Dr Neha S. Gandhi
Faculty of Science,
School of Chemistry & Physics
Biography
Research Interest/Experience Dr. Gandhi's research involve applying computational techniques such as molecular modelling and molecular dynamics in the field of biophysics, chemistry and other computationally intensive areas to characterise structure and function of molecules- Rational design of molecules
- GAG-protein interactions
- Folding of intrinsically disordered proteins
- Post-translational modifications of proteins
- Membrane proteins and their mechanism of activation
- Transcription factors
- Protein adsorption at surfaces/interfaces
QUALIFICATIONS Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Ph. D., Biomedical Sciences 2008 – 2012
- M.Phil., Biomedical Sciences 2006 - 2008
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat, India
- B.E., Computer Science 1997 - 2001
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Advance Queensland Research Fellow, April 2019 - to date, School of Mathematical Sciences, QUT
- QUT Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow March, 2016 – to date, School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
- Curtin Early Career Research Fellow. September, 2012 – February, 2016, School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Australia.
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow. March,2012 –July,2012, Institute of Structural Biology and Drug Design, School of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, U.S.A.
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow. September, 2011 – February, 2012, Western Australian Biomedical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Australia.
- Research assistant (casual). January, 2007 - October, 2009, Biomolecular Modelling Group (Prof. Ricardo L. Mancera), School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Australia.
- Senior Research Associate (Department In-charge) April, 2003 - July, 2006, Zydus Research Centre, Cadila Healthcare Ltd., Ahmedabad, India.
- Research Assistant. May, 2002 - March, 2003, Center for Plant Molecular Biology (CPMB), Osmania University, Hyderabad, India.
- Project Trainee (Bioinformatics). November, 2001 – May, 2002, IBSS Inc., Hyderabad, India.
AWARDS AND PRIZES
- Faculty of Health Sciences publication award, Curtin University 2015
- PhD Thesis Commendation by the Vice-Chancellor, Curtin University 2012
- Faculty of Health Sciences publication award, Curtin University 2011
- Oral presentation-Mark Liveris Health Sciences Research Student Seminar 2011
- Curtin University Post-graduate Scholarship (CUPS) 2008-2011
- Endeavour International Post-graduate Research Scholarship (EIPRS) 2008-2011
- WABRI conference support scholarship. 2007-2008
- Curtin University Health-Sciences Conference support grant. 2007-2008
- Invitrogen conference support scholarship for MM2007. 2007
- ICEEM travel scholarship and Hillary Booth prize for the best poster at Bioinfosummer. 2007
- Best student of the high school. 1997
PUBLICATIONS Since 2004, I have published in international peer-reviewed journals (and two book chapters) in the fields of molecular modelling, protein structure and function, glycobiology and drug discovery.
- Google scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=pGg-vk4AAAAJ&hl=en
- Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Neha_Gandhi
Personal details
Positions
- Senior Research Fellow
Faculty of Science,
School of Chemistry & Physics
Keywords
Molecular dynamics, Computational biophysics, Biomolecular modelling, Structural bioinformatics, Molecular docking, Computer aided drug design, Biomolecular interactions
Discipline
Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
Field of Research code, Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), 2008
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy - Biomedical Science (Curtin University)
- Master of Science (Biomedical Sciences) (Curtin University)
- Bachelor of Enginnering (Computer Science) (Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda)
Professional memberships and associations
- Member of the Australian Biophysics society
- Member of Biophysical Society (USA)
- Association of Molecular Modellers of Australasia (AMMA)
Teaching
During her role at Zydus Research Centre (April, 2003 - July, 2006), she was also involved in the teaching of computer-aided drug design and bioinformatics courses for the M.Sc. Program with Idea Foundation, Sikkim Manipal University, Ahmedabad, India. In her role as Curtin Research fellow (2012 – 2016), she was involved in the teaching of a module on protein structure prediction (Structural Bioinformatics 332, Curtin University). She delivered tutorial on basic concepts of early drug discovery (Medical biotechnology and drug Development 631, Curtin University). Dr. Gandhi has supervised 4 Honours students and is currently co-supervisor of two PH.D students at QUT.
Experience
Dr. Gandhi's research uses high performance computing and molecular modelling techniques to investigate proteins, nucleotides and glycosaminoglycans of therapeutic interest. Specifically she investigate their interactions with their partnering molecules and possible mechanisms of action on microsecond timescale. During her tenure with industry, she also worked on the homology modelling of proteins G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) such as the cannabinoid receptors to predict the interactions of newly designed antagonists. In the area of computer aided drug discovery, she has used approaches like homology modelling, QSAR, virtual screening and small-molecule design of small molecule inhibitors against various kinds of proteins, enzymes and macromolecules of therapeutic interest. Some of the projects of interest are:
Honours and PhD projects are available in the above related areas– please contact me.
Read more
- Molecular dynamics simulations of intrinsically disordered proteins (Collaboration with Prof. Guy Lippens and Prof. Caroline-Smet Nocca).
- Molecular Modelling of protein-glycosaminoglycan interactions (Collabortion with Prof. Deirdre Coombe and Vito Ferro).
- Protein folding and adsorption on nanoparticles and surfaces (Collaboration with Prof. YT Gu and Prof. HongPing Zhang).
- Simulations of components of lung surfactant (Ongoing PhD project with Dr. Suvash Saha).
- Molecular modelling and mechanics of collagen (Ongoing PhD project with Prof. YT Gu).
- Advance design of chemotherapeutics (Prof. Derek Richard, Cancer and Ageing Research Program)
Honours and PhD projects are available in the above related areas– please contact me.
Selected publications
QUT ePrints
For more publications by Neha S., explore their research in QUT ePrints (our digital repository).
Selected research projects
- Title
- ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- IC190100020
- Start year
- 2020
- Keywords
Projects listed above are funded by Australian Competitive Grants. Projects funded from other sources are not listed due to confidentiality agreements.
Supervision
Current supervisions
- How Banf1 functions to inhibit the activity of PARP1
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Derek Richard, Dr Jamie Riches, Dr Emma Bolderson - Development of potential agents targeting DNA repair pathways for cancer therapy
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Dr Mark Adams, Professor Derek Richard - Functional and Biophysical characterisation of TIMLESS-PARP1 interactions in DNA Repair
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Ken O'Byrne, Professor Derek Richard, Dr Jamie Riches - Computational and Statistical Analyses of Omics Data to Advance Understanding of Hormone-Dependent Cancers
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Jyotsna Batra, Professor Emilie Sauret - Biophysical characterisation of proteins involved in DNA-repair mechanisms
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Derek Richard, Dr Laura Croft - Molecular Dynamics of Gelatin-Based Peptide Systems
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Travis Klein, Dr Karsten Schrobback