Senior Scientist at Electron microscopy services

• May 2018 - Present

Paternity leave

• Jan 2018 - Apr 2018

Researcher in Structure Biotechnology

• Jul 2017 - Dec 2017

I was working on preparing and visualizing multi-protein complexes with the Transmission electron microscope (TEM) with an aim to determine the 3D structure to understand its function in inflammatory diseases and another project was to understand the effect of impact force on the secondary structure of proteins during a head injury. I was working on preparing and visualizing multi-protein complexes with the Transmission electron microscope (TEM) with an aim to determine the 3D structure to understand its function in inflammatory diseases and another project was to understand the effect of impact force on the secondary structure of proteins during a head injury.

Researcher in Biotechnology

• Mar 2012 - Jun 2017

As a Researcher in Biotechnology with a role as project lead, I lead several projects by generating hypotheses and new innovative ideas, planning and designing experiments, executing and monitoring/controlling, forecasting, risk assessment, and troubleshooting, summarizing scientific data and preparing manuscripts for publication. During parts of the project I worked independently. Other parts of the project required to be a part of an enthusiastic team by collaborating with other research groups. Also responsible for lab management and procurement. Scientific work--------------------My research was focussing on understanding the biochemical interactions between proteins involved in leukotriene (LT) biosynthesis. For the first time, We have shown the protein-membrane complex of the initial stage in LT biosynthesis by transmission electron microscope (TEM) (Kumar et al 2016). We have developed a method to study small membrane interacting proteins with TEM. With this method, we were able to show different crucial binding modes of 5LO with the membrane (Kumar et al 2017). I was able to identify a storage condition for purified recombinant 5LO to maintain its enzymatic activity for up to 48 hrs. This project paved a way to study the KIE parameters of 5LO (M.Mittal et al 2016). Another project I was involved was to screen for conditions to make 3D crystals. I was able to successfully crystallize LTA4 from Xenopus laevis, which yielded a structure using limited proteolysis. The structure along with biochemical assays helped to understand the reason behind the lack of suicidal inactivation and dual product formation (A.Stsiapanava et al 2014)Other activities--------------------Peer review task: Interdisciplinary Sciences - Computational Life SciencesSupervisor for project student (October 2015 – March 2016)Supervisor for project student (March 2013 – June 2013)Co-supervisor for master thesis (September 2011 – April 2012) Show less

Council member at Framtidsrådet

• Mar 2014 - May 2017

Framtidsrådet at Karolinska Institutet is an independent advisory council working directly with the president of KI. The aim of the council is to provide alternative perspectives and strategies for developing KI into an evolving, dynamic and innovative attractive workplace for future students and employees.

Doctoral student´s representative at Work environment and Safety committee

• Nov 2013 - Feb 2015

- Represent the doctoral candidates at the department - Knowledge of safe handling and disposal of chemicals in environmentally acceptable conditions- Risk assessments in laboratory and office- Risk management in areas such as fire hazards and chemical waste handling- Maintain a good working environment for students at the department

Laboratory Supervisor

• Jun 2012 - Jul 2012

The summer research school is primarily for students who have completed their studies at the upper secondary school three year program for natural sciences or technology. The aim of this research school is to stimulate an interest in biomedical research.- Designed mini project for two students- Monitored their progress during their stay at KI- Evaluated and reported their work to the program coordinator.

Research Assistant

• Feb 2011 - Feb 2012

(Protein expression, purification and 2D-crystallization) - Structural characterization of proteins involved in leukotriene biosynthesis - Optimized the purification of 5LO to retain its enzymatic activity for up to 48 hrs- Purification of FLAP from P.pastoris (Collaboration with MBB, KI)- Optimized conditions for preparing different membrane mimicking environments like Nanodiscs, Salipros, Liposomes and Amphipols- Preparation of liposomes by different techniques (including encapsulation)- Screened for 2D-crystallization condition for MAPEG family members- Lab management, procurement, summarized data for publication Show less

Research Assistant

• Mar 2009 - Jan 2011

Wrote a successful EU grant application for EM-External Window Cooperation Lot 13 Ph.D and received grant worth € 30000 for 20 Months(Protein engineering, expression, purification and 3D-crystallization) - To create an artificial active site in FLAP for Drug screening- Rationally designed and constructed 10 mutants on FLAP using MSA and structural data with other MAPEG members- Optimized the recombinant expression and purification of FLAP (wt and muts) from P.pastoris expression system- Optimized in-vitro assay conditions to determine the activity of 10 mutants- Successfully expressed, purified, screened and optimized 3D-crystallization conditions for XL-LTA4H - Rationally designed, constructed three mutants for 5LO to improve the quality of 3D-crystals - Screened for 3D-crystallization conditions for mutants of FLAP, 5LO and LTC4S- Wrote protocols, reports and weekly project progress presentation- Co-supervisor for summer project student (June 2010 – July 2010) Show less

Project Student

• Jun 2008 - Feb 2009

(Protein engineering, Molecular biology) - To engineer and isolate novel TEV protease variants that exhibit improved solubility yield and activity by increasing the solubility of TEV protease (Protein engineering, Molecular biology) - To engineer and isolate novel TEV protease variants that exhibit improved solubility yield and activity by increasing the solubility of TEV protease

Internship

• Jan 2006 - Jan 2006

To characterize human genome sequence variations with relevance to cerebral stroke using Molecular biology and bioinformatics To characterize human genome sequence variations with relevance to cerebral stroke using Molecular biology and bioinformatics

Summer Intern

• Jun 2005 - Jun 2005

Refining Chromosomal Region for Childhood Absence Epilepsy (CAE) on 8q24 and identification of candidate genes using bioinformatics tools. Refining Chromosomal Region for Childhood Absence Epilepsy (CAE) on 8q24 and identification of candidate genes using bioinformatics tools.

Summer Intern

• Jun 2004 - Jun 2004

Product development, Quality control and Quality assurance Product development, Quality control and Quality assurance