Dr. Susmita Chowdhury
Thane West
Summary
Experienced Molecular Biologist with 5+ years of experience in laboratory research and development. Skilled in developing and executing experimental research plans, processing and analyzing data, and leading teams to complete projects.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Former Ph.D. Scholar
Department of Genetics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
Madurai
12.2019 - 02.2025
Title of thesis: "Molecular Genetics of Juvenile X-linked Retinoschisis in South Indian Population"
- Patient sample collection, genetic counseling, and ophthalmic diagnostic techniques, including data analysis of fundus photography, OCT, and ERG, were incorporated
- Blood DNA isolation and molecular genetic techniques, including Sanger sequencing (Genetic Analyzer 3500 and 3130) and Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), were utilized
- Genotypic-phenotypic correlation was performed to assess disease severity
- Functional prediction, protein stability, and PPI network analysis were conducted using bioinformatics software
Junior Research Fellow
Department of Genetics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
Madurai
07.2018 - 11.2019
Project: Translational Genomics of Pediatric Eye Diseases (DBT Funded)
- Developed an indigenous gene panel containing 124 genes for pediatric ocular disorders, including Leber’s congenital amaurosis, retinoblastoma, and juvenile X-linked retinoschisis
- An EyeVarP bioinformatics pipeline was developed to support the data analysis
- Achieved most diagnostic efficiency through targeted gene sequencing using inhouse Miseq facility
Post-graduation Project
Department of Bioinformatics(Pondicherry University) & CSIR-IICB(Structural Biology & Bioinformatics
Pondicherry & Kolkata
12.2016 - 06.2017
Title of dissertation: Modelling and Mutational Analysis of Dengue Virus Type 2 NS2B/NS3 Protease by Molecular Dynamics Simulation
- The role of key residues involved in the proteolytic activity of NS2B-NS3 DENV2 was investigated through mutation and their MD simulation
- Retrieve the NS2B-NS3 protease structure (PDB ID: 4M9K) from the RCSB PDB database
- Generate five mutated systems using Modeller software for MD simulation
- Perform MD simulations using GROMACS 5.1.1 with the GROMOS96 54a7 force field
- Analyse results through RMSF, RMSD, Rg, hydrogen bonds, and SASA comparisons
Summer Internship
Center of Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics, University of Madras
Chennai
05.2015 - 06.2015
- Hands on training on Protein purification and Crystallization
Education
Ph.D. - Molecular Biology
Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
Madurai02.2025
M.Sc. - Bioinformatics
Pondicherry University
Pondicherry07.2017
Diploma - Biotechnology
Pondicherry University
Pondicherry07.2017
B.Sc. - Microbiology
West Bengal State University
Barasat06.2015
Skills
- Fundus photography
- OCT
- ERG
- Genetic counseling
- Blood DNA isolation
- PCR
- Sanger sequencing
- WES
- Genotype–phenotype correlation
- Computational biology
- Protein engineering
- Protein purification
- Crystallography
- Microorganism isolation
- Staining techniques
Degree
Ph.D. in Molecular Biology
Awards
- Lady Tata Memorial Trust- Junior Research Fellow, 2019-2021
- Lady Tata Memorial Trust- Senior Research Fellow, 2021-2024
Publications
- Chowdhury, S., Chermakani, P., Baliga, G., Anjanamurthy, R., Sundaresan, P., Genotypic and phenotypic diversity in X-linked retinoschisis: Findings from a South Indian patient cohort., Indian J Ophthalmol., 06/01/24, 72, 6, 902-911
- Chowdhury, S., Duvesh, R., Kumaran, M., Anjanamurthy, R., Kumar, J., Vanniarajan, A., Devarajan, B., Sundaresan, P., Clinical reassessments and whole-exome sequencing uncover novel BEST1 mutation associated with bestrophinopathy phenotype., Ophthalmic Genet., 04/01/22, 43, 2, 191-200
- Mishra, C., Duvesh, R., Chowdhury, S., Anjanamurthy, R., Kannan, N., Ramasamy, K., Sundaresan, P., Analysis of microstructural changes in an X-linked juvenile retinoschisis patient harboring RS1 G668A mutation by en-face optical coherence tomography imaging., Indian Journal of Ophthalmology - Case Reports, 01/01/22, 2, 1, 136-139
Presentations
- Genotypic and phenotypic implications on a rare ocular disorder: X- linked retinoschisis., DBT sponsored 9th national conference, 2024, M.G.R College, Housur, India
- Clinical reassessment and whole exome sequencing uncover novel BEST-1 mutation associated with Bestrophinopathy phenotype., DBT sponsored international conference, 2023, M.G.R College, Housur, India
- Analysis of Microstructural Changes in an X-linked Juvenile Retinoschisis Patient Harboring RS1 G668A Mutation by En-face Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging., Indian Eye Research Group (IERG), 2022, L V Prasad Eye institute, Hyderabad, India
- Clinical reassessment and whole exome sequencing uncover novel BEST-1 mutation associated with Bestrophinopathy phenotype., Indian Eye Research Group (IERG), 2021, L V Prasad Eye institute, Hyderabad, India
Internship
Internship at Crystallography and Biophysics department, University of Madras, 2016, Hands on training on Protein purification and Crystallization.
References
References available upon request.
Languages
Bengali
First Language
English
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Hindi
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Tamil
Beginner (A1)
A1
Timeline
Former Ph.D. Scholar
Department of Genetics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
12.2019 - 02.2025
Junior Research Fellow
Department of Genetics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
07.2018 - 11.2019
Post-graduation Project
Department of Bioinformatics(Pondicherry University) & CSIR-IICB(Structural Biology & Bioinformatics
12.2016 - 06.2017
Summer Internship
Center of Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics, University of Madras
05.2015 - 06.2015
Ph.D. - Molecular Biology
Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Hospital
M.Sc. - Bioinformatics
Pondicherry University
Diploma - Biotechnology
Pondicherry University
B.Sc. - Microbiology
West Bengal State University
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