Vishal Sah
Hyderabad
Summary
Passionate and accomplished PhD candidate specializing in infection biology, virology, and host-pathogen interactions. Possessing a strong background in cutting-edge research methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration. Currently employed as a research scientist at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), leading innovative research to identify a unified antiviral target capable of addressing multiple viral infections. Expertise includes working with viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, JEV, DENV, VSV, and utilizing advanced techniques such as microscopy, metabolomics, transcriptomics, biochemical assays, and animal models to uncover novel therapeutic approaches. Actively seeking a postdoctoral position to contribute to groundbreaking research in virology and host-pathogen biology. Committed to impacting global health through scientific innovation and collaboration.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Research Scientist
CSIR-CCMB
08.2024 - Current
- Conducted research to discover novel drug targets for a pan-antiviral therapeutic approach, aiming to target multiple viral infections through a single molecular mechanism.
- Worked with a variety of viruses, including VSV, JEV, SARS-CoV-2, and DENV, to identify and validate antiviral targets.
- Utilized advanced technologies such as microscopy (confocal, super-resolution), metabolomics, transcriptomics, and biochemical assays for in-depth analysis.
- Designed and executed experiments involving animal models to validate therapeutic targets and assess antiviral efficacy.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to integrate cutting-edge methodologies and achieve project milestones.
- Contributed to scientific advancements through detailed data analysis and presentation of findings at conferences and in peer-reviewed publications
PhD Research Fellow
CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)
08.2019 - Current
- Investigate modulation of host innate immune response and discover novel antiviral mechanisms during RNA viral infections
- Utilize advanced biochemical and imaging techniques: Confocal microscopy, STED, and TEM, to analyze cellular changes upon viral infection
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to unveil unique antiviral mechanisms within the host innate immune response
- Published 6 peer-reviewed research articles in esteemed journals
- Presented research at national and international conferences, symposiums, and seminars
Project Lead
Indian Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU)
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Developed cost-efficient aerobic waste composter with support from IIT-BHU's Design and Innovation Center
- Aiming to accelerate composting process while keeping costs low
- Created functional prototype with 5 Kg capacity, suitable for small-scale applications
Summer Intern
National Institute of Biologicals (NIB)
05.2018 - 07.2018
- Acquired expertise in quality control for plasma-derived blood products
- Utilized hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques
- Applied spectroscopic analysis and protein quantification to ensure product purity
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Molecular Virology
CSIR-Centre For Cellular And Molecular Biology (CCMB)
Hyderabad01-2024
M.Sc. - Biochemistry
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
05.2019
B.Sc. (Hons.) - Botany
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
04.2017
Skills
- SDS-PAGE, Immunoblotting, Agarose Electrophoresis
- Protein and Nucleic Acid Isolation
- Spectroscopy, SDD-AGE, and Cloning
- Organelle Isolation and Bioenergetics Flux Estimation
- Mass Spectrometry and Transcriptomics
- Cultivation of Cancerous and Immortalized Cell Lines
- Primary Cell Culture and Isolation from Animal Tissues
- Transfection, Viral Infection, and Drug Treatment of Cells
- Epifluorescence and Confocal Microscopy
- Super-Resolution Microscopy (STED and SIM²)
- Electron Microscopy (TEM)
- Microscopy Image Analysis with ImageJ, Imaris, and Zen Blue (Zeiss)
- Handling of Viruses in BSL-2 (JEV, DENV, VSV, HCV) and BSL-3 (SARS-CoV-2) Facilities
- Virus Isolation, Large-Scale Culturing, and Purification from Patient Samples
- Quantification of Viral Titers using Plaque-Forming and Foci-Forming Assays
- Antibody Efficacy Assessment through Neutralization Assays
- Experience in Animal Handling in Animal BSL-2 Facility
- Virus Injection via Intracranial (IC), Intraperitoneal (IP), and Intravenous (IV) Routes
- Isolation of Blood and Organs from Animals
- RNA-Seq Data Analysis using Linux-Based Pipelines
- Visualization and Statistical Analysis of RNA-Seq and Mass Spectrometric Data with R and Python
- Experience in generating pipelines for RNA-Seq data analysis and image quantification in ImageJ
- Experience in performing analysis of raw datasets in High-Performance Clusters (HPC)
- Statistical Significance Analysis using GraphPad Prism
- Proficient in R, Bash Script (Linux), ImageJ Macro, Python, PHP, MySQL, CSS, and HTML
- Beginner Level Proficiency in C
- Authored Articles for CCMB Sci-tales and DAAK, an Online Journal for Scientific Communication and Outreach
- Report Writing and Grant Writing
- Expertise in Microsoft PowerPoint for Scientific Presentations
- Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and BioRender
Languages
English (Fluent)
Hindi (Native)
Publications
- MAVS suppresses Viral Replication in a non-canonical, IFN independent manner [Tentative Title] (In Preperation)
2024
- SARS-CoV-2 Infection Causes Strong mTORC1 Inhibition and Massive Polysome Collapse (In Communication)
2024
- SARS-CoV-2 Variant Delta Potently Suppresses Innate Immune Response and Evades Interferon-Activated Antiviral Responses in Human Colon Epithelial Cells
Journal: Microbiology Spectrum
Published: September 2022
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01604-22
- Equine immunoglobulin fragment F(ab’)2 displays high neutralizing capability against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants
Journal: Clinical Immunology
Published: March 2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.108981
- Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by β-propiolactone Causes Aggregation of Viral Particles and Loss of Antigenic Potential
Journal: Virus Research
Published: September 2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198555
- Retinoic Acid Inducible Gene-I like Receptors Activate Snail to Limit RNA Viral Infections
Journal: Journal of Virology
Published: August 2021
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01216-21
- N440K variant of SARS-CoV-2 has Higher Infectious Fitness (preprint)
DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.30.441434
Meetings and Conferences
- Oral Subgroup talk - Beyond Interferons - MAVS harnesses mitophagy to alleviate viral replication in an IFN independent manner
Conference: Cell Bio 2024
Location: San Diego, California, USA
Dates: 14th-18th December 2024
- Poster presentation - Beyond Interferons - MAVS harnesses mitophagy to alleviate viral replication in an IFN independent manner
Conference: Cell Bio 2024
Location: San Diego, California, USA
Dates: 14th-18th December 2024
- Poster presentation - Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling Protein (MAVS) exhibits IFN independent antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2
Conference: 7th Molecular Virology Meeting
Location: Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India
Dates: 21st –23rd September 2023
- Poster presentation - Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling Protein suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication in a type I IFN independent manner
Conference: 9th Annual SMRM (Society of Mitochondrial Research and Medicine) conference
Location: Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, India
Dates: 21th –23th June2023
- Poster presentation - SARS-CoV-2 antagonizes RIG-I mediated type I IFN production
Conference: IUBMB focused meeting on Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of RNA viruses
Location: Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
Dates: 15th –18th November2022
- Attendee
Conference: Hy-Sci2022
Location: Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, India
Dates: 14th May2022
Awards
- Recipient of EMBO Travel Grant to Attend Cell Bio 2024, at San Diego, USA from 14th-18th December 2024
- Recipient of SERB/ANRF Travel Grant
- Recipient of CSIR Travel Grant
- Recipient of DBT Travel Grant
- DBT-Senior Research Fellowship - From Department of Biotechnology, Government of India
- DBT- Junior Research Fellowship - From Department of Biotechnology, Government of India
- DIC Grant:, From Design and Innovation Centre (DIC), Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU)
Affiliations
- American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB): Grad school membership
- Society of Biological Chemists (SBC): Graduate membership
Accomplishments
- Successfully trained and mentored several project trainees, dissertation students, and project associates, many of whom are now actively engaged in research across the globe.
- Contributed to the isolation of SARS-CoV-2 from patient samples in 2019 as part of a pioneering team, making the lab the second in India to achieve this milestone.
- Played a key role in the development of Vincov-19, India’s first antidote against COVID-19, as a member of the innovative research team.
Website Links
- Lab Webpage : https://www. https://www.ccmb.res.in/People/Research-Group/Krishnan-H-Harshan
- Researchgate : https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vishal-Sah
- LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-sah-0874b9102/
- Twitter : https://twitter.com/acurious_one
Timeline
Project Research Scientist
CSIR-CCMB
08.2024 - Current
PhD Research Fellow
CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)
08.2019 - Current
Project Lead
Indian Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU)
01.2019 - 05.2019
Summer Intern
National Institute of Biologicals (NIB)
05.2018 - 07.2018
M.Sc. - Biochemistry
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
B.Sc. (Hons.) - Botany
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Molecular Virology
CSIR-Centre For Cellular And Molecular Biology (CCMB)
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