A diligent learner, enthusiastic about acquiring knowledge across diverse fields, adept at handling work effectively even in high-pressure situations.
Overview
2024
2024
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Intern
PathoGenomics Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences
Molecular detection of Phytopathogens using LAMP-coupled with CRISPR-Cas 12 technology under the guidance of Prof. Dr. M.K. Prasanna Kumar.
My internship was focused on the rapid detection of phytopathogens (Plant Virus and Bacteria) using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) coupled with CRISPR-Cas12 technology.
Pathogen-specific point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics play a critical role in managing infectious diseases by offering speed, accuracy, and ease of use.
Although molecular techniques are highly precise, their application in PoC settings presents certain challenges.
To address these limitations, the integration of LAMP and CRISPR-Cas technologies has emerged as a promising approach combining the rapid amplification and simplicity of LAMP with the high specificity and detection capabilities of CRISPR systems.
This combined platform demonstrates strong potential as an efficient, sensitive, and adaptable solution for the future development of robust PoC diagnostic tools.
Researcher
MS Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce
Project on 'Plant communication through volatile organic compounds and electrical signalling' under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Radha Dayanidhi.
Plants use volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and electrical signalling to coordinate responses to environmental stressors.
Plants generate VOCs during pathogen attacks or abiotic stress (such as drought or salt), which function as airborne alarms, stimulating defence responses in neighbouring plants.
Internally, electrical signals such as action potentials quickly carry information from the source of stress to other regions of the plant.
These signals trigger a variety of defence mechanisms, including the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes including Polyphenol Oxidases, and peroxidases.
Stress causes a significant rise in antioxidant levels, and minimise cellular damage, hence boosting plant resilience and systemic acquired resistance.
Intern
Supported staff members in their daily tasks, reducing workload burden and allowing for increased focus on higher-priority assignments.
Gained valuable experience working within a specific industry, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations.
Analyzed problems and worked with teams to develop solutions.
Contributed to a positive team environment by collaborating with fellow interns on group projects and presentations.
Intern
National Institute for Biological Sciences (NCBS)
03.2023 - 05.2023
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Cus-17 Protein under the guidance of Prof. Dr. R Sowdhamini.
The Cus17 phloem protein from Cucumis sativus plays an important role in the phloem-based defense of plants.
Cus17 can bind to various carbohydrates present on insect exoskeletons or fungal cells.
Recent experimental structure of chitotriose bound Cus17 elucidates the carbohydrate interacting residues of Cus17.
Higher chito compounds are also known to interact with Cus17, but the lack of experimental structure impedes our understanding of their interaction.
In this study, we have employed in-silico methods to explore the binding interactions of higher chito compounds with Cus17.
Chitoheptaose forms stable interactions with canonical binding site residues Trp48 and Asp50.
Smaller chito compounds were observed to be relatively unstable at the canonical binding site of Cus17.
Further, the chito compounds were inspected for interactions with predicted ligand binding sites.
We also generated different tetramers of Cus17 and docked the chito compounds to the tetrameric Cus17.
All chito compounds were found to make persistent interactions with Cus17 tetramer.
Interestingly, chitotriose shows the best binding affinity and maintains stable interactions with Cus17 tetramer upon extended simulations with the canonical site.
Education
Pre-University College - Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry And Biology
Seshadripuram Pre-University College
Yelahanka, Karnataka
Bachelors - Biotechnology and Microbiology
M.S Ramaiah College of Arts, Science And Commerce
Bangalore, Karnataka
Skills
Certification
Introduction To Cell Biology, NPTEL (IISER, Pune, INDIA)
Awards
The best paper and best oral presentation, International Conference on Nurturing Innovative Technological Trends in Engineering BIOscience (NITTE-BIO 2022), 12/22/22, For the paper titled 'Isolation of predominant uropathogen Escherichia fergusonii from UTI clinical samples and its usage in antibiofilm activity.'
The best paper and best oral presentation, National Conference on Environment, Climate change and sustainability, 12/11/25, For the paper titled 'An investigation of electrical signalling between Ocimum tenuiflorum and Coleus amboinicus: Insights into plant defense mechanisms.'
Publications
Deena GRM, Manikandan A, Subha C, Abishek S, Tejaswini P, Jeevitha S, Palaniraja S, EGFR kinase inhibiting amino-enones for breast cancer; CADD approach, Curr. Comput. Aided Drug Des., 2024, 20, 1-10, 10.2174/0115734099266822231219073332, 1.639, Bentham, 1875 6697
Manikandan A, Tejaswini Nagaraj Poojary, Antibiofilm and Biofilm matrix degradation effect of novel substituted Pyridine based pyrimidine compounds, Chem. Biodivers., 2024, 2.9, 1612-1880, Communicated
Training
An entrepreneurship program on edible Mushroom Farming for women Empowerment, Bangalore
Workshop on Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Techniques, Bangalore
Skill development program on Soaps, Detergents, Phenyl, and Candle making, Bangalore
Lecture Workshop on Advances in Cell and Molecular Biology, Bangalore
Conference Presentations
Manikandan A, Trupti M, Tejaswini P, Isolation of predominant uropathogen Escherichia fergusonii from UTI clinical samples and its usage in antibiofilm activity, International Conference on Nurturing Innovative Technological Trends in Engineering BIOscience (NITTE-BIO 2022), Nitte, Karnataka, 574110, 12/22/22
Manikandan A, Tejaswini P, Natural medicines from Myristica fragrans for predominant uropathogen, International Conference on Recent Updates in Food and Drugs from Natural Source and its Multiverse Applications (RUFDNSMA - 2023), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 07/05/23
Manikandan A, Tejaswini P, Flow cytometry applications in discovering natural antimicrobials from Terminalia chebula for predominant uropathogen, ELRIG Conference (GSK, Stevenage), London, UK, 11/21/23
Manikandan A, Tejaswini P, Flow cytometry applications in discovering natural antimicrobials from Terminalia chebula for predominant uropathogen, Clinical challenges and solutions in Antimicrobial Resistance 2024 (CAMR 2024), Puducherry, India, 01/05/24
Tejaswini, Dr. Radha Dayanidhi, An investigation of electrical signalling between Ocimum tenuiflorum and Coleus amboinicus: Insights into plant defense mechanisms, St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore, Karnataka, 04/11/25
Timeline
Intern
National Institute for Biological Sciences (NCBS)
03.2023 - 05.2023
Intern
PathoGenomics Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences
Researcher
MS Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce
Intern
Pre-University College - Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry And Biology
Research Assistant at Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Crop Science, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources UniversityResearch Assistant at Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Crop Science, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University
Academician at Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural SciencesAcademician at Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Breeding, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences