Dr. Surya Ramachandran

I am a disease biologist, educator, and public health advocate with over 20 years of experience in research. I serve as Associate Professor of Medical Biotechnology at Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU), where we drive translational research that bridges molecular biology, clinical practice, and societal health needs.

My lab has developed cyclophilin as a novel marker of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes, a breakthrough that has the potential for early diagnosis and risk stratification. I have been honoured with the Distinguished Service Award in Cardiovascular Science Medicine and Surgery, International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences, Canada in 2015 and the Indian Council of Medical Research-Chaturvedi Kalawati Jagmohan Das Memorial Award for Research in Cardiovascular Diseases in 2017 for my research findings. Our research on maternal hypercholesterolemia and fetal programming received international recognition at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2022, where our team earned the prestigious Paul Dudley White Award. Our present focus is to develop markers and therapy target sites for paediatric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (PHCM), cardiac conduction disorders (CCDs), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), unstable plaque rupture using high-throughput techniques such as methylome sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and electrophysiology experiments.

As Secretary General of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences – India Section from 2016 to 2022, I have played a key role in fostering cardiovascular research networks nationally and globally. At GBU, I hold key institutional roles as Chairperson of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), Women’s Development Cell (WDC), Human Rights Committee, and the Committee for Transgender Inclusion and Equity to foster a safe, just, and inclusive academic environment.

My lab is committed to educating future scientific leaders through a vibrant PhD program wherein we not only focus on high throughput technologies but also dedicate time and efforts for public engagement and community programs to Promote Heart Health among Children (ProHeartC), blending science with social responsibility.

Bachelor’s Degree
BSc Botany,1996 University of Kerala

Master’s Degree
MSc Microbiology, 1998
Manonmaniam Sundarnar University

Doctoral Degree
PhD in Tumor Biology, 2009
Mahatma Gandhi University/ Regional Cancer Centre

Post-doctoral Fellowship
Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, 2009-2012
Department of Biotechnology- Post doctoral fellow , Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

Visiting Scientist
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), 2012
Oklahoma City, USA

2018: Recipient of the Indian Council of Medical Research, Chaturvedi Kalawati Jagmohan Das Memorial Award for Research in Cardiovascular                        Diseases.
2017: ISHR-Torrent Young Investigator Award 2017, Cardiovascular Research Convergence, Translational Health Science & Technology Institute,Faridabad, India
2015: Distinguished Service Award in Cardiovascular Science Medicine and Surgery; International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences, Canada
2015: DBT International Travel Fellowship (Omaha, USA)
2009: DBT International Travel Fellowship (Toronto, Canada)
2008: RGCB Merit Award of the Year 2008

Honors

September 2022 to date: Associate Professor, Gujarat Biotechnology University
August 2012 to August 2022: Program Scientist, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology
May 2012 to August 2012: Visiting Scientist, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
2009 to 2012: Post doctoral Fellow, Department of Biotechnology, RGCB
2008 to 2009: Study Coordinator, Department of Biotechnology, RGCB
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2022-to date : Associate Professor, Medical Biotechnology, GBU, Gandhinagar
2019-2022 : MSc Biotechnology Program, RGCB, Assistant Course Coordinator
2019-2022 : Faculty for MSc Program in Biotechnology, RGCB
2013-2015 : Faculty for basic course in Microbiology, Immunology and Virology RGCB
2013-2022 : Faculty for course in Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology RGCB
2001-2002 : Lecturer in Microbiology, National College, University of Kerala
2000-2001 : Lecturer in Industrial Microbiology, University of Kerala
MENTOR FOR PhD STUDENTS
Dr Jayalekshmi VS (DST Inspire Fellow): Awarded 2024
Ms Jeeva Prasannan (UGC Fellow): Ongoing
Ms Aswathy S (RGCB Fellow): Ongoing
Ms Khushi Jani (CSIR-UGC Fellow): Ongoing
Ms Vidhi Rawat (CSIR fellow): Ongoing
LAB ALUMINI
Dr Jayalekshmi VS: Post Doctoral Fellow, Feinberg School of Medicine, North Western University, Chicago, USA
Ms Sravani K (MSc dissertation student, 2022-24): Project fellow, IICT, Hyderabad

1. Deciphering the cellular heterogeneity in unstable atherosclerotic plaques using single cell RNA sequencing and spatial whole transcriptomics for developing RNA based prognostic markers”. (PI); ICMR (2024-2027)
2. Developing prognostic markers for paediatric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using DNA methylation patterns to prevent sudden cardiac death in young adults (PI): GSBTM; (2024-2027)
3. Can β-glucan-induced gut microbiome metabolites improve PCOS symptoms? An experimental and clinical study (Co-PI); DBT; 2024-2027
4. Does maternal hypercholesterolemia influence cholesterol transport mechanisms across the placenta during gestation? (PI): ICMR; 2019-2022
5. How does Cyclophilin A, an Oxidative Stress Induced Secretory Protein Modulate Vascular Disease Progression in Type 2 Diabetes? (PI): ICMR; 2015- 2018
6. Screening lead molecules identified by structure-based rational drug design methods against cytochrome b5 reductase 3 and dopamine beta hydroxylase in spontaneously hypertensive rat models for antihypertensive effects. (CO-PI): DBT; 2017-2020

MAJOR PUBLICATIONS (Last 10 years)

• 1. V.S., J., Jaikumar, V. S., Mehra, P., Thulaseedharan, T., Vinod, V., & Ramachandran, S*. (2024). Differential expression of lipid metabolic genes in hypercholesterolemic rabbit placenta predisposes the offspring to develop atherosclerosis in early adulthood. Life Sciences, 327, 121823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121823
• 2. Jayalekshmi, V.S., Jagannath, R.S., Sreelekshmi, S. P. Rafeekha, R. Vidyalekshmy, Surya Ramachandran*. Maternal hypercholesterolemia during gestation is associated with elevated lipid levels of two-day-old neonates. Mol Cell Biochem (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-023-04739-7
• 3. Anandan, V.; Thulaseedharan, T.; Suresh Kumar, A.; Chandran Latha, K.; Revikumar, A.; Mullasari, A.; Kartha, C.C.; Jaleel, A.; Ramachandran, S*. Cyclophilin A Impairs Efferocytosis and Accelerates Atherosclerosis by Overexpressing CD 47 and Down-Regulating Calreticulin. Cells 2021, 10, 3598. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10123598
• 4. Anandan V, Thankayyan Retnabai SK, Jaleel A, Thushara T, Mullasari Ajit, Pillai MR, Kartha CC, Ramachandran S*. Cyclophilin A induces macrophage apoptosis and enhances atherosclerotic lesions in high-fat diet-fed hyperglycemic rabbits. FASEB BioAdvances. 2021;00:1–18.
• 5. Ramachandran S*, Anandan V, Kutty VR, Mullasari A, Pillai MR, Kartha CC. Metformin attenuates effects of cyclophilin A on macrophages, reduces        lipid uptake and secretion of cytokines by repressing decreased AMPK activity. Clinical Science. 2018 Jan 30
• 6. Ramachandran S*, Vinitha A, Kartha CC. Cyclophilin A enhances macrophage differentiation and lipid uptake in high glucose conditions: a cellular          mechanism for accelerated macro vascular disease in diabetes mellitus. Cardiovascular diabetology. 2016 ,15(1):152.
• 7. Vinitha A, Kutty VR, Vivekanand A, Reshmi G, Divya G, Sumi S, Santosh KR, Pratapachandran NS, Ajit MS, Kartha CC, Ramachandran S*. PPIA rs6850:      A> G single-nucleotide polymorphism is associated with raised plasma cyclophilin A levels in patients with coronary artery disease. Molecular and        cellular biochemistry. 2016 Jan 1; 412(1-2):259-68.
• 8. Ramachandran S, Venugopal A, Kutty VR, Vinitha A, Divya G, Chitrasree V, Mullassari A, Pratapchandran NS, Santosh KR, Pillai MR, Kartha CC.                Plasma  level of cyclophilin A is increased in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and suggests presence of vascular disease. Cardiovascular                diabetology. 2014 Dec; 13(1):38.

Books edited
Kartha CC, Ramachandran S, Pillai RM, editors. Mechanisms of Vascular Defects in Diabetes Mellitus. Springer International Publishing; 2017 Aug 1.

Book Chapters

Sourav Sharma. Nair, R. R., & Ramachandran, S*. (2025). Single-cell RNA sequencing as a precision medicine approach for complex metabolic disorders, In Molecular Medicine and Biomedical Research in the Era of Precision Medicine, New Technologies and Personalized Drug Therapies for Patient Care; pp 55-66; Academic Press, Elsevier

Nair, R. R., & Ramachandran, S*. (2024). Maternal Vitamin D Levels During Gestation and Impact on Offspring’s Risk of Non-communicable Diseases in Adulthood. In Lipophilic Vitamins in Health and Disease (pp. 341-354). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

Conference abstracts

Jayalekshmi VS, Budhaditya Basu, KIMS investigators and Surya Ramachandran. Maternal Hypercholesterolemia Induces Changes in DNA Methylation Pattern of Lipid Metabolism Genes in the Human Placenta. Circulation; 146:A10922. 2022DOI: 10.1161/circ.146.suppl_1.10001. Issue No: Vol. 146, No. Suppl_1 (2022) https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circ.146.suppl_1.10922 Presented at American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2022, Chicago, IL. . (IF: 39.9)

Chitra Sree Varadarajan, S Ajit Mullasari, S Vijayakumar Subban, V Suma M Victor, M Poornima, S Jayanthi, Surya Ramachandran, C C Kartha, Increased level of plasma Cyclophilin A in early diabetic population suggesting it as a reliable pro inflammatory biomarker of coronary artery disease in diabetic patients, European Heart Journal, Volume 44, Issue Supplement_1, February 2023, ehac779.138, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehac779.138 (IF: 39.3)