Dr. Moupriya Nag

Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology
University of Engineering & Management (UEM), Kolkata

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About

Passionate about learning new scientific skills during the graduation, I was intrigued to spectroscopy and developed a keen interest in the field of single molecule spectroscopy. Using my practical knowledge of Physics, I was able to design a home-built Fluorescence Correlation Spectrometer during my doctorate. I loved the challenges and found it exciting to work on different aspects of Biophysical Chemistry and Photochemistry, such as, single molecule studies of protein unfolding/refolding, protein aggregation, protein-ligand interaction and in-vitro detection of metal ions.
My Postdoctoral work was focused on exploring the aggregation kinetics and mechanism of action of peptides associated with neurodegenerative diseases in presence of various membrane surfaces with solution NMR. It was a rewarding experience as I learnt various state of the art techniques used in a molecular biology Lab.
Currently, Working as an assistant professor at UEM Kolkata, I am in the process of establishing myself as a research scientist alongside of educating young students and inspiring research in basic science. My present research focusses on functional amyloids in bacteria and their relation in forming biofilms.

Work History

• Assistant Professor in Department of Biotechnology, University of Engineering & Management (UEM), Kolkata [Jun 2017 – Present]
• Assistant Professor in Department of Basic Sciences & Humanities, Institute of Engineering and Management (IEM), Kolkata [May 2017 − Jun 2017]
• Postdoctoral Research Associate in Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Kolkata [Dec 2016 − Apr 2017]
• Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemical Sciences Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata [Mar 2015 – Aug 2015]

Education

• Ph. D in Biophysics from Biophysics, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Calcutta [Feb 2015]
• Post M.Sc. in Biophysical Sciences from Chemical Sciences Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata [Aug 2010]
• M.Sc. in Applied Physics from Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur [Jun 2009]
• B.Sc. in Physics (Hons.) from Bethune College, University of Calcutta [Jun 2007]
• Higher Secondary from Kendriya Vidyalaya Barrackpore (Army) [Jun 2004]
• Secondary from Kendriya Vidyalaya Barrackpore (Army) [Jun 2002]

Achievements

• Recipient of SERB-National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2017).
• Recipient of Research Associateship of Bose Institute, Kolkata (2016).
• Recipient of Research Associateship of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata (2015).
• Recipient of Senior Research Fellowship of Saha Institute of Nulcear Physics, Kolkata (2011).
• Recipient of Senior Research Fellowship of Saha Institute of Nulcear Physics, Kolkata (2009).
• Education Scholarship, Scheme for Army Personnel (1993-1996).
• Lifetime Member of Indian Biophysical Society (IBS).

Research Interests

Doctoral Research:

• Setting up a fluorescence correlation spectrometer (FCS) in lab (home built apparatus).
• Alignment and calibration of FCS with fluorescent dye rhodamine B.
• Finding application of FCS technique for investigating: protein unfolding/refolding, protein aggregation, protein ligand interaction and detection of metal ions in vitro.

Postdoctoral Research:

• Peptides associated with neurodegenerative diseases e.g. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
• Exploring the aggregation kinetics and mechanism of action of these peptides in presence of various membrane surfaces with solution NMR.
• Formation of unregulated ion channels and other types of disruption of cellular membranes specially the brain endothelial cell.

Research Skills

Synthesis:

• Design and synthesis of organic molecules (sensor for Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺).
• Solid Phase peptide synthesis and peptide purification using reverse phase HPLC.

Spectroscopy:

UV-Vis spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy, circular dichroism, TEM, FT-IR, NMR (Basics only), TCSPC.

Protein Purification:

Septic and sterile techniques, optical microscopy, plating methods (streak, spread, pour, replica), techniques like gel filtration chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography. Handling of non-pathogenic cultures (E.Coli, BL21(DE3) strain), gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).

Biological experiments:

Cell viability assay (LDH and MTT assay) on neuroblastoma cell line.

Software:

Statistical analysis using Origin, Adobe Photoshop, MS office, Maximum entropy method, NMR data analysis using TOPSPIN, SPARKY.

International Publications

1. Sensing of hydrophobic cavity of serum albumin by an adenosine analogue: Fluorescence correlation and ensemble spectroscopic studies, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B, 127 (2013) 202.
2. Truncated or 2/2 hemoglobins: a new class of globins with novel structure and function, Journal of Proteins and Proteomics, 4 (2013) 45.
3. Photophysical effects of nitric oxide and S- nitrosocysteine on acridine orange: use as sequential sensing platform for NO, cysteine, cysteine-NO and Hg⁺² under physiological conditions, Analytical Methods, 6 (2013) 347.
4. Development of a rhodamine-rhodanine based fluorescent mercury sensor and its use to monitor real time uptake and distribution of inorganic mercury in live zebrafish larvae, Analytical Chemistry, 86 (2014) 2740.
5. Use of FCS to Study Protein Denaturation and Aggregation, Biophysical Journal, 106 (2014) 471a. (Conference Proceeding)
6. A multicolor fluorescent peptide–nanoparticle scaffold: real time uptake and distribution in neuronal cells, New Journal of Chemistry, 38 (2014) 2709. (Cover article)
7. Intermolecular disulfide bond formation promotes immunoglobulin aggregation: Investigation by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics, 83 (2015) 169.
8. Unusual denaturation trajectory of bovine gamma globulin studied by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 17 (2015) 19139.
9. Comparative Study of the Antibiofilm Effect of plant extracts and antibiotic on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 0352, International Journal of Basic and Applied Research, 8 (2018) 419.