Team Members

CItations

Publications

Patents

Principal Investigator

Dr. Tanveer Ahmad

My research interest is in genetic engineering to develop next generation cell and gene therapies. A primary research focus of my team at Jamia Millia Islamia is to develop next generation cell and gene therapies and molecular diagnostic tools. Since the COVID19 pandemic struck in 2020, we have developed the first SARS-CoV-2 detection method in non-invasive saliva samples using CRISPR-Cas13 technology.
During my PhD work under the guidance of Dr. Anurag Agrawal in CSIR-IGIB, India, we showed for the first time that Miro1, a RhoGTPase regulates intercellular mitochondrial transfer (IMT) from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to stressed airway epithelial cells through tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), and this process is impaired in airway injury and allergic airway inflammation, leading to hampered recovery of injured lung epithelial cells. We also developed a computational method to classify the mitochondrial shape changes during stress and cell death. This automated method provides researchers with an easy tool to characterize and screen various drug molecules targeting mitochondrial metabolism and function. Extending from this work, my group at JMI in collaboration with CSIR-IGIB has now shown that therapeutic intercellular mitochondrial transfer (IMT) from MSCs is highly impaired during obesity. We further show that impaired IMT is associated with accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria in MSCs (impaired mitophagy), which thereupon decreases the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs derived from obese animals or human subjects.
I am also working on the molecular mechanism of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and how mitochondrial metabolism and mitochondrial calcium regulates the disease progression
Based on my work on the ErBb4 family of receptors at NIH, USA, I have designed novel inducible and armoured CD-19 CAR constructs, which we are currently evaluating in vitro. These novel CAR designs have improved mitochondrial metabolic activity and have shown early promising results in enhancing CAR-T efficacy with simultaneous reduction in off-tumor activity. We are in the process of conducting the pre-clinical studies with these CAR-T cell products after which we plan to do the clinical trials. We are also targeting solid tumors like oral cancer and lung cancer using a combinatorial immunotherapy and CAR-T cell-based approach.

Our Aspiring Scientists

Nisha Chaudhary

Ph.D. Scholar (SRF)

Every patient is now a ‘big data’ challenge. Being in research I always feel very responsible and excited to spend my all-time and energy only on the work I have chosen which is microscopy image analysis and machine learning as a part of my Ph.D. research project. As per the reports from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the death of around 1300 Indians every day is because of cancer. Cancer of the breast, lungs, stomach, and oral comes under the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in India. As there is no cure available, so detecting and treating the disease at an early stage could only save the life of the person. We know our body, we feel the pain when something is not right, but that suffering must be dealt at an early stage, otherwise, it may fall into the category of death-causing disease. Therefore, only machines could help to lower human suffering by giving an early and accurate diagnosis. So, the main aim of my research project is to bring computers to life and make them assist pathologists in disease diagnosis.

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nisha152810@st.jmi.ac.in

Imam Faizan

Ph.D. Scholar (SRF)

My ongoing Ph.D. work includes mitochondrial calcium-mediated necroptosis in the progression of oral submucous fibrosis. Onside I am also working on some areas of the CAR-T cell therapy project. New inventions in my field always energize me to work ahead. Apart from research, I like exploring historical places and monuments and traveling without getting tired is my best hobby. In my leisure time, I prefer to take a good long sleep then I go for meditation.

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faizan086@gmail.com

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Syeda Najidah Shahni

Ph.D. Scholar (Under Co-Supervision)

I am currently working on developing a new CRISPR-Cas12a based diagnostic technique for early diagnosis of lung cancer. I hope by developing effective strategies to identify cancer early, lives can be saved and the economic costs of cancer can be reduced.

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syeda1910111@st.jmi.ac.in

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Iqbal Azmi

Ph.D. Scholar (Under Co-Supervision)

Having an interest in cellular and molecular biology, I am focusing on CRISPR based diagnostic methods to ease the diagnosis of diseases. Basically, our goal is to develop a point of care (POC) diagnostic tool for diseases. Recently our group has developed “A saliva based RNA extraction free detection method for SARS-COV-2 infection” which has been selected among the eight finalists by the TNQ Inspiring Science Award 2022.

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iqbalazmi1@gmail.com

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Areej Akhtar

Ph.D. Scholar (SRF)

I love to ponder over the scientific aspect of everything, and find a justification for its existence. In addition to all this, I am a very passionate driver, a great baker, and a cinephile on the side!

I am currently working on developing inducible monospecific / bispecific CAR-T cells targeting cancerous B-cells for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. My main objective is to lower the CRS response that is a side effect of the current therapy and is potentially fatal.

In this era of rapid advancements in biotechnology, I cannot wait to see what path lies ahead for treatment of the many diseases we thought were incurable!

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areej2009015@st.jmi.ac.in

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Mohammad Sufyan Ansari

Ph.D. Scholar (SRF)

I admire the beauty of Nature, from the vast skies to tiny grasses and vibrant flowers, I capture them all through the tiny lenses of my phone. Small things make me smile. Good people make me laugh, and an amazing God keeps me blessed. I am highly enthusiastic, resilient, ambitious and like to accept new challenges!!

I am currently working on developing Bispecific CAR-NK Cells targeting B cell Malignancies. My major aim is to develop a Novel Next Generation CAR-NK construct. My further objective is to make these CAR-NKs “Universal” that would be useful to cure the Cancer irrespective of the donor and recipient match.

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mohammad2009016@st.jmi.ac.in

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Md Shakir

Junior Research Fellow

I am currently working on generation of rejection-resistant, ‘off-the-shelf’, allogeneic T-cells or Universal T cells that are capable of being delivered to multiple recipients and produce long-term therapeutic benefits in immunocompetent recipients.

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mdshakir78786@gmail.com

Divya Madaan

Senior Research Fellow

“There is no scientific study more vital to man than the study of his own brain. Our entire view of the universe depends on it.”

~ Francis Crick

I am working on screening molecular, biochemical and electrical markers in neurological disorders such as depression and anxiety using EEG & Transcriptome analysis to gain a realistic understanding of cause, prevalence, progression and therapeutic intervention. Additionally, my work includes using Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning tools to help better diagnosis and generate personalized therapies for such disorders.

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divyamadaan97@gmail.com

Varnit Chauhan

Junior Research Fellow

My research is primarily focused on the cutting-edge intersection of computational biology and cellular therapy. We have been meticulously working on the computational modeling of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and the conjugation of specific proteins to engineer targeted delivery systems for encapsulated mRNA. This intricate computational work is crucial for designing LNPs that can efficiently and selectively deliver mRNA to specific cell types. In parallel, we replicate these computational models in the wet lab, where we work on the generation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells. CAR T-cell therapy is a groundbreaking approach in cancer immunotherapy and our work aims to improve its efficacy and specificity by using tailored LNPs as delivery vehicles. By harmonizing computational modeling and experimental biology, we strive to unlock new dimensions in targeted mRNA delivery and CAR T-cell therapy, ultimately contributing to the development of more precise and effective treatments for cancer patients

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