UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549


                                  SCHEDULE 13G


                  UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934(1)


                                  NUVELO, INC.
                                (Name of Issuer)

                     COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.001 PER SHARE
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   67072M 10 3
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                  APRIL 3, 2006
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)


     Check the  appropriate  box to  designate  the rule  pursuant to which this
     Schedule is filed:

         |_| Rule 13d-1(b)

         |X| Rule 13d-1(c)

         |_| Rule 13d-1(d)


--------------------------

     (1) The  remainder  of this cover page shall be filled out for a  reporting
person's  initial  filing on this  form with  respect  to the  subject  class of
securities,  and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

     The  information  required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed"  for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934 or otherwise  subject to the  liabilities of that section of the Act
but  shall be  subject  to all other  provisions  of the Act  (however,  SEE the
NOTES).




CUSIP No. 67072M 10 3                13G                      Page 2 of 11 Pages

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.    NAMES OF REPORTING  PERSONS  I.R.S.  IDENTIFICATION  NO. OF ABOVE  PERSONS
      (ENTITIES ONLY)

            Ridgeback Capital Investments Ltd.          00-0000000

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP**        (a) |_|
                                                                (b) |X|

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.    SEC USE ONLY

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Cayman Islands
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        5.    SOLE VOTING POWER
      NUMBER OF               -0-
                        ----- --------------------------------------------------
       SHARES           6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

    BENEFICIALLY              3,820,783
                        ----- --------------------------------------------------
     OWNED BY           7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

       EACH                   -0-
                        ----- --------------------------------------------------
     REPORTING          8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

    PERSON WITH               3,820,783

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

      3,820,783
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 9 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES** |_|

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

      7.4%
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON**

      OO
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT




CUSIP No. 67072M 10 3                13G                      Page 3 of 11 Pages


----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
      I.R.S.  IDENTIFICATION  NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY) Ridgeback

            Capital Management LLC                      42-1684320

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP**        (a) ?
                                                                (b) |X|

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.    SEC USE ONLY

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

          Delaware
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        5.    SOLE VOTING POWER
      NUMBER OF               -0-
                        ----- --------------------------------------------------
       SHARES           6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

    BENEFICIALLY              3,820,783
                        ----- --------------------------------------------------
     OWNED BY           7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

       EACH                   -0-
                        ----- --------------------------------------------------
     REPORTING          8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

    PERSON WITH               3,820,783
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

      3,820,783
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 9 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES** |_|

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

      7.4%
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON**

      OO
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT




CUSIP No. 67072M 10 3                13G                      Page 4 of 11 Pages


----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
      I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

            Wayne Holman

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP**        (a) |_|
                                                                (b) |X|
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.    SEC USE ONLY

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

      USA
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        5.    SOLE VOTING POWER
      NUMBER OF               -0-
                        ----- --------------------------------------------------
       SHARES           6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

    BENEFICIALLY              3,820,783
                        ----- --------------------------------------------------
     OWNED BY           7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

       EACH                   -0-
                        ----- --------------------------------------------------
     REPORTING          8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

    PERSON WITH               3,820,783
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

      3,820,783
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

10.   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 9 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES** |_|

----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

      7.4%
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON**

      IN
----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT



CUSIP No. 67072M 10 3                13G                      Page 5 of 11 Pages


ITEM 1(A).   NAME OF ISSUER.

      Nuvelo, Inc. (the "Company").

ITEM 1(B).   ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES.

      The Company's  principal  executive  offices are located at 201 Industrial
Road, Suite 310, San Carlos, CA 94070-6211.

ITEMS 2(A).  NAME OF PERSON FILING.

      This statement is filed on behalf of the following persons with respect to
shares of common stock of the Company  acquired by such persons  privately  from
existing holders (the "Shares"):

      (i) Ridgeback Capital  Investments Ltd., a Cayman limited company ("RCI"),
with respect to Shares beneficially owned by it;

      (ii)  Ridgeback  Capital  Management  LLC,  a Delaware  limited  liability
company ("RCM"), with respect to Shares beneficially owned by it; and

      (iii) Wayne Holman, an individual and owner of RCM, with respect to Shares
beneficially owned by him.

      The foregoing  persons are hereinafter are referred to collectively as the
"Reporting  Persons." Any disclosures  herein with respect to persons other than
the Reporting Persons are made on information and belief after making inquiry to
the appropriate party.

ITEM 2(B).   ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE.

      The  address of the  principal  business  office of each of the  Reporting
Persons is 430 Park Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

ITEM 2(C).   CITIZENSHIP.

      RCI  is a  Cayman  Island  limited  company.  RCM  is a  Delaware  limited
liability company. Wayne Holman is a United States citizen.

ITEM 2(D).   TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES.

      Common stock, par value $.001 per share.

ITEM 2(E).   CUSIP NUMBER.

      67072M 10 3



CUSIP No. 67072M 10 3                13G                      Page 6 of 11 Pages


ITEM 3.

      If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b) or 13d- 2(b) or (c),
check whether the person filing is a:

      (a)   |_| Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act,

      (b)   |_| Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act,

      (c)   |_| Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act,

      (d)   |_| Investment  Company registered under Section 8 of the Investment
            Company Act of 1940,

      (e)   |_| Investment Adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(E),

      (f)   |_| Employee Benefit Plan or Endowment Fund in accordance with 13d-1
            (b)(1)(ii)(F),

      (g)   |_| Parent Holding Company or control person in accordance with Rule
            13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(G),

      (h)   |_| Savings  Association  as defined in Section  3(b) of the Federal
            Deposit Insurance Act,

      (i)   |_|  Church  Plan  that  is  excluded  from  the  definition  of  an
            investment  company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company
            Act of 1940,

      (j)   |_| Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

If this statement is filed pursuant to 13d-1(c), check this box: |X|

ITEM 4.      OWNERSHIP.

      The percentages  used herein are calculated  based upon 51,656,770  shares
issued and  outstanding,  as of February 28, 2006, based upon the Company's Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. As of the close of business on
April 3, 2006, the Reporting Persons  beneficially owned shares of the Company's
common stock in the amounts and percentages listed below:

      A.    RIDGEBACK CAPITAL INVESTMENTS LTD.



CUSIP No. 67072M 10 3                13G                      Page 7 of 11 Pages


      (a)   Amount beneficially owned: 3,820,783

      (b)   Percent of class: 7.4%

      (c)   (i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-

            (ii)  Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 3,820,783

            (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-

            (iv)  Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 3,820,783

      B.    RIDGEBACK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

      (a)   Amount beneficially owned: 3,820,783

      (b)   Percent of class: 7.4%

      (c)   (i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-

            (ii)  Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 3,820,783

            (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-

            (iv)  Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 3,820,783

      C.    WAYNE HOLMAN

      (a)   Amount beneficially owned: 3,820,783

      (b)   Percent of class: 7.4%

      (c)   (i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-

            (ii)  Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 3,820,783

            (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-

            (iv)  Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 3,820,783



CUSIP No. 67072M 10 3                13G                      Page 8 of 11 Pages


      Wayne  Holman  and RCM do not  own any  Shares  directly.  Pursuant  to an
investment management agreement,  RCM maintains investment and voting power with
respect to the securities  held by RCI. Wayne Holman  controls RCM. By reason of
the provisions of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
Wayne  Holman  and RCM  may be  deemed  to own  beneficially  all of the  Shares
(constituting  approximately 7.4% of the shares outstanding).  Both Wayne Holman
and RCM disclaim  beneficial  ownership of any of the securities covered by this
statement.

ITEM 5.      OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.

         If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date
hereof the reporting  person has ceased to be the beneficial  owner of more than
five percent of the class of securities, check the following. |_|

ITEM 6.      OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON.

      To the knowledge of the Reporting  Persons,  no other person has the right
to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds
from the sale of, a number of the Shares which represents more than five percent
of the number of outstanding shares of the Shares.

ITEM 7.   IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED THE
          SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY.

      Not Applicable.

ITEM 8.      IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.

      Not Applicable.

ITEM 9.      NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.

      Not Applicable.

ITEM 10.     CERTIFICATIONS.

         Each of the Reporting Persons hereby makes the following certification:



CUSIP No. 67072M 10 3                13G                      Page 9 of 11 Pages


         By  signing  below I  certify  that,  to the best of my  knowledge  and
belief, the securities  referred to above were not acquired and are not held for
the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing  the control of the
issuer of the  securities  and were not acquired and are not held in  connection
with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.



CUSIP No. 67072M 10 3                13G                     Page 10 of 11 Pages


                                    SIGNATURE

      After  reasonable  inquiry and to the best of my knowledge  and belief,  I
certify that the information  set forth in this statement is true,  complete and
correct.

DATED:  April __, 2006

                                           /s/ Wayne Holman
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Wayne Holman, individually


                                           RIDGEBACK CAPITAL INVESTMENTS LTD.

                                        By: /s/ Wayne Holman
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Wayne Holman
                                            Title: Director


                                            RIDGEBACK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC.

                                         By: /s/ Wayne Holman
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Wayne Holman
                                            Title: Managing Member





CUSIP No. 67072M 10 3                13G                     Page 11 of 11 Pages


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER    EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
--------------    -------------------
99.1              Joint Filing Agreement