Ashok Khatri

About Ashok Khatri

Lead a team of protein chemists responsible for analytical protein chemistry and peptide medicinal chemistry including synthesis of long and complex peptides with a variety of modifications, such as short and long chain fatty acids, dyes, and PEGylation for developing peptide-based therapeutics and vaccines. Expertise in design and synthesis of analogs for understanding protein-protein interactions and Proof-of-Concept studies for clinical trials.

Experience

1. Director, Peptide Protein Core Laboratory

   Massachusetts General Hospital

   Sep 1993 — Present

   Current Responsibilities• Directing Peptide/Protein laboratory involved with peptide synthesis, purification and analysis; protein/peptide sequence analysis; amino acid composition analysis; and mass spectrometric analysis for developing novel peptide analogs.• Hands-on participation in the research projects involving interactions of peptide hormones with their receptors and the development of peptide based vaccines.• Assessment and implementation of new technologies as they become available.• Planning and implementation of $600K annual operating budget.• Managing/consulting internal and external scientific collaborations with researchers for various projects in academia and industry.Accomplishments• Synthesized novel analogs of parathyroid hormone (PTH) as potential drug candidates, currently in clinical trials.• Sequenced parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor and identified its phosphorylation sites that led to the development of a mouse which is deficient in the phosphorylation of this receptor.• Consulted with Johns Hopkins U. and U.Penn to develop a GLP-1 analog focused on medicinal chemistry as potential peptide-based drug for obesity.• Synthesized a library of AIDS peptides for CTL studies.• Pioneered with New England Biolabs to develop antibodies for cell signaling.• Supervised and trained seven protein/peptide chemists.• Successfully integrated three separate core laboratories into one.• Started a new core facility for the sequencing of monoclonal antibodies.• Procured funds for capital equipment and lab operating expenses.

Education

• The Catholic University of America

  Master's degree, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

  1986 — 1989

• Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University

  Master's degree, Organic Chemistry

  1975 — 1977

Skills

• Drug Discovery
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Peptide Synthesis
• Biochemistry
• Tissue Culture
• Biotechnology
• Protein Purification
• Protein Chemistry
• Laboratory
• Drug Development
• Enzymology
• Western Blotting
• Proteomics
• Life Sciences
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Lifesciences
• Purification
• Cell Culture