Rakeshkumar Jain
Research and Development, Product Development
Mumbai
Summary
Highly motivated, self-starter, and able to handle multiple projects simultaneously with 8+ experience in internationally recognized universities and research institutes in Microbiology, Plant Pathology, and Molecular Biology research. Strong background in the development of antifungal and PGPR microbe consortium. Creative and excellent team player, mentor, and easy integration in a multicultural environment with a unique combination of detail-oriented mindset, driven personality, analytical skills, a self-motivated researcher who opened up completely new topics in heterologous expression of lasso peptides research reporting novel therapeutic target for chronic viral and multiple cancer diseases.
Organized Principal Scientist skilled in designing and executing 7 research projects per year. Superb written and verbal communication skills. Seasoned at preparing reports, publications and oral presentations for large groups.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Principal Scientist (Biofertilizers, Biostimulants and Composting)
Virentiatech Private Limited
- Lead discovery, development, and commercialization of microbial-based biofertilizers. Directed multi-location field trials to evaluate efficacy across diverse crops and soils. Developed liquid and carrier-based formulations with enhanced shelf life and microbial viability. Established quality control protocols ensuring compliance with FCO guidelines and organic certifications. Collaborated with agricultural universities and ICAR institutes for joint research projects. Managed a cross-disciplinary team of microbiologists, agronomists, and biotechnologists.
Product Manager (Microbiology & Bioprocess Division)
Genetix Biotech Asia Pvt Ltd
04.2024 - Current
- Conducted market analysis & competitor benchmarking to identify new business opportunities. Led product launches, sales promotions, and technical training for sales teams & distributors. The majority of my responsibilities are leading more than six multi-national companies in India as well as coordinating an association with 50+ sales team members to provide technical support and training to customers. In the bioprocess domain, I manage Duoning, Hongkong and K Biotech, Switzerland based fermenters as well as other product portfolios. The Microbiology portfolio includes Interscience (France), MAST (UK), SSI (USA) laboratory instruments and consumables.
Head R&D (Biotech Division)
Penetron Products Private Limited
03.2022 - 01.2024
- Worked as Research and Development Manager in the biotech division to develop new biofertilizer, biopesticide, and plant growth promoter products for various crop benefits and protection. Isolated and characterized beneficial microbes (Azotobacter, Rhizobium, PSB, Trichoderma). Optimized fermentation processes for large-scale microbial production. Conducted lab-to-field scaling studies for biofertilizer validation. Conducted advanced research on soil microbiology, biofertilizers, or plant–microbe interactions. Engaged with farmers, distributors, and institutional clients through field demonstrations, seminars, and workshops.
- Hands-on experience with molecular techniques, microbial assay, and formulation technology.
Technical Sales Head
Bioxcell Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
02.2020 - 02.2022
- This role blends sales leadership, technical expertise, and national business development, especially relevant during/after the COVID era where diagnostic instruments, RT-PCR systems, ELISA kits, and rapid testing devices became key. Directed PAN India sales operations for COVID-19 diagnostic instruments (RT-PCR systems, automated RNA extractors, ELISA analyzers, rapid testing kits, biosafety cabinets). Established and managed a nationwide distributor and dealer network, ensuring strong coverage across hospitals, labs, and government institutions. As Technical Sales Lead in the laboratory division for providing lab solutions including lab instruments, consumables, chemicals, and diagnostic test kits. Responsible for generating sales leads, supporting sales, and technical discussions with clients in the Pharmaceutical and Diagnostic sector in PAN India.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dept. of Applied Microbiology Laboratory Shizuoka University
11.2017 - 11.2019
- Identified and analyzed lasso peptide biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) using bioinformatics pipelines (antiSMASH, PRISM). Engineered heterologous expression systems in E. coli and Streptomyces hosts. Optimized expression by promoter engineering, co-expression strategies, and refactoring BGCs. Purified peptides using HPLC, LC-MS/MS, and NMR, confirming structural features. Studied bioactivity (antimicrobial, antiviral, enzyme inhibition) of novel peptides. Worked on microbial natural products, fermentation optimization, and molecular cloning. Lasso peptides production using heterologous expression. The purification and chemical structure of the lasso peptides was determined by HPLC, ESI-MS, and NMR spectra.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Sciences
01.2017 - 11.2017
- Investigated NRPS gene clusters in B. subtilis and their regulation in plant-associated and host-induced environments. Demonstrated that activation of NRPS machinery leads to stabilization of biofilms, providing enhanced colonization efficiency. Identified host-specific cues that trigger expression of peptide synthetases. Established the link between secondary metabolite production and resistance against phytopathogens. Host-induced non-ribosomal peptide synthesis in surface-associated communities of the beneficial bacterium B. subtilis was studied, and in turn, established that the activation of this machinery leads to the stabilization of protective biofilm enhanced resistance to pathogens. The switch between biofilm and motility, where numerous fluorescent cytometry experiments were performed to detect various genes in mutants that downstream the matrix protein in TasA.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dept. of Soil Chemistry, Plant Nutrition & Microbiology, ARO-Volcani Centre
12.2013 - 12.2016
- Conducted microbial profiling of soil bacteria using next-generation sequencing (16S rRNA metagenomics, qPCR, DGGE). Isolated and characterized plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with traits such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and phytohormone (IAA) synthesis. Identified and evaluated disease-suppressive bacteria effective against major soil-borne pathogens (Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Pythium). Performed greenhouse trials to test bioinoculants for growth promotion and disease suppression in crops (e.g., tomato, cucumber, maize). Investigated molecular mechanisms of plant–microbe interactions, focusing on bacterial gene expression and induced systemic resistance (ISR) pathways in plants. Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop bioformulations for sustainable agriculture.
Doctorate Research Work
Department of Marine Biology & Ecology, CSMCR
11.2007 - 10.2013
- Isolated novel extremophilic bacterial strains capable of degrading textile dyes under high salt/alkaline conditions. Demonstrated efficient removal of heavy metals and toxic chlorinated compounds from chlor-alkali wastewater. Produced stable biosurfactants effective over wide ranges of pH, salinity, and temperature. Showed synergistic effect of biosurfactant + bacterial consortium in improving bioremediation efficiency. Proposed potential industrial application in eco-friendly wastewater treatment technologies.
Education
Ph.D. - Microbiology
CSIR-CSMCRI
10.2013
PG Diploma - Solid Waste Management
North Maharashtra University
Jalgaon, Maharashtra06.2007
Masters (M.Sc.) - Microbiology
North Maharashtra University
Jalgaon, Maharashtra06.2005
Bachelors (B.Sc.) - Microbiology
North Maharashtra University
Jalgaon, Maharashtra06.2003
Skills
Technical writing expertise
References
Kalpana H., Mody, PhD Mentor, kalpanamody16@gmail.com, DMBE, CSIR-CSIR, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India, 364002
Interests
Scientific Conferences, workshops, traveling, socializing, sports, and cooking
Awards
Qualified Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering GATE-2007 Life Science, Senior Research Fellowship: Awarded by CSIR- India, 2012., PBC Post-Doctoral Fellowship: Awarded by ARO, Israel, 2013., Jacob Blaustein Postdoctoral Fellowship: Awarded by BGU of Negev, Israel, 2015., Postdoctoral Fellowship: Awarded by Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, 2016., JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship: Awarded by JSPS, Japan, 2016.
Affiliations
Israel Society of Microbiology (ISM) since Jan. 2017.
Publications
- 09 publications (link provided below) and 06 international conference abstracts
- Https://scholar.google.co.jp/citations?hl=en&user=bzQaWHEAAAAJ
- (More details can be available upon request)
- 01 article and 01 US patent submitted.
Timeline
Product Manager (Microbiology & Bioprocess Division)
Genetix Biotech Asia Pvt Ltd
04.2024 - Current
Head R&D (Biotech Division)
Penetron Products Private Limited
03.2022 - 01.2024
Technical Sales Head
Bioxcell Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
02.2020 - 02.2022
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dept. of Applied Microbiology Laboratory Shizuoka University
11.2017 - 11.2019
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Sciences
01.2017 - 11.2017
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dept. of Soil Chemistry, Plant Nutrition & Microbiology, ARO-Volcani Centre
12.2013 - 12.2016
Doctorate Research Work
Department of Marine Biology & Ecology, CSMCR
11.2007 - 10.2013
Principal Scientist (Biofertilizers, Biostimulants and Composting)
Virentiatech Private Limited
PG Diploma - Solid Waste Management
North Maharashtra University
Masters (M.Sc.) - Microbiology
North Maharashtra University
Bachelors (B.Sc.) - Microbiology
North Maharashtra University
Ph.D. - Microbiology
CSIR-CSMCRI