Dr. Vikas Kushwaha
Name: Dr. Vikas Kushwaha
Qualification: Ph.D.
Designation : Post-Doc Fellow
Department: Biotechnology
institute name : Panjab University
College address : Sector-25, South Campus, Vidya Path, Chandigarh, India (160014)
postal address : Flat No-580SFm Nav city2, Sector-124, Sunny Enclave, Kharar, Mohali, Punjab (140301)
Award for : Young Achiever Award
Publication title: Journal
Paper Title : Disorganized muscle protein-1 (DIM-1) of filarial parasite Brugiamalayi: cDNA cloning, expression, purification, structural modeling and its potential as vaccine candidate for human filarial infection.
Journal Name : Vaccine
Volume : 32
Issue No. : 15
About Dr. Vikas Kushwaha
Dr. Vikas Kushwaha working as UGC-DS Kothari Post Doc Fellow t Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. I have completed my PhD. From CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow in 2016 there after I worked as CSIR-Research Associate at University of Lucknow till March 2017. In 2017, I have awarded with DST-SERB National Post- Doc Fellowship award and worked at Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
I have made a significant/notable research contributions from 2008 to till date in the area of parasitology, mainly focused on human lymphatic filariasis (LF) and visceral leishmaniasis disease. I have screened more than 5,000 plant products and >12,000 microbial isolates for antifilarial activity in CSIR Networked project, by using medium throughput in vitro screening and in vivo models. The products NBR 0010 P04patent and MAP 2443 P01 are currently followed up for development as novel antifilarial drugs. Plant products of Taxodiumdistichum,Hibiscus sabdariffa, Alnusnepalensis (diarylheptanoid compounds), Moringaoleifera and Eucalyptus tereticornis (Ursolic acid)showed promising macrofilaricidal and/or female sterilizing activity. Two synthetic compounds (chalcone-thiazole derivatives and 3,6-epoxy [1,5]dioxocines) synthesized and developed by CDRI, were screened in vitro by assays and in the animal models, showed micro- macrofilaricidal activity.
I have cloned, expressed and purified recombinant DIM-1 protein (rDIM-1bm), troponin 1 and assessed humoral and cell mediated immune-responses of filarial infection challenged rodent host (Cytokine assay by ELISA, Lymphocyte transformation assay, Macrophage phagocytosis assay, Cytokines determination through Real-time PCR at transcriptional and translational level etc.) after administration of a these recombinant filarial antigen vaccine formulation. As an offshoot study, I have worked on the cross reactive molecules between filarial parasite ad leishmania parasite and now working on the immunological role of these cross reactive molecules against leishimaniasis. I have also observed the immuno-pathological responses of rodents after administration of these recombinant proteins and drugs by Histopathology of Lymph nodes, Liver and Spleen tissues and observed the degranulation of mast cells and also performed Immunohistochemistry assay.
I have worked on in vivo (mice, Balb/c, mastomys, Hamaster) model system and maintenances of filarial infection in animals through mosquitoes including rearing and breeding of mosquitoes. I have also worked on Histopathology of Lymph nodes, Liver and Spleen and Immunohistochemistry assay.
My research has been reflected in my publications (21 publications, 2 Communicated) in papers in peer-reviewed international/national journals (Total citation: 199, h-index: 10, i10-index:107), having patent (Ref. No. 144NF2009), submitted a structural gene sequence to NCBI (Accession No: JF912447.1), presented 12 papers in various national and international symposia/conferences. I have awarded with Prestigious Prof. M.B. Mirza young scientist award-2017 in field of parasitology from Indian Society of Parasitology, International Travel Grant-2018 form DST-SERB, New Delhi, International Travel Grant-2018 from International Congress of Parasitology (ICOPA), South Korea, Ist prize in Oral presentation, Zoocon-2018 in Panjab University, 2nd prize in Oral presentation, Immunocon-2012 in 39th Annual Conference of Indian Immunology Society and also chaired a session in ICOPA-2018, South Korea.