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Narmada SambaturuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Multi-scale Modeling
• Infectious Diseases
• Mathematical Biology
• +6 more

Narmada Sambaturu is an Assistant Professor at the School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering, Binghamton University, State University of New York. Her research focuses on developing multi-scale, data-driven methods to study infectious diseases and host immune responses, integrating mathematical modeling, machine learning, genomics, and epidemiology. She holds a PhD in Mathematical Biology from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), an MSc in Computing from the National University of Singapore, and a BE in Computer Science from Visveswaraya Technological University. Her work addresses key areas such as understanding pathogen evolution, predicting epidemic spread, identifying disease pathways, rational vaccine design, and public health policy optimization. Notable contributions include studies on HIV/SIV dynamics, SARS-CoV-2 variant analysis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis dormancy mechanisms. She has received awards including the 2015 IEEE BIBM Best Student Paper Award and travel grants for conferences in bioinformatics and systems genomics. Her research outputs span computational tools like EpiTracer and PathExt, which identify epicenters in biological networks and mine omics data. She has also investigated genetic heterogeneity in H1N1 influenza epidemiology and developed algorithms for genome assembly and small RNA detection. Her teaching includes courses on computational problem-solving and biomedical informatics. Key Research Themes: Immune response modeling, virology, epidemiological forecasting, systems biology, public health policy. Funding: Director's Postdoctoral Fellowship at Los Alamos National Laboratory (2021). Professional Contributions: Over 15 peer-reviewed publications, invited talks on data science in bioinformatics, and mentorship in pre-medical education.

Enrique Asin GarciaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Synthetic Biology
• Industrial Biotechnology
• Genome Editing
• +4 more

Enrique Asín García is an Assistant Professor in Bio Process Engineering at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, and Microbial Synthetic Biology. His research focuses on genome and metabolic engineering for bio-intelligent biomanufacturing, biosafety, and developing safe-and-sustainable-by-design solutions. He holds a BSc in Biotechnology from the University of Salamanca, an MSc in Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology from Wageningen University, and a PhD from the Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology at Wageningen University. His research interests include synthetic biology applications such as living biosensors, reprogrammed cell factories, and biocontainment strategies. He leads projects like BIOS (bio-intelligent DBTL cycle) and SENSIBAR (living biosensors for industrial biotechnology), aiming to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial biotechnology applications. He also explores ethical and societal implications of synthetic biology through studies on xenobiology and stakeholder-driven biosafety frameworks. His publications emphasize metabolic engineering in Pseudomonas putida, biocontainment systems, and interdisciplinary approaches to biomanufacturing challenges. Enrique is actively involved in education, teaching courses on synthetic biology and bioprocess design, and mentoring students through MSc thesis and internship programs.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Vascular Engineering
• +3 more

Dr. Joanne Mountford serves as Honorary Associate Professor within the School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health at the University of Glasgow. Her research centers on developing stem cell-based regenerative medicine technologies with emphasis on cardiovascular applications. Based in the Davidson Building, she maintains active laboratory operations and collaborative projects. Her research program focuses on stem cell differentiation mechanisms , particularly for vascular endothelial cells and erythroid lineages. Key interests include: Manufacturing therapeutic-grade stem cell products under GMP conditions Engineering microenvironments for cell differentiation Developing red blood cell production systems for transfusion Investigating non-coding RNA roles in vascular commitment Her publication record demonstrates consistent innovation in translating basic stem cell biology to clinical applications. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals strong emphasis on translational regenerative medicine with recurring themes in vascular engineering (60%), blood cell production (30%), and molecular regulation of differentiation (10%). The work increasingly incorporates advanced manufacturing approaches and regulatory considerations for clinical implementation. Mountford has secured substantial competitive funding including: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (2017-2019) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (2016-2021) British Heart Foundation Centre (2014-2017) Wellcome Trust BloodPharma program (2013-2017) Her projects consistently address translational barriers in stem cell therapy development. As an active research leader, she serves on the Scottish Stem Cell Network Advisory Board (2006-present) and maintains memberships in the International Society for Stem Cell Research, American Society of Hematology, and European Hematology Association. Her laboratory collaborates extensively with clinical and engineering teams to advance regenerative medicine applications toward clinical trials.

Eric AlvesView profile

Part-Time Lecturer

• Cellular Immunology
• Molecular Immunology
• Cancer Immunotherapy
• +3 more

Eric Alves is a sessional academic (PartTime Lecturer) at the University of Western Australia (UWA), School of Human Sciences, and concurrently a PhD candidate at Murdoch University's Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. His research focuses on cancer immunotherapy, HIV pathogenesis, and immune response mechanisms. He holds a BSc(Hons) in cellular/molecular immunology from 2019, studying HIV immune evasion strategies. Education: PhD Candidate: Cancer Immunotherapy (Murdoch University/Harry Perkins Institute) BSc (Honours): Cellular/Molecular Immunology (2019) Research Interests: Eric's work bridges immunology and infectious diseases, with emphasis on viral adaptation (HIV), immune evasion mechanisms, and translational cancer immunotherapy. He employs genomic and bioinformatic approaches to study host-pathogen interactions, T cell biology, and immune checkpoint modulation. His recent studies explore how HLA-ERAP2 interactions influence HIV adaptation and how epithelial plasticity contributes to cancer progression. Publications: Recent work includes HIV evolutionary dynamics under immune pressure, KIR gene expression analysis in immunogenetics, and influenza vaccine-induced Tfh cell responses. His review on epithelial plasticity highlights non-coding RNAs' role in cancer metastasis. Labs/Institutes: Affiliated with multiple research groups including the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch's Immunology & Infectious Diseases Institute.

Seino JongkeesView profile

Associate Professor

• RNA-based catalysts
• Glycosidase inhibitors
• Viral detection technologies
• +4 more

Dr. Seino Jongkees is an Associate Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, holding dual appointments in the Faculty of Science (Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences) and AIMMS (Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences). His research focuses on RNA-based catalysts, enzymatic mechanisms, and peptide inhibitors with applications in drug discovery and diagnostics. He is also a cofounder of VirXcel and Stealth Biotech, demonstrating industry engagement in biotechnology. Research Interests His work spans glycosidase inhibitors, mRNA display technologies, viral detection systems, and genetic code expansion. Key projects include targeting glucuronidases, developing ultrasensitive viral sensors, and engineering macrocyclic peptides for therapeutic use. Recent advancements include bioluminescent detection of respiratory viruses and stability studies of mRNA/cDNA complexes. Collaborations & Projects Current projects include TULIP (targeting Gram-negative pathogens) and FunHitDisco (fungal hit discovery). He leads courses in Biochemistry and Biotechnology for Molecular Discovery, integrating research and education. Publications Recent work emphasizes RNA-based peptide discovery, codon reassignment, and enzymatic inhibitor design. His editorial contributions highlight innovations in bioactive peptide research through genetic technologies.

• Enzymology
• Biocatalysis
• Chemical Biology
• +5 more

Anthony Green is a Professor of Organic and Biological Chemistry at the University of Manchester, affiliated with the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Manchester Environmental Research Institute. His research focuses on enzyme design, biocatalysis, and sustainable chemical synthesis. He leads projects on quantum tunneling in enzymes, engineered enzymes for novel chemical reactions, and the application of non-canonical amino acids in protein engineering. Key research interests include catalytic mechanisms, photoenzymes, and industrial biotechnology. His work contributes to Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and sustainable production. Over 45 peer-reviewed articles and 13 supervised works highlight his impact in enzyme engineering and green chemistry. Collaborations span global institutions, and his projects include 'Evolving quantum mechanical tunnelling in enzymes' (2023-2026) and 'Engineering Biology with Synthetic Genomes' (2022-2024). Media coverage includes highlights in PHYS.ORG for enzyme innovations.

Jason ErnstView profile

Professor

• Epigenomics
• Regulatory Genomics
• Non-coding Genome Interpretation
• +4 more

Jason Ernst is a Professor of Biological Chemistry and Computational Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he leads a computational biology lab focused on epigenomics, regulatory genomics, and non-coding genome interpretation. His work spans multiple departments and institutes including the David Geffen School of Medicine, Computer Science Department, Computational Medicine Department, Interdepartmental Bioinformatics Program, Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Molecular Biology Institute. Dr. Ernst received his BS in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Maryland, College Park (2002), his PhD in Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon University (2008), and completed postdoctoral training in Computational Biology at MIT (2011). His research interests center on developing computational methods to analyze chromatin states, DNA methylation patterns, and regulatory elements across diverse cell types and species. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on epigenomic data integration, with particular emphasis on chromatin state annotation, cross-species methylation analysis, and the functional interpretation of non-coding genomic regions. His lab has developed influential computational frameworks like ChromHMM for chromatin-state discovery, which has been widely adopted in the field. Current research directions include investigating regulatory elements in autism, developing methods for cross-species methylation imputation, and exploring the relationship between epigenetic patterns and life-history traits across mammals. Dr. Ernst actively mentors graduate students, with recent PhD defenses including work on autism genomics. His lab collaborates extensively across UCLA and with researchers worldwide, particularly in the fields of epigenetics, computational genomics, and disease mechanisms. His research is supported by multiple NIH grants and institutional resources, enabling the development of cutting-edge computational approaches to analyze large-scale genomic datasets. Dr. Ernst's lab maintains strong connections with both computational and experimental research groups, facilitating the translation of computational findings into biological insights.

W. Walter LorenzView profile

Researcher

• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Molecular Biology
• +6 more

W. Walter Lorenz is an Assistant Research Scientist at the Georgia Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, University of Georgia. His research spans genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology with a focus on plant genetics, parasitology, and gene expression analysis. He leads the Georgia Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, providing advanced genomic tools and data analysis services. Research interests include understanding molecular mechanisms in plant defense responses, parasite-host interactions, and genomic approaches to study complex organisms like conifers and myxozoans. His work integrates transcriptomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics to address questions in evolutionary biology, stress physiology, and disease resistance. Key contributions include decoding the loblolly pine genome, developing genomic databases for conifers, and analyzing gene networks in drought-stressed plants. He has also explored microbial genomics, immunology, and animal physiology through studies on Chlamydia infections, natural killer cell biology, and avian reproduction. Notable projects involve Sirex woodwasp interactions with pines, myxozoan parasite evolution, and the functional characterization of glycosylation pathways in human immune cells. His research bridges basic science and applied challenges in agriculture, forestry, and human health. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. His work is supported by collaborations across disciplines and institutions, though specific grant details are not detailed here. He advises no listed students but contributes to training through his core facility.

Ihab YounisView profile

Teaching Professor

• Intron Splicing
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Cancer Biology
• +3 more

Ihab Younis is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University , leading the Biological Sciences Program at CMU Qatar. He holds a Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from The Ohio State University, with M.S. and B.S. degrees in Biology from the American University of Beirut. His research focuses on post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression , particularly intron splicing mechanisms and their role in cancer. His lab employs cutting-edge techniques like RNA-seq and high-throughput screening to study splicing defects in cancer cells and has identified novel splicing regulators. A key focus is the role of minor introns as stress-induced molecular switches, mediated by the unstable U6atac snRNA component of the minor spliceosome. Younis teaches courses including Genetics, Molecular Biology, Virology, and Cancer Biology. His lab integrates computational and experimental approaches, including projects exploring splicing aberrations in cancer and mechanisms controlling mRNA length. He has published extensively on splicing regulation, HTLV viral replication, and the SMN complex's role in RNP assembly. His work bridges basic science and translational research, aiming to uncover therapeutic targets for cancer and viral diseases. Despite no explicitly listed awards, his contributions to splicing mechanisms and stem cell applications highlight impactful academic leadership.

Briana BurtonView profile

Associate Professor

• Membrane Transport Mechanisms
• Bacterial Genetics
• Microbiology
• +3 more

Briana Burton is an Associate Professor of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, leading the Burton Lab. Her research focuses on understanding mechanisms of DNA translocation across bacterial membranes, particularly during sporulation and antibiotic resistance. She holds a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology from Northwestern University (1998) and a Ph.D. in Biology from MIT (2003), followed by postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School. Her lab employs interdisciplinary approaches, including biochemistry, microscopy, and molecular biology, to study DNA transport complexes in Bacillus subtilis . Key research areas include chromosome segregation during sporulation, competence pili dynamics, and engineering bacteria for DNA detection. She teaches courses such as Microbiology 470 and Micro 612, emphasizing microbial genetics and molecular machines. Current lab members include graduate students (Jonathan Lombardino, Dom Smith), postdoctoral researchers, and technical staff. The lab actively recruits undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs. Recent publications highlight advancements in DNA transport mechanisms, genetic code expansion, and bacterial co-culture dynamics.

Bogdan DitView profile

Associate Clinical Professor

• Software Engineering
• Empirical Software Engineering
• Data Mining
• +3 more

Bogdan Dit is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Boise State University. He holds a Ph.D. from The College of William and Mary, an M.S. from Wayne State University, and a B.S. from Babeș-Bolyai University. His research focuses on software engineering, empirical methods, and tool development for tasks like feature location, impact analysis, and traceability. He is affiliated with the SEMERU Research Group and has contributed to projects such as TraceLab Component Library and Impactminer. His work emphasizes reproducible research and developer tools for software maintenance. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, College of William and Mary (Advisor: Dr. Denys Poshyvanyk) M.S., Computer Science, Wayne State University (Advisor: Dr. Andrian Marcus) B.S., Computer Science, Babeș-Bolyai University Research Interests: Empirical software engineering, feature location, software traceability, genetic algorithms, data fusion, and developer tool development. His work combines empirical studies with tool-based solutions to address challenges in software maintenance and evolution. Key Contributions: Developed TraceLab for reproducible experiments, Impactminer for change impact analysis, and Traceclipse for traceability management. His research often integrates information retrieval and machine learning techniques to enhance software engineering practices. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the SEMERU Research Group, focusing on software evolution and maintenance.

• Protein Biochemistry
• Molecular Biophysics
• Structural Bioinformatics
• +5 more

Daniele Dell'Orco is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics at the University of Verona's Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences. He holds roles including PhD program tutor, laboratory director, and membership in academic governance bodies such as the Faculty Board of Biomolecular Medicine. His research focuses on neuronal calcium sensors, phototransduction mechanisms, and retinal dystrophies, with a particular emphasis on molecular therapies using biologics. Research Interests : Protein biochemistry, molecular biophysics, structural bioinformatics, systems biology, and translational medicine targeting sensory disorders. His work integrates experimental and computational approaches to study calcium sensor proteins in health and disease, including their roles in phototransduction and mechano-transduction pathways. Teaching & Supervision : Teaches courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, and translational medicine across undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Supervises bachelor/master students and PhD candidates in the Biomolecular Medicine program. His teaching spans disciplines like biological macromolecules, medical genetics, and clinical biochemistry. Labs & Collaborations : Leads an independent lab investigating biomedical topics from a molecular perspective. Collaborates nationally and internationally on projects such as lipid-based therapeutics for retinal degeneration and PRIN-funded research on protein variant interpretation. His lab utilizes advanced techniques including molecular dynamics simulations and nanobiophysics. Funding & Projects : Secured grants for initiatives like the FFABR 2017 award and PRIN 2017 project on protein variant analysis. Research topics include GCAP1's role in retinal dystrophies and CIB2's involvement in Usher syndrome. Partnerships involve WHO Collaborating Centers and cross-departmental collaborations within the University of Verona.

• Bioenergetics
• Photosynthesis
• Cyanobacteria research
• +5 more

Professor Thomas Friedrich is a distinguished faculty member at the Technical University of Berlin, where he leads the Department of Physical Chemistry/Bioenergetics within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. His research group focuses on energy conversion processes in biological systems, with particular emphasis on photosynthesis in cyanobacteria and electrophysiological studies of ion channels and transporters. Professor Friedrich's research spans two primary domains: bioenergetics of photosynthetic systems and membrane transport mechanisms. In photosynthesis research, his group investigates excitation energy transfer processes between light-harvesting antenna proteins and reaction centers, with special focus on the orange carotenoid protein and other carotenoid-binding proteins from cyanobacteria. For membrane transport studies, his work examines voltage-gated ion channels (Kv channels), voltage-gated membrane-enzymes (PIP 3 -phosphatase Ci-VSP), and ATP-driven ion pumps (Na + /K + -ATPase, H + /K + -ATPase). Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on cyanobacterial photoprotection mechanisms, particularly involving orange carotenoid proteins (OCP), with numerous studies examining OCP structure, function, and interaction with fluorescence recovery protein (FRP). His work combines biochemical protein production with advanced spectroscopic techniques including UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy using specialized laser detector systems for time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC). Professor Friedrich's laboratory utilizes a range of sophisticated techniques, including two-electrode voltage-clamp (TEVC) experiments, voltage-clamp fluorimetry (VCF), and time-resolved spectroscopy. His group produces proteins with native carotenoid cofactors in Escherichia coli bacteria and performs functional studies to understand energy transfer processes at the molecular level. The department has specialized equipment for fluorescence lifetime measurements with picosecond accuracy, enabling detailed characterization of biological fluorophores.

Antonio RausellView profile

Associate Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Genomics
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Antonio Rausell is an Associate Professor in Bioinformatics and Genomics at the University of Paris and Director of the Clinical Bioinformatics Lab at the Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163. He is also a Hospital Practitioner at Necker Hospital of Sick Children, APHP. His research focuses on computational genomics, single-cell omics, and clinical decision support systems for rare genetic diseases, such as immune deficiencies and ciliopathies. Key contributions include the development of tools like NCBoost for non-coding variant analysis and CNVxplorer for clinical CNV interpretation. His work has been published in high-impact journals like Nature Biotechnology and Genome Biology. He leads the iCARP program to identify clinical markers and AI tools for diagnostics and treatment. Education: Engineering degree in Biotechnology, PhD in Bioinformatics (CNIO), postdoctoral research at SIB and University Hospital Lausanne. Research interests span genetic variant prediction, immune response variability, and functional genomics. His lab collaborates with clinical departments and experimental groups to bridge computational methods with clinical applications. Advising and Grants: Mentors PhD students (Requena, Favier, Montalvo) and oversees projects funded by the Imagine Institute and Milieu Intérieur Consortium. Lab members include engineers and invited scientists, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Labs/Teams: Clinical Bioinformatics Lab at Imagine Institute, part of broader collaborations in functional genomics and immune system research.

Han XiaoView profile

Associate Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Cancer Immunology
• +3 more

Han Xiao is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Admissions in the Department of Chemistry at Rice University, where he also serves as Director of the SynthX Center and is a CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research. His research focuses on interdisciplinary approaches at the chemistry-biology interface, developing chemical tools to probe and manipulate biological systems. Research interests include organic synthesis, chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, glycobiology, and cancer immunology, with applications in cancer therapeutics, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders. His work emphasizes translational potential for clinical applications. Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on cancer biology, novel imaging techniques, protein engineering, and therapeutic development. Key themes include bone metastasis mechanisms, advanced bioconjugation methods, fluorescent probes for biological detection, and light-activated systems. Dr. Xiao has received significant recognition including the DOD Breast Cancer Research Breakthrough Award, NIH Maximizing Investigators' Research Award, Norman Hackerman-Welch Young Investigator Award, and CPRIT Faculty Recruitment Award. He leads the Xiao Research Group at Rice University, focusing on innovative chemical biological tools for understanding biological systems and developing therapeutic strategies.