PRIYANKA DAHIYA
Cambridge
Summary
Accomplished molecular and cellular immunologist with expertise in medically relevant biology, immune-cell signaling, and host–pathogen interactions. Translates complex scientific insights into actionable strategies that enhance product development and cross-functional collaboration. Synthesizes multi-omic datasets and shapes scientific narratives to align research with business priorities, supported by a strong publication record and multiple patents.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
PhD Researcher, Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology
Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics
Hyderabad
07.2017 - 08.2025
- Led a multi-platform research program investigating how Mycobacterium tuberculosis manipulates macrophage signaling to promote persistence.
- Designed and executed experiments across molecular, cellular, biochemical, and in vivo systems to uncover mechanisms of immune evasion and identify therapeutic opportunities.
- Discovered that the Mtb effector PE11 disrupts the FLCN–TFEB signaling axis, impairing autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis, revealing a novel mechanism of immune modulation relevant to chronic inflammatory and oncology-adjacent pathways.
- Demonstrated PE11's role in enhancing inflammatory signaling and cytokine dysregulation through RNA-seq profiling, informing host-directed therapeutic strategies.
- Established the enzymatic activity of PE11 and linked it to bacterial cell wall remodeling using biochemical assays and electron microscopy.
- Contributed to small-molecule screening efforts, identifying candidate inhibitors validated in Mtb and MDR-Mtb infection models.
- Supported development of a host-directed therapeutic approach that improved bacterial clearance and reduced reliance on antibiotics.
- Collaborated with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate imaging, transcriptomics, and biochemical data into cohesive mechanistic models, advancing research objectives.
- Produced scientific documents including manuscripts, reviews, and grant-ready materials, contributing to knowledge dissemination and funding efforts.
- Presented research findings at national scientific conferences and workshops.
- Trained junior researchers on laboratory techniques and best practices.
Education
Ph.D. - Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology
01.2025
Thesis: Structural and functional characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis esterase PE11
M.Sc. - Biotechnology
01.2015
B.Sc. - Botany, Zoology, Chemistry & Biotechnology
01.2013
Skills
- Immunology
- Host–pathogen interactions
- Molecular biology
- Tissue analysis
- Mammalian cell culture
- Infection models
- Macrophage/T-cell biology
- In vivo models
- Cloning
- Mutagenesis
- PCR/qPCR
- NGS prep
- Protein expression
- Purification
- Biochemical assays
- High-parameter flow cytometry
- Confocal imaging
- IP, IV, SC injections
- Tissue processing
- RNA-seq analysis
- Data visualization
- FlowJo
- GraphPad Prism
- ImageJ
- Assay troubleshooting
- Workflow optimization
- Scientific writing
- Technical writing
- Data decision-making
- Team collaboration
Core Competencies
Immunology, oncology-relevant biology, host–pathogen interactions, High-parameter flow cytometry, confocal imaging, tissue analysis, Molecular biology (PCR, qPCR, cloning, mutagenesis, NGS prep), Protein expression, purification, biochemical assays, Mammalian cell culture, infection models, macrophage/T-cell biology, In vivo models: IP/IV/ICV injections, tissue processing, Customer-centric solution development, Translating scientific insights into product strategy, Competitive landscape analysis, Cross-functional collaboration (R&D, commercial, digital, manufacturing), Data-driven decision-making and performance monitoring, Scientific communication for diverse audiences, Workflow optimization and assay troubleshooting, FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, ImageJ, RNA-seq analysis, Data visualization and interpretation, SOP development, documentation, data organization
Patents
- Therapeutics for tuberculosis-associated liver pathology, Indian Patent: 202441081358
- Host-directed TB therapeutics to improve immune responses and drug efficacy, Indian Patent: 202441058271
Google Scholar
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=HtefGMgAAAAJ&hl=en
Awards
- International Travel Award, Anusandhan National Research Foundation, 2025
- Carl Storm International Diversity Fellowship, Gordon Research Conference, 2025
- Young Scientist Award Finalist, Indian Immunology Society 2022, 2023
- JRF + SRF Fellowship, DBT, Government of India (2017- 2022)
- MSc Biotechnology Fellowship, DBT (2013-2015)
- Summer Research Fellowship, Indian Academies of Sciences, 2014
Publications
Borah S, Dahiya P, Gupta R, Barman P, Valluri V, Mukhopadhyay S., PE11 protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is associated with increased inflammation and fibrosis in liver. (in Communication)
Bisht MK, Maurya V, Dahiya P, Valluri VL, Ghosh S, Mukhopadhyay S. The PPE2 protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for the development of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance during tuberculosis. eLife 15:RP109532 https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.109532.1
Dahiya P, Bisht MK, Saha A, Chandramouli A, Kamat SS, Nandikoori VK, Ghosh S, Mukhopadhyay S. PE11 promotes intracellular persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by inhibiting autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis by targeting the FLCN-lactate-TFEB signaling axis. bioRxiv 2025.07.31.668032; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.07.31.668032
Dahiya P, Bisht MK, Mukhopadhyay S. Role of PE family of proteins in mycobacterial virulence: Potential on anti-TB vaccine and drug design. Int Rev Immunol. 2025 Jan 31:1-16. doi: 10.1080/08830185.2025.2455161. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39889764.
Dahiya P, Banerjee A, Saha A, Nandicoori VK, Ghosh S, Mukhopadhyay S. Structure-function relationship of PE11 esterase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with respect to its role in virulence. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2024 Dec 20;739:150927. Epub 2024 Nov 10. PMID: 39541926. https://doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150927
Bisht MK, Dahiya P, Ghosh S, Mukhopadhyay S. The cause-effect relation of tuberculosis on incidence of diabetes mellitus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023 Jun 26;13:1134036. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2023.1134036. PMID: 37434784; PMCID: PMC10330781.
Bisht MK, Pal R, Dahiya P, Naz S, Sanyal P, Nandicoori VK, Ghosh S, Mukhopadhyay S. The PPE2 protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is secreted during infection and facilitates mycobacterial survival inside the host. Tuberculosis (Edinb). 2023 Dec;143:102421. doi:10.1016/j.tube.2023.102421. Epub 2023 Oct 12. PMID: 37879126.
Ananda AP, Manukumar HM, Umesha S, Soumya G, Priyanka D, et al. A Relook at Food Packaging for Cost Effective by Incorporation of Novel Technologies. J Packag Technol Res. 2017;1(2):67-85. doi:10.1007/s41783-017-0011-4
References
Available upon request.
Personal Information
Authorized To Work: U.S.
Timeline
PhD Researcher, Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology - Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics
07.2017 - 08.2025
Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) - Ph.D., Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology
University of Mysore - M.Sc., Biotechnology
HNB Garhwal University - B.Sc., Botany, Zoology, Chemistry & Biotechnology