Faculty & Staff
Dr. Sowmya N
Ph.D.
Research Associate
Languages
English, Hindi, Kannada
- Overview
- Projects
- Publications
- Other Contributions
I am engaged in investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying aging through the identification and targeting of key aging-associated biomarkers using clinically derived human samples. In parallel, I am involved in developing liquid biopsy–based approaches for non-invasive cancer detection, with a focus on analyzing cell-free DNA and cancer-specific glycosylation patterns to enable sensitive and clinically applicable diagnostic strategies.
Qualification/ Education
- PhD. in Department of Microbiology, (2017), Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysuru.
Title: “Development of molecular and immune assay-based systems for the detection of major enterotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus”
- M.Sc. Microbiology (2009), Maharani’s Science College for Women, Mysuru
- B.Sc. Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology (2007), Maharani’s Science College for Women, Mysuru
Experience
Research Associate, St. John’s Research Institute (SJRI), Bengaluru (April 2024 – September 2024)
As a Research Associate at St. John’s Research Institute, I am engaged in the standardization and optimization of molecular assays for the detection of aging-associated biomarkers using clinically relevant samples. In parallel, I am involved in the development of liquid biopsy–based diagnostic assays for cancer detection, with a specific focus on targeting cancer-specific glycosylation patterns.
Research Associate (DBT-RA), Department of Neuromicrobiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru (June 2017 – June 2019)
During my tenure at NIMHANS, I was engaged in the identification and characterization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria isolated from diverse clinical sources. My work involved protein extraction from resistant bacterial strains and the investigation of resistance-associated peptides using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). In addition to laboratory research, I guided postgraduate project students in their dissertation work and actively participated in NABH-related quality and accreditation activities, contributing to laboratory standardization and compliance.
Doctoral Research, Department of Microbiology, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysuru (September 2011 – August 2017)
My doctoral research focused on the molecular and immunological characterization of foodborne Staphylococcus aureus. I designed and validated a multiplex PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of toxin and virulence genes, which was subsequently translated into a user-friendly kit format. I also developed immunoassays for the detection of enterotoxins C (SEC) and G (SEG) and established an RT-PCR–based method for the differentiation of SEC subtypes. Alongside my research, I mentored project students in their dissertation work, gaining experience in scientific supervision and training.
Areas of interest
Although my academic training is in Microbiology, I have developed a strong interest in cancer research through translational laboratory experience. During my PhD, I gained extensive expertise in developing molecular- and immunoassay–based approaches for pathogen detection. As part of my laboratory work, I had the opportunity to work on liquid biopsy–based strategies for cancer detection, specifically targeting cell-free DNA, which sparked a strong interest in non-invasive cancer diagnostics. This subsequently led me to explore cancer-specific glycosylation patterns as potential biomarkers. I am currently involved in identifying these glycosylation signatures, developing capture molecules to target them, and designing simple, sensitive assays for cancer detection. In this work, I actively apply and adapt assay development principles and technical skills acquired during my PhD to the development of robust, non-invasive cancer detection platforms.
Field of Expertise
Molecular diagnostics (PCR/qPCR) and immunoassays (ELISA), Liquid biopsy–based cancer detection
Fellowship & Membership
Department of Biotechnology-Research Associate (DBT-RA) fellowship (June 2017-June 2019)
Research Associate, St. John’s Research Institute (SJRI), Bengaluru (April 2024 – September 2024)
As a Research Associate at St. John’s Research Institute, I am engaged in the standardization and optimization of molecular assays for the detection of aging-associated biomarkers using clinically relevant samples. In parallel, I am involved in the development of liquid biopsy–based diagnostic assays for cancer detection, with a specific focus on targeting cancer-specific glycosylation patterns.
Research Associate (DBT-RA), Department of Neuromicrobiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru (June 2017 – June 2019)
During my tenure at NIMHANS, I was engaged in the identification and characterization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria isolated from diverse clinical sources. My work involved protein extraction from resistant bacterial strains and the investigation of resistance-associated peptides using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). In addition to laboratory research, I guided postgraduate project students in their dissertation work and actively participated in NABH-related quality and accreditation activities, contributing to laboratory standardization and compliance.
Doctoral Research, Department of Microbiology, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysuru (September 2011 – August 2017)
My doctoral research focused on the molecular and immunological characterization of foodborne Staphylococcus aureus. I designed and validated a multiplex PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of toxin and virulence genes, which was subsequently translated into a user-friendly kit format. I also developed immunoassays for the detection of enterotoxins C (SEC) and G (SEG) and established an RT-PCR–based method for the differentiation of SEC subtypes. Alongside my research, I mentored project students in their dissertation work, gaining experience in scientific supervision and training.
Although my academic training is in Microbiology, I have developed a strong interest in cancer research through translational laboratory experience. During my PhD, I gained extensive expertise in developing molecular- and immunoassay–based approaches for pathogen detection. As part of my laboratory work, I had the opportunity to work on liquid biopsy–based strategies for cancer detection, specifically targeting cell-free DNA, which sparked a strong interest in non-invasive cancer diagnostics. This subsequently led me to explore cancer-specific glycosylation patterns as potential biomarkers. I am currently involved in identifying these glycosylation signatures, developing capture molecules to target them, and designing simple, sensitive assays for cancer detection. In this work, I actively apply and adapt assay development principles and technical skills acquired during my PhD to the development of robust, non-invasive cancer detection platforms.
No groups and associations specified.
No project details available.
No publications details available.
No Others Contributions details available.