Investigating Antifungal Resistance Mechanisms

Modhusmita Gogoi

Research fellow at NIPER Ahmedabad focused on molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance. One peer-reviewed publication on drug delivery optimization, three conference presentations in AMR and translational medicine, and hands-on expertise across molecular biology, protein biochemistry, and microbiology.

modhusmitagogoi26@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/modhusmita-gogoi

Contact Download CV

Research Philosophy

Why I do what I do and how I practice science

The thread through my work — from microbial degradation of textile dyes to multidrug efflux transporters — is a deep curiosity about how microorganisms interact with their environment. I am driven by the conviction that understanding fundamental resistance mechanisms at the molecular level can directly inform therapeutic strategies against hard-to-treat fungal infections.

Research Experience

Current and previous research contributions

Apr 2025 – Present

Junior Research Fellow

NIPER Ahmedabad

Functional characterization of the fungal Pdr5 transporter under Dr. Sapan Borah. Investigating multidrug resistance mechanisms in Candida species through molecular and biochemical approaches.

Supervisor: Dr. Sapan Borah

Endogenous gene tagging of Pdr5 in C. albicans using CRISPR-Cas9 and homologous recombination
Protein interaction network mapping to identify Pdr5 binding partners under stress conditions
Molecular cloning and heterologous expression of Pdr5 in S. cerevisiae for functional assays
Contributing to lab-wide research on resistance biology in pathogenic fungi

Jan 2024 – Apr 2024

Master's Thesis Research

Savitribai Phule Pune University

Biotransformation of Reactive Blue 160 by bacterial isolate Alishewanella sp. KMK-A. Conducted under the supervision of Prof. Kisan M. Kodam and Dr. Ashvini Chaudhari-Gorde.

Supervisor: Prof. Kisan M. Kodam, Dr. Ashvini Chaudhari-Gorde

Optimized physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, carbon/nitrogen sources) for maximum dye degradation
Characterized degradation products using UV-Vis spectroscopy, HPLC, and FTIR
Assessed toxicity reduction through BOD/COD analysis before and after treatment
Extracted and characterized azoreductase enzymes involved in the degradation pathway

Publications

Peer-reviewed research output

2026

Formulation Optimization and Evaluation of Delafloxacin-Loaded Ethosomal Gel using QbD Approach

AAPS PharmSciTech, 2026, 27:192.

DOI: 10.1208/s12249-026-03433-3

Skills & Techniques

Laboratory and analytical competencies

Flip

Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering

In silico sequence retrieval and primer design
Molecular cloning (restriction digestion, ligation, transformation)
Endogenous gene tagging via homologous recombination
Agarose gel electrophoresis and gel extraction
CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNA design and validation

Designed and validated endogenous gene tagging constructs for Pdr5 characterisation in C. albicans. Routinely design primers, clone vectors, and analyse sequencing data for construct verification.

Flip

Protein Biochemistry & Interaction Studies

Recombinant protein expression and purification
Affinity chromatography (His-tag, GST-tag)
Cryo-milling and protein extraction from fungal cells
SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis
Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and pull-down assays

Built recombinant protein expression and purification pipelines for transporter proteins. Use cryo-milling for efficient fungal cell lysis and affinity chromatography to obtain pure protein for downstream applications.

Flip

Microbiology & Imaging

Bacterial and fungal culture handling (BSL-2)
Antifungal susceptibility testing (CLSI guidelines)
Sample preparation for confocal and electron microscopy
Confocal laser scanning microscopy
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Cultured pathogenic fungal strains under biosafety containment. Prepared samples for confocal imaging of subcellular protein localisation and SEM for cell surface morphology analysis.

Flip

Analytical Techniques

UV-Vis spectrophotometry
FTIR spectroscopy
BOD and COD analysis
Enzyme extraction and activity assays
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Quantitative profiling of metabolites and degradation products using HPLC and FTIR. Regular use of spectrophotometric-based enzyme activity assays to characterise azoreductase and related oxidoreductases.

Education

Postgraduate and undergraduate training

Postgraduate

2022 – 2024

M.Sc. in Biochemistry

Savitribai Phule Pune University · Pune, Maharashtra, India

Thesis on biotransformation of Reactive Blue 160 by bacterial isolate Alishewanella sp. KMK-A. Optimized parameters including pH, temperature, and carbon/nitrogen sources. Analyzed degradation products using UV-Vis spectroscopy, HPLC, and FTIR. Evaluated toxicity reduction through BOD/COD analysis and characterized key azoreductase enzymes.

Undergraduate

2018 – 2022

B.Sc. in Chemistry

Cotton University · Guwahati, Assam, India

Comprehensive foundation in organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry with laboratory training in analytical techniques, quantitative analysis, and instrumental methods.

Conference Presentations

Research presented at national and international meetings

Work Experience

Scientific communication and subject matter expertise

Remote

Subject-Matter Expert – Chemistry

Chegg India

Mar 2022 – May 2024

Delivered over 200+ detailed, step-by-step solutions for undergraduate-level chemistry problems
Maintained high accuracy and clarity standards while adhering to strict quality guidelines
Developed proficiency in remote scientific communication and time management

Academic Achievements

Recognition and scholarly distinction

CSIR-NCL Merit Scholarship

For academic excellence

CSIR National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

Feb 2022

Investigating Antifungal Resistance Mechanisms

Modhusmita Gogoi

modhusmitagogoi26@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/modhusmita-gogoi

Contact Download CV

Research Philosophy

Why I do what I do and how I practice science