Mahesh Gopa, Ph.D.

Research and Development: Upstream and Molecular Biology Recombinant proteins play a vital role in the development of therapeutics and other products in biotech industries, ranging from edible proteins to vaccines. Our work has focused on optimizing the yield and production of diverse proteins, including chymosin, HSA, and vaccine candidates -HIV antigens, to drive technology development.

Inflammation We sought alternative anti-inflammatory drug targets beyond COX inhibitors, given their associated side effects and complications. Based on a review of existing literature, we identified potential novel targets for inflammation that could offer alternatives to COX.(Ref. Mahesh et.al. J of Inflammation Research. 2021; 14:253-263).

Worked on serotonin receptors, which are promising drug targets for psychological problems; determining their structure at the molecular level can lead to rational drug development for many Neuropsychological disorders. Cloned and optimized the high-yield expression of 5-HT2A receptor in the Sf9-baculoviral system and demonstrated how cholesterol modulates its dimerization using cryo-electron microscopy. (Ref. Mahesh et. al. Protein Pept Lett. 2018; 25(4):390-397).

I've assisted various projects to completion, particularly those involving molecular biology and cell culture activities.

Type 2 diabetes is closely linked to obesity and insulin resistance, a condition in which the body's cells become less responsive to insulin. Excess visceral fat, in particular, contributes to insulin resistance, leading to high blood sugar levels and increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. We developed invitro models( myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes)for insulin resistance by treating with free fatty acids. Recombinant anti-diabetic proteins were expressed, affinity-purified, and tested for their ability to ameliorate insulin resistance in these models, showing promise as potential anti-diabetic drug candidates.