Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupand Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras, Chennai, India
Core Faculty, Centre for Integrative Biology and Systems medicinE (IBSE), IIT Madras, Chennai, India
Affiliate Faculty, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI), IIT Madras, Chennai, India
Visiting Scientist, Bioprocessing Technology Institute, A*STAR, Singapore
PhD (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering), National University of Singapore, Singapore
BTech (Chemical Engineering), Anna University (St. Joseph's college of Engineering), Chennai, India
Contact: meiyappan@iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
My research experience is largely on developing computational methods to analyze metabolisms of mammalian and microbial cells by integrating diverse multi-omics data (genome, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, glycome and microbiome) and genome-scale models to unravel the complex biological traits and predict emergent behaviors, with a particular focus to enhance bioprocessing as well as human health and well-being aspects. My major research interests include systems biological analysis of cellular metabolism, protein homeostasis, transcriptional regulation and cell differentiation. The major application areas of my research focus are biopharma process characterization and development, cell culture media and rational cell line development for biotherapeutics production, cultivated meat manufacturing and cell therapy applications.
PhD Student
MTech (Biotechnology), National Institute of Technology, Durgapur
BTech (Industrial Biotechnology), Government College of Technology, Coimbatore
Contact: meera@smail.iitm.ac.in| LinkedIn
I am a research enthusiast with broad interests in molecular biology and genetic engineering, and brief experience in plant biology, virology, and immunology. My previous works include investigating protein-DNA interactions in light signaling within Arabidopsis plants and developing tools to evaluate rationally developed influenza virus vaccines. Currently, I am focused on CHO cell line development to enhance the stability and productivity of transgenes.
PhD Student
MTech (Biotechnology), National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
BTech (Biotechnology), Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering & Technology
Contact: tejaswini@smail.iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
I'm a passionate researcher with keen interests in bioprocess engineering and systems biology. I have previous experience in plant tissue culture, microbiology and bioprocess engineering, with previous work focused on the production and optimization of Bacoside using endophytic fungi isolated from Bacopa monnieri. Currently my research is centered on the systematic design and optimization of cell culture media for biotherapeutics production and cultivated meat manufacturing.
PhD Student
MSc ( Botany), Utkal University
BSc (Botany), Fakir Mohan University
Contact: debabrata@smail.iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
I am an enthusiastic researcher with experience across diverse fields of Biotechnology. My previous work involved studying different Indian Cannabis genotypes, where I aimed to reduce their narcotic properties while enhancing their medicinal potential through plant breeding and genome editing approaches. I have also contributed to the conservation of Indian banana genetic resources by studying various north east Indian banana genotypes, focusing on cytogenetic studies and micropropagation. Additionally, I have gained exposure to cancer cell culture techniques. Currently, my research is centered on engineering the secretory pathway in CHO cells to enhance biotherapeutics production.
MTech - PhD Student
BTech (Biotechnology), SASTRA University
Contact: vikashgokul@smail.iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
My Research interest is in implementing computational modeling approaches for biotherapeutic production. I had a year of experience in mammalian cell culture process development for biosimilar production from a leading biopharmaceutical industry. Driven by those learnings, my current work is drafting a mathematical model for viral vector production in HEK293 cell lines.
PhD Student
BTech (Biotechnology), Rajalakshmi Engineering College
Contact: kaviya@smail.iitm.ac.in | LinkedIn
My research interests lie in the integration of multi-omics data and metabolic modelling to better understand biological systems, driving innovative insights in systems biology. I am currently working in genome-scale modelling of metabolism at single-cell resolution, which helps to capture cellular heterogeneity and provides insights into how different cells within a population function metabolically.
Co-Guided along with Dr. Greeshma Thrivikraman
MS (Research) Student
BTech (Industrial Biotechnology), Government College of Technology, Coimbatore
Contact: sanjays@smail.iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
I'm a passionate research student with a keen interest in stem cell biology and cellular engineering. I have previous experience on annotation and expression analysis of salt induced transcriptome of Rhizophora (a halophytic tree). My current research focuses on transdifferentiation of goat fibroblasts into myoblasts and adipocytes using systems biology driven approaches for cultivated meat applications.
MTech Student
BTech ( Biotechnology), Mepco Schlenk Engineering College
Contact: bt24m003@smail.iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
I am an enthusiastic researcher, who has a strong interest towards molecular biology and genetic engineering. My previous works involve "designing of peptide vaccine for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, by using bacterial ghosts as a vehicle". Currently my studies focus on "Vector development for enhancing biotherapeutic production".
MTech Student
BTech ( Biotechnology), SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Contact: bt24m018@smail.iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
I am a research enthusiast, with my interests lying in integrating various complex computational models in several kinds of biological processes of cells and analysing them. Previously, I was engaged in a one-year microbiology based project, focussing on the quorum sensing pathway of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Currently, my work is on exploring various computational models and techniques and implementing them in mammalian cells, which further chaining down to production of biotherapeutics in silico
Project Associate
MTech (Computational Biology), Anna University
BTech (Biotechnology), Mepco Schlenk Engineering College
Contact: ic40656@imail.iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
My research interests are in cell line and process development through computational modeling. I have previously worked on projects such as strain isolation and characterization of bioremediation bacteria and the role of metabolic plasticity in shaping microbiome ecology. Currently, my focus is on CHO cell line development and media optimization.
IBSE Post-Baccalaureate Fellow
BTech (Bioinformatics), SASTRA University
Contact: ic39351@imail.iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
My research interests encompass multi-omics and multivariate analysis. I have previously worked on projects such as exploring the gene expression profiles of various leukemia subtypes and analyzing the microbiome composition and functional genes in marine sediment samples. Currently, my focus is on using multi-omics data to enhance the production and stability of recombinant proteins in CHO cells.
My research interests focus on cell line development using computational modeling approaches. Currently , I am developing a computational model of goat cellular metabolism to identify essential nutrients and metabolic requirements. This work aims to formulate an optimized, scalable and cost-effective culture medium, with the broader aim of improving biomanufacturing efficiency and enabling sustainable applications .
My research interests lies in genomics and applying data science to biological problems. Currently my focus is on analyzing miRNA data to identify patterns and variations in expression.
Undergraduates
Aparna M., BTech (Biotechnology), Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology
Maline M., BTech (Biotechnology), Rajalakshmi Engineering College
Sahana Rajesh, BTech (Biotechnology), Vellore Institute of technology
Priyadarshini M., BTech (Biotechnology), St. Joseph's College of Engineering
Bharathi V., BTech (Biotechnology), St. Joseph's College of Engineering
Postgraduates
Dharmendran N., MTech (Computational Biology), ACTech, Anna University
Manasvini Subramanian, MSc (Bioinformatics), Stella Maris College
IBSE Postbac Fellows
Rutuja Bhoite (2024-2025)
Undergraduates
Vineet Patel (BS-MS Dual Degree Student, 2023-2024)
Prahalaad Varahaswami (BTech - MTech Dual Degree Student,2024-2025)
Rajeev Rajan (BS - MS Dual Degree Student,2024-2025)
Shubham Kamble (BTech - MTech Dual Degree Student,2024-2025)
Yatharath (BS - MS Dual Degree Student,2024-2025)
Postgraduates
Tejas Mahesh Kale (MTech Student, 2023-2024)