Ph.D. - Molecular Cell Biology
The University of Texas at Dallas - 2018
Professional Preparation
M.S. - Molecular Cell Biology
The University of Texas at Dallas - 2010
The University of Texas at Dallas - 2010
M.Sc. - Bioinformatics
Institute of Advanced Studies in Education (IASE), India - 2006
Institute of Advanced Studies in Education (IASE), India - 2006
B.Sc. - Biotechnology
Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly, University of Pune) - 2004
Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly, University of Pune) - 2004
Research Areas
DNA/RNA editing
My research involved, understanding the mechanism of DNA/RNA editing, by single sub unit RNA polymerase family members. We used in vitro techniques to understand the mechanism of unique co-transcriptional RNA editing in Physarum polycephalum, a slime mold from Myxomycete family.RNA polymerases
My research involved, understanding the mechanism of DNA/RNA editing, by single sub unit RNA polymerase family members. I have done extensive work on T7 RNA polymerase, as well as SP6 and T3 RNA polymerases. I have also characterized eukaryotic mitochondrial polymerase, with respect to RNA editing.Mitochondria related Diseases
Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell and is essential for the survival. In human beings, mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to mitochondria related diseases, such as DMD (Duchenne muscular dystrophy) and other age related degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's etc. Therefore, it becomes paramount to understand the functioning of mitochondrial system. The mitochondrial RNA polymerase is an essential enzyme involved in the transcription step in central dogma, and has been also implicated to be involved in RNA editing activity in mitochondria. Therefore it is essential, that we study the evolution, mechanism and involvement of mitochondrial RNA polymerase; with respect to the survival and sustenance of the cell, especially if we want to have a background understanding of mitochondria related diseases.Cloning Techniques
I have worked on optimizing the Cloning techniques in E.coli, by using homology recombination and used this technique to characterize Physarum mitochondrial RNA polymerase with the help of T7 RNA polymerase.Publications
Chapter 5 - Genomics and Gene Expression in Myxomycetes, Myxomycetes Biology, Systematics, Biogeography, and Ecology, 2nd, Ed.; 2022, Pages 153-193 2022 - Book Chapter
Promoter Length Affects the Initiation of T7 RNA Polymerase In Vitro: New Insights into Promoter/Polymerase Co-evolution, Journal of Molecular Evolution, volume 88, pages, 179–193(2020)
2020 - Journal Publications
2020 - Journal Publications
A specific, promoter-independent activity of T7 RNA polymerase suggests a general model for DNA/RNA editing in single subunit RNA Polymerases, Nature: Scientific Reports, volume 8, Article number: 13885 (2018) 2018 - Journal Publications
Chapter 4 - Genomics and Gene Expression in Myxomycetes, Myxomycetes Biology, Systematics, Biogeography, and Ecology, 2017, Pages 107-143 2017 - Book Chapter
Awards
University Travel Award for International Gordon Conference on "RNA Editing" - The University of Texas at Dallas [2010]
Appointments
Assistant Professor of Instruction; Department of Biological Sciences
The University of Texas at Dallas [2019–Present]
The University of Texas at Dallas [2019–Present]
Senior Lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences
The University of Texas at Dallas [2018–2019]
The University of Texas at Dallas [2018–2019]
Instructor, Department of Biological Sciences
The University of Texas at Dallas [2018–2018]
The University of Texas at Dallas [2018–2018]
Affiliations
ACUE certified Professor
2023/04Certification provided by "The Association of College and University Educators" and the "American Council on Education"