brand, Vol. 321 : pp 66 - 80.
  9. Hall, LT, Sanchez RJ, Holloway SP, Nersissian AM, Demeler B, Schirf V, Hansen JC, Lyons TJ, Stine JE, Zhu H, Selverstone Valentine J and Hart PJ. (2000) X-ray Crystallographic and analytical ultracentrifugation analyses of truncated and full-length yeast copper chaperone for SOD (Lys7): A Dimer/Dimer Model of Lys7/SOD association and copper delivery. Biochem, 39:3611-3623.
  10. Lambert LJ, Schirf V, Demeler B, Cademe M and Werner MH. (2001) Flipping a genetic switch by subunit exchange. EMBO J 20(24):7149-7159.
  11. Anderson S, Schirf V, McAlister-Henn L. (2002) Effect of AMP on mRNA binding by Yeast NAD+-Specific Isocitrate Dehydrogenase. Biochem, 41(22), 7065-7073.
  12. Lambert LJ, Schirf V, Demeler B, Werner MH. (2003) Molecular analysis of activator engagement with RNA polymerase. Methods Enzymol, 370: 505-521.
  13. Lambert LJ, Wei Y, Schirf V, Demeler B, Werner MH. (2004) T4 AsiA blocks DNA recognition by remodeling sigma(70) region 4. EMBO J, 23(15):2952-62.
  14. Doucette PA, Whitson LJ, Cao X, Schirf V, Demeler B, Valentine JS, Hansen JC, Hart PJ. (2004) Dissociation of human copper-zinc superoxide dismutase dimers using chaotrope and reductant. Insights into the molecular basis for dimer stability. J Biol Chem. 279(52):54558-66.
  15. Hays FA, Schirf V, Ho PS, and Demeler B. (2006) Formation of Holliday Junctions in Inverted-Repeat DNA Sequences in Solution. Biochemistry 45(8):2467-2471.
  16. Yan N, Huh JR, Schirf V, Demeler B. Hay BA, Shi Y (2006) Structure and activation mechanism of the Drosophila initiator caspase Dronc. J Biol Chem 281(13):8667-8874.
  17. Comoletti D, Flynn RE, Boucard AA, Demeler B, Schirf V, Shi J, Jennings LL, Newlin HR, Südhof TC, Taylor P (2006) Gene selection, alternative splicing, and post-translational processing regulate neuroligin selectivity for beta-neurons. Biochemistry. 45(42):12816-12827.
  18. Belogrudov GI, Schirf V, Demeler B. (2006) Reversible self-association of recombinant bovine factor B. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1764(11):1741-1749.
  19. Taylor AB, Meyer B, Leal BZ, Kötter P, Schirf V, Demeler B, Hart PJ, Entian KD, Wöhnert J. (2008) The crystal structure of Nep1 reveals an extended SPOUT-class methyltransferase fold and a pre-organized SAM-binding site. Nucleic Acids Res. 36(5):1542-54.
  20. Wang R, Ilangovan U, Robinson AK, Schirf V, Schwarz PM, Lafer EM, Demeler B, Hinck AP, Kim CA (2008) Structural Transitions of the RING1B C-Terminal Region upon Binding the Polycomb cbox Domain.Biochemistry 47(31):8007-15.
  21. Luczkowski M, Stachura M, Schirf V, Demeler B, Hemmingsen L, Pecoraro VL (2008) Design of thiolate rich metal binding sites within a peptide framework. Inorg. Chem. 47(23):10875-88.
  22. Wang R, Taylor AB, Ilangovan U, Robinson AK, Schirf V, Demeler B, Hinck AP, Kim CA (2009) Structural basis of Polycomb cbox recognition by the RING1B C-terminal domain. NSMB. submitted.