Shilpee Lab Members
Shilpee Dutt, PI
Ketki Patkar, Scientific Assistant
Ganesh Bejjanki, Lab technician
Dr. Atanu Ghorai
Post-Doctoral Fellow
email ID: atanu084[at]gmail[dot]com; aghorai[at]actrec[dot]gov[dot]in
I got my Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of Kalyani, WB, where I investigated the role of PARP-1 in high LET carbon ion beam induced DNA damage, repair, & apoptosis. Immediately after my thesis defense, I joined Prof. B. J. Rao’s Lab at TIFR, Mumbai as a post-doctoral visiting fellow and started a couple of exciting & challenging projects to decipher the role of Sirt4 in nuclear DNA damage responses through retrograde signaling and understanding the involvement of PARP-1 in cellular energy homeostasis. After getting the initial spark at TIFR, I switched into cancer biology at ACTREC, Navi Mumbai after being awarded National Postdoctoral Fellowship by SERB, DST. Currently, I am investigating the cellular and molecular mechanism of radio-resistance and recurrence in Glioblastoma. We are studying replication stress as a triggering factor for radio-resistant and pseudosenescence in GBM during the therapy regime. Along with this, I am also exploring the role of telomerase and PARP-1 in radio-resistance and recurrence in GBM.
Apart from scientific activities, I like to spend my leisure in gardening and cooking.
email ID: safi742[at]gmail[dot]com; safi[at]bicpu[dot]in
I earned my Master’s degree in Medical Biochemistry from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). I qualified CSIR-UGC-JRF with an all India Rank 51 to pursue Ph.D Ph.D. in Medical Biochemistry (Bioinformatics) from Pondicherry University, India. My doctoral studies were to design and develop piperine based P-glycoprotein inhibitors to overcome drug resistance in cancer. I joined Dr. Shilpee Dutt’s Laboratory as a Senior Research Fellow in 2019. In the same year, I was awarded the prestigious National Postdoctoral Fellowship by SERB, Govt. of India to work under the supervision of Dr. Shilpee Dutt to understand the role of Y-box binding (YBX) proteins, ABCB1 and ABCB5 in homotypic cell fusion and development of resistance in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).
Safiulla Basha Syed
National Post-Doctoral
Fellow (DST)
Jyothi Nair
PhD-SRF (CSIR)
email ID: jyoth.p.225[at]gmail[dot]com
I completed my B.Sc. Biotechnology from K.C. College, Churchgate, Mumbai and thereafter, I pursued M.Sc. Life Sciences (Specialization: Biotechnology) from University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus, Santacruz. My project aims to decipher the underlying mechanisms responsible for therapy resistance in GBM using orthotopic mouse models, wherein we have tried to mimic the clinical behavior of these tumors in response to radiation and chemotherapy using temozolomide.
During my leisure hours, I enjoy reading thriller novels, watching movies, listening to songs and dancing.
Anagha Acharekar
PhD-SRF
email ID: aacharekar[at]actrec[dot]gov[dot]in, anagha.acharekar[at]gmail[dot]com
I did my B.Sc. Microbiology from RUIA college- University of Mumbai and M.Sc. From Medical Biotechnology (MSU, Baroda). Currently, I am working on a project that concerns identifying the novel target of residual radioresistant (RR) cells of GBM by targeting the homotypic cell fusion phenomena responsible for MNGC formation in RR cells. I have adopted a differential surface proteome approach to identify the probably molecular players responsible for radiation-induced homotypic cell fusion.
Apart from being good on the bench, I am also good in Art and Craft. However, in my free time, a good book with wine is what I enjoy the most.
Saket Mishra
PhD-SRF (DBT)
email ID: svmishra[at]actrec[dot]gov[dot]in, svm2607[at]gmail[dot]com
After completing my masters in biotechnology from AIIMS-New Delhi, I joined Shilpee Lab as a graduate student. When I’m not binging movies, food or/and chai, I spend my time to understand the molecular mechanism of altered DNA damage repair pathways that derives the resistance in minimal residual AML cells and late drug-resistant AML cell lines.
email ID: teju1090[at]gmail[dot]com, tmahaddalkar[at]actrec[dot]gov[dot]in
I did my B.Sc. Biotechnology from S. S. & L. S. Patkar College of Arts & Science, University of Mumbai and MSc. Biotechnology from University of Mumbai, Santacruz, Mumbai.
The current challenges faced in the area of GBM therapeutics are therapy resistance and recurrence. To understand the molecular mechanisms driving the survival and recurrence of GBM, we have developed an in vitro model of radiation resistance from GBM cell lines and patient samples. Using this model, we have shown that after exposure to a lethal dose of radiation a small percentage of resistant residual cells survive and show multinucleated giant cell phenotype (MNGCs). Importantly, these MNGCs overcome mitotic catastrophe and undergo division to form recurrent population which has newly acquired properties of aggressiveness. My area of interest lies in elucidating the molecular mechanism of MNGC division which will provide insights to target this phenomenon for GBM therapeutics.
Apart from pursuing science, I enjoy making pencil sketches. Although I have not been trained as a singer, I love singing! And last but not the least…I love relishing different cuisines.
Tejashree Mahaddalkar
PhD-SRF
Debashmita Sarkar
PhD-SRF
email ID: debashmitasarkar710[at]gmail[dot]com
I pursued Integrated M.Sc in Biotechnology (2013-2018) from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. The main focus of my project is to decipher the role of histone acetyltransferase, GCN5 in DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathway in Glioblastoma.
Apart from science, I like doodling, listening to music, playing badminton and various android games.
email ID: mketkar[at]actrec[dot]gov[dot]in, madhurak1219[at]gmail[dot]com
I completed my B.Sc Biotechnology from V.G. Vaze College and M.Sc. Biotechnology from Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai University. I am working on deciphering the mechanism behind the reversible senescence phenomena observed in Glioblastoma cells after radiation therapy. In another project, I am also trying to understand the role of Histone acetyltransferase-GCN5 in Glioblastoma.
Apart from biology, I am generally a curious person who likes to read fiction novels from different eras. Especially the ones having unintentional philosophy. I am equally passionate about nature and enjoy bird watching and jungle reading whenever possible.
Madhura Ketkar
PhD-SRF
Bhawna Singh
PhD-SRF
email ID: bhawna94singh[at]yahoo[dot]in
I finished my bachelors in Biochemistry from the Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi and masters from Pondicherry University in Biotechnology. Currently, I am trying to understand the role of BRCA2 and CDKN1A interacting protein (BCCIP) in Glioblastoma pathogenesis and as a target for therapeutic intervention.
I enjoy reading murder mysteries and classic drama books. I love to watch movies of different languages (with subtitles though) and enjoy long solitary walks.
email ID: abanerjee[at]actrec[dot]gov[dot]in, archis1991[at]gmail[dot]com
I pursued Integrated M.Sc in Life Sciences from Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi. I am working on the underlying mechanism behind the activation of Histone acetyltransferase-GCN5 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using both bioinformatics and functional approach.
Other than coding and biology, I love being a photography enthusiast and a foodie.
Archisman Banerjee
PhD-SRF (CSIR)