Punam Jha

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT PUNAM JHA

I am a researcher with a strong foundation in molecular biology and translational research, with experience spanning organoid models, CRISPR-based genome editing, synthetic lethality, cancer biology, and epigenetics. My academic journey began with a Master’s degree in Science, where I studied the impact of nutrition on women’s fertility, and has since expanded through multidisciplinary projects at CSIR institutes.At IGIB and IICB, I contributed to collaborative initiatives such as the Indian Breast Cancer Genome Atlas, where I worked on library preparation and genomic workflows, as well as CRISPR-Cas9–based studies for disease models. I developed expertise in organoid culture, viral transduction optimization, FACS validation, RT-PCR, luciferase assays, and next-generation sequencing pipelines (MiSeq, WGS). I also worked on patient-derived models for drug screening, exploring CPZ-induced cell death in HER2+ breast cancer organoids.Currently, I am investigating the methylation status in glaucoma and how the biological clock influences disease mechanisms, using the Horvath epigenetic clock as a tool to assess epigenetic age and its correlation with pathology. This work allows me to integrate molecular biology with systems-level understanding of disease progression.I value interdisciplinary approaches, collaborative science, and translational impact. Always open to discussions, collaborations, and opportunities that push the boundaries of biomedical research.