Avinash Premraj Cheekoth

PhD

Scientist

Affinity chromatography AKTA assays for animal pathogen cDNA synthesis and cloning cell based assays ddPCR DNA Sequencing Gene Expression Profiling In Vitro Diagnostics molecular cloning & sequencing molecular diagnostic assay Molecular sex determination PCR/qPCR peer review Primer and Probe Design Protein Purification real-time qPCR sanger sequence analysis scientific project management Scientific Writing

Peer-reviewed publication(s)

Development of antiviral assay system for in-vitro use for camel: Using camel kidney cell lines and camelpox virus, we developed an in-vitro system utilizing qRT-PCR /digital droplet PCR to evaluate antiviral activity of various molecules in camels. Our recombinant type I camel IFNs (IFNα, IFN-δ) showed antiviral activity against camelpox virus in-vitro. Real-time PCR assays were developed and validated for ISGs like ISG15, Mx1, OAS1 etc for utility as biomarker for IFN response or virus infection. The project resulted in the development of an antiviral assay toolkit for a mammalian species for which no ready-to-use tests are available.

Molecular diagnostic assay development for animal/zoonotic pathogens: Developed and validated TaqMan qPCR diagnostic assays for camel pathogens such as Trypanosoma evansi . for which commercial detection kits were unavailable. In-house developed Trypanosoma evansi TaqMan assay is used for around 4000-5000 camel samples annually, resulting in cost savings and higher throughput for the last 5 years. . Successfully participated in UAE Interlab assay validation/comparability tests for Trypanosoma evansi & Camelpox virus.

IInitiated and managed the De-novo candidate gene cloning program to support drug discovery for Biocon Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) in India and isolated more than 150 genes (GPCRs, kinases, phosphatases, receptors etc.) from human / model mammalian organisms (Mice, Rat, Rabbit, Hamster, Dog, Cynologous monkey, Guinea pig). Used various strategies like Gene Walking, RACE, complete cDNA capture to identify and clone full length genes and novel transcript variants