IIT Kharagpur - India
AUTHOR PROFILEĀ
EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS š
Dr. Somdeb Bose Dasgupta began his scientific journey with a B.Sc in Physiology, Chemistry, and Zoology from City College, University of Calcutta, graduating with first-class honors in 2001. He pursued an M.Sc in Biophysics & Molecular Biology from Rajabazar Science College, University of Calcutta, and again secured first-class distinction. His academic rigor culminated in a Ph.D. in Molecular Parasitology from CSIR-IICB and Jadavpur University in 2009, where he was awarded the Best Thesis Award. During his doctoral years, Dr. Dasgupta delved deep into the molecular machinery of parasitic organisms, setting the foundation for a career that would be defined by his dedication to host-pathogen interactions. The exceptional clarity and originality of his doctoral research earned him early recognition in Indiaās scientific community, establishing a trajectory toward pioneering work in infectious diseases and immunology, especially concerning neglected tropical diseases like Leishmaniasis and Tuberculosis.
PROFESSIONAL ODYSSEY š
Following his doctorate, Dr. Dasgupta expanded his scientific horizon through a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Baselās Biozentrum in Switzerland, from 2009 to 2014, where he worked on macrophage-pathogen interactions. This global exposure refined his research methodologies and enriched his understanding of molecular immunology. He then returned to India to contribute as an Assistant Professor at IIT (BHU) Varanasi from 2014 to 2016, before joining IIT Kharagpur in the Department of Biotechnology in 2016. At IIT Kharagpur, he rose to the position of Assistant Professor Grade I and became a pivotal figure in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. His courses span Molecular Biology, Neurophysiology, Biochemistry, and Bioprocess Engineering, nurturing the next generation of biotechnologists. His professional odyssey reflects a balance between international research excellence and a deep-rooted commitment to Indian scientific development. Throughout, he has maintained a clear vision: to translate basic science into therapeutic and diagnostic breakthroughs against life-threatening infectious diseases.
RESEARCH FOCUS š¬
Dr. Dasguptaās research lies at the intersection of molecular immunology, cellular microbiology, and genome editing. His lab investigates host-pathogen dynamics, especially in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Leishmania donovani infectionsādiseases of critical importance to the Indian subcontinent. Utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 technologies, his team uncovers how host enzymes, particularly kinases and phosphatases, are manipulated by pathogens to ensure survival. His group is innovating host-directed therapeutics to bypass drug resistance by reactivating immune responses and restoring macrophage functionality. His approach includes drug repurposing strategiesālike testing tricyclic antidepressants for anti-leishmanial useāand developing novel diagnostics for drug-resistant TB. Additionally, Dr. Dasgupta studies how parasitic infections influence phagosome maturation and immune modulation. His projects explore everything from biochemical pathway elucidation to advanced nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems. By combining cellular, biochemical, and genomic strategies, his lab offers crucial insights into both fundamental disease biology and translational medicine, with the aim of improving public health outcomes across endemic regions.
PIONEERING CONTRIBUTIONS š§Ŗ
Over his career, Dr. Dasgupta has contributed over 38 research articles, five book chapters, and 25 conference proceedings, with many featured in high-impact journals like PNAS, FEBS Journal, and PLOS Pathogens. His pioneering findingsāsuch as the discovery of how S-nitrosylation of mycobacterial Protein Kinase G (PknG) aids pathogen survivalāhave received global attention, including journal cover highlights and editorās choice selections. At the forefront of translational research, he developed groundbreaking assays to study host-pathogen phospho-signaling, designed nanocarrier systems for immunomodulatory drug delivery, and repurposed common drugs into potential antiparasitic treatments. His innovations in CRISPR-based gene editing of host and pathogen genomes have redefined therapeutic targets. Further, his role in establishing Indiaās hybrid BSL-III facility at IIT Kharagpur has paved the way for safe, cutting-edge research on high-risk pathogens. Collectively, Dr. Dasguptaās work bridges discovery and application, positioning him as a vanguard of molecular parasitology and infectious disease biology.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION š
Dr. Dasguptaās scholarly excellence has been widely acknowledged. He was honored with the prestigious INSA Young Scientist Award in 2011 for contributions to biophysics and biochemistry, followed by the coveted DBT-Ramalingaswamy Fellowship in 2015. His postdoctoral research earned him the EMBO Long Term Fellowship in 2009, reflecting international acclaim. He has received multiple Best Poster Awards at national and international symposia, including the Annual Post-doc Retreats in Switzerland and the National Congress of Parasitology in India. His publications have been featured on journal covers and spotlighted for editorial distinction. He also received a DBT-CTEP Travel Award to attend the World Congress in Infectious Diseases in London, showcasing his global scientific presence. These accolades underscore both the depth and societal impact of his research. Through sustained excellence in discovery, innovation, and mentorship, Dr. Dasgupta has become a beacon in the field of molecular microbiology and immunopathology, inspiring peers and proteges alike.
IMPACT AND INFLUENCE š
Dr. Dasguptaās influence extends beyond laboratory research into public health, diagnostics, and therapeutic development. His contributions are instrumental in tackling antimicrobial resistanceāone of modern medicineās gravest challenges. By advancing host-directed therapies and creating rapid point-of-care diagnostic tools, he directly impacts clinical strategies for TB and Leishmaniasis. His leadership in major government-funded projectsāranging from ICMR, DST, DBT, to SERBādemonstrates trust in his ability to deliver translational outcomes. His work has informed national health priorities and contributed to Indiaās strategic push toward self-reliance in infectious disease control. As a mentor and educator, he shapes future scientists, embedding translational thinking in their academic DNA. His integrated approach, which combines molecular biology, nanotechnology, and immunology, sets a benchmark for interdisciplinary biomedical research in India. Through his visionary projects and collaborations, Dr. Dasgupta is not only solving today's biomedical problems but also laying the groundwork for long-term scientific resilience and healthcare innovation.
LEGACY AND FUTURE HORIZONS š
Dr. Dasguptaās legacy lies in transforming how we understand and combat chronic infectious diseases in resource-limited settings. His work champions a paradigm shiftāfrom pathogen-centric drug design to host-targeted intervention, which offers sustainable solutions in the face of evolving drug resistance. The upcoming years promise even greater impact: his team is pioneering biosensors for non-invasive TB detection and leveraging liposomal drug delivery platforms for improved efficacy. With multiple ICMR-backed projects underway, including ENLIGHTENāa non-invasive latent TB detection initiativeāDr. Dasgupta continues to chart untraveled paths in diagnostic science. He also plays a central role in shaping high-containment laboratory infrastructure to safely study dangerous pathogens. His foresight, collaborative spirit, and relentless pursuit of translational relevance ensure that his contributions will endure in both academic and clinical domains. Dr. Somdeb Bose Dasgupta is poised to remain a cornerstone of biomedical innovation, where his science continues to illuminate pathways toward global health equity.
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONĀ
Ā Article Title:
Resolving the polycistronic aftermath: Essential role of topoisomerase IA in preventing R-loops in Leishmania
Authors: P. Das, A. Hazra, S. Saha, H.K. Majumdar, S. BoseDasgupta
Journal: The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2024
Ā Article Title:
Gelatin-decorated Graphene oxide: A nanocarrier for delivering pH-responsive drug for improving therapeutic efficacy against atherosclerotic plaque
Authors: S.K. Yadav, S. Das, A. Lincon, S.K. Ray, S.C. Das
Journal: International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2024