Soumya Kolanpaka
428, Hidden valley Drive, Edison NJ
Email: skolanpaka@gmail.com
Cell: +1 309 363 2522
Professional Overview
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Doctoral degree in Genetics & Biotechnology
Over 6+ years of lab experience in Molecular biology.
Extensive experience on molecular biological techniques, molecular and serological assay
development, bio-informatics software tools and effective utilization of genetic databases
Interpersonal skills demonstrated through building relationships with various stakeholders as part
of National agricultural innovation project (NAIP) funded project involving two major research
institutions, Indian Agricultural Research Institute(IARI) and National Bureau of Plant Genetic
Resources(NBPGR) in India
Organizational skills cemented through planning, designing, optimization and execution of
Research project at NBPGR as Research Associate.
Ability to establish priorities and plan, co-ordinate and monitor individual work plan and team work
Key Skills
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DNA/RNA extractions
DNA finger printing and MAS
Molecular Cloning
Protein purification
PCR , RT-PCR
ELISA & Immunoassays
SDS-PAGE
Western Blotting
Lateral flow assays
Gold nano particle- Antibody
conjugation
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Bacterial media preparation, bacterial
culturing, maintenance & development
of pure cultures
Bacterial transformation,
Mechanical inoculation of plant viruses
on plant
Phylogenetic analysis
Gene expression analysis
Homology modeling (MODELLER)
Molecular Docking (AUTODOCK)
Protein profile analysis
Education
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PhD in Genetics from Osmania University, Hyderabad, India, during 2011-2015
M.S in Biotechnology and BioInformatics from SRM Uninversity, Chennai, India during 2006-2008
B.S in Bio-technology from Aurora Degree College, Hyderabad, India, during 2003-2006
Dissertation Research
Molecular cloning and expression & in-silico analysis of capsid protein of Peanut Mottle Virus for
sero-diagnosis
 The Peanut mottle virus isolate PeMoV Gn-Hyd-1 was collected from peanut crop plants and viral
coat protein gene was cloned from the isolate and characterized
 The constraints in the preparation of PeMoV antigen were overcome by successfully overexpressing the core capsid protein of PeMoV in E. coli as immunogenic antigen
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Competitive ELISA kits and a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) were developed using the
polyclonal antibodies produced in the laboratory
A lateral flow assay has been developed for the on-field detection of the virus
A 3D-homology model of the PeMoV coat protein was predicted using MODELLER, which has
been used for understanding the structure-activity relationship of the protein with various antiviral
compounds
Experience
Research Associate
December 2009 to September 2011
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
Hyderabad, India
Project title - Novel strategies for molecular diagnosis of plant viruses
 Cloning and sequence generation of coat protein gene of Peanut mottle virus and Peanut stripe
virus
 Production of recombinant coat protein in bacterial host
 Raising polyclonal antibodies for immune diagnosis of Virus
 Standardization of ELISA kits using the in-house antiserum produced
 Purification of IgG antibodies
 Standardizing procedure for preparing antibody-colloidal gold particles for lateral flow assay
 Standardization and development of lateral flow assay sticks for on-field detection of Peanut
Mottle Virus
 Mechanical inoculation of plant viruses on plants
 Glass house Management for Production and Maintenance of Indicator Plants
Senior Research Fellow
July 2008 to December 2009
Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University
Hyderabad, India
Project title - Development of Quality Protein Maize using Marker assisted selection.
 DNA finger printing of popular inbred lines and QPM lines of maize for precisely establishing
genotype identity of each variety
 Conversion of popular inbred lines (non-QPM) used for hybrid development into quality protein
maize (QPM) lines using Marker assisted selection (MAS)
Fellowships and Awards
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Best Paper in Environmental Biotechnology Section at Biozone 2008 - A National Level Conference
on Current Perspectives and Challenges in Biotechnology with CSIR sponsorship at Dr. MGR
University, Chennai, India – 2008
Second prize in Paper presentation at National level Conference on Current Perspectives and
Challenges in Biotechnology with CSIR sponsorship at Dr. MGR University, Chennai, India – 2008
Second prize in poster presentation at 21st National Conference of Indian Virological Society on
“Immunobiology and Management of Viral Diseases in 21st Century”, Indian Veterinary
Research Institute, Mukteswar, India – 2012
Publications
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S. Karthick Raja Namasivayam and K. Soumya (2010): Bio-efficacy of partially purified toxin from
entomopathogenic fungi: Nomuraea rileyi (F.) Samson against Groundnut sucking pest Aphis
Craccivora (Homoptera: aphipidae) In Environmental Engineering, Chapter 9. Eds Arvind Kumar and
Shishir Suman Mishra. Publishers: Daya (2010)
Soumya K, Yogita M, Prasanthi Y, Anitha K, Kavi Kishor PB, Jain R K, and Bikash Mandal
(2014).Molecular characterization of Indian isolate of Peanut mottle virus and Immuno diagnosis using
bacterial expressed core capsid protein. Virus Disease 25: 331-337 (Impact Factor 0.364)
Anitha K, Prasanthi Y, Soumya K and Bikash Mandal (2014). Cross Learning Experiences of the
Project - Novel Strategies for Molecular Diagnosis of Plant Viruses. In: Cross Learning - Reflections
and Experiences,Chapter 9 (pg:102-113).Eds. K.S. Varaprasad, Y.G. Prasad and P.K. Katiha.
Publishers: Progressive Press Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad
Presentations
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Soumya Kolanpaka and Kavi Kishor PB (2014). In-Silico studies of Peanut mottle virus (PeMoV):
Molecular modeling of novel receptors and docking studies of inhibitors to find antiviral
molecules. In: National conference on Bioinformatics, Drug Discovery and Microbial Technology.
Held on 22-24thDecember 2014 at Osmania University, Hyderabad. Pp 38-39.
Soumya K, Yogita M, Prasanthi Y, Anitha K, Jain RK, and Bikash Mandal (2012).
Immunodiagnosis of Peanut mottle virus using polyclonal antibodies to bacterial
expressed core recombinant capsid protein. In: XXI National Conference of Indian Virological
Society (IVS) on “Immunobiology and Management of Viral Diseases in 21st Century” held on 8-10th
November 2012 at Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteshwar, pp 78
Soumya .K and Karthick S Raja Namasivayam 2008 Mass multiplication of entamopathogenic
fungi -Nomuraea rileyi using conventional non-synthetic media in Conference on Current
Perspectives and Challenges in Biotechnology held on March 26-28th 2008 at Dr. MGR University,
Chennai, India – 2008
Additional Information
Authorized to work in the US for any employer