Research Associate

• Mar 2023 - Present

Dissertation student

• May 2022 - Sep 2022

Project Title: Investigating the localization of AMPK in different subcellular compartments of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and the effect of Insulin on this localization. Project Highlights: In this project I carried out: • Differentiation of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes and Subcellular fractionation of differentiated adipocytes. • SDS-PAGE Analysis and Western Blotting to: - Check for marker proteins specific for each cell compartment - Check for subcellular localization of different AMPK isoforms • Normalization of Western blot data using Empiria Studio®. Show less

Dissertation Student

• Jan 2020 - Jul 2020

Project Title : Cloning, Expression and Purification of HIV-1 polyprotein p55 (GAG) Project highlights: • The gene encoding HIV-1 GAG (p55) was amplified by PCR using gene specific primers. The p55 gene was cloned into the pET21b vector and expressed into BL21 E.coli strain. The protein was purified using immobilized matrix affinity chromatography (IMAC). • To model the 3D structure of the protein, homology modelling was used. Various potential ligands for targeting the p55 protein were selected from literature, and from Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases and the drug likeness of these ligands was checked using SwissADME. Protein-ligand molecular docking was performed using the software ArgusLab. Show less

Trainee

• Mar 2018 - Mar 2018

I went though 90+ hours of hands on training in Microbiology and Food analysis in the testing and certification department. Training Highlights: • I Got acquainted with structural requirements of a microbiology lab and the good laboratory practices and ascetic techniques to be followed. I learned significance of Standard operating procedures. Understood procedure of fumigation and its alternatives. • Understood the working principle and significance of weighing balance, pH meter, autoclave, laminar air flow, biosafety cabinet stomacher, micropipettes, incubators, water bath, hot air ovens, colony counter, compound light microscope and got hands on training on these equipments during experiments. • Learned the significance of culture media and how to classify a given medium based on its components. Training Outcomes: • Prepared different types of solid and liquid medium. Made Peptone salt solution and Plate count agar medium for analysis of solid food sample (chilli flakes) and calculated the total plate count/gram for chili flakes months post the expiry date using serial dilution and pour plate method. • Practiced different techniques of streaking of bacterial suspensions on different types of solid agar medium. • Performed different biochemical tests like Triple Sugar Iron (TSI) test and citrate utilization for identification of bacteria such as E. coli. Show less