Research Scholars
Cell Mechanics Lab
Current Research Scholars
Vaibavi S. Ramanujam
Ph.D. candidate
My study involves understanding the traction, mechanics, and migration of tumor cells during extravasation and observing the same upon administration of cardiovascular drugs. I am also interested in analyzing the events that occur in the cytoskeleton during this process.
My Past work mostly focused on biomaterial analysis such as optimization of cardiac cell therapy using injectable, resorbable and biocompatible materials in animal model and analysing the biodegradation and bio-compatibility of a biomaterial in-vivo and in-vitro.
Past: M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, NUS, Singapore
Research Interests
Saumendra K. Bajpai
Assistant Professor
sbajpai@iitm.ac.in
Office
ASE 153, Aerospace Engineering Bldg.
Phone: 044-22574072
The focus of my research has been on understanding the role played by biophysical forces in various biological systems such as cancer progression. We are currently interested in understanding how does the mechanical environment of living cells or tissues alter invasion response and vice-versa. We plan on designing novel assays to investigate biological systems relevant to the immediate social needs.
My research-philosopy lies in exploiting the convergence between cell-biology, engineering advances, and analytical methods towards biomedical applications. We will be utilizing existing mammlian cell-culture systems (2D and 3D) and easily amenable quasi-3D in-vivo systems in designing, refining, and proposing diagnoistic tools for human clinical applications.
As for the kind of personnel welcomed in the lab, I am totally open to students with zero-biology or zero-engineering background; demonstrable enthusiasm about reaching out to as-yet unstudied problems, using whetever skill-sets one has, is the only necessary trait. Eventually, I hope to set up a lab-culture that encourages fruitful and exciting cross-talk between these two major aspects of modern science.
Saumendra K. Bajpai
Assistant Professor
sbajpai@iitm.ac.in
Office: MSB 227A,
Phone: 044-22574072
Laboratory: Cell-Mechanics Lab,
MSB 244B,
Phone: 044-22575066
The focus of our research has been on the role of biophysical forces in bio-pathological systems such as cancer progression. We are interested in understanding how does the mechanical environment of living cells or tissues alter invasion response and vice-versa. Towards this, our activities can be broadly grouped as (i) biomaterial development, (ii) experimental biomimetic systems and (iii) nanobio-sciences.
Our research-philosopy lies in exploiting the convergence between cell-biology, engineering advances, and analytical methods towards biomedical applications. We are utilizing existing mammlian cell-culture systems (2D and 3D) and easily amenable quasi-3D in-vivo systems in designing, refining, and proposing diagnostic tools for human clinical applications. Our research team is widely intradisciplinary and welcomes scholars with both biological and physical sciences background.
Research Interests
Lab overview
Manoj Sivasubramaniapandian
Ph.D. candidate
My current research interest involves the use of magnetic nanoparticles in targeted drug delivery and in evaluating the cell mechanics, specifically the mechanics and dynamics of the membrane.
I previously worked with in-vitro microelectrode arrays, characterising the surface molecules (mostly polypeptides) used to pretreat the electrodes, and studying the performance of the microelectrodes treated with such molecules and cells.
Past: M.Sc. (Tech) Biomedical Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Finland.
Research Interests
Privita Edwina
Ph.D. candidate
My research interest is studying the response of cells to physical heterogeneities in a 3D matrix, towards understanding the mechanosensing capabilities of tumor cells in course of tumor progression.
My past work involves preparation and characterization of protein inks, analysis of their jetting behavior for inkjet printing and patterning on activated substrate to aid in fabrication of point of care diagnostics.
Past: M.Tech Biotechnology, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore.
Research Interests
Subhajit Konar
M.S. candidate
Research Interests
I am a M.S. scholar, developing a silk based bio-composite that can be used as a tissue graft. Also, I am studying the behavior of cells inside this anisotropic bio composite material to have a better insight of cell migration during cancer metastasis.
Past: B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from IIEST, Shibpur.
Past Scholars
- Debojyoti Panda: MS (2017). Currently at Harvard Univ. (Ph.D. candidate)
- Vikar Parsa: D.D. (2017).
- Pratik Yesankar: D.D. (2017)
- Anuraag Kiran: D.D. (2016)
- Chaithanya S: D.D. (2016)
PI Academic Profile
Post-Doctoral Research: Cornell Univ., 2011-2013
Ph.D.: Johns Hopkins University, 2006-2011
Masters: IIT Bombay, Chemical Engineering
Baccalaureate: HBTI Kanpur, Chemical Engineering
Principal Investigator