Dr. Tarun Kumar Sharma, PhD

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

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

Honours and Awards

• 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.

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

• 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