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PhD Scholars
PhD Scholars
Bhumika Biswas
M.Sc. in Microbiology - 2017Govt. Holkar Science College
B.Sc. in Microbiology - 2015
Govt. Holkar Science College
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Understanding the role of “SOS”- regulated HNH nucleases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in latency and reactivation.
Molecular microbiology, Mycobacterial biology, stress response, studying mechanisms of nucleases.
Gokul Raj Mohan
Int. M.Sc. in Biotechnology - 2019 Vellore Institute of Technology
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Exploring the stress response mechanisms of mycobacteria and ESKAPE pathogens, with a focus on the 'SOS' response. Through my research, I aim to advance our understanding of the regulatory pathways of the 'SOS' response, identify potential novel drug targets, and discover new antibacterial agents, especially as a strategy to address the growing challenges of antimicrobial resistance.
Neha Choudhary
M.Sc. in Biotechnology - 2013Govt. Holkar Science College
B.Sc. in Biotechnology - 2011 Govt. Holkar Science College
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Deciphering the functional Role of Nuclear Actin Related Protein 8 (ARP8) of INO80 Complex - In ribosomal RNA recognition and processing.
My research will unveil the probable role(s) of Actin related protein 8 (ARP8) in rRNA recognition, rRNA processing, ribosome biogenesis and RNA metabolism using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism and further elucidating its molecular role(s) beyond chromatin remodeling .
Sakshi Keshari
M.Sc. in Bioinformatics - 2018 Banaras Hindu University
B.Sc. in Chemistry/Maths- 2016 Kashi Vidyapith
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Investigating the Role of “SOS” Response Regulated VapBC40 Toxin-Antitoxin Module in Stress Tolerance and Survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The aim of the project is to determine the role of SOS response regulated VapBC40 system (a virulence associated protein complex present in Mtb) and to investigate its molecular, biochemical and biophysical properties.
Kalya Ankeet Rao
M.Sc. in Microbiology - 2019 Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
B.Sc. in Microbiology, Genetics, Biochemistry - 2017 The Oxford College of Science, Bangalore
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Understanding the role of a LexA-like protein in DNA-damage response in nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii to combat antimicrobial resistance, SOS response, DNA-damage response, induced mutagenesis, molecular biology, genetics, antimicrobial resistance and adaptation, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Protein Biology, Bioinformatics, and Genome Analysis.
Muktesh K Sahu
M.Sc. in Biotechnology - 2020 Central University of Rajasthan
B.Sc. in Biotechnology - 2018 Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Investigating the molecular mechanism and biophysical aspects of bacterial biofilm formation and its impact on the host-pathogen interaction & promoting antimicrobial resistance.
Microbiology, Molecular biology, Biophysics, biofilm formation, SOS response, Bacterial motility Host-pathogen interaction, Antimicrobial resistance.
ResearchGate, Google Scholar, ORCID
Swarnali Das
Integrated B. Tech/M. Tech in Biotechnology - 2020 Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Mycobacterial stress response (SOS response) and antimycobacterial resistance.
Chandan R Chand
M.Sc. in Zoology -2022 Sambalpur University
B.Sc. in Zoology -2019
Sambalpur UniversityResearch Interests:
Research Interests:
Currently engaged in research focusing on Anti-microbial Resistance (AMR) and microbial adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus. My work involves the mechanistic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological evaluation of a patented novel Platinum-NHC complex against MRSA, aimed at future clinical development.
Gouri Saritha
Int. B.S./M.S. Dual Degree in Biology and Chemistry - 2023Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram (IISERTVM)
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Understanding how chromatin dynamics in microorganisms regulate stress responses and host-pathogen interactions, with a specific focus on the INO80 family of plant pathogen Ustilago maydis.
Exploring how epigenetic and chromatin-level changes may influence pathogenicity and interaction with the host defence.
Nikhat Parveen
M.Sc - Microbiology - 2023Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, U.P.
B.Sc - Life Science - 2021Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, U.P.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Investigating molecular mechanisms and biophysical aspects of Bacillus subtilis biofilm, host-pathogen interactions, antimicrobial resistance, using microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, and biophysics approaches.
Ankur Chattopadhyay
(co-supervised with Dr. Appu Kumar Singh)
M.Sc. in Biology - 2024Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram (IISERTVM)
B.Sc. in Microbiology - 2022St. Xavier's College, Kolkata.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Identification, Functional and Structural Characterization of a novel Extracellular Nuclease from Acinetobacter baumannii, which is one of the members of the WHO recognized 'ESKAPE' group of pathogens.
Jitu Halder
M.Sc. in Biotechnology (2023) Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu
B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (2021)University of Kalyani, West Bengal
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
‘ESKAPE’ Pathogens, Roles of different types of Efflux pumps in antimicrobial resistance (MATE or Multi Drug and toxic compound extrusion transporter), Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
Tamonash Debnath
M.Sc. in Biological Sciences - 2025Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram (IISERTVM)
B.Sc.(H) in Microbiology - 2023Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara, West Bengal.
Elucidating the role of chromatin remodelling complexes (CRCs) in modulating effector secretion and shaping the epigenetic landscape of infection by phytopathogen Ustilago maydis.
Understanding the subsequent effects of CRC mutations on intrinsic antifungal resistance.
Prakhar Rai
M.Sc. in Applied Microbiology - 2025Banaras Hindu University
B.Sc.(H) in Biosciences - 2023Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, U.P.
Priti Singh
B. Tech. in Mechanical Engg - 2020Madan Mohan Malviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur, U.P.
Pratikhya Sarangi
(co-supervised with Dr. Sivaprakash Ramalingam)
Int. M.Sc. in Life Sciences Chemistry - 2026National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubhaneshwar (NISER)
Shambhavi Srivastava
(co-supervised with Dr. Nitin Mohan)
B. Sc. in Botany - 2024Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, Gorakhpur, U.P.
M. Sc. in Botany - 2026Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, Gorakhpur, U.P.
Master Thesis Students
Master Thesis Students
Adrish Chakrabarti
B.T. - M.T. Dual Degree in Biological Sciences and BioengineeringIndian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK)
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests : Understanding the role of flagellar proteins in Bacillus subtilis Motility and Biofilm formation.
Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Computational Biology, Structural Bioinformatics.
Project Assistants
Project Assistants
Lokesh Sekar
Lokesh Sekar
M.Sc. in Microbiology - 2024
Periyar University , T.N.
LexA family transcriptional regulator in SOS-induced mutagenesis and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from different bacteria and fungi to check therapeutic potential against M. tuberculosis.
Ananya Sharma
Ananya Sharma
M.Sc. in Biotechnology - 2023
Jaypee University , H.P.
My research focuses on identifying small-molecule inhibitors to cripple the mycobacterial “SOS” response mutagenic axis and their potential against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Sakthivel Jayaraj
Sakthivel Jayaraj
M.Sc. in Bioinformatics - 2023
Sri Krishna Arts and Science College, T.N.
Currently exploring the effect of different small molecules on Mycobacterial SOS response and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Project Manager
Project Manager
Aziz Khan
Aziz Khan
azizk@iitk.ac.in
Former lab members:
Former lab members:
Ph.D. Students:
Umang Gupta
Umang Gupta
Understanding the role of Alkyltransferases in DNA Repair, Survival, and Antimicrobial Resistance in Mycobacterium. (July 2026)
Dr. Hariharan V.C.
Dr. Hariharan V.C.
SWR1-Chromatin Remodeler as a Central Regulator of Metabolic Balance and Biotrophic Development in Ustilago maydis (May 2026)
Dr. Prem Anand Murugan
Dr. Prem Anand Murugan
Effect of Chemical Cues on the Regulation of Bacillus subtilis Lifestyle (May 2024)
(Current affiliation: Postdoctoral fellow at Scojen Institute, Herzliya, Tel Aviv, Israel)
Dr. Chitral Chatterjee
Dr. Chitral Chatterjee
Targeting master-regulator LexA to toggle SOS response: tactics to regulate the mutagenic balance in mycobacteria (April 2024)
Current affiliation - Postdoctoral fellow at Brigham Young University, Utah, USA)
Dr. Akshat Verma
Dr. Akshat Verma
Biogeochemical processes governing arsenic release in mixed-oxic state groundwater in the middle-Gangetic plains of India (October 2023)
Current affiliation - Asst. Prof., IIT Jodhpur
Postdoctorate - Texas A&M University, USA
Dr. Umang Gupta
Dr. Hariharan V.C. : SWR1-Chromatin Remodeler as a Central Regulator of Metabolic Balance and Biotrophic Development in Ustilago maydis (May 2026)
Dr. Prem Anand Murugan: Effect of Chemical Cues on the Regulation of Bacillus subtilis Lifestyle (May 2024)
(Current affiliation: Postdoctoral fellow at Scojen Institute, Herzliya, Tel Aviv, Israel)
Dr. Chitral Chatterjee: Targeting master-regulator LexA to toggle SOS response: tactics to regulate the mutagenic balance in mycobacteria (April 2024)
(Current affiliation: Postdoctoral fellow at Brigham Young University, Utah, USA)
Dr. Akshat Verma: Investigation of Biogeochemical processes governing arsenic release in mixed-oxic state groundwater in the middle-Gangetic plains of India (October 2023)
(Current affiliation: Postdoctoral fellow at Texas A&M University, Texas, USA)
Master (M.Tech) Students:
1. Vasvi Tripathi (2015)
2. Megha Jhanji (2015)
3. Sachin Deshpandey (2015)
4. Monika Sharma (2016)
5. Aekagra Singh (2018)
6. Somya Das (2019)
Master Dissertation Students:
Shreyansh Singh (2025)
Ananya Singh (2025)
Samriddhi Pathak (2023)
Yaseen Nazir (2023)
Debasmita Chatterjee (2019)
Monica Saxena (2018)
Research Project Assistants:
Sathishkumar Lakshmipathy
Rakesh kumar
Hariharan VC
Priyanka Amule
Sonali Puri
Vikas Choudhary
Diwyansh Raj
Rakesh Kumar
Shreyesee
Uthesh Umapathy
Piyush Porwal
Rahul Thangadurai
Killivalavan Narayanan
Lumina Aanandh
Post-doctoral Fellows:
1. Dr. Muthu Prasad
2. Dr. Ujjwal Kumar Trivedi
3. Dr. Abdul Akhir
4. Dr. Poonam Jangir
Research Interns:
Sanskriti Singh
Tufan Gope
Yashika
Smruti Mahapatra
Nitish Kumar
Abhiraj Nair
Aditi Sharma
Anushka Mishra
Krishnapraneetha Muppana
Maharsh Jayadeep Jayawant
Rishitha L
Sankalp Mishra
Sankeerthana G
Sejal Gupta
Shivangi Shukla
Sushma K
Vaishnavi T
Vedant
Yeshwanth D
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