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People
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​​Anjana Badrinarayanan

Principal Investigator​

I am interested in understanding how microbial genomes are organized, replicated, maintained inside cells. I am particularly fascinated by genome plasticity - the capacity of a cell to change its genetic makeup via mutagenesis and gene transfer. I am excited by our recent ability to visualize these events occurring inside living cells via microscopy. I studied bacterial chromosome organization during my PhD with David Sherratt at the University of Oxford. I then investigated homologous recombination mechanisms in the lab of Michael Laub at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I started my own lab at NCBS in December 2016, where I work with a passionate group of scientists to solve some cool mysteries in the field. When not thinking about science, I read, birdwatch, trek and do pottery. 

​​Asha Joseph

Senior Scientist

I am simply fascinated by the versatility of bacteria - to live, grow and thrive in diverse niches with varied stressors or fluctuating growth conditions. By combining genetics and cell biology tools, I study coordination of bacterial DNA replication, repair and mutagenesis under different contexts of growth using Caulobacter crescentus as a model system. My work in the lab unraveled a novel cross-talk between ‘error-free’ nucleotide excision repair and ‘error-prone’ translesion synthesis, a mechanism that can mediate mutagenesis even in cells where active DNA replication is shut down. Prior to joining this group, I obtained my PhD from Indian Institute of Science, where I studied evolution of novel metabolic functions under nutrient stress in Shigella sonnei and E. coli. Outside the lab I enjoy reading, hiking and road tripping, and love to experiment with design, décor and DIYs.

​​Kalpshree Gogte

Postdoctoral Fellow

I completed my under graduation in Biotechnology from DPU, Pune. Following graduation I went to the UK for my Masters in molecular biology at University of Sussex, I continued working there as a research assistant in the field of Cancer drug discovery. This further motivated me to pursue a PhD. I completed my PhD in Biochemistry of neurodegenerative diseases from Ruhr University Bochum as a Max Planck Fellow in Germany. During my PhD I worked on understanding the possible pathogenic role of membrane anchor of prion protein. Currently, in the lab I am combining my expertise in protein biochemistry with the lab’s well established model system to study DNA repair, to resolve the organization of DNA repair proteins at break sites. In my free time you will find me reading books, trekking, running, swimming, cycling and learning to play a ukulele and making soaps.

My journey into microbiology began with a fascination for the unseen—the idea that complex biological systems operate seamlessly within organisms invisible to the naked eye. This curiosity led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in microbiology and later join an integrated PhD program. Currently, my research centres on the homology search mechanism performed by the recombinase protein RecA. I’m investigating how RecA accurately locates its target sequence amidst vast genomic information and exploring its potential roles in different contexts such as phage infection. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing football and table tennis, and I have a keen interest in music and theatre, which help me stay grounded and creatively engaged.

​​Sourav Bhattacharyya

Graduate Student​

I have always been fascinated about how prokaryotic cells do everything a multicellular organism can and much more. This interest drove me to a Master’s in Microbiology. I joined the lab as a Master’s dissertation student in 2022. During this time, I used quantitative microscopic techniques to understand the impact of nutrient availability on replication as Caulobacter cells transition from exponential to stationary phase. I have been intrigued by the use of microscopic techniques to study genome associated pathways ever since. I am currently working on understanding the mechanistic details of a motor driven homology search by recombinase under double strand break in Caulobacter. I also enjoy reading, writing, watching plays and trekking.

​​Inchara Adhikashreni

Graduate Student

I enjoy learning about how fundamental processes like genome organisation, replication and repair occur in living organisms. Along those lines, I study the recombinase-driven homology search in bacteria under DNA damage. I am interested in understanding the mechanism of an SMC-like protein that drives homology search by trying to uncover its interactome using mass spectrometry. Using Caulobacter crescentus as the model organism, I will be using a combination of genetics, microscopy and biochemistry to understand how these interactors are involved in homology search. Before joining the lab as an integrated Ph.D. student, I did my bachelors in biochemistry from Sri Venkateshwara College. In my free time, I enjoy reading and watching movies.

​​Hadiya Shamim

Graduate Student

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​​Athulya VA

Research Associate​

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​​Harirud Thampan

Research Intern​

I am excited to explore interesting science and wish to combine my experience in translational and trans-disciplinary biology to probe fundamental questions in bacterial genome maintenance. I completed my integrated Master’s in Biotechnology from Kerala Agricultural University, after which I was a Junior Research Fellow at the Micro & Nano Bio-Interface Lab at BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology. When I am not exploring in the lab, I can be found exploring nature, reading, dancing or singing to myself.

I am fascinated by the ability of cells to keep their genomes organised and protected from damage, all within tight spatial confines. Since joining the lab, I have also come to appreciate microbes as elegant little vessels to ask questions about genome maintenance. I am a 4th-year student at IISER Thiruvananthapuram, currently curious about how phage-encoded elements might influence the host DNA damage response. When not handling pipettes, I like to write, whistle (often Tchaikovsky, unintentionally), solve word puzzles, and occasionally crochet things I never quite finish.

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