Merry Mitra

Dr. Merry Mitra serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (mapped to Research Fellow academic rank) in the Principles of Biomolecular Systems research group at Imperial College London under Dr. Thomas Ouldridge since February 2024. Her experimental work focuses on DNA templated catalysis using strand displacement reactions, directly contributing to the group's molecular simulation initiatives for DNA-based data storage systems.

Her academic foundation includes:

• PhD in Chemistry from the University of Burdwan, India, researching biomimicking enzyme catalysis of transition metal complexes under Dr. Rajarshi Ghosh
• Postdoctoral training at IISER Kolkata funded by India's National Postdoctoral Fellowship (SERB-NPDF), investigating mechanical properties of flexible single crystals with Prof. C. Malla Reddy

Dr. Mitra's research bridges chemistry and nanotechnology through experimental exploration of DNA-based catalytic systems. Her current work develops enzyme-free DNA templating mechanisms using strand displacement, with significant implications for molecular computing and biotechnological data storage solutions. This builds upon her doctoral expertise in synthetic enzyme mimicry and postdoctoral experience in crystal engineering, creating a unique interdisciplinary profile in biomolecular system design.

Her key recognition includes:

• National Postdoctoral Fellowship (SERB-NPDF) awarded by India's Government

As an active research collaborator, Dr. Mitra contributes to ongoing projects including the recently completed undergraduate initiative on kinetic control of DNA reaction systems. She participates in the group's grant-supported work on DNA templated catalysis, with current research funded through Imperial College London's institutional resources. Her experimental expertise complements the group's theoretical approaches to molecular system engineering.

Dr. Mitra operates within Dr. Ouldridge's Principles of Biomolecular Systems laboratory, a dynamic interdisciplinary environment where her experimental chemistry skills advance the team's mission to develop novel biomolecular tools. The lab's current focus on enzyme-free DNA dimer templating (as evidenced by their Nature Chemistry publication) provides the framework for her catalysis research, with applications extending to next-generation data storage technologies.