I hold a BSc in Biochemistry and an MSc in Medical Biochemistry, followed by a PhD in Medical Biology and Genetics. My research focuses on tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. I am currently an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University.

I am Dr. Sunita Sharma, currently working as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Georgia, Athens, USA. My scientific journey began with a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India, where I specialized in microbiology and photobiology. My research passion lies in cilia biology and molecular genetics, with a strong focus on intraflagellar transport (IFT) and phototropin-mediated signaling pathways. I investigate how cilia form and function in model organisms like Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, using a combination of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, high-throughput sequencing, qRT-PCR, and advanced imaging techniques. My goal is to unravel the molecular mechanisms that govern sensory perception, motility, and light signaling in ciliated cells. I’m actively involved in interdisciplinary projects combining optogenetics, cilia biology, structural biology, and signal transduction. My current work includes creating photoreceptor knockouts to study their role in gene regulation, protein localization, and ciliary dynamics under various environmental stimuli. I am highly enthusiastic about collaborative science, and I aspire to contribute meaningfully to the global scientific community—both through impactful research and active participation in organizing academic events. I am particularly interested in opportunities to serve on scientific committees such as FEBS, where I can help foster innovation, diversity, and knowledge-sharing in life sciences.

'FEBS Communications' posts general items from the FEBS Network Team as well as news on FEBS events and other activities.

My research interests focus on the roles mitochondria play in aspects of eukaryotic life, ranging from their origin, metabolism, biogenesis and role they play in cell death pathways. These are interrogated using biochemical, molecular biology, genetic and cell biology techniques. I incorporate these interests into classes I teach to provide an understanding of practical techniques and also the current literature in the field. I studied biochemistry at the University of Leeds, with an industrial placement at Astra Charnwood, followed by a PhD at the University of Bristol, supervised by Professor Andrew Halestrap, to characterise the molecular composition of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, with support from MitoKor. My post-doctoral training on the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis supervised by Dr Doug Green was at the La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology in San Diego, California and St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. I then was an associate research scientist working in the laboratory of Professor Alexander Tzagoloff at Columbia University in New York to study biogenesis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase in budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I held independent positions as assistant professor at the New York Institute of Technology in New York and Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent where I continued my research and taught subjects related to biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and molecular biology. I am now a senior lecturer in biotechnology at Liverpool John Moores University.  I am a strong supporter of scientific communications and outreach to disseminate scientific developments and knowledge to a broader audience with the goal of increasing the general support of the scientific process. I also direct Biomed News, a free biomedical research literature discovery platform that uses machine learning.

I am a molecular biophysicist applying single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques as well as tailoring new techniques and integrating with other experimental and theoretical techniques to study biomolecular interactions, structure, and dynamics in solution and the cell. I have been implementing my knowledge and experience in performing experiments to answer questions regarding various biomolecular systems, such as Adenylate Kinase, the bacterial transcription initiation complex, p53, the amyloid-beta peptide, alpha-synuclein, and more. Since I opened my lab in 2018, I have been interested in the molecular etiology of a group of diseases called Synucleinopathies (e.g., Parkinson's disease). My interests include, but are not limited to (i) the structure-dynamics-function relationship in intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs); (ii) phase-separated bio-condensates in health and disease; (iii) sensitive detection of bio-nanoparticles, such as viruses, exosomes, and IDP-based oligomers/aggregates. 

Bioinformatics

I am a Professor of Toxicology, Biochemistry and Cell Signaling at Université Paris Cité (former Université Paris Descartes). I have completed my PhD in molecular toxicology and a post-graduate year in Bethesda, MD. I am the head of a Master degrees in toxicology and ecotoxicology. My research is based on cellular and animal models and on three main axes: 1) the influence of persistent organic pollutants on breast tumorigenesis and metabolic disruption, 2) the contextual role of pollutants in the occurrence of chronic liver diseases including steatosis and fibrosis, 3) the effect of mixtures on the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. I am involved in the development of innovative pedagogy methods and technics in order to improve transmission, acquisition, memorization and utilization of scientific knowledge by our biomedical students. I used flipped classrooms, quizzes (at home and during courses) and virtual reality to interact and immerge with students in and outside the classroom. Indeed, I developed with pedagogic engineers, 1) Home-based 45’’ Quizzes to engage students in regular learning modes and 2) serious games on cell signaling and xenobiotic stress. Together, with Etienne Blanc, Caroline Chauvet and Frédéric Dardel, I wrote several French books of biochemistry and toxicology topics for undergraduate students. I collaborate with several national and international institutes and universities (CNAM Thierry KOSCIELNIAK, Université de Strasbourg Jean-Luc SOUCIET, National University of Singapore, Fun Man FUNG...) for the development of innovative methods in teaching.

I am the FEBS Events Associate – Advanced Courses, Congress, 3+ at FEBS, supporting the delivery of those events. Previously I was the Communications and Digital Platforms Associate, also at FEBS, and worked on platforms such as the FEBS Network and FEBS website. Before joining FEBS I managed the grant programmes of a number of UK research charities, mainly in the field of cancer, as well as supported the fundraising at those organisations. I also developed e-learning resources at the Institute of Cancer Research. I have a BSc in Biochemistry and an MSc in Nutrition. After years in London I have now moved back to Spain.

Junior-GBM is the Junior Section of the German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBM). It was set up in 2011 to support the career development and networking opportunities of students and young researchers in the molecular life sciences in Germany. The Junior-GBM organise and deliver their own activities, under the supervision of their Society and all members of the Junior-GBM are members of the GBM. Junior-GBM are also part of the FEBS Junior Section. To find out more about the Junior-GBM read their overview post and check out the online talks and other activities they deliver, accesible from the 'Popular contributions' section below.