Meet the Team

B. Sc. (Zoology and Biotechnology) - International College for Girls, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 

M. Sc. (Microbiology) - Department of Microbiology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 

Ph.D. (Microbiology) - Department of Microbiology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 

Project Description: Cellular senescence is a process driven by epigenetic and genetic stresses, in which cells cease dividing and undergo distinctive phenotypic alterations. Accumulation of these senescent cells in the tissue is one of the hallmarks of ageing and a key process in the progression of ageing. The damaged cells are exposed to several extracellular signals simultaneously.The balance between activation and deactivation of these signalling pathways is a delicate one, which is regulated not only through phosphorylation by kinases, but also through dephosphorylation events induced by a diverse range of phosphatases. I am interested in finding out the mechanisms which are regulated by these signalling pathways using traditional molecular biology and cell biology techniques. 

Year of joining -  January 2020

E-mail - amrithan[at]iisc.ac.in

B. Sc. (Biochemistry) - SRM Arts and Science College

M. Sc. (Biochemistry) - University of Madras

Ph.D. (Nanobiotechnology) - Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore

Project Description: Studying the senolytic properties of nanoformulation in senescent cells, also focusing on aging associated inflammation. 

Year of joining - September 2023

B. Sc. (Biotechnology) - Nehru Arts and Science College, Coimbatore 

M. Sc. (Biotechnology) -  Nehru Arts and Science College, Coimbatore 

Project description: Two-component signaling system in Mycobacterium tuberculosis helps the bacterium to thrive the harsh environment inside the host macrophages. I am interested in studying the crosstalk between the TCS in Mtb and also in its surrogate model Mycobacterium smegmatis to unravel the significance of the crosstalk in the virulence of the bacterium.

Year of joining - August 2020

Email -  rahnaa[at]iisc.ac.in

B. Sc. (Hons.- Microbiology)- Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Howrah

M. Sc. (Biotechnology) -  Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

Project description: My work will be focused on studying the interaction between aged population and pathogenic bacteria using infection-induced model systems 

Year of joining - August 2021

Email -  atridevp[at]iisc.ac.in

B. Sc. (Hons. Biomedical Sciences) - Bhaskaracharya College Of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi 

M. Sc. (Biotechnology) - School of Biotechnology,  Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 

Project description: Two Component system is one of the two signaling system in Mycobacterium. It has been demonstrated in vitro that interactions between certain non-cognate SKs and RRs influence the regulation of bacterial gene expression. I want to investigate and elucidate this, in vivo employing several Fluorescence microscopy techniques. 

Year of joining - August 2022

Email -  sahilrana[at]iisc.ac.in

B. Sc. (Hons.- Biochemistry and Industrial Microbiology) - Govt. College For Women, Trivandrum 

M. Sc. (Biochemistry) -  Central University of Kerala 

Project description: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a human pathogen that causes tuberculosis (TB), possesses a unique adaptive capacity to persist within adverse host conditions. Two-component signalling systems (TCSs) help the bacteria to sense and adapt to these adverse conditions. My research focuses on understanding the crosstalk between response regulator proteins within these two-component systems, which are essential for bacterial adaptation and survival. The study also focuses on the regulation of TCSs by a novel histidine phosphatase MutT1. 

Year of joining - August 2023

Email -  gayathria[at]iisc.ac.in

Joint student with Dr. Shantanu Shuklaam

B. Sc. (Hons.- Microbiology) - Gargi College, Delhi University

M. Sc. (Biotechnology) -  Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay 

Project description: The dynamics of gut microbiome in human aging

Year of joining - August 2024

Email -  seema2024[at]iisc.ac.in

Joint student with Dr Nikhil R Gandasi am

B. Tech (Hons.- Biotechnology) - Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

M. Tech (Biotechnology) -  PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Project description: The onset and prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is considered to be higher in the adult population although it is, to an extent, diagnosed in children and adolescents. I'm interested in recognizing the signatures of ageing using the cellular, molecular and clinical metrics and how they lead to diabetes.

Year of joining - August 2024

Email -  sagarikap[at]iisc.ac.in

Joint student with Prof. Ramray Bhat am

B. Sc (Hons.- Life Sciences) - Presidency University, Kolkata

M.Sc (Interdisciplinary Biosciences) - Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru

Project description: Discovering New Drugs to Combat Ovarian Cancer

Year of joining - August 2025

Email -  hrisheeray[at]iisc.ac.in

Joint student through Dept Bioengineeringamrata Gundiaham

 B. Tech (Mechanical engineering)- Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College, Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Anantapur  

Project description: Many have pointed out that aging causes the build-up of oxidative and inflammatory stress, altering the genetic makeup of the cells. This causes alterations in the aspects of cellular mechanobiology like subcellular structures of the cytoskeleton, sensing ability of cells to changes in the extracellular environment and nuclear mechanics. This further causes dysregulation of tissues, leading to the onset of age-related diseases. I aim to understand the changes in the mechanical milieu of the cells under aging. 

Year of joining - August 2020

Email - siddiqa[at]iisc.ac.in 

Joint student with Prof. Kaushik Chatterjeeamrat (va Gundiaham

 B. Tech (Biotechnology) - National Institute of Technology Rourkela   

M. Tech (Biotechnology) - Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati 

Project description: Lung fibrosis or Pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal disease. With its ever increasing global occurrence, many 2D models have been developed for its study. But these seem to be physiologically irrelevant for understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. The observations made in a 2D model are significantly different from the in-vivo system. Hence, the aim of my project is to address these limitations by creating a 3D model using a combination of technologies like 3D bioprinting and microfluidics for relevant study of Pulmonary fibrosis. 

Year of joining - August 2022

Email - sibanijani[at]iisc.ac.in 

Joint student with Prof. Narendra Dixitamrat (va Gundiaham

 B. Tech (Biotechnology) - National Institute of Technology Warangal    

Project description: The Gut Microbiota plays a key role in many areas of health and disease. Research has identified its close association with a number of physiological processes, including digestion, metabolism, immunity, neurophysiology and behavior. The gut microbiome is a key regulator of healthy ageing. My current research deals with understanding and modelling age-related compositional changes in the microbiome.

Year of joining - August 2023

Email - nivedhithau[at]iisc.ac.in 

Joint student with Prof. Chiranjib Bhattacharyya 

B. Sc. (Agriculture) - Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia

Project description: The cell undergoes different signaling and metabolic changes in senescent condition that leads to several diseases in the aged population. My works revolve around the interplay of metabolism and signaling in senescence cells and its impact on geriatric diseases.

Year of joining - August  2022

Email -  arnabnath[at]iisc.ac.in

Joint student with Prof. Ambarish Ghosh 

B. Sc. (Hons.  Biomedical Science) - University of Delhi 

Project description: Nanopropellers are microscopic helical robots of silica that translate applied energy into movement. My work focuses on improving the manoeuvrability of propellers and studying the post-internalization effect on cells. 

Year of joining - August  2022

Email -  nahid2021[at]iisc.ac.in

B. Sc. (Hons. Microbiology) - Kerala University 

M. Sc. (Microbiology) - Amity University, Noida, UP

Project description: My project aims to shed light on the factors influencing longevity by delving into the analysis of patient samples. This study would reveal the complex association between many variables and longevity in the particular setting of the Indian population. 

Year of joining - January  2024

Email -  gayathrimahadevan[at]iisc.ac.in

B. Sc. (Hons. Microbiology) - St.Mary's College, Thrissur, University of Calicut

M. Sc. (Virology) - ICMR- National Institute of Virology, SSPU

Project description: The project I'm working on focuses on evaluating various pharmaceutical substances, including nutraceuticals, using established aging indicators to identify those that can enhance mitochondrial function and delay the onset of cellular senescence. Additionally, I will investigate whether restoring mitochondrial health can reverse or improve the condition of already senescent cells.

Year of joining - April  2025

Email -  setlanag[at]iisc.ac.in

B. Sc. (Biotechnology) - New Horizon College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Karnataka

M. Sc. (Industrial Biotech) - KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

Project description: I'm currently part of an IISc-ICMR collaborative project where we’re developing a multiplexed serology platform to monitor infectious disease exposure across India. My work mainly involves expressing and purifying recombinant proteins and generating antibodies in rabbit models to support more accurate molecular diagnostics. I'm also exploring gut microbiome research, particularly how it relates to inflammation and ageing.

Year of joining - May 2025

Email -  jayantshgl2[at]gmail.com

B. Sc. - St Joseph’s college Autonomous, Bangalore, Karnataka

M. Sc. (Microbiology) - St Joseph’s University, Bangalore, Karnataka

Project description: I am studying the metabolic and hormonal changes with age.

Year of joining - June  2025

Comes at his own sweet time.

The only constant member of the lab.

Spiritual personality : Apparently doing a research on temples at Shabrimala and Tirupati !!