Dr Kalpana Surendranath
My primary objective as an academic is to equip student researchers at all levels with lifelong learning skills by actively involving them in various processes of knowledge construction. To achieve this goal, I consistently seek innovative approaches to engaging students in the creation of knowledge, with a particular emphasis on scientific research. I lead the University's Genome Engineering Laboratory (www.geneeditorsofthefuture.uk), which provides a sustainable platform for scholarly student innovation, as well as short-term internships and international visiting fellowships designed to support skill development and research ambitions.
Education: BSc Biotechnology; MSc Microbial Gene technology; PhD Life Sciences (Molecular Cell Biology), PGCert Higher Education
Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy - SFHEA
Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology – FRSB
Nominated Member of Academic Council
Mentor on London Higher Global Majority Mentoring program
Awards/recognitions: Vice Chancellor's WestminSTAR award (2019); chosen as 1 million women in STEM role model; Women of Westminster award (2020)-under category innovation; Westminster champion award for student experience (2019); Aurora women Leadership in Higher Education champion and role model (2018); Award of individual teaching excellence from CETI (2019), University of Westminster
My key priorities include:
* Implementing a structured and transparent approach to improving student experience
* Advocating for the representation of women's voices in research
* Mentoring colleagues across HE in identifying research income opportunities
* Creating platforms for sharing research-engaged, research-led and research- informed practices across schools.
About me:
In 1999, I earned my BSc in Biotechnology from Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Bharathiar University, achieving the distinction of a university medal recipient. Following this, I pursued an MSc degree in Microbial Gene Technology, securing my place through a national-level selection process at the Department of Microbial Technology, Madurai Kamaraj University. My academic journey continued with a Council for Scientific and Industrial Research lectureship and research fellowship (CSIR), obtained through a highly competitive national-level selection. This opportunity led me to join the top research institute in the country, the Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bangalore, India.
During my PhD studies at the Indian Institute of Science (2001-2007), I made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying neutralising antibodies against Abrin, a highly potent RNA-degrading protein. My research findings, including the identification of the antibody D6F10 with clinical application potential, were published in prestigious international journals. Further recognition for my academic contributions includes the Edward Youde grant allowing me to deliver an invited talk at City University of Hong Kong in 2003. Additionally, I initiated an interdisciplinary collaboration with the Physics department of IISc and Brookhaven National Laboratory (USA) aimed at elucidating the structure of Abrus Agglutinin. My doctoral thesis was published as a comprehensive book by Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany, in 2009. Driven by a profound interest in the nuclear events that influence human cell health and disease, I dedicated four years to serving as a European Framework for DNA Repair Postdoctoral Research Fellow in one of the leading labs in DNA mismatch repair research within the Institute of Molecular Cancer Research at the University of Zurich.
Following a five-year maternity break to raise my only child, I joined the University of Westminster in 2015 as a part-time Lecturer. My role involved substantial contributions to teaching across ten undergraduate and postgraduate modules. A significant milestone during this period was my introduction of CRISPR, marking the first instance of its incorporation into both teaching and research extensively at a post-92 university in the country. In 2017, I transitioned into a full-time role and established the Genome Engineering Laboratory (www.geneeditorsofthefuture.uk). Here, I recruited and mentored PhD students, with a primary focus on creating CRISPR disease models to study cancers. To date, I have successfully supervised four PhD students to completion. Currently, I supervise one PhD student and co-supervise two other doctoral researchers
United Nations Sustainable Development goals:
My work in academia /research has been in genuine alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as indicated below:
My work on the “Gene Editors of the Future” was highlighted in SDG report of the University on 2021.
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages: The pilot investigation of the ZFP36L1 protein as a potential therapeutic target in childhood and breast cancers has led to the discovery of novel molecular networks that can be harnessed for cancer therapy.
Goal 4: Quality Education: I introduced CRISPR genome engineering into both mainstream teaching and research, as well as a short course at the University. This innovation transformed the career paths of students, leading them to roles as researchers and managers in esteemed organizations, reflecting our commitment to providing innovative, inclusive, and equitable high-quality education to undergraduate (BSc), postgraduate (MSc), doctoral (PhD) students, and early career researchers. I collaborate with schools in London as a skills partner providing advise on curriculum development.
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls: I have been chosen by the University for Aurora, women leadership in Higher Education training programme in 2016 and currently serve as Advance HE UK role model. As co-chairs (with a colleague from professional services) of the Women of Westminster Network (WoW) for Research and Knowledge Exchange, we have played a crucial role in discussing with higher management confidentially about the struggles women face, including those related to career progression, lack of representation, unequal pay, and other related issues.
Goal 8: Promote sustained and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. I have spearheaded research-driven initiatives like the Gene Editors of the Future (2020) and Discover to Recover (2022). These initiatives have successfully for the first time established a robust platform for PhD, postgraduate, and undergraduate collaborations for over 700 students at Westminster and 100s of students through international events across countries.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation: I created the Genome Engineering Laboratory established a niche for students to explore innovations and made multiple student success stories year after year and, I have successfully guided four PhD candidates to completion, on par with the achievements of leading research institutions. My work on the “Gene Editors of the Future” has been highlighted in the SDG reports of the University and the program is recognised as the largest and longest running Vertically Integrated extracurricular project on CRISPR technology.
Goal 17: Partnership for the goals. Presently, I collaborate with more than seven institutions spanning India, Thailand, Dubai, and Kazakhstan, sharing and implementing best practices. I have delivered over 15 online workshops during the pandemic to promote innovations in scientific research including remote parts of the world.
Scientific Research Interests
Theme 1 : RNA binding proteins at the crossroads of post-transcriptional gene regulation and genome stability
RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are versatile molecules crucial to various aspects of RNA biology, including biogenesis, function, stability, localisation, and transport. Eukaryotic cells produce a plethora of RBPs, each with its unique protein-protein interaction characteristics and RNA-binding capabilities. RNA-binding protein ZFP36L1 is characterised by the CCCH class of tandem zinc finger domains and recognise conserved Adenylate Uridylate-rich elements (AREs) found in the 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs. They play a pivotal role in promoting mRNA degradation, ultimately leading to mRNA decay. The loss of ZFP36 family members’ expression can lead to the dysregulation of several mRNA targets, some of which are critical for the control of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. Despite rapid technological advancements in recent years, there remains limited understanding of the functional relevance of RBPs that are found to be differentially expressed in tumours. While there has been remarkable progress in uncovering RNA-binding motifs and the modes of RBP-RNA interactions, many questions persist, including the structural details of these proteins, their subcellular localization, links to genome instability, their precise arrangements in complex RNA assemblies within different cellular compartments, and their connections to various diseases.
Theme 2 : Assessment of DNA Damage Response Vulnerabilities Using CRISPR-Engineered Cellular Models
The health and physiological well-being of an organism hinge on the constant interplay between mechanisms that induce DNA damage and those responsible for its repair. Despite its seemingly protected location, the genetic material, DNA, faces daily threats to its integrity through sources both internal and external to the cell. These threats manifest in diverse ways, encompassing structural modifications and functional alterations of the key components involved in DNA damage response (DDR). Notably, the majority of cancers exhibit heightened reliance on specific DDR mechanisms, often resulting from the loss of one or more DDR functions during oncogenesis. Empirical investigations have underscored an increased rate of mutations in DDR genes within tumour cells, establishing a clear link between replication stress and tumour progression. By pinpointing these dependencies, we can leverage precision medicine strategies and targeted DDR inhibitors to maximise DNA damage, selectively eradicating cancer cells.
Theme 3 : Impact of environmental agents on cellular processes and survival mechanisms
Bisphenols and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are prominent environmental pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals with widespread detection in human samples and natural ecosystems. Bisphenols, commonly found in food packaging, toys, water pipes, and medical tubing, are detected in 90% of urine samples globally and represent a significant environmental health concern due to their potential toxicity. Prolonged exposure to bisphenols can inactivate tumour-suppressing genes and activate oncogenes, contributing to breast cancer, one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among women in developed countries. Similarly, PFAS, which are characterised by their strong C-F bond, high polarity, and low critical micelle concentration (CMC), exhibit high water solubility, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification. The PubChem database identifies over 7 million types of PFAS. Recent studies have mapped PFAS hotspots, revealing elevated concentrations in the waters of China, North America, and Europe. PFAS exposure affects cellular health through multiple mechanisms, including epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PFAS exposure in disease remain under-researched.
Theme 4 : CRISPR-based diagnostics
The sudden emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing demand for reliable diagnostic tools have shifted our focus towards innovations capable of reaching remote parts of the world. CRISPR-based diagnostics, which initially served as basic research tools, have rapidly evolved into efficient, clinically relevant diagnostic platforms. Our goal is to leverage these advancements to develop an improved workflow for creating portable, sensitive, and rapid nucleic acid detection platforms. These platforms will support critical applications, including monitoring disease epidemiology, facilitating diagnostics, and streamlining laboratory tasks that require nucleic acid detection. Aligning with the primary interests of the lab, improvements in this field will be harnessed to enable the monitoring of genetic markers indicative of cancers, further expanding their impact on global healthcare.
Theme 5 : Gene Editors of the Future: A unique model for research-engaged education at the University of Westminster
Gene editing technologies enable precise and desirable modifications in the genome of living cells and have transformed research and development in biomedical sciences and biotechnology. The Gene Editors of the Future program, hosted by the School of Life Sciences at the University of Westminster is a research-led initiative contributing to advancing academia by fostering innovation and skill development among young researchers. This program unites student researchers passionate about gene editing, providing them with the theoretical foundation and practical expertise necessary to tackle molecular and cellular challenges using cutting-edge CRISPR/Cas9 technology. By offering authentic learning experiences, the program also equips participants with critical skills that prepare them for leadership roles in scientific discovery and application. Since its inception in 2020, the program has engaged over 700 participants including undergraduates, postgraduates, doctoral researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians through co-curricular and extracurricular activities. As a free extracurricular opportunity, it exemplifies the University of Westminster’s commitment to supporting academic growth and fostering collaboration across disciplines. We welcome collaborations to join the Gene Editing Network of Excellence, fostering the exchange of best practices and providing an efficient platform for student-led innovations.
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