Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and 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), St. Joseph's college of Engineering (Anna University), 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, India
BTech (Industrial Biotechnology), Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, India
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, India
BTech (Biotechnology), Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering & Technology (Anna University), Chennai, India
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, Bhubaneswar, India
BSc (Botany), Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, India
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, Thanjavur, India
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 (Anna University), Chennai, India
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.
PhD Student
BTech (Bioinformatics), SASTRA University, Thanjavur, India
Contact: bt25d400@smail.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.
Co-Guided along with Dr. Greeshma Thrivikraman
MS (Research) Student
BTech (Industrial Biotechnology), Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, India
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.
MS (Research) Student
BTech (Biotechnology), St. Joseph's College of Engineering (Anna University), Chennai, India
Contact: bharathi@smail.iitm.ac.in|LinkedIn
My research interests lie in bioprocess development and biotherapeutic production. My previous work involves studying the potential of phytochemicals as prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors to enhance endogenous erythropoietin production as a therapeutic strategy for renal anemia. My current work focuses on analyzing the effect of polyamine on CHO cell growth and metabolism.
MS (Research) Student
BTech (Biotechnology), Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida
Contact: bt25s010@smail.iitm.ac.in|LinkedIn
My previous works involve studying transmission dynamics of neonatal sepsis under the Neosepsis program and investigating the interaction between nucleoporins of nuclear pore complex (NPC). Currently, I am learning mammalian cell culture with a focus on media optimisation and development for improved cell growth and productivity.
MTech Student
BTech (Biotechnology), Mepco Schlenk Engineering College (Anna University), Sivakasi, India
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, Chennai, India
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), AC Tech (Anna University), Chennai, India
BTech (Biotechnology), Mepco Schlenk Engineering College (Anna University), Sivakasi, India
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.
Project Associate
MTech (Bioprocess Engineering), Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
BTech (Biotechnology), PES University
Contact: ic43011@imail.iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
Interested in cellular biology and the use of computational tools to better understand it. Previously worked on clinical metagenomics data. Currently working metabolic modelling of a pathogenic species to improve culture conditions and potential vaccine product output.
IBSE Post-Baccalaureate Fellow
MSc (Bioinformatics), Stella Maris College (University of Madras), Chennai, India
BSc (Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology), Ethiraj College for Women (University of Madras), Chennai, India
Contact: ic43121@imail.iitm.ac.in |LinkedIn
My research interests lie in the integrative analysis of multi-omics data, with a focus on gene expression, chromatin accessibility, and histone modifications. I have previously conducted transcriptomic studies in oral cancer and epigenomic profiling in CHO cells. Currently, I aim to explore how epigenetic modulation influences transcriptional variation, contributing to systems-level insights in both bioprocess and disease models.
Project Associate
BTech (Biotechnology), St. Joseph's College of Engineering (Anna University), Chennai, India
Contact: priyadarshinipdm04@gmail.com |LinkedIn
My research interests revolve around advancing bioprocess development through systems level modeling and cellular engineering. My previous work involves studying the potential of phytochemicals as prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors to enhance endogenous erythropoietin production as a therapeutic strategy for renal anemia. My current work focuses on analyzing the effect of polyamine on CHO cell growth and metabolism.
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
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.
I have a keen interest in the intersection of science and business. My areas of interest include Indic texts, biotechnology innovation, and agritech solutions. I am an inventor on two biotechnology patents and one in Agri-Tech.
My research interest lies in systems biology, and I am passionate about exploring data-driven solutions to biological questions. Currently, I am working on forecasting product quality attributes in biomanufacturing using machine learning techniques.
I’m passionate about developmental biology, evo-devo, and systems-level modeling, currently leading the iGEM Synthetic Biology team. My work spans genome-scale metabolic modeling, epigenetic regulation, and microbial interactions, including studies on bacteria-diatom co-cultures and fetal brain cortical folding. As a Young Research Fellow, I now focus on how microbial metabolism adapts to ecological changes, emphasizing plasticity and network robustness.
Undergraduates
Keerthana P., BTech (Industrial Biotechnology), AC Tech (Anna University), Chennai, India
Bharath S., BTech (Industrial Biotechnology), AC Tech (Anna University), Chennai, India
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)