Tumor Glycobiology, Chemical Biology, Target Biochemistry

• Application of chemical tools to investigate and manipulate protein glycosylation in primary cells that are difficult to manipulate.• Validate small molecule inhibitors of GALNT family of enzymes by establishing novel in vitro assays, bio-analytical assays and Insilico methods.

• Developed chemoenzymatic method to investigate and manipulate protein glycosylation• Discovered small molecule inhibitors of GALNT family of enzymes using an enzymatic assay high throughput screening platform• Worked on patient derived liver cancer organoids to develop personalized cancer therapeutics• Developed 2nd generation small molecule inhibitors of Wnt signaling pathway to treat a broad range of beta-catenin associated cancers. • Tested porcupine inhibitors for the treatment of liver cancer in mouse models.• Developed multi-targeting agents inhibiting Smoothened and HDAC to manage cancers associated with Hedgehog signaling Pathway.• Established the importance of dimerizing property of Tankyrase protein for its catalytic activity.

Dissertation: Mapping the drug binding sites of Dopamine Transporter (DAT) and Serotonin Transporter (SERT) using photoaffinity labeling agents.Project 1: The DAT has been implicated in a number of diseases including Parkinson’s disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and psychostimulant abuse. The long-term objective of our research is to understand how abused and therapeutic CNS drugs interact with the DAT.To this end, I designed and synthesized novel analogs of the ADHD drug methylphenidate (Ritalin) as potential DAT photoaffinity ligands.Project 2: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) represent first-line agents for the treatment of anxiety and depression.In order to understand how SSRIs interact with serotonin transporter (SERT) at the molecular level, I designed and synthesized photoaffinity labeling agents for SERT based on Citalopram (Celexa) and Fluoxetine (Prozac).Project 3 : After synthesis, I put my efforts to optimize photoaffinity labeling, click chemistry, western blotting and protein digestion protocols for evaluating SSRI binding sites at SERT. I have shown that high affinity Citalopram probes bind covalently to SERT expressed in cultured cells. Further experiments are in progress towards mapping the Citalopram binding site within SERT.

• Designed chemistry course material for Preparatory Program for Math and Chemistry Intensive Course (Pharm. D)• Instructor in Ability Based Lab Experience (Biochemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology) lab for 3rd year Pharm. D students• Organized and taught labs for Biochemistry

Project 1: Application of Pressure-Driven Membrane Processes for water treatment and Enzyme Concentration• Collaborated with biochemistry department to setup a bench-scale stirred ultrafiltration cell for L-Asparaginase enzyme concentration and purification• Worked with polymer chemists to synthesize poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and polyethersulfone (PES) membranes• Studied the effect of various operating conditions such as feed pressure and composition on membrane performance• Evaluated the performance of pilot scale Ultrafiltration and Reverse Osmosis systems to treat surface and ground water samplesProject 2: Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Polymer Membranes for Dehydration/Extraction of Solvents Used in Pharmaceutical Industry • Prepared various Hydrophobic membranes using solution casting and solvent evaporation technique• Studied separation of aqueous-organic and organic-organic azeotropic mixtures with pervaporation unit• Analyzed solvent mixtures using Gas Chromatography

• Synthesized GABA semicarbazones ( 4-(1-(2- Hydroxy Phenyl Ethylidine Amino )Butanoic acid) for the treatment of Epilepsy• Synthesized GABA analogs (4-(5-Oxo-3-Phenyl-1,5-Dihydro-1,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)Butanoic Acid) as anticonvulsants