Dr. Jaya Gandhi

Set organizational objectives, driving adherence to established policies and programs.Facilitated the formation of major departments to align with strategic goals. Coordination among different divisions and administrative staff for cohesive operations.

• Conducted laboratory experiments to test hypotheses and analyze results.
• Reviewed grant proposals for scientific accuracy and feasibility.
• Coordinated interdisciplinary teams of scientists in carrying out research projects.
• Establishment of curing sickle cell disease using cutting-edge technology of CRISPR-mediated genetic manipulation. Working on the SCD program takes advantage of the uniqueness that it spans high-risk basic discovery research in CRISPR genetics, through preclinical translational research, to paradigm-shifting clinical trials. Progress in gene therapy provides the tools needed to tackle Sickle Cell Disease and its molecular mechanisms. Several clinical trials have already demonstrated the therapeutic treatment of manipulating the genome using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to neutralize the damage caused by the mutation that leads to sickle cell disease. These technologies can be integrated into currently existing protocols for an effective cure called haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

I have worked as an Application Scientist (Business Development) APAC Biotech, Gurugram. The company manufactures customized Dendritic Cell based immunotherapy vaccine, which is completely autologous therapy for cancer patients. Cancer patient’s own monocytes were used along with patient’s own tumor tissue to create a population of Dendritic Cells specific to attack cancer cells of the patient such that when administered, it boosts the patient’s immune response by re-activating the T-lymphocytes thereby recognizing, attacking and destroying specifically the cancer cells.My job profile involved being a scientific expert for the biotech company and acting as a bridge between the company and external medical professionals specifically oncologists, and fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing between the company and the medical professional (MSL).

DBT Research Associate under the project titled 'Investigation of the Mechanism Underlying Enhanced Replication of Hepatitis E Virus in G1/S arrested

cells".

The dys-regulation of host cell cycle machinery during HEV infection was the main focus of my postdoctoral research work. I discovered that HEV replication is quite acceptable during the G1/S phase of the cell cycle.

During Ph.D. I worked on two very closely related human herpes viruses EBV and KSHV. These two viruses are constantly related to several human malignancies. I tried to decipher the close link between virus infection, inflammation and cancer. Inflammation is one of the predisposing factors known to be associated with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpes virus (KSHV) mediated tumorigenesis. However it is not well understood whether inflammation in itself plays a role in regulating the life cycle of these infectious agents. COX-2, a key mediator of the inflammatory processes, is frequently over-expressed in EBV and KSHV positive cancer cells. In various tumors, PGE2 is the principal COX-2 regulated downstream product which exerts its effects on cellular processes through the EP1-4 receptors. My data suggested a role for upregulated COX-2 on modulation of EBV and KSHV latency through its downstream effector PGE2. This study demonstrated a role for increased COX-2 levels in modulation of EBV and KSHV latency-lytic reactivation. This study is important for understanding the pathogenesis of EBV and KSHV associated cancers in people with chronic inflammatory conditions.