Kumaran Narayanan

Kumaran Narayanan is an Associate Professor at the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Malaysia. His research is centered on gene delivery and expression systems, with a strong focus on developing innovative therapies for genetic diseases such as Fabry disease. He also teaches biotechnology and mentors PhD students.

Education:

• PhD in Genetics, University of Melbourne

Research Interests:

Dr. Narayanan's research spans three major domains: (1) Understanding cellular dysfunction in Fabry disease, particularly oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage, to develop targeted pharmacological interventions; (2) Optimizing non-pathogenic E. coli strains as vectors for efficient delivery of large genes into mammalian cells; and (3) Developing artificial chromosomes for stable, long-term transgene expression. His work integrates molecular biology, microbial engineering, and therapeutic innovation.

Research Trends:

His recent publications reflect a multidisciplinary approach, combining molecular genetics, microbiology, environmental science, and computational modeling. Key themes include gene therapy development, bacterial vector systems, lysosomal storage disorders, and novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools. His work often involves translational applications, from agricultural biotechnology to human disease modeling.

Scientific Awards:

• Nucleic Acid Marker kit for the formation of customizable nucleic acid markers (awarded 18 Dec 2022)

Advising and Grants:

He is currently accepting PhD students and supervises projects in Fabry disease mechanisms and E. coli-based gene delivery. He has been a Chief Investigator or Primary Chief Investigator on multiple funded research projects, including studies on Fabry disease, Shigella virulence, cobra cytotoxins, weedy rice stress response, and poultry vaccine delivery systems. These projects demonstrate strong interdisciplinary collaboration and external funding support.

Labs and Teams:

Dr. Narayanan leads a research group focused on gene delivery and expression systems, collaborating with national and international teams across microbiology, genetics, and biomedical engineering. His lab integrates experimental and computational approaches to advance genetic medicine and biotechnological applications.