Akanksha Singh is an Assistant Professor in the Center for Life Sciences at the Mahindra University. She earned her PhD degree in the Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University. She investigated the evolutionary conservation of sexual behavioral traits, in a closely related Drosophila species using behavioral and genetic tools. Later, she moved to Cornell University and in collaboration with Syracuse University she identified the interaction between male and female reproductive proteins and their possible roles in reproduction using transgenic and omics technologies. The findings provide a deeper understanding on genetic and molecular basis of infertilities in a population and several pitfalls involved in the assisted reproductive technologies like In vitro fertilization. Then she moved to the Laboratory of Systems Genetics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda where she worked to understand the genetic basis of difference in sleep duration using Polycistronic CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technologies combined with transgenic approaches. She also undertook GWAS (Genome wide association studies) approach to identify sleep conservation in closely related Drosophila species.

  • Ph.D. Zoology (2011-2015), Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
  • M. Sc. Zoology (2008-2010), specialization in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
  • B.Sc. Zoology (2006-2008), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

  • Misra S, Buehner NA, Singh A, Wolfner MF 2022. Female factors are important for the seminal Sex Peptide’s association with sperm, in mated D. melanogaster. BioRxiv,
    https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.05.13.
    Under revision in BMC Biology.
  • McCullough EL*, Whittington E*, Singh A*, Pitnick S, Wolfner MF, Dorus S 2022. The life history of Drosophila sperm involves molecular continuity between male and female reproductive tracts. PNAS, 119 (11): e2119899119. (*Co-first author) (Cover Page Image of the Issue)
    https://www.pnas.org/toc/pnas/119/11
Media coverage:
  • Science Daily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220308102840.htm
  • Cornell Chronicle: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2022/03/after-mating-fruit-fly-sperm-are-no-longer-fully-male
  • Syracuse Univ News: https://thecollege.syr.edu/news-all/news-from-2022/as-biologists-observe-a-molecular-hand-off-that-plays-a-key-role-in-reproduction/
  • Verve Times-News: https://vervetimes.com/biologists-observe-a-molecular-hand-off-that-plays-a-key-role-in-reproduction-sciencedaily/
  • Phys.org News: https://phys.org/news/2022-03-biologists-molecular-hand-off-key-rol…
  • News Medical Life sciences: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220308/Research-sheds-light-on-important-events-that-may-play-a-role-in-infertility.aspx
  • Singh A*, Buehner NA, Lin He, Baranowski KJ, Findlay GD, Wolfner MF 2018. Long-term interaction between Drosophila sperm and sex peptide is mediated by other seminal proteins that bind only transiently to sperm. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 102: 43-51.
  • Singh BN and Singh A 2016. The Genetics of sexual behavior of Drosophila. Advances in genomics and genetics, 6: 1-9
  • Singh A* and Singh BN 2015. Sperm displacement in the Drosophila bipectinata species complex: Evidence for interspecific variations. Behavioural Processes, 113:105-109.
  • Singh A* and Singh BN 2014. Studies on remating behavior in the Drosophila bipectinata species complex. Evidence for sperm displacement in D. bipectinataCurrent Science, 107: 511-515.
  • Singh A* and Singh BN 2014. Role of sexual selection in speciation in DrosophilaGenetica, 142: 23-41.
  • Singh A* and Singh BN 2013. Mating latency, duration of copulation, and fertility in four species of D. bipectinata complex. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 52:175-80.
  • Singh A* and Singh BN 2013. Studies on remating behavior in the Drosophila bipectinata species complex: Intra- and interspecific variations. Behavioral Processes, 96: 79-87
  • Singh BN and Singh A 2014. A new mutation in Drosophila parabipectinataDrosophila Information Services, 97:175-17
  • Singh BN and Singh A 2013. A new mutation in Drosophila malerkotlianaDrosophila Information Services, 96: 221-222

  • 2022- Present Assistant Professor Center for Life Sciences Mahindra University.
  • Research Fellow (2021- August 2022) Laboratory of Systems Genetics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland: (2021 – 2022)
  • Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow (2019-2021) Laboratory of Systems Genetics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland: (2019 – 2021)
  • Postdoctoral Associate (2015-2018) Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York: (2015 – 2018)

  • Our research will focus to understand the genetic basis of certain common disease affecting human population. Using genome wide association studies (GWAS) and other omics (genomics and transcriptomics) as well as genome editing technologies we would be identifying specific risk alleles present in coding or non-coding regions (regulatory regions). The impact of this study will thereby provide pipelines for functionally identifying causal regulatory SNPs (and regulatory elements) of complex diseases. This will be of enormous benefit for a confident diagnosis, establishing personalized treatment options, and also surveillance for the high-risk patients and their relatives.
  • In an other study I will be working to understand the systems genetics of sleep using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system where I would like to develop the relationship between gut microbiome and immune response with sleep in Drosophila.

    Awards
  • 2021, Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE 2022), National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
  • 2017, Postdoctoral Travel award (Award of $500) from Cornell University attend Sperm Biology Meeting held at Sheffield, UK
  • 2014-2015, Senior Research Fellowship from University Grants Commission Research Fellowship in Science for Meritorious Students
  • 2012-2014, Junior Research Fellowship from University Grants Commission Research Fellowship in Science for Meritorious Students
  • 2011, Qualified GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
  • 2011-2012, Graduate Research Fellowship, Banaras Hindu University, India
  • 2010, Honorable Mention in Brain Awareness Week, Banaras Hindu University, India

    Others
  • Society Service and Memberships: Indian Society of Cell Biology, Genetics Society of America, Society for the Study of Evolution, Society of Molecular Biology and Evolution, Animal Behavior Society
  • Editorial and Peer Review Services:
    • Review Editor in Frontiers in Insects Science, Frontiers in Endocrinology, Frontiers in Physiology (special section on Reproduction)
    • Reviewer in journals such as Veterinary Sciences, Advances in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, STAR Protocols, Journal of Clinical Medicine, Animals, Genes, Biology, Cells, Insects, Life, Scientific Reports, Medicina, Journal of Personalized Medicine, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Medical Research Archives, Journal of Scientific Research Reports, Asian Journal of Research in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Plant Cell Biotechnology and Molecular Biology

Runa Kuley is an Assistant Professor in the Center for Life Sciences at Mahindra University. She earned her PhD from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. During her PhD she characterized the Dutch Q-fever outbreak strains of Coxiella burnetii bacteria, which led to a better understanding of the host-pathogen interactions and elucidated novel virulence mechanisms of the outbreak strains. After receiving her PhD, she joined the Department of Immunology at the University of Washington, Seattle, as a postdoctoral fellow, where she investigated the role of B cell activating factor (BAFF) in generating protective B cell responses during bacterial and viral infections. In addition, she investigated the pathogenic role of BAFF in the development of autoimmune diseases. Her work led to the identification of a crucial link between the innate and B cell adaptive immune systems. In her second postdoctoral fellowship, she joined the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Washington where she explored the role of neutrophils and mitochondria in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and examined the clinical utility of neutrophil activation biomarkers in rheumatic disease. Research in her lab focuses on understanding the host-pathogen interactions and deciphering the contributions of immune cell dysregulation in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases.

  • Ph.D.: Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands (Sep 2011 – May 2017)
  • M.Sc. Animal Biotechnology: University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad (2009 – 2011)
  • B.Sc. Biotechnology: Osmania University, Hyderabad (2006-2009)

  • Kuley, R., Duvvuri, B., Wallin, J.J., Bui, N., Adona, M.V., O’Connor, N.G., Sahi, S.K., Stanaway, I.B., Wurfel, M.M., Morrell, E.D., et al. (2023). Mitochondrial N-formyl methionine peptides contribute to exaggerated neutrophil activation in patients with COVID-19. Virulence 14, 2218077. 10.1080/21505594.2023.2218077.
  • Michailidou, D., Kuley, R., Wang, T., Hermanson, P., Grayson, P.C., Cuthbertson, D., Khalidi, N.A., Koening, C.L., Langford, C.A., McAlear, C.A., et al. (2023). Neutrophil extracellular trap formation in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated and large-vessel vasculitis. Clin. Immunol. 249, 109274. 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109274.
  • Giordano, D., Kuley, R., Draves, K.E., Elkon, K.B., Giltiay, N.V., and Clark, E.A. (2023). B cell-activating factor (BAFF) from dendritic cells, monocytes and neutrophils is required for B cell maturation and autoantibody production in SLE-like autoimmune disease. Front. Immunol. 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1050528
  • Michailidou D, Duvvuri B, Kuley R, Cuthbertson D, Grayson PC, Khalidi NA, et al. Neutrophil activation in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis and large-vessel vasculitis. Arthritis Res Ther 2022;24:160.
  • Michailidou, D., Johansson, L., Kuley, R., Wang, T., Hermanson, P., Rantapää-Dahlqvist, S., and Lood, C. (2022). Immune complex-mediated neutrophil activation in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. Rheumatology, keac722. 10.1093/rheumatology/keac722.
  • Kuley R, Stultz RD, Duvvuri B, Wang T, Fritzler MJ, Hesselstrand R, et al. N-Formyl Methionine Peptide-Mediated Neutrophil Activation in Systemic Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2022;12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.785275
  • Kuley R*, Draves KE, Fuller DH, Giltiay NV, Clark EA, Giordano D*. B cell activating factor (BAFF) from neutrophils and dendritic cells is required for protective B cell responses against Salmonella typhimurium infection. PLoS ONE (2021) 16:e0259158. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259158
  • Giordano, D., Kuley, R., Draves, K.E., Roe, K., Holder, U., Giltiay, N.V., and Clark, E.A. (2020). BAFF Produced by Neutrophils and Dendritic Cells Is Regulated Differently and Has Distinct Roles in Antibody Responses and Protective Immunity against West Nile Virus. J. Immunol. 1950 204, 1508–1520.
  • Kuley R, Smith HE, Smits M, Jan Roest HI, Bossers A. Genome plasticity and polymorphisms in critical genes correlate with increased virulence of Dutch outbreak-related Coxiella burnetii strains. Front. Microbiol. 8:1526. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01526Ammerdorffer A, Kuley R, Dinkla A, Joosten L, Toman R, Jan Roest HI, Sprong T, Rebel JM. Coxiella burnetii isolates originating from infected cattle induce a more pronounced pro-inflammatory cytokine response compared to isolates from infected goats and sheep. Pathogens and Disease. 2017 Apr 06 : 75 (4): ftx040.
  • Kuley R, Smith HE, Janse I, Harders FL, Baas F, Schijlen E, Nabuurs-Franssen MH, Smits MA, Roest HI, Bossers A. First complete genome sequence of the Dutch veterinary Coxiella burnetii strain NL3262, originating from the largest global Q fever outbreak, and draft genome sequence of its epidemiologically linked chronic human isolate NLhu3345937. Genome Announcements. 2016 Apr 21;4(2). pii: e00245-16. doi: 10.1128/genomeA.00245-16.
  • Kuley R, Bossers de-Vries, R, Smith HE, Smits M, Jan Roest HI, Bossers A. Major differential gene regulation in Coxiella burnetii between in vivo and in vitro cultivation models. BMC Genomics. 2015;16:953. DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2143-7.
  • Kuley R, Smith HE, Frangoulidis D, Smits MA, Jan Roest HI, Bossers A (2015) Cell-free propagation of Coxiella burnetii does not affect its relative virulence. PLoS ONE 10(3): e0121661. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121661.
Book Chapter:
  • Ammerdorffer A, Kuley R, Jan Roest HI. Physiopathology of Coxiella burnetii infection and host immunologic response. Book Title: The Principles and Practice of Q Fever: The One Health Paradigm. 2017. ISBN: 978-1-53610-868-2

  • 2022- Present Assistant Professor Center for Life Sciences Mahindra University.
  • Postdoctoral fellow: Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA (July 2020 – Dec 2021)
  • Postdoctoral fellow: Department of Immunology and Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA (June 2017 – June 2020)

Research in our group is focused on understanding the immune system dysregulation in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Our goal is to decipher the contributions of various immune cells, with emphasis on neutrophils and their derived components, in promoting systemic inflammation and in immune dysregulation such as the development of pathogenic autoreactive B cells in autoimmune diseases. The overarching goals of these projects are to gain mechanistic insights into these processes and identify the therapeutic targets. We are also interested in the identification of neutrophil- and mitochondrial-derived biomarkers of autoimmune diseases for diagnostics purposes. In addition, our lab is interested in studying host-pathogen interactions with a focus on zoonotic diseases (transmitted from animals to humans). Our goal is to understand the biology and virulence mechanisms of the pathogenic agents and associated protective immune responses from the host. We utilize interdisciplinary approaches including microbiology, omics technologies, molecular biology, biochemical methods, and immunology to answer these research questions.

Pijus K. Barman earned his Ph.D. in Immunology from the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India. During his doctoral research in the laboratory of Prof. B. Ravindran he studied the regulation of inflammatory responses during tissue injury and infection. His first postdoctoral training in Prof. Timothy Koh’s lab at the University of Illinois at Chicago was focused on studying monocyte production (monopoiesis) during normal and diabetic wound healing. He then moved to Prof. Helen Goodridge’s lab at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in Los Angeles where he explored how aging impacts monocyte ontogeny and phenotype. Dr. Barman has joined the Center for Life Sciences, Mahindra University, in September 2022 as an Assistant Professor.

  • B.Sc (2003-2006); University of Calcutta, Calcutta, West Bengal, India
  • M.Sc (2006-2008); Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
  • Ph.D (2009-2016); Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

  • Kang S, Andrews AE, Ko EY, Shin JE, Nance KJ, Barman PK, Heeger PS, Benayoun BA, Goodridge HS. C3a drives sex-dimorphic metabolic and transcriptional rewiring of microglia during aging. Journal of Neuroinflammation. 2024 Jun 05; 21, 150.
  • Barman PK,Shin JE, Lewis SA, Kang S, Wu D., Wang Y, Yang X, Nagarkatti PS, Nagarkatti M, Messaoudi I, Benayoun BA, Goodridge HS. Production of MHCII-expressing classical monocytes increases during aging in mice and humans. Aging Cell. 2022 Aug 30; 00:e13701.
  • Barman PK, Goodridge HS. Microbial sensing by hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Stem Cells, 2022 Jan 19; 40, 14–21.
  • Barman PK,and Koh TJ. Macrophage Dysregulation and Impaired Skin Wound Healing in Diabetes. Front Cell Dev Biol, 2020 Jun 26; 8, 528.
  • Barman PK, Urao N, and Koh TJ. Diabetes induces myeloid bias in bone marrow progenitors associated with enhanced wound macrophage accumulation and impaired healing. J Pathol, 2019 Jul 18; 249, 435-446.
  • Wolf AA, Yanez A, Barman PK,and Goodridge HS. The Ontogeny of Monocyte Subsets. Front Immunol, 2019 Jul 17; 10, 1642.
  • Barman PK, Pang J, Urao N, and Koh TJ. Skin Wounding-Induced Monocyte Expansion in Mice Is Not Abrogated by IL-1 Receptor 1 Deficiency. J Immunol, 2019 March 25; 202, 2720-2727. (Featured in “In this issue – Skin Wounding Sparks Monocytes”).
  • Fang MM, Barman PK,Thiruppathi M, Mirza RE, McKinney RD, Deng J, Christman JW, Du X, Fukai T, Ennis WJ, et al. Oxidant Signaling Mediated by Nox2 in Neutrophils Promotes Regenerative Myelopoiesis and Tissue Recovery following Ischemic Damage. J Immunol, 2018- Sep 18; 201, 2414-2426.
  • Barman PK,Mukherjee R, Prusty BK, Suklabaidya S, Senapati S, and Ravindran B. Chitohexaose protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Cell Death Dis, 2016 Jul 4; 7, e2224.
  • Mukherjee R, Barman PK,Thatoi PK, Tripathy R, Das BK, and Ravindran B. (2015). Non-Classical monocytes display inflammatory features: Validation in Sepsis and Systemic Lupus Erythematous. Sci Rep, 2015 Sep 11; 5, 13886.
  • Pandey M, Borah A, Varghese M, Barman PK, Mohanakumar KP, and Usha R. Striatal dopamine level contributes to hydroxyl radical generation and subsequent neurodegeneration in the striatum in 3-nitropropionic acid-induced Huntington’s disease in rats. Neurochem Int, 2009 May 3; 55, 431-437.
Book Chapter
  • Barman, P.K., Koh, T.J.Bone marrow monopoiesis and wound healing in diabetes. Academic Press2020, 535-553. Wound Healing, Tissue Repair, and Regeneration in Diabetes.

  • 2022- Present Assistant Professor Center for Life Sciences Mahindra University.
  • Postdoctoral Research Scientist (2019-2022); Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
  • Project Scientist (2022); Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate (2016-2019); University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

  • Monocytes and Infectious Diseases

    Human and animal communities residing in infectious disease endemic regions can be classified into three categories; (i) “symptomatic carriers”, who develop infections with pathologies and hence are susceptible to the infections, (ii) “asymptomatic carriers”, who are infected but without any pathology and hence are tolerant to the infections and (iii) “uninfected”, who are exposed to the pathogens but are not infected and hence are resistant to the infections. We are interested in studying the role of monocyte subsets in “susceptibility versus resistance versus tolerance” against infectious pathogens using mouse models of infectious diseases and human patients.
  • Bone Marrow Microenvironment and Hematopoiesis

    Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in bone marrow niche which contains various components including mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and sympathetic nerves. Increased β2-adrenergic receptor signaling from sympathetic nerves to MSCs is believed to alter HSCs in turn to produce more myeloid cells during aging and metabolic stress. We are interested in defining the mechanisms involved in increased β2-adrenergic receptor signaling in the bone marrow during aging and metabolic stress using in vitro cell cultures and mouse models.
  • Aging and Cardiovascular diseases

    Aging leads to higher risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis by yet unknown mechanism. Various immune cells including monocytes play important roles in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in blood vessels ultimately causing obstruction of blood flow and necrosis of downstream tissues. In our laboratory, we are investigating the mechanism underlying functionally altered monocytes in higher risk of atherosclerosis during aging.

Sanjeev received Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. During his doctoral research in the laboratory of Prof. Ida J. van der Klei he studied the role of peroxisomes in cellular aging. He completed his postdoctoral training in John Aitchison’s laboratory at the Institute for Systems Biology and Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, USA. His postdoctoral work focused on understanding the role of the nuclear pore complex in gene regulation and chromatin organization. He joined the Center for Life Sciences, Mahindra University, as an Assistant Professor in January 2023.

  • Ph.D.: University of Groningen, The Netherlands (Sep 2010 – Dec 2015)
  • M.Sc. Animal Biotechnology: University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad (2008 – 2010)
  • B.Sc. Biotechnology: Patna University, Hyderabad (2005-2008)

Google scholar link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0n58EkAAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sraKumar, S., Neal, M., Li, S., Navare, A., Eeuwen, T., Wozniak, R., Mast, F., Rout, M., and Aitchison, J. (2023). Nuclear pore complexes mediate subtelomeric gene silencing by regulating PCNA levels on chromatin. Journal of Cell Biology. 10.5555/12345678.

  • Kumar, S., Neal. M. L., Li. S., Navare A.T., Mast F.D., Rout. M.P., and Aitchison J.D. (2022). The nucleoporin Nup170 mediates subtelomeric gene silencing through the Ctf18-RFC complex and PCNA. (bioRxiv). https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.17.496627
  • Xu, J., Kumar, S., Hua, N., Kou, Y., Lei, X., Rout, M.P., Aitchison, J.D., Alber, F., and Chen, L. (2022). Cryomilling Tethered Chromatin Conformation Capture reveal new insights into inter-chromosomal interactions. (bioRxiv). https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.02.03.478915.
  • Kumar, S., de Boer, R., and van der Klei, I.J. (2018). Yeast cells contain a heterogeneous population of peroxisomes that segregate asymmetrically during cell division. J. Cell Sci. (2018) doi:10.1242/jcs.207522.
  • Kumar, S., Singh, R., Williams, C. P. and van der Klei, I. J. (2016). Stress exposure results in increased peroxisomal levels of yeast Pnc1 and Gpd1, which are imported via a piggy- backing mechanism. BBA – Mol. Cell Res. 1863, 148–156.
  • Lefevre, S. D., Kumar, S. and van der Klei, I. J. (2015). Inhibition of peroxisome fission, but not mitochondrial fission, increases yeast chronological lifespan. Cell Cycle 14, 1698–1703.
  • Kumar, S., Kawałek, A. and van der Klei, I. J. (2014). Peroxisomal quality control mechanisms. Curr. Opin. Microbiol. 22, 30–37.
  • Kumar, S., Lefevre, S. D., Veenhuis, M. and van der Klei, I. J. (2012). Extension of Yeast Chronological Lifespan by Methylamine. PLoS ONE 7, e48982.

  • 2025- Present Associate Professor Center for Life Sciences Mahindra University.
  • 2023- 2025 Assistant Professor Center for Life Sciences Mahindra University.
  • Research Scientist III: Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, USA (Jan 2020 – Jan 2023)
  • Postdoctoral fellow: Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, USA (June 2017 – Jan 2020)
  • Post Doctoral Fellow: Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, USA (Dec 2015 – June 2017)

  • We use classical molecular cell biology and systems biology approaches to uncover the biology of two important cellular components: the nuclear pore complex and peroxisomes.
  • Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are large protein assemblies which control transport of macromolecules into and out of the nucleus. In addition, NPCs have roles in regulating chromatin organization and other crucial cellular processes. Alternations in functioning of the NPC are associated with several diseases. Our lab is interested in dissecting the molecular mechanisms of various functions associated with the NPC and diseases that occur due to abnormalities in it.
  • Peroxisomes are cellular organelles important for fatty acid and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism. Peroxisomal dysfunction has been linked with aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders. We are interested in understanding the molecular details of the processes that lead to peroxisomal defects causing various diseases.

Sabeeha Hasnain is an Assistant Professor in the Center for Life Sciences at Mahindra University. She completed her Ph.D. in Computational and Systems Biology from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. During her Ph.D., she worked on developing analytical and coarse-grained models to understand the diffusive motion of proteins inside an E. coli cell and in dilution.

After completing her Ph.D., she moved to The University of Texas at Austin for her postdoctoral research. During her postdoctoral research, she focused on understanding the stepping dynamics of kinesin in line with the experimental details, aiming to determine whether the experimental setup used in determining the stepping dynamics actually modified the properties of the motion.

Later, upon returning to India in 2020, she secured funding from SERB to conduct research as a National Postdoctoral Fellow at Ashoka University. She also gained industry experience working as a Scientist at Metflux Research, a healthcare industry company.

  • Ph.D. (Computational and Systems Biology) School of Computational and Systems Biology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
  • M.Tech. (Computational and Systems Biology) School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
  • M.Sc (Mathematics) Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
  • B.Sc (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) Ewing Christian College, Allahabad University.

Hasnain, Sabeeha, Mauro L. Mugnai, and Dave Thirumalai. “Effects of gold nanoparticles on the stepping trajectories of kinesin.” The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 125.37 (2021): 10432-10444.

Hasnain, Sabeeha, Upendra Harbola, and Pradipta Bandyopadhyay. “A memory-based random walk model to understand diffusion in crowded heterogeneous environment.” International Journal of Modern Physics B 32.16 (2018): 1850193.

Hasnain, Sabeeha, and Pradipta Bandyopadhyay. “An analytical correlated random walk model and its application to understand subdiffusion in crowded environment.” The Journal of Chemical Physics 143.11 (2015): 114104.Hasnain, Sabeeha, et al. “A new coarse-grained model for E. coli cytoplasm: accurate calculation of the diffusion coefficient of proteins and observation of anomalous diffusion.” PLoS One 9.9 (2014): e106466.Hasnain, Sabeeha, Matthew P. Jacobson, and Pradipta Bandyopadhyay. “A comparative Brownian dynamics investigation between small linear and circular DNA: Scaling of diffusion coefficient with size and topology of DNA.” Chemical Physics Letters 591 (2014): 253-258.

Book Chapter

Pandey, Preeti, Sabeeha Hasnain, and Shandar Ahmad. “Protein-DNA interactions.” (2019): 142-154.

Conference Abstract

Hasnain, Sabeeha, et al. “A Computational Model for E. coli Cytoplasm: Diffusion and Hydrodynamics.” Biophysical Journal 108.2 (2015): 116a-117a.

  • 2023 – Present Assistant Professor Center for Life Sciences Mahindra University.
  • Scientist, Metflux Research Pvt. Ltd: (2022-2023 )
  • National Postdoctoral fellow, Ashoka University.
    Supervisor: Prof. Gautam Menon: (2021-2022 )
  • 2017-2020 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA. Supervisor: Prof. Devarajan (Dave) Thirumalai: (2017-2020)

  • Our research centers on comprehending complex biological phenomena through the development and utilization of coarse-grained and analytical models. By employing an interdisciplinary approach, we aim to address biological challenges effectively.
  • Furthermore, we have a specific interest in utilizing neural networks to gain insights into the search mechanism involved in the binding of transcription factors to DNA. Additionally, we are actively investigating the potential of these techniques to accurately predict drug-target affinity.
  • Awards:
  • International Travel award from Biophysical Society of USA to attend 59th Annual Biophysical Society meeting held at Baltimore, Maryland, USA (2015).
  • UGC Maulana Azad fellowship JRF (2011-2013) and SRF (2013-2016) during Ph. D.
  • International travel award from SERB India.
  • DBT fellowship during M. Tech.
  • Gate qualified (2009) in Mathematics.

Bipin finished his Ph.D. in Bioinformatics from IIIT-Hyderabad. During his Ph.D., he worked on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of mutation-induced thermostability in industrially important bacterial lipases through molecular simulations. His broad area of specialization is computational drug discovery and structural bioinformatics. He received a highly competitive GPU hardware grant from NVIDIA corporation, USA in 2017 for his research work. He was also part of the project team winning the consolation prize in the highly competitive National Drug Discovery Hackathon for COVID-19 launched by MHRD and Govt. of India in 2020. He is currently working on elucidating the molecular basis of the activity of bioactive peptides for infectious and neglected tropical diseases, along with his team of Ph.D. research scholars and external collaborators.

  • Ph.D. Bioinformatics (2009-2017) IIIT-Hyderabad, Telangana
  • M.Sc. Bioinformatics (2006-2008) University of Allahabad, U.P.
  • B.Sc. Chemistry, Botany, Zoology (2003-2006) University of Allahabad, U.P.

Publications

For an updated list visit: Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=RROC3RsAAAAJ&hl=en
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bipin-Singh-11

Journal Publications
  • Nemati, M., Singh, B., Mir, R.A. et al. (2022) Plant-derived extracellular vesicles: a novel nanomedicine approach with advantages and challenges. Cell Commun Signal 20(1), 1-16.
  • Maitra, A., & Singh, B. (2022). Interpreting force response patterns of a mechanically driven crystallographic phase transition. Phys Rev Mater, 6(4), 043404.
  • Singh, B., & Barman, S. (2022). Rapid and precise discrimination between pure and adulterated commercial Indian Honey brands using FTIR spectroscopy and principal component analysis. Current Nutrition & Food Science, 18 (9), 780-784.
  • Barman S, Singh B, Bag A, Patel AS, Chakraborti A, Rana A. (2021). Visible light driven photocatalytic degradation of Methyl Orange by Fe2O3-BiOCl0.5Br0.5 composite photocatalyst. Asia-Pac J Chem Eng, 16(6): e2715.
  • Singh, B. Role of key point Mutations in Receptor Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein. (2020). Infectious Disorders – Drug Targets, 21(4), 640-642.
  • Bobbili, K. B., Singh, B., Narahari, A., Bulusu, G., Surolia, A., Swamy, M. J. Chitooligosaccharide binding to CIA17 (Coccinia indica agglutinin): Thermodynamic characterization and formation of higher order complexes. (2019). Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 137:774-782.
  • Farhi, A., and Singh, B. (2016). Calculation of molecular free energies in classical potentials. N. J. Phys., 18 023039.
  • Farhi, A., and Singh, B. (2016). A novel method to calculate relative free energy of solvation and binding of similar molecules. Comp. Phys. Commun., 212, 132–145.
  • Singh, B., Bulusu, G., and Mitra, A. (2016) Effects of point mutations on the thermostability of B. subtilis lipase: Investigating Nonadditivity. J. Comput. Aided Mol. Des., 30(10), 899-916.
  • Singh, B., Bulusu, G., and Mitra, A. (2015) Understanding the Thermostability and Activity of Bacillus subtilis Lipase mutants: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J. Phys. Chem. B., 119(2), 392–409.
Preprints
  • Sharma, V., Chhatwal, S., & Singh, B. (2022). An Explainable Artificial Intelligence-based Prospective Framework for COVID-19 Risk Prediction. medRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.03.02.21252269
Conference Publications
Book Chapters
  • Aditi Sen De: Inspiring Many Lives. Vigyan Vidushi, Vigyan Prasar, DST, GoI.
  • Meena Mahajan: Intriguing, Curious but Logical. Vigyan Vidushi, Vigyan Prasar, DST, GoI.

  • Associate Professor (08/2025 – Present) Centre for Life Sciences Mahindra University, Hyderabad, Telangana
  • Assistant Professor (06/2023 – 08/2025 Centre for Life Sciences Mahindra University, Hyderabad, Telangana
  • Assistant Professor (10/2021 – 06/2023) Department of Biotechnology Bennett University, Greater Noida, U.P.
  • Assistant Professor (08/2017 – 10/2021) Department of Applied Sciences
    BML Munjal University, Gurugram, Haryana

  • Computational Drug Discovery
  • Computational Protein & Enzyme Engineering
  • AI and ML for Bioinformatics
  • Biological Networks
  • NGS Data Analysis for Targeted Therapy

Aruna Kumar Chelluboyina, Ph.D., is as an Assistant Professor in Center for Lifesciences at Mahindra University, Hyderabad. He obtained his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai in 2016. Post-Ph.D., he completed his postdoctoral training from 2017 to 2023 at three different eminent research institutes in USA – Harvard Medical School, Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University.
His background in research covers broad area of translational molecular biology in human diseases. His research expertise includes molecular signaling in human cancers, gene editing and advanced gene therapy approaches for molecular intervention in various human diseases. His research work has been published in high impact journals, and he is a passionate teacher.

  • Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai (2011-16).
  • Masters in Medical Biotechnology from University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad (2007-09).
  • Masters in Biochemistry from Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam (2003-05).
  • Bachelors in Biology from Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam (2000-03).

  • Mishra, S., Welch, N., Karthikeyan, M., Bellar, A., Musich, R., Singh, S. S., Zhang, D., Sekar, J., Attaway, A., Chelluboyina, A., Lorkowski, S. W., Roychowdhary, S., Li, L., Willard, B., Smith, J. D., Hoppel, C., Vachharajani, V., Kumar, A., & Dasarathy, S. (2023). Dysregulated cellular redox status during hyperammonemia causes mitochondrial dysfunction and senescence by inhibiting sirtuin-mediated deacetylation. Aging Cell, 00, e13852.
  • Nicole Welch*, Shashi Shekhar Singh *, Ryan Musich, M Shahid Mansuri, Annette Bellar, Saurabh Mishra, Aruna K Chelluboyina, Jinendiran Sakar, Amy H Attaway, Ling Li, Belinda Willard, Troy A Hornberger, Srinivasan Dasarathy. Shared and unique phosphoproteomics responses in skeletal muscle from exercise models and in hyperammonemic myotubes. IScience, Oct 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105325.
  • Avinash Kumar, Nicole Welch, Saurabh Mishra, Annette Bellar, Rafaella Silva Nasciemento, Ling Li, Shashi Shekhar Singh, Mary Sharkoff, Alexis Kerr, Aruna Kumar Chelluboyina, Jinendiran Sekar, Amy H. Attaway, Charles Hoppel, Belinda Willard, Gangarao Davuluri, Srinivasan Dasarathy. Metabolic reprogramming during hyperammonemia targets mitochondrial function and postmitotic senescence. JCI Insight. 2021 Dec 22;6(24): e154089.
  • Nicole Welch, Shashi Shekhar Singh, Avinash Kumar, Saugato Rahman Dhruba, Saurabh Mishra, Jinendiran Sekar, Annette Bellar, Amy H. Attaway, Aruna Chelluboyina, Belinda B. Willard, Ling Li, Zhiguang Huo, Sadashiva S. Karnik, Karyn Esser, Michelle S. Longworth, Yatrik M. Shah, Gangarao Davuluri, Ranadip Pal, Srinivasan Dasarathy. Integrated multiomics analysis identifies molecular landscape perturbations during hyperammonemia in skeletal muscle and myotubes. Journal of Biological Chemistry, Volume 297, Issue 3, 2021.
  • Rahul Kanumuri*, Aruna Kumar Chelluboyina*, Jayashree B, Vignesh, Jaishree, Akkanapally Venu, Vaishnavi, Leena, Jayakanthan, Kumaresan, Gopal Krishna Aradhyam, Ganesh Venkatraman and Suresh Kumar Rayala (2021). ‘Small Peptide Inhibitor from the sequence of RUNX3 disrupts PAK1-RUNX3 interaction and abrogates its phosphorylation dependent oncogenic function’. Oncogene, 12 July 2021. (*Co-first author).
  • Blum AE*, Venkitachalam S*, Ravillah D*, Chelluboyina AK*, Kieber-Emmons AM, Ravi L, Kresak A, Chandar AK, Markowitz SD, Canto MI, Wang JS, Shaheen NJ, Guo, Shyr Y, Willis JE, Chak A, Varadan V, Guda K. Systems Biology Analyses Show Hyperactivation of Transforming Growth Factor-β and JNK Signaling Pathways in Esophageal Cancer. Gastroenterology. 2019 May 1761-1774. (*Co-First Author) (Cover page article).
  • A Kumar, Sundaram S, Rayala SK, Venkatraman G. (2017) UnPAKing RUNX3 functions – Both sides of the coin. Small GTPases, 2019 Jul;10(4):264-270.
  • A Kumar, M Singhal, C Chopra, S Srinivasan, RP Surabhi, R Kanumuri, S Tentu, S Jagadeeshan, S Sundaram, K Ramanathan, R Shankar Pitani, B Muthuswamy, S Abhijit, AS Nair, G Venkatraman and SK Rayala. (2016) Threonine 209 phosphorylation on RUNX3 by Pak1 is a molecular switch for its dualistic functions. Oncogene, 2016 Sep 15;35(37):4857-65.
  • Akila Kesavan, P Ilaiyaraja, W Sofi Beaula, Vuttaradhi Veena Kumari, J Sugin Lal, Chelluboyina Arun Kumar, G Anjana, Satish Srinivas, Anita Ramesh, Suresh Kumar Rayala, D Ponraju, Ganesh Venkatraman. (2015) Tumor targeting using polyamidoamine dendrimer– cisplatin nanoparticles functionalized with diglycolamic acid and herceptin. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 96. 255–263.

  • 2023 – Present Assistant Professor Center for Life Sciences Mahindra University.
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 2022-23, Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Mass Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard University, USA: (2022)
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 2021-22, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, USA: (2021-2022)
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2017-20, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, USA: (2017-2020)
  • Research Associate, 2016-17, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai: (2016-2017)
  • Scientist, 2009-11, Ventura Institute of Biosciences, Hyderabad: (2009-11)
  • Lecturer in Biochemistry, 2005-2007, Adithya Group of Institutions, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh: (2005-2007)

  • Molecular Signaling
    The onset and progression of the disease in cancers is caused by certain molecular drivers. Using recently advanced methods like CRISPR screening and other whole-genome targeted approaches in appropriate disease models, we aim to delineate the driver genes and explore the potential of identified candidates as biomarkers and targets for therapeutic intervention and change the overall outcome of the disease.
  • Gene Editing and Gene Therapy
    Gene therapy treatments combined with latest cutting-edge genome editing technologies like CRISPR are being developed by scientists to prevent and treat diseases in humans. Recently developed advanced genome editing technologies have the potential to cure many human diseases with genetic basis. Lately, FDA has approved gene therapy-based drugs for hereditary diseases like Spinal Muscular Atrophy, IRDs etc. Here, we aim to develop and optimize adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-based gene therapies based on the needs of certain types of inherited genetic disorders and cancers.

Dr. Donthu completed his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009, specializing in cattle genomics and comparative genomics. His doctoral research focused on developing an in silico dense SNP map within a QTL region known to be associated with milk production traits in the North American Holstein population. Additionally, he identified putative genes associated with these traits.

During his Ph.D., Dr. Donthu also developed a comparative genomics tool to detect synteny blocks, facilitating the analysis of conserved genomic regions across different species.

After earning his Ph.D., Dr. Donthu joined the Roy J Carver Biotechnology Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a Research Scientist. Between 2009 and 2017, he actively worked on over 100 genomics and bioinformatics projects involving diverse organisms, including bacteria, insects, plants, animals, and humans. His work encompassed various genomic analyses, such as de novo genome assemblies, transcriptome assemblies, genome and transcriptome annotation, Chip-Seq, RIP-Seq, RNA-Seq, miRNA analysis, SNP analysis, and microbiome data analysis of 16S, 18S, ITS, and archaea.

From 2017 to 2023, Dr. Donthu collaborated with professors from Florida International University and the University of Puerto Rico on multiple insect genome projects. Notably, he successfully identified a subset of 272 SNPs capable of distinguishing honeybee populations. To facilitate population identification of unknown honeybees, he developed a specialized tool.

  • Ph.D. Cattle genomics and bioinformatics, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA: (2004-2009)
  • Master of Research in Bioinformatics, University of Leeds, UK: (2002-2003)
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India: (1996-2000)

  • R. Donthu, J. Marcelino, Y. Tao, E. Weber, A. Avalos, M. Band, T. Akraiko, S. Chen, M. Reyes, H. Hao, Y. Ortiz-Alvarado. BeeID: A molecular tool that differentiates honey bee subspecies from different geographic populations. Bioinformatics (in prep)
  • R. Giordano*, R. Donthu*, A. Zimin, I. C. J. Chavez, T. Gabaldon, M. van Munster, L. Hon, R. Hall, J. Badger, M. Nguyen, A. Flores, B. Potter, T. Giray, F. N. Soto-Adames, E. Weber, J. A. P. Marcelino, C. J. Fields, D. J. Voegtlin, C. B. Hill, G. L. Hartman, Soybean aphid research community. “Soybean Aphid Biotype 1 Genome: Insights into the invasive biology and adaptive evolution of a major agricultural pest” Insect Biochemistry Molecular Biology 2020 120:103334 *contributed equally to the work
  • B. Coates, J. Hohenstein, R. Giordano, R. Donthu, A. Michel, E. Hodgson, M. O’Neal. “Genome scan detection of selective sweeps among biotypes of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, with differing virulence to resistance to A. glycines (Rag) traits in soybean, Glycine max.” Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2020 124:103364.
  • H. Song, R. Donthu, R. Hall, L. Hon, E. Weber, J. H. Badger, and R. Giordano. “Description of soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura) mitochondrial genome and comparative mitogenomics of Aphididae (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha).” Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2019 113:103208.C.
  • V. Jongeneel, O. Achinike-Oduaran, E. Adebiyi, M. Adebiyi, S. Adeyemi, B. Akanle, S. Aron, E. Ashano, H. Bendou, G. Botha, E. Chimusa, A. Choudhury, R. Donthu, J. Drnevich, O. Falola, C. J. Fields, S. Hazelhurst, L. Hendry, I. Isewon, R. S. Khetani, J. Kumuthini, M. P. Kimuda, L. Magosi, L. S. Mainzer, S. Maslamoney, M. Mbiyavanga, A. Meintjes, D. Mugutso, P. Mpangase, R. Munthali, V. Nembaware, A. Ndhlovu, T. Odia, A. Okafor, O. Oladipo, S. Panji, V. Pillay, G. Rendon, D. Sengupta, N. Mulder “Assessing Computational Genomics Skills: Our Experience in the H3ABioNet African Bioinformatics Network” PLOS Computational Biology 2017E. J. Muturi, R. Donthu, C. J. Fields, I. K. Moise, C. Kim. “Effect of pesticides on microbial communities in container aquatic habitats.” Nature Scientific Reports 2017
  • M. Cohen-Zinder, R. Donthu, D. M. Larkin, C. G. Kumar, S. L. Rodriguez-Zas, K. E. Andropolis, R. Oliveira, H. A. Lewin. “A multisite haplotype on cattle chromosome 3 is associated with quantitative trait locus effects on lactation traits.” Physiological Genomics 2011.
  • D. M. Larkin, G. Pape, R. Donthu, A. Loretta, M. Welge, H. A. Lewin. “Breakpoint regions and homologous synteny blocks in chromosomes have different evolutionary histories,” Genome research 2009.
  • R. Donthu, H. A. Lewin, D. M. Larkin. “SyntenyTracker: a tool for defining homologous synteny blocks using radiation hybrid maps and whole genome sequence”. BMC Research Notes 2009.
  • R. Donthu, M. Heaton, D. M. Larkin, H. A. Lewin. “In silico discovery, mapping, and genotyping of 1,039 cattle SNPs on a panel of eighteen breeds”Animal Genetics 2009.
Conference presentations and abstracts
  • T. Giray, R. Giordano, R. Donthu, A. Avalos. “The blind watchmaker: Evidence of selection in the genome of Puerto Rico bees after Hurricane Maria” Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Virtual, 2020
  • C. Ortiz-Alvarado, A. N. Delgado, A. R. Pemberton, T. Giray, R. Donthu, S. Feliciano-Cardona, M. A. Doke, J. L. Agosto-Rivera. “Circadian gene expression comparison across honey bee (Apis mellifera) long-lived bees and foragers” Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Virtual, 2020
  • J. Marcelino, R. Donthu, R. Giordano, A. R. Lluch, C. A Cuff, Y. Ortiz-Alvarado, C. A. Ortiz, C. P. R. Alemany, C. Ramirez, S. Cruz, F. Noel, Í. C. Cordero-Ford, S. F. Cardona, J. Aleman-Rios, S. A. S. Echeandia, T. Aponte, T. Giray. “Genomic comparison of bee populations on Puerto Rico before and after hurricanes Irma and Maria” Entomology 2018
  • R. Donthu, J. Drnevich, C. J. Fields, K. M. Keating, R. S. Khetani, C. V. Jongeneel. “Methods and Strategies for Incorporating Data from the Latest Sequencing Platforms in Genomic Analysis”. Plant and Animal Genome, San Diego, 2014
  • A. Levi, A. Hernandez, J. Thimmapuram, R. Donthu, C. L. Wright, S. Ali, W. P. Wechter, U. K. Reddy, M. A. Mikel. “Sequencing The Genome Of The Heirloom Watermelon Cultivar Charleston Gray”. Plant and Animal Genome, San Diego, 2011.
  • C. L. Wright, J. Thimmapuram, S. Bachman, L. Hetrick, E. Vlach, D. Vullaganti , F. Sun, R. Donthu , M. Band, M. A. Mikel, H. Bohnert, A. G. Hernandez. “Strategies For Next-Generation Sequencing And Bioinformatic Analysis”. Plant and Animal Genome, San Diego, 2010.
  • M. Cohen-Zinder, R. Donthu, D. M. Larkin , H. A. Lewin. “Identification Of Candidate QTNs For Milk Production Traits In A QTL Critical Region Of Bta3 Using Sequence Capture Technology”. Plant and Animal Genome, San Diego, 2010.
  • D. M. Larkin, G. Pape, R. Donthu, L. Auvil, L. Chen, M Welge, E. Eichler, H. A. Lewin. “Large-Scale Chromosomal Rearrangements In The Cattle Lineage And Their Association With Segmental Duplications And Repetitive Elements”. Plant and Animal Genome, San Diego, 2009.
  • M. Cohen-zinder, R. Donthu, D. M. Larkin, H. A. Lewin. “Identification of candidate QTNs for milk production traits in a QTL critical region of BTA3 using sequence capture technology”. Bovine genome meeting, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York City, 2009
  • R. Donthu, D. M. Larkin, M. Cohen-zinder, H. A. Lewin. “Haplotype Definition and Linkage Disequilibrium in a 16.3 Mbp QTL Critical Region on Cattle Chromosome 3”. Plant and Animal Genome, San Diego, 2009
  • D. M. Larkin, G. Pape, R. Donthu, A. Loretta, M. Welge, H. A. Lewin. “Breakpoint regions and homologous synteny blocks in chromosomes have different evolutionary histories,” The biology of the genomes, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York City, 2008.
  • D. M. Larkin, G. Pape, L. Auvil, R. Donthu, M. Welge, H. A. Lewin. “Multi-species whole genome analysis of vertebrate chromosomal evolution reveals ancient reuse breakpoints and large conserved syntenies”. Plant and Animal Genome, San Diego, 2007.
  • R. Donthu, D. M. Larkin, M. P. Heaton, H. A. Lewin. “In silico discovery, mapping, and genotyping of 1,039 cattle SNPs on a panel of eighteen breeds”. International conference on Animal Genetics, Porto Seguro, Brazil, 2006.
  • R. Donthu, D. M. Larkin, M. P. Heaton, H. A. Lewin. “In silico discovery, mapping, and genotyping of 1,039 cattle SNPs on a panel of eighteen breeds”. Plant and Animal Genome, San Diego, 2006.

  • Assistant Professor, Center for Life Sciences, Mahindra University, Hyderabad, India: (2023-Present)
  • Senior Associate Professor, uGDX School of Technology, ATLAS SkillTech University, India: (2022-2023)
  • Bioinformatics Research Scientist, Know Your Bee inc., Florida, and Puerto Rico Science Technology and Research Trust, Puerto Rico, USA: (2017-2022)
  • Bioinformatics Research Specialist, High Performance Biological Computing (HPCBio), Roy J Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: (2009-2017)

With the advancement of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and long read sequencing techniques the entire scope of biological research is primarily driven by latest emerging field of bioinformatics which involves application of computational tools to analyse and interpret biological data. Genome research is estimated to generate between 2 and 40 exabytes of data within the next decade. There is a great need to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to extract valuable biological information from these gigantic datasets.One of our research goals is to develop AI/ML based tools or models that will be utilized for the early detection of cancer and other human diseases and to identify genetic markers that are associated with important phenotypes in agricultural and biological research. Furthermore, our research interests extend to conducting omics-based analysis, incorporating diverse areas such as microbiome analysis, differential gene expression analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing, as well as the integration of spatial omics and microbiome profiles with disease states. By leveraging these cutting-edge techniques, we aim to gain comprehensive insights into the intricate molecular basis of various biological processes and disease mechanisms.

Priyadarshini is an assistant professor at the Center for Life Sciences, Mahindra University. She did her PhD from Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, where she isolated and characterized a novel protein inhibitor of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals from human renal calculi.

After her PhD, she served as faculty at Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan and Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida. Under her supervision 2 PhD scholars and 12 M Tech students completed their research work. She has several research publications of national and international repute.

  • Ph.D. From Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, HP on “Identification and characterization of a calcium oxalate crystal growth protein inhibitor from human renal stone matrix”: (2005-2010)
  • M. Sc. From Ranchi University, Ranchi in Zoology with specialization in Ichthyology: (1997-1999)
  • 3 years B. Sc. From Ranchi University, Ranchi in Zoology with Honours: (1994-1997)

  • Faujdar C, Priyadarshini. Comparative study of hydroalcoholic extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Macrotyloma uniflorum for their antioxidant, antiurolithiatic, and wound healing potential. J Appl Biol Biotech. 2022;10(01):196-205. ISSN Print: 2455-7005, ISSN Online: 2347-212X [Scopus indexed]
  • Faujdar, C., & Priyadarshini, Investigating the Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Ocimum sanctum on In-vitro Calcium Oxalate Crystallization. Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy, 2022, 15(6), 47–52, ISSN22307303,09738916 [Scopus Indexed]
  • Sharma, N., Gupta, S. Gupta, M., Priyadarshini, & Chandra, S. Transfer Learning-Based Attention Gated Siamese Network for Human and SARS-CoV-2 Protein Interactions. Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy, 2022, 15(6), 80–82. ISSN 22307303, 09738916 [Scopus Indexed]
  • Faujdar, C., & Priyadarshini. Evaluation of In-vitro Cytoprotective, Wound Healing and Antioxidant Effects of Ocimum sanctum Leaf Extract. Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy, 2021, 15(3), 248–255. ISSN 22307303, 09738916
  • Priyadarshini; Negi, Abhishek; Faujdar, Chetna; Nigam, Lokesh; Subbarao, Naidu, “Exploring the Molecular Level Interaction of Human Serum Albumin with Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate Crystals” Protein and Peptide Letters, Volume 28, Number 11, 2021, pp. 1281-1289(9), ISSN 09298665, 18755305
  • Manavi Jain, Paramveer Yadav, Priyadarshini. “Proteomics study in Urolithiasis”. Current Proteomics, 2020, vol. 17, Issue 2, 88 – 94, ISSN: 1875-6247 (Online) ISSN: 1570-1646 (Print)
  • Priyadarshini, Devesh Raizada, Pragya Kumar, Tanya Singh, Trisha Pruthi, Abhishek Negi, Lokesh Nigam, Naidu Subbarao. Exploring the modulatory effect of albumin on calcium phosphate crystallization. Current Science, 2019, vol. 117, Issue 6, 1083-1089, ISSN 0011-3891
  • Nancy Taneja and Priyadarshini. “Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Proteins of L6 Skeletal Muscle Cells under Different Glucose Conditions and Vitamin D Supplementation”. Protein & Peptide Letters, 2018, vol. 25, Issue 4, 356 – 361, ISSN 09298665, 18755305
  • D. Raizada, P. Kumar, T. Singh, T. Pruthi, Priyadarshini. “Albumin and its role in urolithiasis”. Asian J Pharm Clin Res, 2017, vol. 10, Issue 10, 32-35.
  • Abhishek Negi, Shahrukh Husain, Priyadarshini, “A Review on Role of miRNA in Kidney Diseases” Journal of Global Pharma Technology. 2017; vol. 5, 28-36.
  • Priyadarshini, K. Jain, R. Sood. “Evaluation of renal epithelial cell protein under stress condition”. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, 2016, vol. 8, 337-340. ISSN: 0975-1491 ISSN: 2656-0097
  • Priyadarshini, K. Jain. “Cytoprotective effect of Ocimum extract on injured renal epithelial cells”. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, 2015, vol. 7, 15-18. ISSN: 0975-1491 ISSN: 2656-0097
  • K. Aggarwal, S. Tandon, P. Pathak, S. K. Singh, C. Tandon. “Identification of Novel Antilithiatic Cationic Proteins From Human Calcium Oxalate Renal Stone Matrix by MALDI TOF MS,” European Urology Supplements, 2012, vol. 11, e850-e850a ISSN 1569-9056
  • Priyadarshini, P.K. Naik, D Sengupta., S.K. Singh, C. Tandon. “Mode of interaction of calcium oxalate crystal with human phosphate cytidylyltransferase 1: a novel inhibitor purified from human renal stone matrix”. Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering, 2011, vol. 4, 591-598. Print: 1937-6871 Online: 1937-688X
  • Priyadarshini, S.K. Singh, C. Tandon. “Effect of biomolecules from human renal stone matrix of calcium oxalate monohydrate stones on in vitro calcium phosphate crystallization”. International Brazilian Journal of Urology, 2010, vol. 36, 621-62, 2010. ISSN 1677-6119, 1677-5538
  • Priyadarshini, S.K. Singh, C. Tandon. “Mass spectrometric identification of human phosphate cytidyltransferse 1 as a novel calcium oxalate crystal growth inhibitor purified from human renal stone matrix”.Clinica Chimica Acta, 2009, vol.408, 34-38

  • 2023 – Present Assistant Professor Center for Life Sciences Mahindra University.
  • Associate Professor JIIT Noida, UP – (2022-2023)
  • Assistant Professor (Senior Grade) JIIT Noida, UP – (2016-2022)
  • Assistant Professor (Grade II)JIIT Noida, UP
  • Lecturer JIIT Noida, UP: (2011-2012)
  • Lecturer JUIT, Waknaghat, HP – (2010-2011)
  • Associate Lecturer JUIT, Waknaghat, HP – (January 2010-July 2010)

Currently, her research focuses on bioformulation of phytocompounds having therapeutic potential against renal diseases. Computational screening of biologically active compounds by searching large databases, molecular docking to explore the binding energies between selected compounds and target proteins followed by molecular simulations of the complexes protein-ligand to evaluate their stability and ADMET analysis. In vitro studies of selected phytocompounds on different bioassays to authenticate their potential. Further, proteomic study to know the effect of bioformulation.

Mrittika Sengupta received her Ph.D from Illinois State University. Her area of specialisation deciphering the molecular mechanism of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation in bacterial pathogens such as MRSA and Klebsiella pneumoniae. She did her postdoctoral research at the Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami. Her research was targeted towards the recognition of a biomarker for bacterial biofilms in surgical and non-surgical wounds. She joined the Center for Life Sciences, Mahindra University, as an Associate Professor in May 2023.

  • Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology, Illinois State University, Illinois, USA: (2006-2011)
  • M.Sc in Microbiology, Bangalore University, Bangalore: (2002-2004)
  • B. Sc. in Microbiology, Bangalore University, Bangalore: (1999-2002)

  • Modi, S. K., Gaur, S., Sengupta, M., & Singh, M. S. (2023). Mechanistic insights into nanoparticle surface-bacterial membrane interactions in overcoming antibiotic resistance. Frontiers in microbiology, 14, 1135579.
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1135579
  • Tripathy, S., Agarkar, T., Talukdar, A., Sengupta, M., Kumar, A., & Ghosh, S. (2023). Evaluation of indirect sequence-specific magneto-extraction-aided LAMP for fluorescence and electrochemical SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection. Talanta, 252, 123809.
  • Agarkar, T., Tripathy, S., Chawla, V., Sengupta, M., Ghosh, S., & Kumar, A. (2022). A batch processed titanium-vanadium oxide nanocomposite based solid-state electrochemical sensor for zeptomolar nucleic acid detection. Analytical methods: advancing methods and applications, 14(44), 4495–4513.
  • Kumar, S., Kharb, A., Vazirani, A., Chauhan, R. S., Pramanik, G., Sengupta, M., & Ghosh, S. (2022). Nucleic acid extraction from complex biofluid using toothpick-actuated over-the-counter medical-grade cotton. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry, 73, 117009.
  • Vujanac M, Iyer VS, Sengupta M, Ajdic D (2015). Regulation of Streptococcus mutans PTSBio by the transcriptional repressor NigR Mol Oral Microbiol. doi: 10.1111/omi.12093
  • Sengupta M, Jain V, Wilkinson BJ and Jayaswal RK(2012). Chromatin Immuno Precipitation Identifies Genes Under Direct VraSR Regulation in Staphylococcus aureus. Can J Microbiol. 58(6):703-8.
  • Baker J, Sengupta M, Jayaswal RK and Morrissey JA(2011). The Staphylococcus aureus CsoR regulates both chromosomal and plasmid-encoded copper resistance mechanisms. Environ. Microbiol. Reports. 13(9):2495-507.
  • Johnson M, Sengupta M, Purves J, Tarrant E, Williams PH, Cockayne A, Muthaiyan A, Stephenson R, Ledala N, Wilkinson BJ, Jayaswal RK and Morrissey JA (2011). Fur is required for the activation of virulence gene expression through the induction of the sae regulatory system in Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Med Microbiol. 301(1):44-52.
  • Ledala N, Sengupta M, Muthaiyan A, Wilkinson BJ and Jayaswal RK(2010). Transcriptomic response of Listeria monocytogenes to iron limitation and fur mutation. Appl Environ Microbiol. 76:406-416.
  • Baker J, Sitthisak S, Sengupta M, Johnson M, Jayaswal RK and Morrissey JA (2010). Copper stress induces a global stress responsein Staphylococcus aureus and represses sae and agr expression and biofilm formation. Appl Environ Microbiol. 76:150-160.

  • 2023- Present Associate Professor Center for Life Sciences Mahindra University
  • Associate Professor Bennett University Department of Biotechnology: (2021–2023)
  • Assistant Professor Bennett University Department of Biotechnology: (2017-2021)
  • Department of Biotechnology Research Associate Regional Centre for Biotechnology Faridabad, Haryana: (2014-2017)
  • Assistant Professor Uka Tarsadia University, Surat, Gujarat: (2013-2014)
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate University of Miami, USA: (2012-2013)
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor Illinois Wesleyan University USA: (2012)
  • Research intern at Calcutta Medical Research Institute: (2005-2006)

Our research interest is understanding the regulatory mechanism of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation in bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. We are also focussing on identifying alternative therapeutic strategies to treat antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections.

Another area of research focus is developing point of care diagnostics to detect infectious diseases.

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