About
I am an experimental Molecular Microbiologist. I obtained my PhD for investigating the role of cryptic prophage genes in E.coli K12 racR which is one of the essential gene in E.coli K12 from Aswin's lab, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India. I showed that the essentiality of racR is by the virtue of its role of repressing the neighbouring genes ydaS and ydaT whose expression is lethal to E.coli K12. This work helped to map the function of the racR repressor gene "experimentally" for the first time in the century old work horse of Molecular Biology. In the due course of investigating this question, I got trained in various Molecular biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Computational techniques to answer this puzzle.
My primary interest is to understand the biology of bacteriophages - a viral predator of bacteria.
Currently I am a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, IVES.
I am investigating the role of bacteriophages in one of the clinically significant Liverpool Epidemic Strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa abundant in Cystic Fibrosis patients a BBSRC funded project.Liverpool Prophage Puppet Masters (LPPM)
Apart from my current role I am a Deputy cochair in Research Steering Association team. I am also a core member of IVES postdoc Association. Moreover, I am a member of Prosper pilot second cohort at present. I conduct Public Engagement and outreach activities for the general public and school children.
Honours and Awards:
Invited for a research talk on International Microorganism Day to Noth Liverpool Academy School Students- September 15th 2022
Microbiology Society Travel Grant 2022
IVES Trainingfund Award 2022
Wellcome Trust Public Engagement Grant 2022 from HLS - Wellcome Trust Apr 2022
TNAU-Corteva AgriScience Best Poster Award with travel grant - October 2019
Bacterial Expression II - Best Poster Award - December 2016
Department of Science and Technology, India- Inspire Fellowship for pursuing PhD -2010
S.K.Ballal University Endownment Medal, Bharathidasan University 2009
Gold Medalist in Master of Science in Biotechnology of the batch 2008