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Welcome to my page! This is Amal, I am an HHMI-LSRF postdoctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Cliff Brangwynne at Princeton University.
Be it small molecules, synthetic polymers, or proteins, I love creating new molecules for human-centric technological advancements. In my current research, I create DNAs that when expressed by living cells translate to light-responsive proteins. The intracellular compartmentalization of such light-responsive proteins can be modulated “on demand” from the inside of membraneless organelles to their surface. This space-switching system alters the surface structure and biochemical output of native membraneless organelles such as nucleoli and stress granules. In principle, controlling the output of RNA synthesized in the nucleoli may resolve the abnormal RNA production commonly found in the nucleoli of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. During my Ph.D., I synthesized a library of phase-separating synthetic polymers with Profs. Abraham Joy and Ali Dhinojwala at The University of Akron. With these polymers, we demonstrated solutions for unmet needs in underwater adhesion, tissue sealing, and antifouling applications. The research led to the development of the strongest underwater adhesive ever made from a single polymer formulation and unconventional methods for biofilm removal. Our team also patented a quick, cheap, and easy-to-fabricate opioid-detecting technology which is currently being explored for its commercial opportunities. My future research aims to introduce polymer designs that can manipulate the “sticky interactions” found in living systems. Sticky interactions are ubiquitous in nature. For example, at the molecular scale, sticky interactions transform liquid-like nucleic acid/protein assemblies into pathogenic irreversible aggregates. At the microscopic scale, sticky interactions transform bacteria into biofilms. By building molecules that can tune the sticky interactions at different length scales, it may be possible to reverse the formation of otherwise hard-to-disperse biological assemblies. |
2021 - present
HHMI-LSRF postdoc, Princeton University 2015 - 2021
Ph.D. in Polymer Science, The University of Akron 2010 - 2015
B.S.-M.S. in Chemistry IISER Kolkata |