Mr Dhanasekaran Sakthivel
PhD Student
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Monash University
dsak8@student.monash.edu
Research Activities
I successfully completed my PhD from Monash University, Australia in September 2017 under the supervision of A/Prof. David Piedrafita and A/Prof. Travis Beddoe. My research interests are largely directed towards understanding the basis of infection and immunity. I am looking for an early career opportunity to ameliorate and upgrade my knowledge in the field of infectious diseases.Techniques/Expertise
- Demonstrated experience in structural and functional characterisation of proteins involved in complex host-pathogen interplay.
- Demonstrated experience in defining the innate immune response to multiple pathogens in
- animal models.Extensive experience in recombinant proteins production (over 40 gene constructs), biochemical, biophysical characterisation and functional studies.
- Molecular biology: Gene cloning and gene expression analysis (mRNA and Protein) and gene expression profiling (qPCR).
- Protein biochemistry: Affinity purification (IMAC and Pull down), Pull down affinity purification (Protein-protein and Protein-glycan), size exclusion and Ion exchange chromatography (AKTA). Circular Dichroism (CD), Analytical Ultracentrifugation and Glycobiology techniques
- Protein crystallisation: Setting up crystal screening, cryopreservation and diffraction of protein crystals and structure determination)
Collaborations
Prof Jamie RossjohnDr Matthew Perugini
A/Prof David Piedrafita
Dr Travis Beddoe
Dr Gowtam Chowdary Chalasani
Disease Models
- BALB/c mice for the propagation of Plasmodium berghei, Plasmodium yoleii, Plasmodium falciparum, plasmodium chabaudi
- Chicken for the New castle disease virus vaccine
- Sheep and goat for the propagation of H. contortus immune response
- Bovine for the vaccine studies of Theileria annulata
