Personal Information
Dr. Tarun Kumar Bhatt
Associate Professor
M.Sc. Biotechnology: MKU, Madurai (NET-JRF), Ph.D. Computational and Malaria Biology: ICGEB, New Delhi, PostDoc. Structural Biology: The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego, USA
91
- Parasitology
- Vaccine and drug development
- Molecular Diagnostics
- 2011-Present: Assistant Professor at Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh, India.
- 2010-2011: Postdoc at The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego, California, USA.
- 2005-2010: PhD- Structural and biochemical studies on malaria parasite proteins involved in protein synthesis machinery, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India.
- 2003-2005: Master of Science (Biotechnology and Molecular Biology), Madurai Kamaraj University. Madurai, Tamilnadu (India) 82.5 % marks, First Class.
- 1999-2002: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, and English), Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur (india), 68.19% marks, First Class.
- 1998-1999: Senior Secondary (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and English), CBSE, Rajasthan, India, 66.0% marks, First class.
Despite encouraging advances over the past decade, malaria caused by Plasmodium continues to pose an enormous disease burden and is one of the most considerable global health problems. The increasing resistance of parasites to conventional monochemotherapies like chloroquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, piperaquine and artemisinin is adding onto the complex state of the disease. The state of losing grounds of efficacious drugs and non availability of new drug indicates the urge of the discovery of novel antimalarial with new mechanism of action to circumvent the current disastrous state.
My lab is working on the similar grounds with the focus of evaluation of large number of small drug like molecules for their anti-parasitic behavior against important parasitic proteins belonging to different category as described:
a) The alternation of two hosts for the accomplishment of life cycle, parasite undergoes inhospitable environment. The parasite is exposed to significant amounts of stress like periodic elevated temperature due to release of hemozoin, heme toxification due to hemoglobin degradation, and oxidative burst of reactive oxygen species as a outcome of immune response against the parasite. In order to survive and replicate in such a hostile environment, Plasmodium acclimatize to circumvent immune response of the host. This comprises antigenic diversity, erythrocyte’s surface remodeling, interference in cell signalling pathways, alteration in antigen presentation by dendritic cells, and host immune modulation due to secretion of various parasitic proteins. Secreted proteins play a decisive role in host-parasite interactions. Therefore, part of our research is focused on the characterization of these proteins as novel drug targets or vaccine candidates. The drug ability of the targets is tested using in silico approaches followed by the in vitro assays to evaluate their inhibitory concentrations. On the other hand, vaccine candidature is assessed using epitope prediction followed by immunization experiments and cytokine profiling.
b) The peerless role of apicoplast in the life of parasite alongwith the dissimilarity in the nature of metabolic processes with respect to the human metabolism makes apicoplast a superlative drug target. Considering to the established significance of apicoplast, our lab is focussed on the identification of novel inhibitors against the reported drug targets of apicoplast. The inhibitor screening via computational platform followed by the evaluation of inhibitory concentrations under in vitro conditions is carried out to assess their anti parasitic activity. The time scale dependent studies combined with the conformational insights into the protein active site explains the dynamic behavior of the proteins.
c) Apart from the major focus on antimalarial research, our work is partly focused against the parasite responsible for Leishmaniasis. The intracellular parasite offers several important proteins which can be targeted for their structural and biochemical characterization alongwith the identification of antileishmanial compounds.
| S. No. | Authors | Title of Article | Journal/Conference Details | Journal/Conference | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pandey RK , Ali M, Ojha R, Bhatt TK, Prajapati VK | Developemt of multi-epitope driven subunit vaccine in secretory and membrane proteins of Plasmodium falciparum to convey protection against malaria infection | Vaccine | Journal | 2018 |
| 2 | Pandey RK , Sharma D, Ojha R, Bhatt TK, Prajapati VK | Chemical system biology based molecular interactions to identify inhibitors against Q151M mutant of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase | Infection, Genetics and Evolution | Journal | 2018 |
| 3 | Pandey RK, Bhatt TK, Prajapati VK | Novel Immunoinformatics Approaches to Design Multi-epitope Subunit Vaccine for Malaria by Investigating Anopheles Salivary Protein | Scientific Reports | Journal | 2018 |
| 4 | Sharma D, Soni R, Rai P, Sharma B, Bhatt TK | Relict plastidic metabolic process as a potential therapeutic target | Drug Discovery Today | Journal | 2017 |
| 5 | Sharma B & Bhatt TK | Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes in tomato | Scientific Reports | Journal | 2017 |
| 6 | Rai P, Sharma D, Soni R, Khatton N, Sharma B & Bhatt TK | Plasmodium falciparum Apicoplast and Its Transcriptional Regulation Through Calcium Signalling | Journal of Microbiology | Journal | 2017 |
| 7 | Soni R, Sharma D, Rai P, Sharma B & Bhatt TK | Signaling Strategies of Malaria Parasite for Its Survival, Proliferation, and Infection during Erythrocytic Stage | Front. Immunol | Journal | 2017 |
| 8 | Kumar A, Sharma D…. & Bhatt TK | Cancer-testis antigens as molecular drug targets using network pharmacology | Tumor Biology | Journal | 2016 |
| 9 | Sharma D, Soni R & Bhatt TK | In-silico studies on DegP protein of Plasmodium falciparum in search of anti-malarials | Journal of Molecular Modeling | Journal | 2016 |
| 10 | Pandey RK, Sharma D… Bhatt TK & Prajapati VK | High-throughput virtual screening and quantum mechanics approach to develop imipramine analogues as leads against trypanothione reductase of Leishmania | Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy | Journal | 2016 |
| 11 | Sharma B, Joshi D, Yadav P, Gupta AK & Bhatt TK | Role of ubiquitin-mediated degradation system in plant biology | Front. Plant Sci | Journal | 2016 |
| 12 | Bhatt TK, Soni R and Sharma D | Recent updates on DTD (D-Tyr-tRNATyr Deacylase): An enzyme essential for fidelity and quality of protein synthesis | Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology | Journal | 2016 |
| 13 | Soni R, Sharma D & Bhatt TK | Plasmodium falciparum secretome in erythrocyte and beyond | Frontiers in Microbiology | Journal | 2016 |
| 14 | Soni R, Sharma D, Patel S, Sharma B & Bhatt TK | Structure based binding between protein farnesyl transferase and PRL-PTP of malaria parasite: An interaction study of prenylation process in Plasmodium | Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics | Journal | 2016 |
| 15 | Patel S, Joshi D, Soni R, Sharma D & Bhatt TK | Molecular modeling, in silico screening and molecular dynamics of PfPRL-PTP of P.falciparum for identification of potential anti-malarials | Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics | Journal | 2015 |
| 16 | Pandey RK, Sharma D, Bhatt TK, Sundar S & Prajapati VK | Developing imidazole analogues as potential inhibitor for Leishmania donovani trypanothione reductase: virtual screening, molecular docking, dynamics and ADMET approach | Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics | Journal | 2015 |
| 17 | Kalidhasan N, Joshi D, Bhatt TK and Gupta AK | Identification of key genes involved in root development of tomato using expressed sequence tag analysis | Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plant | Journal | 2015 |
| 18 | Bhatt TK et al | Malaria parasite tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase upon secretion triggers pro-inflammatory responses | Nat. Commun | Journal | 2011 |
| 19 | Bhatt et al | Ligand-bound structure provide atomic snapshots for the catalytic mechanism of D-amino-acid deacylase | J Biol Chem | Journal | 2010 |
| 20 | Goyal S, Arora S, Bhatt TK, Das P, Sharma A, Kumari S, Arya D.S | Modulation of PPAR-gamma by telmisartan protects the heart against myocardial infarction in experimental diabetes | Chem Biol Interact. | Journal | 2010 |
| 21 | Yogavel M, Khan S, Bhatt TK. and Sharma A | Structure of native D-tyrosyl-tRNATyr deacylase by Iodide-SAD: structural polymorphism and HEPES bound enzyme states | Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr | Journal | 2010 |
| 22 | Bhatt et al | A genomic glimpse of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum | BMC Genomics | Journal | 2009 |
| 23 | Rai, P., Arya, H., Saha, S., Kumar, D., & Bhatt, T. K. | Drug repurposing based novel anti-leishmanial drug screening using in-silico and in-vitro approaches. | Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics | Journal | 2021 |
| 24 | Rana, M., Pareek, A., Bhardwaj, S., Arya, G., Nimesh, S., Arya, H., Bhatt, T.K., Yaragorla, S. and Sharma, A.K. | Aryldiazoquinoline based multifunctional small molecules for modulating Aβ 42 aggregation and cholinesterase activity related to Alzheimer's disease. | RSC Advances | Journal | 2020 |
| 25 | Sharma D, Dada R, Tejavath KK, Rai P, Soni R, Yaragorla S, Bhatt TK | A paradigm towards the antimalarial quest: in silico identification and biological evaluation of novel inhibitors targeting 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase. | Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics | Journal | 2020 |
| 26 | Rai P, Arya H, Saha S, kumar D and Bhatt TK | Drug repurposing based novel anti-leishmanial drug screening using in-silico and in-vitro approaches. | J Biomol Struct Dyn. | Journal | 2021 |
| 27 | Rana M, Cho H, Arya H, Bhatt TK, Bhar K, Bhatt S, Mirica L and Sharma AK | Azo-Stilbene and Pyridine-Amine Hybrid Multifunctional Molecules to Target Metal Mediated Neurotoxicity and Amyloid-β Aggregation in Alzheimer’s disease. 61 (27), 10294–10309. | Inorg. Chem. | Journal | 2022 |
| 28 | Sharma D, Pareek A, Arya H, Soni R, Rai P, Agrawal A, Nimesh S, Kumar D, Yaragorla S and Bhatt TK | Synthesis and inhibition studies towards the discovery of benzodiazepines as potential antimalarial compounds | 243- 108411, Exp. Parasitology | Journal | 2022 |
| 29 | Tripathy H, Bhalerao P, Singh S, Arya H, Alotaibi BS, Rashid S, Hasan MR and Bhatt TK | Malaria therapeutics: Are we close enough? | Parasites & Vectors | Journal | 2023 |
Principal Investigator
1. Molecular modeling of malaria parasite secretome: A potential drug target (INR. 16.74/ Lakh) 2013- 2016
Funding agency: DST, Govt. of India.
2. In-silico screening of apicoplast proteome: In search of potential anti-malarials (INR. 24.76 /-Lakh) 2014- 2017
Funding agency: BRNS-DAE, Govt. of India.
3. Biochemical and structural studies on two secretory proteins of Plasmodium falciparum (INR. 6.00 /-Lakh) 2015- 2016
Funding agency: UGC Start-up.
4. Molecular and Structural Characterization of Mitochondrial DNA Primase in Leishmania donovani (With Central University of Assam) (INR. 120.00 /-Lakh (44.21 lakhs to CURAJ)) 2016- 2019
Funding agency: DBT-NER, Govt. of India.
5. Development and screening of potential anti-malarials based on priviledged scaffolds (INR. 6.00 /-Lakh) 2017- 2020
Funding agency: DST, Govt. of Rajasthan.
6. Design, Synthesis and Insilico/invitro studies of Cladosporin derivatives as potent antimalarial agents (Multi institutional: With ICGEB and HCU) (INR. 20.00 /-Lakh) 2018- 2021
Funding agency: DST, Govt. of India.
7. Identification and Characterization of glycyl-tRNA synthetase in Leishmania donovani (With Central University of Assam) (INR. 80.00 /-Lakh (32.0 /-Lakh to CURAJ)) 2018- 2021
Funding agency: DBT-NER, Govt. of India.
8. Inhibiting glycosomal membrane biogenesis as a potential leishmaniasis treatment (With Central University of Assam) (INR. 2.1 Crores (70 Lakhs to CURAJ)) 2023-2027
Funding Agency: ICMR, Govt. of India
Co-Principal Investigator
1. Functional characterization of a heat shock protein (HSP90), Amino acid transporter (AAT), and Nucleosome Assembly Protein (NAP) genes for their role in root development in tomato (INR. 54.00 /-Lakh) 2014- 2017
Funding agency: DBT, Govt. of India.
2. A novel multi-targeting approach to develop resistance immune antimalarials (Multi-institutional) (INR 2.4 Crores (1.2 Crores to CURAJ)) 2023-2027
Funding Agency: ICMR, Govt. of India
Funding as Mentor
1. Design and Develoment of Multi-epitopes vaccine against malaria parasite (20 Lacs) 2019-2022
Funding agency: ICMR, Govt. of India.
Attended
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EMBO lecture course on Functional Nucleic Acids: Recent landscapes and therapeutic application, RCB, Faridabad, India, 16-19 Aug 2022.
DBT sponsored National workshop on foldscope & symposium on applied Biotechnology, IIS University, Jaipur, 2019.
National workshop on foldscope & symposium on applied microbiology, Manipal University, Jaipur, 2018.
National Seminar on Recent trends in chemical sciences: Global opportunities and challenges, SSG College, Banswara, 2016
National workshop on NGS data: Assembly and exploration, NIPGR, New Delhi, 2016.
- National Conference on recent advances in Chemistry, Banswara, 2016.
- 56th International conference of AMI, New Delhi, 2015.
- Symposium on ‘Good Laboratory Practices and Safety Guidelines’ July 2015, CURAJ, Bandarsindri.
- International Science Congress, Udaipur 2014.
- International conference on microbial, plant, and animal research, Laxamangarh 2012.
- EMBO global lectures course on amoebiasis: Exploring the biology and pathogenesis of Entamoeba, JNU, New Delhi 2012.
- National conference on omics for biotechnology, CURAJ, Kishangarh 2012.
- 8th National biennial conference on medical bioinformatics, AIIMS, New Delhi 2012.
- National conference on newer horizons and innovations in biotechnology and biosciences (NIHBB), Agra 2012.
- MEPHITIS annual meeting, Barcelona 2009.
- Selected in ABLE (Association of Biotechnology Led enterprises) India 2009.
- National Parasitology Congress Meeting, Nehu, Shilong 2009 (First prize).
- aaRS2008, Annecy, France.
- ANACOR travel fellowship 2008.
- International conference on crystallography, Chennai 2008.
- Hands-on training in crystallographic techniques, Hyderabad 2007.
- Science day and aqua-terr annual conference, Madurai 2005
Organized
- National conference on ‘Omics for Biotechnology’ 2012, Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh
- Virtual Workshop on "UCSC XENA: An Integration and Exploration Tool for Multi-Omics Data" 2022, Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh in collaboration with US Santa Cruz Genomics Institute, USA.
| Title | Attachment File | Other Link |
|---|---|---|
| URL |  Download The file (503.06 KB)  | http://tarunkumarbhatt1982.wixsite.com/tarun-kumar-bhatt |
