Aditi Kanojia

PMRF Fellow, Integrated Ph.D. Student
Microbiology and Cell Biology Department, IISc, Bangalore
aditikanojia@iisc.ac.in

Do you know that roughly 390 million people get infected with Dengue fever every year? And just when we think that we have conquered the epidemics caused by the Flaviviridae family of viruses, they keep making epic comebacks across the globe. I, at the Evolving Viral Pathogens Lab, am interested in developing broad spectrum anti-virals to control Flaviviral infections in humans as well as check their transmission by Aedes mosquitoes.

Research

Integrated Ph.D. Student

Evolving Viral Pathogens Lab, Department of Microbiology and Cell biology, IISc, Bangalore

I am doing my Doctoral research under the supervision of Dr. Shashank Tripathi, Assistant Professor at the Microbiology & Cell Biology Department of IISc.

Through the use of Multi-Omics Integration, CRISPR, and conventional virology, we are trying to decode the host factors required by mosquito-transmitted Flaviviruses such as Dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), Japanese Encephalitis (JEV) and West Nile (WNV). Although several attempts have been made to develop vaccines and anti-virals against these, given the scale of the problem and the constant threat of viral re-emergence, developing novel broad-spectrum and effective Anti-viral strategies is critically needed. And this calls for a fundamental understanding of the biology of virus-host interactions. Modern Omics tools such as CRISPR technology and Proteomics methods can be leveraged to generate high-resolution maps of such virus-host interactions. Since Flaviviruses share similar biology, and some have a common mosquito vector (Aedes sp.), we speculate that there must be Pan-Flavivirus host factors in both humans and mosquito hosts. These ‘Pan-Flavivirus’ factors can be targeted to develop broad-spectrum anti-viral compounds and control infection in humans, as well as check their transmission by the mosquito vector.

OBJECTIVE 1: KILLING MANY BIRDS WITH ONE STONE!

For the human host, we used a multi-OMICS integration approach using published genetic and proteomic screens to reveal host factor requirements that are shared by important flaviviruses. We plan to conduct validation and mechanistic studies to confirm the pan-flavivirus nature of the shortlisted factors. This shall be followed by pharmacological modulation of these factors in order to find a broad-spectrum anti-viral.

OBJECTIVE 2: KILL THE MESSAGE, SPARE THE MESSENGER!

Gene delivery tools for CRISPR Cas9 machinery and stable expression are still a grey area for insect cells. Currently, we are developing such genetic tools and protocols for making a pooled CRISPR Library consisting of gRNAs targeting different genetic loci in the Aedes aegypti mosquito genome. We aim to perform a pilot CRISPR KO experiment and Flavivirus survival screen, followed by an Unbiased Whole Genome Knockout Screen. The genes identified in this screen must be investigated and validated further before using them to disrupt flavivirus transmission without terminating the vector population.

Education

Indian Institute Of Science, Bangalore

Integrated Ph.D., Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology

Completed 64 Credits in total (19 Courses)

CGPA: 9.2 (Batch Topper)

August 2019 - Present

University Of Delhi, New Delhi

BSc. (Hons.) Biomedical Sciences

CGPA: 9.5 (University Rank 1)

May 2016- May 2019

Modern Era Convent, New Delhi

CBSE-Class 12th (2016)

Percentage: 95% (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, English)

CBSE-Class 10th (2014)

CGPA:10 (English, Hindi, Mathematics. Science, Social Science)

April 2014- March 2016

Publications and Posters

Awards & Certifications

  • Received Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF) in August 2022 (Cycle 9, Lateral Entry)
  • AIR 54 in IIT JAM (BL) 2019
  • Cleared MSc. / Integrated Ph.D. Entrance exams and Interviews for the following institutes: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi: (AIR-1) 2019 and 2020 (AIR-1), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh: Biotechnology (AIR-3) and Microbiology (AIR 8), National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana, South Asian University (2019): AIR-14, BHU Biochemistry (AIR 43) (2019) and Applied Microbiology AIR-12 (2019)
  • AIR 3 in Online Course BIOMEDICAL NANOTECHNOLOGY- 93% from National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), IIT Roorkee.
  • 1 st position in Intra-College (University of Delhi) Debate Competition in 2016
  • 2 nd position in State Level English Declamation Competition in 2015
  • 1 st position in State Level English Declamation Competition in 2013 and 2014
  • Student of The Year Award for Academic Session 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 (From THE TIMES OF INDIA, NIE)
  • AIR 20 in SCIENCE OPEN MERIT TEST (S.O.M.T) 2014
  • 1 st position in On-the-spot Painting Competition in 2013 (District level)
  • 2 nd position in Sanskrit Singing Competition in 2013 (District Level)

Skills

Interests

Other than babysitting the Aedes mosquito cells or designing vectors to deliver goodies in them, I am very passionate about music. I love to sing and strum my ukulele. Here, in IISc, we, as a Jam Band called “Tishnagi,” never miss any opportunity to vamp over tunes at cultural events. You’d also find me enjoying dancing to the rhythm of pop music at social events. All it takes is one Punjabi Song for me to rock the dance floor. Besides, I am a complete travel freak. I love authentic encounters with the locals and am always up for knowing new cultures, and traditions and trying new cuisines. I am also crazy about dogs. I have a pet dog named Jimmy that I love to bits. Her puppy eyes can capture anybody’s heart in seconds. Here, in IISc, I am lucky to be a part of the Animal Welfare Group, where we get the chance to socialize and help our “Furr-iends” on campus. I also utilize my leisure hours doing gardening. Happy soils and happy plants never fail to put a smile on my face.