Principal Investigator
Dr. Prasanna Venkatraman
Deputy Director - CRI ACTREC
Scientific Officer "H"
KS-149, ACTREC
Kharghar, Navi Mumbai - 410210.
022-2740-5000, Extn. 5091/ Lab - 5368
vprasanna@actrec.gov.in
prasanna.lab@actrec.gov.in
Current Lab Members
Dr. Mahalakshmi Harish
Research Associate
I completed M.Tech in Biotechnology from D.Y. Patil Institute for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and joined the lab in 2013. My research interests lie in understanding the specificity underlying domain motif interactions in PSMD9, a proteasomal chaperone. Using a combination of biochemical and computational studies, we identified a unique signature peptide motif for driving high affinity interaction with the PDZ domain of PSMD9, which can be used a scaffold for inhibiting PSMD9 functions. Folding and stability studies have also led to identification of novel structural properties of PSMD9 and its domains which has helped us to understand the role of domains in regulation of structure and functions of PSMD9.
Hobbies: Baking, doodling and caricatures
Dr. Madhurima Datta
Research Associate
Coming Soon...........
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Saim Mulla
Graduate Student
I Completed Master’s in Biotechnology from St Xavier’s college, Mumbai. I worked as a Project Assistant at UM-DAE CBS before joining ACTREC for PhD. My interest lies in studying Cell signalling pathways involved in promoting cell proliferation and apoptosis. I am currently working on understanding the role of an oncoprotein PSMD10 in regulating NFkB signalling and TNF induced apoptosis. I am also involved in other projects in the lab involving PSMD10.
Apart from my interest in Biological sciences, I am also interested in studying Social and political science, current affairs, Medieval History and economics. Though not actively involved in sports these days but I like to play cricket, volley ball and swimming etc.
Joel Christie
Graduate Student
I completed my Masters in Medical Biotechnology from ARIBAS, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidhyanagar, Gujarat. My PhD work revolves around understanding the regulatory role of proteasomal assembly chaperones using a quantitative proteomic approach. I am a Mass Spec enthusiast, who employs label-free DIA/SWATH and label based iTRAQ for quantitative proteomics and understands protein-protein interaction using AP-MS. I am also keen on employing MRM based targeted proteomics for verification of protein abundance. I am trying to understand the role of proteasomal chaperones in mitochondrial dynamics and homeostasis. I also want to try my hands on cross-linking mass spec to model protein interactions. When I am not in the lab, one may find me active on Twitter. I am an avid cricket fan who supports Team India and Mumbai Indians.
Merlyn Cherusserikkaran
Graduate Student
I have completed my Masters in Life Sciences from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. I am investigating the role of proteasomal assembly chaperones PSMD9 and PSMD10 in regulating mitochondrial quality control. To understand this, I am studying the changes in the post translational modifications specifically- phosphorylation and ubiquitination of mitochondrial proteins using quantitative proteomics When I'm not obsessing over mitochondria, you will find me reading, listening to music or doodling.
Priyanka Bagdiya
Graduate Student - SPM Fellow
I completed my masters in biotechnology from SRTM University, Nanded, Maharashtra. My PhD work is to understand the role of invariant residues and ATP in ligand binding and conformational changes of 14-3-3. I will be studying the structural and functional characterization of 14-3-3 WT and mutants. The work includes the binding study of mutants of 14-3-3 with its phosphopeptide ligands and phosphoproteins. Besides, the study includes understanding the role of ATP in modulating 14-3-3-ligand interaction and ligand activity. After working for 14 hours in the lab, I sketch for 3 hours and enjoy music for the next 3 hours (Pun intended).
Sabreen Pawaskar
Graduate Student
coming soon....
Ashish Kumar Panda
Graduate Student
coming soon....
Staff
Kamlesh Israni
Scientific Assistant
I completed my B.Sc. (Chemistry) from Mumbai University, PG-DMLT and Advanced course in Cytology and Histopathology techniques from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. We are testing the possibility that matriptase, a type II membrane protease could be a predictive biomarker of disease recurrence.
IF (Immunofluorescence) of formalin fixed samples is used for the study.
Hobbies – Reading Non-fiction books, Playing Cricket.
Vinay Ludbe
Technician
Damayanti Pednekar
Personal Assistant
Deputy Director, CRI, ACTREC