Saravanan Matheshwaran

Saravanan Matheshwaran is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences & Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, where he leads the Chromatin Dynamic Laboratory. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of chromatin remodeling and DNA repair processes.

• PhD from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (2008)
• MSc from Madurai Kamaraj University (2001)
• BSc from University of Madras (1999)

Dr. Matheshwaran's research program centers on two main areas: the dynamics of chromatin remodeling complexes and the SOS response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. His work on chromatin remodeling investigates how nuclear actin and actin-related proteins function within ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes (CRCs) to facilitate DNA repair processes. Using model organisms like Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Ustilago maydis, his laboratory examines how these complexes target specific genes and interact with histone-modifying enzymes. His second major research thrust focuses on understanding how Mycobacterium tuberculosis employs DNA repair mechanisms to survive within hostile macrophage environments, particularly investigating SOS-regulated nucleases.

His publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact research in molecular biology and biochemistry, with a focus on protein-DNA interactions, chromatin structure, and DNA repair mechanisms. His work spans structural biology, enzymology, and cellular response to DNA damage, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to understanding fundamental biological processes.

• INSA Medal for Young Scientists
• M. Sreenivasaya Medal for Best PhD Thesis
• Cancer Research UK Postdoctoral Fellowship
• EMBO Fellow
• EIPOD-Marie Curie fellowship

Dr. Matheshwaran advises both graduate and master's students, currently mentoring five PhD candidates and three master's students. His laboratory, the Chromatin Dynamic Laboratory, operates within the Biological Sciences and Bioengineering department at IIT Kanpur. His international collaborations and postdoctoral experience at prestigious institutions including Cancer Research UK and EMBL have contributed to a robust research program investigating fundamental mechanisms of DNA maintenance and repair.

The Chromatin Dynamic Laboratory utilizes multiple model systems to investigate how cells maintain genomic integrity through chromatin remodeling and DNA repair pathways, with implications for understanding both basic cellular processes and pathogenic survival mechanisms.