About
Affiliations:
Lecturer, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
Lecturer, School of Nursing
Research Interests:
Kim Berthet is currently engaged in a project that merges her passion for global warming research with the innovative field of atmospheric microbiology. Her interest is particularly captivated by microbial biochemical pathways and their role in breaking down greenhouse gases. She is particularly fascinated by methanotrophs—microorganisms known for their ability to metabolize methane, presenting potentially groundbreaking methods for both mitigating and remediating atmospheric pollutants through natural microbial processes.
Currently, she is working to identify remote sensing technologies that could be implemented to collect data on atmospheric microorganisms. This will allow for the exploration of remote sensing in effectively detecting and quantifying methanotrophs, paving the way for innovative microbial remediation strategies to address global warming through natural chemical cycles.
Bio:
Kim Berthet brings a blend of biotechnology experience and academic expertise to the forefront of biology education. Over the past decade, she has played a pivotal role in developing curricula for more than eight schools across the greater Los Angeles area, while also spearheading educational outreach programs aimed at training individuals in underserved communities for careers in biotechnology. Her graduate work began in international laboratories specializing in Molecular and Cellular Biology at École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in France, and has continued onto her Ph.D. studies in Environmental Microbiology at UND. Her diverse graduate research included interdisciplinary studies in Biophysics at ENS, focusing on the Mechanogenetics of cells using AFM and fluorescence microscopy, as well as pioneering molecular genetics research on the role of Phytocalpain DEK1 in mechanosensing in Arabidopsis thaliana. During her later years in France, she worked for the CNRS "Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique," France's premier scientific research institution, specifically within the IBCP: Institut de Biologie et de Chimie des Protéines. Her research focus was in Microbiology conducting in-depth biochemical studies to explore the interaction between the microbial virulence factor Btp1 of Brucella ovis and the human adaptor protein MyD88.
Most notably, her robust career in biotechnology includes significant roles at Roche Molecular Systems and EntroGen, where her work contributed to notable advancements in molecular biology and oncology research. She specialized in research and development on mutation detection assays based on cutting-edge qualitative real-time PCR for in vitro diagnostic tests that are intended for the detection of variants of somatic mutations in genomic DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues.
At Roche Molecular Systems, she held positions in the departments of Genetics and Oncology and the Chemistry and Innovation Technologies (CIT) in which she performed R&D for the cobas mutation tests. Additionally, she was among the first key employees at the biotech startup phase of EntroGen, focusing on R&D in Genetics and Oncology. Her work in biotechnology predominantly focused on companion diagnostics (CDx), specifically allele-specific multiplex reactions designed to assist in identifying colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who could benefit from personalized therapies. She was instrumental in the design and development of the Colorectal Cancer Panel, which integrates 50 somatic mutations across five genes linked to colorectal tumors. Her contributions have not only propelled the field of Biotechnology R&D forward but have also facilitated the commercialization of these diagnostic products, now approved and marketed under the European Union's (Conformité Européenne) CE-IVD mark within the European Economic Area (EEA) and certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for in vitro diagnostic use.
Selected Contributions - R&D Market Products:
cobas® KRAS Mutation Test (CE-IVD, US-IVD) - Roche Molecular Systems
cobas® 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test (CE-IVD, US-IVD)- Roche Molecular Systems
cobas® EGFR Mutation Test (CE-IVD, US-IVD)- Roche Molecular Systems
cobas® PIK3CA Mutation Test (CE-IVD, US-IVD)- Roche Molecular Systems
KRAS-RT50 - KRAS Mutation Analysis Kit (RUO, CE-IVD)- EntroGen
KRBR-RT50 - KRAS/BRAF Mutation Analysis Kit (RUO, CE-IVD)- EntroGen
RAS-RT50 - RAS Mutation Analysis Kit (RUO, CE-IVD)- EntroGen
NRAS-RT50 - NRAS Mutation Analysis Kit (RUO, CE-IVD)- EntroGen
CRC-RT48 - Colorectal Cancer Mutation Detection Panel- EntroGen
CRCdx® RAS Mutation Detection Kit (US-IVD)- EntroGen