Dr. Tarun Kumar Sharma, FRSB

About

I am a science enthusiast trained in translational research, aptamer technology, biomedical diagnostics and the biodesign process of innovation. I earned my PhD from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, during which time I worked at C.S. Bond Life Science Centre-Univ. of Missouri, USA as a visiting fellow. I did a brief post-doctoral stint at RMIT-University, Australia as an Australian Endevaour Research Awardee. I am a recipient of the IGNITE Fellowship that allowed me to work at the University of Cambridge, UK, where I received training in innovation and entrepreneurship. With over 10 years of experience in aptamer technology, diagnostics and biosensing, I conceptualized and executed several projects leading to patents, high quality publications and technologies. I have generated >4.5 crore funding through extramural grants from DBT, BIRAC and Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to support various research programs of national and global importance. I have a translational mindset with a clear focus on needs-driven innovations. Before joining GBU I was a Senior Research Scientist and Head of Aptamer Technology and Diagnostic Laboratory at THSTI-Faridabad.

Background

 

• PhD in Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Roorkee
• M.Sc. in Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University

Honours and Awards

2024 Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB)-UK
2024 Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Distinguished lecture Fellow
2024 Senior Scientist Award by National Environmental Science Academy (NESA)
2023 Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Associate Fellow
2023 Member of Indian National Young Academy of Sciences (INYAS)
2020 2nd prize in IKMC-2020 Future Scan conference in MedTech category organized by IKP, USP and DUPONT
2020 Mentor for RMIT Australia-Technology and Entrepreneurship Club
2020 Reviewer for BIRAC-SITARE-Scheme
2019 Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Young Scientist Medal
2018 Winner of technology showcasing competition at IKMC-2018 organized by IKP and DUPONT
2018 Future Science Leader by STS-Japan
2018 IGNITE Fellow-2018 at Judge Business School Cambridge University-UK
2017 DBT Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award
2014 Australian Endeavour Research Award (Commonwealth of Australia)
2012 Innovation Award, Department of Biotechnology- Govt. of India
2010 Visiting Research Fellowship, National Institute of Health, USA (Prof Donald H Burke group)
2009 National Doctoral Fellowship (AICTE-India)
2007 National Eligibility Test (Eligibility for Lectureship) cum Junior Research Fellowship

Research Group Overview

• Since origin of life Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) played a vital role in transferring genetic information from one generation to the next. Recent discoveries in the field of Functional Nucleic Acids (FNAs) have given a new dimension to the field of nucleic acid biology by showing nucleic acids are not only the information tapes they can form beautiful shapes (hairpin, G-quadruplex, pseudoknot etc) also. Using these shapes nucleic acid can bind to their cognate target with high affinity and specificity. Moreover, such nucleic acids (also known as aptamers) can be generated using a process of in vitro-directed molecular evolution called SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment). The SELEX technology identifies rare functional molecules for various function from a highly dense and diverse repertoire of DNA/RNA, allowing us to explore the chemical and biological limit of functional nucleic acids. Our group is trying to find answer to questions like:
  1. What can these functional nucleic acids do?
  2. What kind of sequence and structure and activity relationship these nucleic acids have?
  3. Can we engineer these nucleic acids for better binding, affinity, specificity and catalytic activity?
  4. Can we use these functional nucleic acids as a diagnostic tool and therapeutic agent to find a better substitute of antibody?

We are also interested in developing point-of-care devices for biomedical diagnostics. In this regard we are interested in adapting aptamers/antibodies onto a biosensing platforms including but not limited to ELISA/ALISA, optical sensors, electrochemical sensors, lateral flow assay and paper-based microfluidic sensors.

 

Research Grants

1. Title of grant: -Identification of antiviral agents against Henipaviruses like Nipah and Hendra

  Role: PI

  Collaborating institute(s): THSTI and NABI

  Duration: 2.0 years (2023-2025)

  Funding Agency: Nova Nordisk Foundation and Open Philanthropy

  Amount: Rs. 89.69 lakhs (fund sanctioned to GBU, total funding is 3Cr)

 

2. Title of grant: Development of a point-of-care (POC) biosensor for the detection of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides in                          environmental samples

    Role: PI

    Duration: 2.0 years (2023-2025)

    Funding Agency: GSBTM

    Amount: Rs. 55.60 lakhs

 

3. Title of grant: Development of a metabolite-based point-of-care test for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis in Indian women (grant is approved in      principle fund is yet to release from ICMR)

    Role:PI  from GBU

    Collaborating institute: AIIMS-Delhi

    Duration: 3.0 years (2023-2026)

    Funding Agency: ICMR

    Amount: Rs. 60.00 lakhs

 

4. Title of grant: Aptamer-based test for vulvovaginal candidiasis

    Role:PI  from GBU

    Collaborating institute: AIIMS-Delhi

    Duration: 3.0 years (2023-2026)

    Funding Agency: ICMR

    Amount: Rs. 48.00 lakhs

 

5. Title of grant: snakes of North-East India and development of diagnostic assays for the identification of snakebite at species level (grant is              approved in principle fund is yet to release from ICMR)

    Role:PI  from GBU

    Duration: 3.0 years (2023-2026)

    Funding Agency: ICMR

    Amount: Rs. 50.00 lakhs

 

6. Title of grant: An aptamer-based approach to expedite accurate diagnosis of bacterial and fungal sepsis in neonates

    Role: PI of project 10

    Duration: 5.0 years (2021-2026)

    Funding Agency: DBT

    Amount: Total Sanctioned amount is 45.52 crores for entire Sepsis program having 10 projects (Allocated fund for our project 10 is Rs. 119.00        lakhs

 

7. Title of grant: Aptamer-Nanoparticles Conjugate: A Next Generation Theranostic Agents for Phytopathogenic Fungi

    Role: PI

    Duration: 3.0 years (2021-2024)

    Funding Agency: DBT

    Amount: Rs. 56.00 lakhs

Patents

1. Novel DNA aptamers against nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 and uses thereof. Patent Number. 202011034641
2. A DNAzyme-based colorimetric detection of SARS-Cov-2 and Its uses thereof. Patent Number. 202011020560
3. Novel DNA aptamers against spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and uses thereof. Patent Number. 202011017852
4. High-affinity aptamers against dichlorvos and a process for producing the same. Patent Number 202011004692
5. Novel DNA aptamers against venom of Bungarus caeruleus (Common Indian Krait), method of its chemical synthesis and uses thereof. Patent Number 201911036350
6. Aptamers against Phospholipase A2 in snake venom and uses thereof. Patent Number 201911027455
7. Aptamer based electrochemical Biosensor for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis. Patent Number 201811042593 and PCT/IN20 19/050827 Publication date 22nd May 2020.-Technology transferred to Mol Bio Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd.
8. Aptamer against M.tb MPT51 and uses thereof. Patent Number PCT/IN2018/050581 and US2020/0283774A1) Publication date 10th Sep 2020.
9. Aptamer against M.tb MPT51 and uses thereof. Patent application Number 201811023360
10. Novel DNA aptamers against nucleoid-associated protein HupB of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and uses thereof. Patent Number 201711001246 -Granted
11. Aptamer against mycobacterial malate synthase and uses thereof. Patent Number 201611021901
12. Novel DNA aptamers against heat shock protein HspX of mycobacterium tuberculosis and uses thereof. Patent Number 201611001550 Granted.
13. Comb for Horizontal agarose gel electrophoresis. Patent Number 383365001
14. A qualitative colorimetric point-of-care detection of nitrite Patent Number 202421009999

Publications

• Our Research endeavours were recognised as “Indian Science achievements in 2018”, also highlighted on DBT-webpage. Please see the links below
  https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/here-is-what-indian-scientists-achieved-in- 2018-beyond-rocket-launches-and-nuclear-capable- missiles/article25819024.ece?fbclid=IwAR3JztEWSrY7nuV0m2F1LVwSEarrx9DirYjO8YPAtRW3lXTO aEHaqBnSvSU

Link to Top 5 Publications (For complete list of publications please visit Google Scholar)

• Aptamer-Controlled Reversible Inhibition of Gold Nanozyme Activity for Pesticide Sensing
  https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/ac5028726
• Complex target SELEX-based identification of DNA aptamers against Bungarus caeruleus venom for the detection of envenomation using a paper-based device
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956566321005601
• A novel G-quadruplex aptamer-based spike trimeric antigen test for the detection of SARS- CoV-2
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2162253121001554
• GOLD SELEX: a novel SELEX approach for the development of high-affinity aptamers against small molecules without residual activity
  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00604-020-04577-0
• Theranostic Application of a Novel G-Quadruplex-Forming DNA Aptamer Targeting Malate Synthase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2162253119302744