Project was funded by Indian Council of Medical Research, to produce shikimic acid, a biochemical metabolite used as a basal agent in production of 'Oselatamivir', commonly known as “Tami flu”. Collecting different plant samples to analyse the production shikimic acid in them, isolating and culturing microorganisms for studying biotransformation of quinic acid to shikimic were the primary objectives.
Primary objective of the project is to study the hormonal regulation of ion channels using molecular and electrophysiological techniques, in epithelial cells, understanding of this regulation may provide opportunity in development of new therapeutic targets for diseases such as respiratory distress syndrome, cystic fibrosis and hypertension.
These haematopoietic progenitor cells (k562) were known to possess Erythroid-Potentiating-Activity. Efforts were taken to determine if EPO was also produced and expressed by k562 cells, which were erythroid progenitor in nature. It is known that erythropoietin is a therapeutic agent; hence its production using recombinant DNA technology was the objective of this project. The expression analysis were done at both protein and m-RNA level.
m-RNA extraction, purification and quantification, Plasmid DNA extraction using preps, Gel electrophoresis (SDS and agarose), primer designing, restriction digests, Transformation, gene cloning.
Western blotting and immune-detection, FPLC; Protein purification using GPC (both quantitative and qualitative), enzyme assay (co-factor reduction assay using Spectrophotometer).
Animal cell culturing and maintaining cell lines (k562 and mpk CCDc14), transfection, Plant micropropogation (basic tissue culturing).
Isolating and maintaining cultures, primary techniques of microbiology, fed-batch Fermentation (up to 5litres), biotransformation.
Tools: BLAST, ClustalW2, MUSCLE, Consite
Phylogeny tools: Phylip, topaliv2.
Programming Language: Python
PCR, HPLC (analytical and preparative), GC-MS (analytical).
Samiksha has an excellent experimental hand in analytical techniques and can work independently in the laboratory. She has sound knowledge of modern biology. I found her to be very systematic and intelligent researcher. She can get along with the members of the team very well. I am sure she will be an active and dependable member of a research group.
Dr. R. V. Gadre (Senior Principal Scientist, NCL)
After interacting with Samiksha Bhagat, I found her very composed, sincere and hard working. She is amiable and cooperative in temperament. She executes her work with meticulous planning and importantly her basic concepts in Biology are clear. She is very enthusiastic in learning new topics.
Dr. H. V. Thulasiram (Senior Principal Scientist, NCL)
I taught Samiksha on her MS Biotechnology I have closely supervised her, she has performed well in laboratory and mastered important molecular and cell biology techniques. She is highly motivated and bright student, who has already demonstrated her abilities as a research scientist.
Dr. Douglas H. Lester (Assistant Professor, University of Abertay Dundee)
