0000-0002-6315-1223 About
More than ten years of research experience in in vitro cell culture and stem cell biology, with a strong focus on human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and their application in modelling human brain development and neurodegenerative diseases. My expertise encompasses the entire hiPSC workflow—from cellular reprogramming to lineage-specific differentiation and the development of advanced 3d culture systems. I have successfully reprogrammed neonatal fibroblasts into hiPSCs using non-integrative and electroporation-based methods, ensuring the generation of genetically stable, high-quality, pluripotent cell lines. These lines undergo rigorous molecular and functional characterization to confirm their pluripotent identity, forming a robust platform for downstream differentiation. A major focus of my work involves the differentiation of hiPSCs into diverse neuronal subtypes, including cortical neurons, motor neurons, and astrocytes. By employing a stepwise modulation of developmental signalling pathways—using defined growth factors, small molecules, and dual-SMAD inhibition—I have optimised protocols that yield enriched populations of lineage-specific neurons with high fidelity to their in vivo counterparts. Beyond traditional 2D cultures, I have established reproducible protocols for generating 3D brain spheroids and region-specific brain organoids, including cortical and spinal organoids. These self-organizing structures capture key features of human brain architecture, cellular heterogeneity, and temporal development, enabling in-depth studies of neurodevelopment, neurotoxicity, and disease mechanisms in a physiologically relevant context. I am proficient in designing gRNAs along lentiviral vectors for protein overexpression and generating stable cell lines. My work involves constructing lentiviral vectors with optimised promoters and regulatory elements to ensure high-level expression of target proteins. I have generated stable cell lines through efficient transduction and selection processes, enabling long-term expression studies with lentiviral vectors and optimised promoters and regulatory elements to ensure high-level expression of target proteins. Additionally, I have utilized CRISPR-Cas9 technology with the gRNAs to create viable mutations which mimic the disease pathology in various cell lines, including stem cells, facilitating the investigation of gene function and the molecular mechanisms underlying neurotoxicology and neurodegenerative disorders.
Employment
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CSIR-INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TOXICOLOGY RESEARCH Project Research Scientist
Education
Education history is unavailable.
Projects & Funding
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Publications (15)
- Clinical behaviour and salivary miRNAs- proteins for risk assessment of ECC Save
- Mesenchymal stem cell secretome restores monocrotophos induced toxicity in human neural progenitor cells Save
- Targeting TDP-43 Proteinopathy in hiPSC-Derived Mutated hNPCs with Mitoxantrone Drugs and miRNAs Save
- Strategic Developments for Pre-clinical Safety/Efficacy Studies of Hair Care Products Save
- Proteomic-miRNA Biomics Profile Reveals 2D Cultures of Human iPSC-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells More Sensitive than 3D Spheroid System Against the Experimental Exposure to Arsenic Save
- A protein–miRNA biomic analysis approach to explore neuroprotective potential of nobiletin in human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) Save
- Pesticide mediated silent neurotoxicity and its unmasking: An update on recent progress Save
- Proteome architecture of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived three-dimensional organoids as a tool for early diagnosis of neuronal disorders. Save
- Proteome profiling of phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate 4-kinase type 2A and 2B knockdown cells identify modifications in key regulators involved in cell homeostasis and genome integrity Save
- A combined microRNA and proteome profiling to investigate the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on neuronal cells Save