Tapan Kumar Nayak
Principal Investigator
Dr. Tapan Kumar Nayak's primary research interest is to understand the structural dynamics and function of the ion channels and synaptic receptors. Ion channels are macromolecular machines expressed in the cell membranes which generate electrical currents and play fundamental role in the function of the nervous system. Anomaly in ion channel function causes a plethora of human diseases. Dr. Nayak graduated with a master's degree (M.Sc.) in Life Sciences from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi in 2004. He then moved to the lab of Prof. Sujit Sikdar in IISc, Bangalore to pursue his doctoral thesis work and obtained his Ph.D. in 2010 by studying the biophysical properties of voltage-gated sodium and leak potassium channels. During Ph.D. he gained expertise in single-channel electrophysiology, molecular and cell biology, adenoviral gene delivery and microscopy methods. He then moved to the US to continue his interest in ion channel structure-function in the lab of Prof. Anthony Auerbach at the single molecule biophysics department of SUNY at Buffalo.
During his postdoc in Auerbach lab, he performed fundamental research on the gating and binding mechanisms of the acetylcholine receptors and solved interesting puzzles in synaptic development. In early 2018, for a short period of time, he worked at Nanion Technologies Inc., US where he had exposure to automated planar patch-clamp method and devices. In December 2018, Dr. Nayak joined as Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences in IIT Delhi. Dr. Nayak's lab in IITD is currently trying to address fundamental questions about how ion channels function and how structural perturbations alter their function in the context of diseases of the nervous system. His lab quantitatively measures the kinetics, energetics, structural dynamics of ion channels and the network properties of neurons to understand the physiological functions of ion channels.
Research Team
Pradeepti Kampani
Ph.D. Scholar
I am studying allostery in a model GPCR; The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor with the GIRK channel as a reporter system. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology, I am trying to gather information about the conformational changes the receptor goes through in the millisecond time scale. I am an avid reader and try to catch up on as many books as I can during my free time. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Past: MSc- Biomedical Science, ACBR, DU, 2014-16
Sushanth Adusumilli
Ph.D. Scholar
Investigating intracellular TRPML3 ion channel. Experienced in Patch-Clamp and RNA-seq Data Analyses. I
get immense satisfaction in understanding new concepts and teaching others. Console and PC Gaming is my
favorite hobby and a stress buster. Prefer a good work-life balance.
Past: MS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2016-18, University of Southern California
Sunil Gadhwal
Ph.D. Scholar
Understanding Structure-function relationship of human intracellular two-pore domain ion channel, HsTPC2. I like doing experimental research. Sports are a stressbuster for me in my free time.
Past: M.Sc. Biotechnology, 2019-21, BSBE, IITÂ BOMBAY
Pooja Verma
Ph.D. Scholar
I am modeling the behavior of neurons involved in the neuronal network of nicotinic addiction and
withdrawal. I am using NEURON simulation environment to simulate the pathways with complex branched
anatomy and biophysical membrane properties.
Past: B.Tech Electronics and communication engg, Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology, Delhi, 2016-20
Mahesh Mahadeo Mathe
Ph.D. Scholar
Screening of ion channels involved in neuropathic pain. Into HTS in silico/ in vitro screening, transcriptomics, electrophysiology, MD simulations
Past: M.Tech Medical Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad, 2018-20
Rajiv Sharma
Ph.D. Scholar
Understanding the mechanism of nicotine binding to nAChRs and its role in synapse development with implying electrophysiology and computational studies.
Past: MSc Biotechnology, University of Hyderabad (2021-23)
BSc Botany (Hons.), University of Delhi (2018-2021)
Ritu Singh
Ph.D. Scholar
Investigating the biophysical properties and functional role of the ion channels in endolysosomes, focusing on ion permeability, channel regulation, and intracellular trafficking.
Past-
MSc. Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (2021-2023)
BSc (Honors), Biochemistry, University of Delhi (2018-2021)
Gauri Saini
Ph.D. Scholar
Rakesh Barwar
Ph.D. Scholar
Jaweria Mariam
Ph.D. Scholar
Tanish Gupta
Ph.D. Scholar
Shayamolima Gogoi
Ph.D. Scholar
I am working on understanding the role of ion channels in autophagy and neurodegeneration. Beyond research, I enjoy exploring diverse forms of entertainment, from books to TV shows, and staying active through sports. I like to keep things balanced and believe in being a 'jack of all trades' (and occasionally mastering a few).
Past: Integrated Master of Science in Systems Biology, University of Hyderabad (2020-2025)
Dhawal Kumar Jha
M. Sc.
Passionate about understanding the nervous system at multiple scales: from the biophysics of ion channels to the computational logic of neural circuits and the transcriptional landscape of individual cells.
Master's student in Biological Sciences at KSBS, IIT Delhi (2025-2026)
Bachelorâs degree in Zoology from Hansraj College, University of Delhi (2020-2023)
Lab Alumni
Awanish Kumar
Post-doctoral Fellow
Trying to understand the role of choline in neuromuscular synapse formation using chick embryo neuronal preparation. Further, the role of choline in shaping synaptic response during development using receptor engineering will be studied.
Past:
Postdoctoral Scholar 2021-2022,
University of Kentucky-Lexington USA
Nadira Khatoon
Ph.D. Scholar
Investigating ligand binding to the orthosteric binding site and the mechanism of allosteric modulation in neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) through patch-clamp technique. I will be focusing on understanding the ligand binding energies, gating energies, and communication between the allosteric and ligand-binding sites in neuronal nAChRs.
Past:M.Sc. University of Lucknow, Lucknow. 2017-2019
Poulomi Dey
Post-doctoral fellow
Currently pursuing a post-doctoral fellowship at Centre of Molecular Biology and Genetics of
Neurodegeneration, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Rachita Sharma
MS(R) Scholar
Currently pursuing a PhD at Max Planck Institute for Biophysics,ĂÂ Frankfurt
Past: BTech, GGS IP University