Join us!
We welcome applications from enthusiastic, adventurous individuals interested in our work. Our work is multi-disciplinary, for people with interests/backgrounds in biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, chemistry, engineering, and quantitative approaches. Students/postdoctoral candidates with an interest and background in bioinformatics or computation (can code), quantitative biology, enzymology, analytical chemistry/mass spectrometry are especially encouraged to apply.
Openings and opportunities:
There are several opportunities for PhD and postdoctoral fellows in the lab.
Ph.D students: Applications are through the inStem Graduate Program. Details are found at https://www.instem.res.in/academic/phd. Exceptional students with INSPIRE, CSIR-NET or DBT-BET JRF fellowships can apply directly to the PhD programs which are typically advertised twice a year.
Post-doctoral Fellows: If you are interested in post-doctoral research in our lab, please write directly to me at [email protected] in with a copy of your CV, and a description of what you want to do in the lab. If you join the lab, you will be supported to apply for several postdoctoral fellowships.
Interns, summer students and trainees/JRFs: We accept a limited number of summer students or masters thesis students to work on projects for periods of 4 months to 1 year. Interested interns can write to sunil @ instem.res.in with details on what interests you in our work, and a short proposal on something you want to study in the lab.
There are no short term project or JRF positions available in the lab.
We welcome applications from enthusiastic, adventurous individuals interested in our work. Our work is multi-disciplinary, for people with interests/backgrounds in biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, chemistry, engineering, and quantitative approaches. Students/postdoctoral candidates with an interest and background in bioinformatics or computation (can code), quantitative biology, enzymology, analytical chemistry/mass spectrometry are especially encouraged to apply.
Openings and opportunities:
There are several opportunities for PhD and postdoctoral fellows in the lab.
Ph.D students: Applications are through the inStem Graduate Program. Details are found at https://www.instem.res.in/academic/phd. Exceptional students with INSPIRE, CSIR-NET or DBT-BET JRF fellowships can apply directly to the PhD programs which are typically advertised twice a year.
Post-doctoral Fellows: If you are interested in post-doctoral research in our lab, please write directly to me at [email protected] in with a copy of your CV, and a description of what you want to do in the lab. If you join the lab, you will be supported to apply for several postdoctoral fellowships.
Interns, summer students and trainees/JRFs: We accept a limited number of summer students or masters thesis students to work on projects for periods of 4 months to 1 year. Interested interns can write to sunil @ instem.res.in with details on what interests you in our work, and a short proposal on something you want to study in the lab.
There are no short term project or JRF positions available in the lab.
Current lab members:
Sunil Laxman: PI
Actual role: providing philosophy, endless conversations, encouragement
I am an Associate Investigator at inStem, Bangalore. l obtained a B. Tech from the Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University (Chennai), and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology working with Joe Beavo, at the University of Washington, Seattle, where I studied cAMP signaling. My postdoctoral work was at the Dept. of Biochemistry at UT Southwestern Medical Center, working with Steve McKnight, and then with Ben Tu, identifying metabolic sensors. Before my present gig, I used to have more time to pursue serious interests in travel and the outdoors, history, Indian classical music, and literature. I also have a strong interest in innovations leading to research intensive start-ups, and in understanding successful start-up ecosystems.
Sunil Laxman: PI
Actual role: providing philosophy, endless conversations, encouragement
I am an Associate Investigator at inStem, Bangalore. l obtained a B. Tech from the Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University (Chennai), and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology working with Joe Beavo, at the University of Washington, Seattle, where I studied cAMP signaling. My postdoctoral work was at the Dept. of Biochemistry at UT Southwestern Medical Center, working with Steve McKnight, and then with Ben Tu, identifying metabolic sensors. Before my present gig, I used to have more time to pursue serious interests in travel and the outdoors, history, Indian classical music, and literature. I also have a strong interest in innovations leading to research intensive start-ups, and in understanding successful start-up ecosystems.
Postdoctoral fellows:
Gaurav Singh: Postdoctoral fellow (DBT-RA)
Bio: I did my PhD in Nanoscale Science from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I worked with Dr. Marcus Jones in Dept. of Chemistry to develop new time-resolved fluorescence techniques to understand photophysics of Quantum-Dots. In my new life in biology, I am trying to understand how mitochondrial nanoscale organization determines metabolic plasticity? My work cuts across disciplines and includes building novel fluorescent probes, developing functional imaging systems and using creative cellular assays to answer my questions. Publications.
Bio: I did my PhD in Nanoscale Science from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I worked with Dr. Marcus Jones in Dept. of Chemistry to develop new time-resolved fluorescence techniques to understand photophysics of Quantum-Dots. In my new life in biology, I am trying to understand how mitochondrial nanoscale organization determines metabolic plasticity? My work cuts across disciplines and includes building novel fluorescent probes, developing functional imaging systems and using creative cellular assays to answer my questions. Publications.
Shabbir Ahmad: DST-SERB NPDF
Bio: I completed my masters and PhD from Hyderabad Central University. I have an interest in Metabolomics, SIMP, and the biotransformation of Aromatic compounds. I have a strong background in HPLC, mass spectrometry, LC-MS, MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analysis, microbial culturing, isolation of bacteria, and isolation and characterization of secondary metabolites.
Bio: I completed my masters and PhD from Hyderabad Central University. I have an interest in Metabolomics, SIMP, and the biotransformation of Aromatic compounds. I have a strong background in HPLC, mass spectrometry, LC-MS, MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analysis, microbial culturing, isolation of bacteria, and isolation and characterization of secondary metabolites.
Ph.D. students:
Shreyas Niphadkar: Ph.D. student (GS2018, joined Jan 2019)
Bio: I did my masters in Biotechnology from the Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, SP Pune University, Pune. I am interested in understanding the metabolic adaptations that enable survival in extreme environments. Currently, I am trying to understand the role of different cellular signaling networks regulating metabolism during nutrient starvation.
Bio: I did my masters in Biotechnology from the Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, SP Pune University, Pune. I am interested in understanding the metabolic adaptations that enable survival in extreme environments. Currently, I am trying to understand the role of different cellular signaling networks regulating metabolism during nutrient starvation.
Swagata Adhikary: Ph.D. student (GS2019, joined Nov 2019)
Bio: I did my bachelors and Masters in Biotechnology from St. Xavier's, Kolkata. I joined SL lab, first as a dissertation trainee, where I did some protein purification. I liked the work and the lab, so, I decided to be around here a bit more and I joined as a project assistant for a year. After that I joined the lab as a PhD student in 2019. I want to understand metabolism in context of different cellular activities. Also, doing experiments make me happy (most of the time!).
Bio: I did my bachelors and Masters in Biotechnology from St. Xavier's, Kolkata. I joined SL lab, first as a dissertation trainee, where I did some protein purification. I liked the work and the lab, so, I decided to be around here a bit more and I joined as a project assistant for a year. After that I joined the lab as a PhD student in 2019. I want to understand metabolism in context of different cellular activities. Also, doing experiments make me happy (most of the time!).
Sreesa Sreedharan: PhD. student (DST-INSPIRE PhD fellow, joined Sept 2019)
Bio: I did my Bachelor's and Master's in Microbiology at Amrita School of Biotechnology, Kollam, Kerala. I completed my master's dissertation in SL Lab, where I explored the mechanism of metabolic rewiring by methionine in yeast. I then worked for a year as a project assistant in Dr. Rahul Roy's lab in IISc where I worked on T-cell receptor repertoire transcriptomics. Currently, a PhD student in the lab, I am broadly interested in understanding how cells sense and respond to specific nutrient cues and eventually adapt to different metabolic states. Apart from science, I am an ardent dancer and spend my time between the two passions! Publications.
Bio: I did my Bachelor's and Master's in Microbiology at Amrita School of Biotechnology, Kollam, Kerala. I completed my master's dissertation in SL Lab, where I explored the mechanism of metabolic rewiring by methionine in yeast. I then worked for a year as a project assistant in Dr. Rahul Roy's lab in IISc where I worked on T-cell receptor repertoire transcriptomics. Currently, a PhD student in the lab, I am broadly interested in understanding how cells sense and respond to specific nutrient cues and eventually adapt to different metabolic states. Apart from science, I am an ardent dancer and spend my time between the two passions! Publications.
Ganesh Muthu: PhD. student (2023)
Bio: Completed Engineering in Biotechnology from SASTRA University (Thanjavur), and Masters in Bioinformatics and Biotechnology from Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore. I started as a JRF in the lab, and moved to start my PhD. Currently I am interested in the evolutionary information of Trehalose biosynthesis and breakdown using genomics and phylogenetics approaches. The opportunity given to me as a summer intern in the lab to explore various branches of bioinformatics started my current journey in phylogenomics.
Bio: Completed Engineering in Biotechnology from SASTRA University (Thanjavur), and Masters in Bioinformatics and Biotechnology from Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore. I started as a JRF in the lab, and moved to start my PhD. Currently I am interested in the evolutionary information of Trehalose biosynthesis and breakdown using genomics and phylogenetics approaches. The opportunity given to me as a summer intern in the lab to explore various branches of bioinformatics started my current journey in phylogenomics.
Aayushee Khanna: PhD. student (joined Dec 2022)
I completed my Bachelor's and Master's in Biotechnology from the Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh. I did my Master's dissertation at DBT-NABI, where I worked on abiotic stress tolerance in rice. I have now joined SL Lab as a graduate student and am excited to explore and understand the various facets of metabolism regulation. Among other things, I enjoy drawing, needlework, going around the campus, and outdoors!
I completed my Bachelor's and Master's in Biotechnology from the Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh. I did my Master's dissertation at DBT-NABI, where I worked on abiotic stress tolerance in rice. I have now joined SL Lab as a graduate student and am excited to explore and understand the various facets of metabolism regulation. Among other things, I enjoy drawing, needlework, going around the campus, and outdoors!
Janhavi Sathe: PhD. student (Jan 2024)
I have completed my Bachelor's and Master's in the field of Cell and Molecular Biology from MSU,Baroda. I joined the lab as a Master's thesis intern ,where i explored the mechanism of glucose mediated mitochondrial repression in yeast. This sparked my interest in mitochondria and I returned as a doctoral student. For my PhD project , i am interested in studying the dynamic nature of mitochondria and its role in metabolic rewiring. Apart from my passion towards science, i have inclinations towards dance and arts.
I have completed my Bachelor's and Master's in the field of Cell and Molecular Biology from MSU,Baroda. I joined the lab as a Master's thesis intern ,where i explored the mechanism of glucose mediated mitochondrial repression in yeast. This sparked my interest in mitochondria and I returned as a doctoral student. For my PhD project , i am interested in studying the dynamic nature of mitochondria and its role in metabolic rewiring. Apart from my passion towards science, i have inclinations towards dance and arts.
RA's, project assistants, long-term interns:
Lavanya Karinje: project assistant (joined Nov 2022)
I completed my Bachelor of Technology degree in Biotechnology from Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal. I initially joined the lab as an intern for my dissertation; I loved research and working here, so I joined as a PA after graduation. I enjoy cooking and photography during my spare time!
Lavanya Karinje: project assistant (joined Nov 2022)
I completed my Bachelor of Technology degree in Biotechnology from Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal. I initially joined the lab as an intern for my dissertation; I loved research and working here, so I joined as a PA after graduation. I enjoy cooking and photography during my spare time!
Swati Prasad: project assistant and manager (intern since 2019 as a BSc student, joined as a PA in Dec 2023)
I completed my BSc (Microbiology, Chemistry, Zoology) in Mount Carmel College, and Master's in Human disease genetics from Centre for Human Genetics. Between this, I interned here in Sunil’s lab for a year. My scientific interests include metabolism and social evolution. My work in the lab is to understand 3D architecture of colonies where cells show differential function in nutrient deficient conditions, with implications on how organisms become multicellular, and how they coordinate to distribute resources. I also help organize the lab. During non-working hours I enjoy singing, playing the veena, and am a gym rat.
I completed my BSc (Microbiology, Chemistry, Zoology) in Mount Carmel College, and Master's in Human disease genetics from Centre for Human Genetics. Between this, I interned here in Sunil’s lab for a year. My scientific interests include metabolism and social evolution. My work in the lab is to understand 3D architecture of colonies where cells show differential function in nutrient deficient conditions, with implications on how organisms become multicellular, and how they coordinate to distribute resources. I also help organize the lab. During non-working hours I enjoy singing, playing the veena, and am a gym rat.
Alumni:
Former Postdocs:
Dr. Afsana Naaz (joint with Sarin lab, 2021-2022). Next position - postdoc at U. Pittsburg. Publications from lab.
Dr. Sriram Varahan (2016-2021): Next position - group leader at CCMB (group website). Publications from lab.
Dr. Rajalakshmi Srinivasan (2017-2021): Next position - group leader at IBAB (group website). Publications from lab.
Dr. Sabarinath PS (2020): Next position: senior postdoc at the Univ. of Nebraska. Publications from lab.
Dr. Ritu Gupta (2015-2020): SERB-NPDF. Next position: senior postdoc NIH/NICHD with Alan Hinnebusch. Publications from lab.
Dr. Ganesh Kadamur B (2017-2020): inStem-NCBS-Cambridge campus fellow. Next position: Scientist at Astra Zeneca, U.K. Publications from lab.
Dr. Akshay Das Adhikari (2017): Next position: Scientist at Mynvax.
Dr. Adhish Walvekar (2015-2020): SERB-NPDF. Next position: senior postdoc/staff scientist at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine with Carole Linster. Publications from lab.
Dr. Shambhavi Naik (2015-2016): Next position: co-founder of CloudKrate, and policy analyst with the Takshashila foundation.
Former PhD students:
Dr. Vineeth Vengayil (PhD 2023, bridging postdoc 02/2024). Now postdoc at U. Pennsylvania (Bartmann lab). Publications from lab.
Dr. Zeenat Rashida (PhD 2021, bridging postdoc 09/2022): Now postdoc at UCLA (Plath lab). Publications from lab.
Former JRFs/project assistants:
Anjana Prasad: Project associate (Jun 2020-Dec 2023)
Ruchika O'Niel: JRF (Aug 2018-Mar 2020).
Vinca Yadav: JRF (Aug 2017- July 2019). Now a PhD student at the Max-Plank Institute- CBG (Dresden).
Shree Padma: PA/JRF (joint with Apurva Sarin, Aug 2017-June 2018). Now a PhD student at the U. of Michigan (Ann Harbor).
Malavika Prithviraj: PA/JRF (July 2017-May 2018). Now a PhD student at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst).
Sneha Das: PA/JRF (June 2016-Mar 2017). Transitioned to UIUC for a PhD.
Amit Agrawal: PA/JRF from 06/2015-10/2016. Now a PhD student at the Weizmann Institute. Personal webpage.
Hemanth Maddali: PA/JRF from 07/2015-06/2016. Now at Rutgers University for a PhD in Chemistry.
Meghana Cyanam: PA/JRF from 07/2015-06/2016. Now at Virginia Tech for a PhD in Systems Biology.
Shiuli Maji: PA (Joint with Apurva Sarin, Aug 2015-Jan 2016).
Krithika Raman (PA, Jan-April 2015).
MSc thesis: (2016) Vineet V (Amrita), Sanjana Tak (MSU); (2017) Anjali Shenoy (RVCE), Shree Padma (RVCE), Malavika Prithviraj (VIT), Rudra Vaswata Roy Choudhury (IIT-M); (2018) Swagata Adhikari (Calcutta), Harini Chandrasekaran (SASTRA), Sreesa Sreedharan (Amrita), Nidhi Jain (Amrita); (2019) Shweta S (SASTRA), Dhyey Vyas (MSU), (2020) Mansi Ahuja (U Ahmedabad), Anjana Prasad (St. Josephs), (2021) Janhave Sathe (MSU), (2022) Lavanya Karinje (Manipal), Aditya Srinivasan (VIT), Khushi Shah (MSU Baroda), Milind Kunale (VIT), Edrea Mendonca (SRM).
Summer interns:
2019: Sathvik A (IIT-M), Nilanjan Bose (IIT-M), Ganesh M (IBAB); 2018: Shweta Mishra (IISER Mohali), Harshita (RVCE); 2017: Pratyusha Madnure (IISc), Divyanshi Verma (NISER Bhubhaneshwar), Ashutosh Khandual (NISER Bhubhaneshwar); 2016: Ramakrushna Swain (IISER Bhopal), Sharvari Harshe (MSU Baroda), Olivia Debnath (IISER Kolkata), Soorya James (Jamia Milla, Delhi), Shashwat Kumar (BITS Pilani Goa).
Past visitors, and lab adoptees:
Muskan Bhatia: visiting PhD student from Anand Bachhawat's lab at IISER-Mohali; Ajay Shah: visiting PhD student from IGIB (Shantanu Sengupta and Kausik Chakraborty labs); Ramya Purkanti: PhD student with Mukund Thattai. Leo Darrigade: Intern (June-Sept 2015), from AgroParisTech, France.
Other PhD rotation students:
Adeeba (2022), Nivya Mendon (2019), Sneha Khedkar (2018), Gaurav Kansagara (2017), Pratyay Shah (2015); Terrence Christie (2015).
Former Postdocs:
Dr. Afsana Naaz (joint with Sarin lab, 2021-2022). Next position - postdoc at U. Pittsburg. Publications from lab.
Dr. Sriram Varahan (2016-2021): Next position - group leader at CCMB (group website). Publications from lab.
Dr. Rajalakshmi Srinivasan (2017-2021): Next position - group leader at IBAB (group website). Publications from lab.
Dr. Sabarinath PS (2020): Next position: senior postdoc at the Univ. of Nebraska. Publications from lab.
Dr. Ritu Gupta (2015-2020): SERB-NPDF. Next position: senior postdoc NIH/NICHD with Alan Hinnebusch. Publications from lab.
Dr. Ganesh Kadamur B (2017-2020): inStem-NCBS-Cambridge campus fellow. Next position: Scientist at Astra Zeneca, U.K. Publications from lab.
Dr. Akshay Das Adhikari (2017): Next position: Scientist at Mynvax.
Dr. Adhish Walvekar (2015-2020): SERB-NPDF. Next position: senior postdoc/staff scientist at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine with Carole Linster. Publications from lab.
Dr. Shambhavi Naik (2015-2016): Next position: co-founder of CloudKrate, and policy analyst with the Takshashila foundation.
Former PhD students:
Dr. Vineeth Vengayil (PhD 2023, bridging postdoc 02/2024). Now postdoc at U. Pennsylvania (Bartmann lab). Publications from lab.
Dr. Zeenat Rashida (PhD 2021, bridging postdoc 09/2022): Now postdoc at UCLA (Plath lab). Publications from lab.
Former JRFs/project assistants:
Anjana Prasad: Project associate (Jun 2020-Dec 2023)
Ruchika O'Niel: JRF (Aug 2018-Mar 2020).
Vinca Yadav: JRF (Aug 2017- July 2019). Now a PhD student at the Max-Plank Institute- CBG (Dresden).
Shree Padma: PA/JRF (joint with Apurva Sarin, Aug 2017-June 2018). Now a PhD student at the U. of Michigan (Ann Harbor).
Malavika Prithviraj: PA/JRF (July 2017-May 2018). Now a PhD student at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst).
Sneha Das: PA/JRF (June 2016-Mar 2017). Transitioned to UIUC for a PhD.
Amit Agrawal: PA/JRF from 06/2015-10/2016. Now a PhD student at the Weizmann Institute. Personal webpage.
Hemanth Maddali: PA/JRF from 07/2015-06/2016. Now at Rutgers University for a PhD in Chemistry.
Meghana Cyanam: PA/JRF from 07/2015-06/2016. Now at Virginia Tech for a PhD in Systems Biology.
Shiuli Maji: PA (Joint with Apurva Sarin, Aug 2015-Jan 2016).
Krithika Raman (PA, Jan-April 2015).
MSc thesis: (2016) Vineet V (Amrita), Sanjana Tak (MSU); (2017) Anjali Shenoy (RVCE), Shree Padma (RVCE), Malavika Prithviraj (VIT), Rudra Vaswata Roy Choudhury (IIT-M); (2018) Swagata Adhikari (Calcutta), Harini Chandrasekaran (SASTRA), Sreesa Sreedharan (Amrita), Nidhi Jain (Amrita); (2019) Shweta S (SASTRA), Dhyey Vyas (MSU), (2020) Mansi Ahuja (U Ahmedabad), Anjana Prasad (St. Josephs), (2021) Janhave Sathe (MSU), (2022) Lavanya Karinje (Manipal), Aditya Srinivasan (VIT), Khushi Shah (MSU Baroda), Milind Kunale (VIT), Edrea Mendonca (SRM).
Summer interns:
2019: Sathvik A (IIT-M), Nilanjan Bose (IIT-M), Ganesh M (IBAB); 2018: Shweta Mishra (IISER Mohali), Harshita (RVCE); 2017: Pratyusha Madnure (IISc), Divyanshi Verma (NISER Bhubhaneshwar), Ashutosh Khandual (NISER Bhubhaneshwar); 2016: Ramakrushna Swain (IISER Bhopal), Sharvari Harshe (MSU Baroda), Olivia Debnath (IISER Kolkata), Soorya James (Jamia Milla, Delhi), Shashwat Kumar (BITS Pilani Goa).
Past visitors, and lab adoptees:
Muskan Bhatia: visiting PhD student from Anand Bachhawat's lab at IISER-Mohali; Ajay Shah: visiting PhD student from IGIB (Shantanu Sengupta and Kausik Chakraborty labs); Ramya Purkanti: PhD student with Mukund Thattai. Leo Darrigade: Intern (June-Sept 2015), from AgroParisTech, France.
Other PhD rotation students:
Adeeba (2022), Nivya Mendon (2019), Sneha Khedkar (2018), Gaurav Kansagara (2017), Pratyay Shah (2015); Terrence Christie (2015).