Ashwani Kumar Thakur

Professor Ashwani Kumar Thakur is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences & Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. His research focuses on protein aggregation mechanisms related to amyloid diseases and therapeutic development.

Education:

• PhD, Institute of Microbial Technology & Punjab University, 2002
• M.Sc., Punjab University, 1995
• B.Sc., Himachal Pradesh University, 1993

Professor Thakur's research interests span peptide design, protein aggregation mechanisms, and amyloid diseases. His laboratory investigates the structural and biophysical basis of protein aggregation involved in amyloid diseases with therapeutic development as the ultimate goal. Current research focuses on polyglutamine aggregation in Huntington's disease, chronic inflammation induced systemic amyloidosis, and phenylalanine aggregation in Phenylketonuria. His team is developing nanoparticle based technologies to deliver therapeutic lead molecules to the brain, bridging the gap between fundamental biophysics and clinical applications.

Professor Thakur's work demonstrates a clear progression from fundamental studies of protein aggregation mechanisms to therapeutic applications. His publications span structural biology, molecular biophysics, and translational medicine, showing expertise in both basic science and applied research. The research shows particular strength in Huntington's disease and phenylketonuria, with innovative approaches to understanding aggregation mechanisms and developing potential treatments.

Scientific Recognition:

• 2018 Bio-SPMs Collaborative Research Grant at The Nano Life Science Institute, Japan
• Erasmus Mundus-Namaste academic staff fellowship (2014-2017)
• Rapid Young investigator grant from DBT (2011-2014)
• Runner up award in Indo-UK Biopharma Business Plan 2012
• Alexander von Humboldt fellowship for post-doctoral research, Germany

Professor Thakur maintains active collaborations with researchers in Japan, Germany, and the United States, reflecting the international recognition of his work. His industry experience at Dr. Reddy's Laboratory provides valuable perspective on translating basic research into practical applications in the biopharmaceutical sector.