Jim Sawitzke

I am a global recombineering consultant and developer of recombineering techniques; highly skilled in homologous recombination, design and creation of complex genetic constructs and genome modifications. Currently, I am developing a new technology for cloning that may soon lead to a marketable product. I am organized and dependable, successful at managing multiple priorities and multiple people with a positive attitude with a willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. In my current role I design, construct and produce viral vectors to deliver a variety of cargos including calcium indicators for neurobiological research, and Cas9/CRISPR reagents for in vivo genome engineering. Part of my time is used in developing novel ways to use viruses, primarily to genetically engineered somatic cells and the mouse germline. The goal is to develop simple and fast methods to enhance the integration of large DNA repair templates via homology-directed repair, thus facilitating efficient gene tagging, humanisation and gene therapy.

1. Enhancement of RecET-mediated in vivo linear DNA assembly by a xonA mutation, Sawitzke Ja, Costantino, N, Hutchinson E, Thomason Lc, Court Dl, BioRxiv, 2022.01.13, https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.13.476211

2. Positive and negative selection using the tetA-sacB cassette: recombineering and P1 transduction in Escherichia coli, Li XT, Thomason LC, Sawitzke JA, Costantino N, Court DL, Nucleic Acids Res, 2013 Dec, https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkt1075

3. Bacterial DNA polymerases participate in oligonucleotide recombination, Li XT, Thomason LC, Sawitzke JA, Costantino N, Court DL, Mol Microbiol, 2013 Jun, https://doi.org/10.1111/mmi.12231

4. Probing cellular processes with oligo-mediated recombination and using the knowledge gained to optimize recombineering, Sawitzke JA, Costantino N, Li XT, Thomason LC, Bubunenko M, Court C, Court DL, J Mol Biol, 2011 Mar 18, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2011.01.030

5. Recombineering with overlapping single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides: testing a recombination intermediate, Yu D, Sawitzke JA, Ellis H, Court DL, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2003 Jun 10, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1232375100

6. Suppression of chromosome segregation defects of Escherichia coli muk mutants by mutations in topoisomerase I, Sawitzke JA, Austin J, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2000 Feb 15, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.030528397

Avid runner, traveler, home brewer and BJCP National beer judge.