Atanu Paul

- Founding scientific team member playing a foundational role in establishing laboratory infrastructure, assay platforms, and experimental workflows from the ground up in a stealth-mode early-stage biotech startup. - Design and execute experiments focused on the identification and validation of novel targeted protein degradation pathway, carrying out mechanistic studies using cell-based functional assays and genetic engineering approaches. - Develop and optimize in vitro assays to evaluate protein degradability across cellular compartments. - Developed and optimized cell surface biotinylation and streptavidin-based enrichment workflows for the identification and characterization of novel membrane proteins. - Advance disease-relevant model systems to support early-stage discovery programs. - Collaborate cross-functionally to achieve key milestones, contributing to successful Series A funding. - Manage CRO partnerships and ensure high-quality data generation, analysis, and reporting.

- Developed in-house potency assays in the Analytical team to support routine assessment and quality control of AAV-based gene therapy products. - Supported assay development, transfer, and qualification/validation activities for AAV-based gene therapy candidates. - Collaborated with upstream, downstream, and pilot groups to build strategies for AAV candidates and next-generation viral vector models.

- Led biology strategy for CDK2 heterobifunctional degrader and IRAKIMiD (KT-413) programs, as well as exploratory initiatives, driving the design and execution of cellular and biochemical assays to elucidate mechanisms of action of PROTACs and molecular glues. - Built and deployed high-throughput cell-based screening platforms to enable hit identification and lead optimization across internal and CRO workflows. - Engineered CRISPR/RNAi-modified cell models to enable target validation, selectivity profiling, and biomarker discovery, supporting biomarker-driven patient stratification. - Worked extensively with the proteomics team to prepare and optimize samples for mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of lead molecules, ensuring sample quality, enrichment efficiency, and reproducibility to identify potential “off-targets” and downstream biomarkers. - Directed mechanism-of-action studies for KT-413 (IRAKIMiD), establishing superior efficacy through dual targeting of IRAK4 and IMiD substrates relative to IMiD-based molecular glues. - Collaborated strategically with proteomics, bioinformatics, and in vivo pharmacology teams to drive program objectives and support data-driven decision-making. - Owned CRO partnerships and in-house assay execution, ensuring delivery of high-quality data and driving cross-functional alignment to achieve key milestones and inform go/no-go decisions.

- Advanced early discovery biology programs to identify and validate novel regulators of cancer cell signaling pathways. - Identified KIRREL1 via genome-wide CRISPR screening as a key modulator of the Hippo–YAP pathway (Paul et al, Nature Communications, 2022). - Led mechanistic studies integrating biochemical and cell-based assays to define KIRREL1’s role in Hippo pathway activation at cell–cell contact sites. - Executed and optimized genome-wide CRISPR screens to uncover signaling cross-talk (e.g., TGFβ–Wnt), delivering high-quality data with rigorous documentation and timely project completion.

Dissertation Title: Phosphorylation And Ubiquitin Modification At DNA Damage Sites In Response To Double-Strand Breaks - Elucidated the role of Abraxas (BRCA1-A complex) in maintaining genome stability and tumor suppression (Cell Reports, 2014). - Defined the mechanism by which DNA damage–induced phosphorylation of Abraxas regulates BRCA1 dimerization and recruitment to DNA damage sites (Molecular Cell, 2016). - Discovered a novel Lys11-linked histone ubiquitination as an epigenetic mechanism driving transcriptional silencing at sites of DNA damage (Molecular Cell, 2017). - Characterized SUMOylation- and ubiquitination-dependent recruitment of the BRCA1-A complex to DNA double-strand breaks (JBC, 2012).

Thesis Title: A specific regulatory role for SGTα on the maturation and activation of steroid hormone receptors Characterized a newly identified Hsp90-Hsp70-associated cochaperone SGTA in regulating specific steroid hormone receptor complex and identified SGTA’s role in inhibiting FKBP52-mediated potentiation of receptor activity (JBC 2014).