Research Interest:

Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering applies engineering approaches to understand quantitatively fundamental cellular functions and to explore this understanding for designing improved technologies. We use Structural DNA Nanotechnology to explore important aspects of receptor-mediated regulation of cell behavioral properties like endocytosis, signalling, migration, and differentiation. The central paradigm of my research is developing DNA-based nanodevices to probe, program, and reprogram receptors mediated regulation of cellular functions, and to achieve this, we explore techniques of biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology to programming parameters characterizing receptor-ligand properties in in-vitro and in cellular systems. Our research questions are inspired by healthcare technologies of interest to pharmaceutical, biomedical and biotechnological companies, and we strongly invest in multi-disciplinary collaborative interactions, involving colleagues from both academics and industry.

Background and Experience:

Assistant Professor, Biological Engineering, IIT Gandhinagar: July 2018 - Present
DST-Ramanujan Fellow, IIT Gandhinagar (2018-2023)
Labex (Laboratories of Excellence), co-PI and Postdoctoral Fellow, September 2017-June 2018
Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSP) Postdoctoral Fellow: September 2014 - August 2017
Curie Postdoctoral Fellow: September 2013-August 2014
Ph.D., NCBS-TIFR: 2007 - 2013
MSc Chemistry, University of Pune 2007
BSc Chemistry, University of Pune 2005