We are a new research group housed in the highly interdisciplinary Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD). 

Our overarching research aim is to uncover the physico-chemical rules that govern the biological processes of life. The current focus in our group is on understanding the interactions of a living cell with its neighborhood - more specifically interactions between cells. Cell-cell interactions are fundamental in nearly all sorts of multicellular processes, ranging from development at the embryo stage to spreading of diseases. These interactions are guided by a diverse array of molecules residing at the surface of the cells. Our group uses and develops theoretical and computational models to understand the molecular underpinning of cell surface mechanics in the context of diverse tissue-scale phenomena.

A big part of our research is taking a deep dive into the nanoscale mechanobiology of the cells in dense tissues. We are primarily interested in understanding the coupling between mechanics, chemistry and signaling that underlies the cellular functions. Such coupling is arguably orchestrated by a multitude of receptors, associated proteins and other macromolecules - constantly exchanging signals in and out of the cell. Given the complexity of the intra- and extra-cellular environments, we adopt a bottom-up approach. To get a controlled sneak-peak at the molecular mechanisms, we build our understanding starting from subsets of interactions across the cellular boundaries. For more details on our approach and specific ongoing research projects, please visit the research page.

More details on specific research themes in the research page