Dr. Ajit Chande

Biography

Assistant Professor (May 2017-till date), Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, India. Postdoctoral Fellow (July 2014-April 2017), Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy Research Scientist (Jan 2012-June 2014), Immunology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi. Ph.D. (August 2006-December 2011), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai.

Research Interest

In the molecular arms race between viruses and their host cells, each side employs multiple strategies to deal with the other. Whereas the host has sophisticated antiviral signaling programs to combat viral infection, viruses evolved their own proteins to subvert these host defenses. Studies towards resolving these interactions and pathogen’s evasion tactics, however, may potentially translate into alternate therapeutic strategies to reduce the disease burden. We have recently identified a cellular factor SERINC5 that potently inhibits HIV-1, MLV and EIAV. This host-factor has a broad spectrum activity and we have identified that three different retroviruses have developed countermeasures to inhibit this host restriction. We are currently trying to understand such cell-intrinsic mechanisms of viral inhibition and investigating the existence of further cross-species anti-retroviral barriers. Based on the strengths in cellular engineering and assay development, our research group is also interested in developing innovative molecular technology enabling novel approaches to study, diagnose and treat diseases. We exploit the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technologies for our own research interests in viral pathogenesis, and in collaboration with experts within and outside of India. For development and exploitation of our technologies in other fields, we collaborate intensively. At the moment, our strategic technology development focuses on cellular engineering as a basis for the discovery and development of novel biopharmaceuticals.