Research Experience

Summer Internship
(Second Year, On-site)

Study of Functional Divergence in Class-D Beta-lactamases

(Department of Biophysics, University of Delhi South Campus(UDSC))

19 May 2025 to 14 July 2025

During this internship, I explored computational methods for analyzing functional divergence in protein families using the software DIVERGE. I worked on multiple sequence alignments, phylogenetic analysis, and site-specific evolutionary profiling to understand how gene duplication events lead to functional specialization. This experience helped me strengthen my skills in molecular evolution, sequence analysis, and bioinformatics tool usage.

Objectives

This internship was focused to gain hands-on experience in bioinformatics research and develop an understanding of the workflows, tools, and methodologies used in a computational biology laboratory environment.

Skills Developed

Literature Mining, Machine Learning, Multiple Sequence Alignment(MEGA 12), Tree Generation(MEGA 12), Functional Divergence Analysis(DIVERGE 3.0), Linux Terminal, MS PowerShell.

Summer Internship Project

(Remote, In-Silico)

Immunogenic Profiling and Structural Insights into Non-Bacterial L-ASNase Variants with Low-GLNase Activity

Tata Memorial Centre- Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai

16 June 2024 to 28 February 2025

During the summer break, I got a chance to explore the field of Cancer from one end at the prestigious TMC-ACTREC, Navi Mumbai, under the guidance of Dr Prasanna Venkatraman. Although this project was planned for a 1.5-month summer break but kept going on for 8 months as more and more knowledge and tools were introduced to me.

Objectives

Prediction of the structure of asparaginase variants with superior therapeutic properties to understand the structural basis of these properties using structure prediction tools .
Sequence analysis of asparaginase variants from different sources to identify new mutations for the generation of newer variants of asparaginase.
Comprehensive epitope analysis to identify immunogenic epitopes.
Literature search to identify asparaginase from different sources with superior biotherapeutic properties.
Fetching sequences of asparaginases which are available from the above sources.

(PS: Thanks to Dr Mahalakshmi Haris at Prasanna Lab for her highly supportive nature and for motivating me to keep going. She is always open to my suggestions and any sort of queries, making my learning easy and interesting.)

Skills Developed

Literature Mining, Praline (Sequence Analysis), AlphaFold2 (Structure Prediction), PyMOL (Structure Visualisation).

Predicted structure of a protein used in the project.

(My first-ever try onto structure prediction)

Summer Lab Training
(First Year, On-site)

Characterization and Identification of

Pathogenic Microorganisms

(Department of Microbiology, Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), Delhi)

18 June 2024 to 31 July 2024

I carried out my first hands-on lab training during my summer break of 1.5 months in the Department of Microbiology, Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), Delhi. I was under the observation of Dr. Manoj B. Jais, Director Professor & HOD, Department of Microbiology, LHMC.

Objectives

Main focus of this training was to get exposure to a lab setting and work in different types of labs in Microbiology (Bacterial, Fungal, Viral and Serological).

Results

Time spent there was worth it; I learned about the latest trends and technological advances in Microbiological laboratories. I learned Agar formation, Culturing of Bacteria on different media plates (MacConkey, EMB, Sabouraud, Blood, CLED etc. )and Microscopy. Learned about techniques for identifying different pathogens using automated machines and Biochemical tests. Got to learn about MALDI for Id and AST, TrueNAT-MicroPCR, CBNAAT and BacTec-BactiALert.

Skills Developed

Culture Media Preparation (CLED, Blood, Chocolate etc), Autoclaving, WIDAL, Biochemical Testing, Equipment Handling, Fungal Diagnostic.

Gram Stained Bacterial Yeast Cells under OIF

Antibiotic Susceptibility Test (AST)

Positive Bile Esculin Test

Klebsiella pneumoniae over Blood Agar Plate

Vibrio cholerae over Bile Salt Agar Plate

Klebsiella pneumoniae over MacConkey Agar Plate

Other Skills:
Spectroscopy, DNA & RNA Extraction, Protein Isolation, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test (Ezy Strip, Broth Dilution & Disc Diffusion), Western Blotting, GTPase Assay, SDS Page, Python, SQL, LATEX, Technical Writing, MS Office

Soft Skills: Leadership, Teamwork, Adaptability

Languages: German (B1 Level), English (Professional), Hindi (Native)

“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” - Charles Darwin