Sandhya Koushika
@wormlockholmes.bsky.social
Cellular neurobiologist TIFR India who loves genetics, live imaging and worms. Science is fun, let's go exploring.
Sci comm, write bad poetry, 2 girl mom
lab: https://tinyurl.com/5n7s6ens
https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=c4zDSQ8AA
Sci comm, write bad poetry, 2 girl mom
lab: https://tinyurl.com/5n7s6ens
https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=c4zDSQ8AA
This award aims to highlight outstanding research by active neuroscientists working in countries underrepresented in neuroscience publications and conferences. @network-alba.bsky.social @sfn.org @ibroorg.bsky.social @fens.org
August 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
This award aims to highlight outstanding research by active neuroscientists working in countries underrepresented in neuroscience publications and conferences. @network-alba.bsky.social @sfn.org @ibroorg.bsky.social @fens.org
Our worm lab is recovering from a mite attack. Trainees devoted hours to cleanup
A mite or two or an army
They are hateful and smarmy
Our helpless little ones
Crushed by their whirling carny
Hello give up not
Gather all the stock
Pick, bleach, clean
Burn to death a game well fought
A mite or two or an army
They are hateful and smarmy
Our helpless little ones
Crushed by their whirling carny
Hello give up not
Gather all the stock
Pick, bleach, clean
Burn to death a game well fought
August 21, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Our worm lab is recovering from a mite attack. Trainees devoted hours to cleanup
A mite or two or an army
They are hateful and smarmy
Our helpless little ones
Crushed by their whirling carny
Hello give up not
Gather all the stock
Pick, bleach, clean
Burn to death a game well fought
A mite or two or an army
They are hateful and smarmy
Our helpless little ones
Crushed by their whirling carny
Hello give up not
Gather all the stock
Pick, bleach, clean
Burn to death a game well fought
Our dept @tifr.res.in ran an MSc by research for ~25yrs. Our last batch graduated this month. Several headed to excellent PhD programs, some to jobs.
Congratulations and good luck for many fun adventures.
👏🏾Sohan Seal from my lab headed for a PhD to @mpi-cbg.de. 2nd from L, row 2
Congratulations and good luck for many fun adventures.
👏🏾Sohan Seal from my lab headed for a PhD to @mpi-cbg.de. 2nd from L, row 2
July 30, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Our dept @tifr.res.in ran an MSc by research for ~25yrs. Our last batch graduated this month. Several headed to excellent PhD programs, some to jobs.
Congratulations and good luck for many fun adventures.
👏🏾Sohan Seal from my lab headed for a PhD to @mpi-cbg.de. 2nd from L, row 2
Congratulations and good luck for many fun adventures.
👏🏾Sohan Seal from my lab headed for a PhD to @mpi-cbg.de. 2nd from L, row 2
Continuing the theme, consider this one too.
April 12, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Continuing the theme, consider this one too.
The 3 day short biomembrane course from Amit Chattopadhyay, CCMB @tifrscience.bsky.social had had 6 lectures with a lot of discussion.
Thank you Amit, the course was highly appreciated by students and the faculty who attended.
Thank you Amit, the course was highly appreciated by students and the faculty who attended.
April 7, 2025 at 4:27 AM
The 3 day short biomembrane course from Amit Chattopadhyay, CCMB @tifrscience.bsky.social had had 6 lectures with a lot of discussion.
Thank you Amit, the course was highly appreciated by students and the faculty who attended.
Thank you Amit, the course was highly appreciated by students and the faculty who attended.
Last week Colloquium & a short biomembranes course from Amit Chattopadhyay, CCMB at @tifrscience.bsky.social
Colloquium started with a historical perspective of membrane models, cholesterol and how it modulates GPCRs
Colloquium started with a historical perspective of membrane models, cholesterol and how it modulates GPCRs
April 7, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Last week Colloquium & a short biomembranes course from Amit Chattopadhyay, CCMB at @tifrscience.bsky.social
Colloquium started with a historical perspective of membrane models, cholesterol and how it modulates GPCRs
Colloquium started with a historical perspective of membrane models, cholesterol and how it modulates GPCRs
April 3, 2025 at 8:20 AM
"Husain: The Timeless Modernist" exhibit at the DAG gallery. MF Husain's work spanning several decades.
The scientist in me had a big smile seeing the RAMAN EFFECT piece.
Terrible pictures don't do justice to the art.
The scientist in me had a big smile seeing the RAMAN EFFECT piece.
Terrible pictures don't do justice to the art.
March 28, 2025 at 3:21 PM
"Husain: The Timeless Modernist" exhibit at the DAG gallery. MF Husain's work spanning several decades.
The scientist in me had a big smile seeing the RAMAN EFFECT piece.
Terrible pictures don't do justice to the art.
The scientist in me had a big smile seeing the RAMAN EFFECT piece.
Terrible pictures don't do justice to the art.
A big plus of being @tifrscience.bsky.social Ending a day of discussing science with a lovely Blues concert by Thornetta Davis @NCPA as part of the Soul festival. Danced my 💙 out.
March 15, 2025 at 3:55 PM
A big plus of being @tifrscience.bsky.social Ending a day of discussing science with a lovely Blues concert by Thornetta Davis @NCPA as part of the Soul festival. Danced my 💙 out.
No conference is complete without a little bit of fun.
Bhavya, a just graduated @TIFR_Bio student, with a cell phone acting as DJ & taking requests
A speaker thanks to the venue
Dancing by both students & PIs #MSS2025
Bhavya, a just graduated @TIFR_Bio student, with a cell phone acting as DJ & taking requests
A speaker thanks to the venue
Dancing by both students & PIs #MSS2025
March 1, 2025 at 6:09 AM
No conference is complete without a little bit of fun.
Bhavya, a just graduated @TIFR_Bio student, with a cell phone acting as DJ & taking requests
A speaker thanks to the venue
Dancing by both students & PIs #MSS2025
Bhavya, a just graduated @TIFR_Bio student, with a cell phone acting as DJ & taking requests
A speaker thanks to the venue
Dancing by both students & PIs #MSS2025
Poster prizes given out by Madan Rao
Vigneshwar Reddy, Tammineni Lab, Hyderabad Central Univ
Shashank Saxena, Sahu Lab, NBRC
Nandhini Krishnamurthy, Shamik Sen Lab, IIT Bombay
Vigneshwar Reddy, Tammineni Lab, Hyderabad Central Univ
Shashank Saxena, Sahu Lab, NBRC
Nandhini Krishnamurthy, Shamik Sen Lab, IIT Bombay
March 1, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Poster prizes given out by Madan Rao
Vigneshwar Reddy, Tammineni Lab, Hyderabad Central Univ
Shashank Saxena, Sahu Lab, NBRC
Nandhini Krishnamurthy, Shamik Sen Lab, IIT Bombay
Vigneshwar Reddy, Tammineni Lab, Hyderabad Central Univ
Shashank Saxena, Sahu Lab, NBRC
Nandhini Krishnamurthy, Shamik Sen Lab, IIT Bombay
Translocation of proteins across channels in membranes is relevant for both moving proteins across ER & mitochondrial membranes. Anthrax toxin forms channels & α-helical substrates translocate faster. Debasis Das @tifrscience.bsky.social in #MSS2025
March 1, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Translocation of proteins across channels in membranes is relevant for both moving proteins across ER & mitochondrial membranes. Anthrax toxin forms channels & α-helical substrates translocate faster. Debasis Das @tifrscience.bsky.social in #MSS2025
Mtb release from phagosome needs virulence factor ESAT6 at low surface densities inserts in membrane, ⬇️ tension & ⬆️ phagosome membrane curvature. ESAT6 polymerization ⬆️ vesiculation rate. Mtb direct contact➡️diffusion barrier+host membrane local lipid phase separation. Saleem Mohd, NISER #MSS2025
February 28, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Mtb release from phagosome needs virulence factor ESAT6 at low surface densities inserts in membrane, ⬇️ tension & ⬆️ phagosome membrane curvature. ESAT6 polymerization ⬆️ vesiculation rate. Mtb direct contact➡️diffusion barrier+host membrane local lipid phase separation. Saleem Mohd, NISER #MSS2025
Golgi is highly dynamic and has diverse shapes, sizes, nos & positions- is in a nonequilibrium steady state w/ finite flux. Vesicle transport v/s cisternal maturation are just different phases. Check out the summary picture. Madan Rao, NCBS-TIFR #MSS2025
February 28, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Golgi is highly dynamic and has diverse shapes, sizes, nos & positions- is in a nonequilibrium steady state w/ finite flux. Vesicle transport v/s cisternal maturation are just different phases. Check out the summary picture. Madan Rao, NCBS-TIFR #MSS2025
Synapse is not a uniform machine but several nanomachines in a small area that can account for stochastic synaptic transmission. Homeostatic scaling requires voltage gated calcium channels. Degeneracy seen w/ Str-fn relationship at synapse. Deepak Nair, IISc #MSS2025
February 28, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Synapse is not a uniform machine but several nanomachines in a small area that can account for stochastic synaptic transmission. Homeostatic scaling requires voltage gated calcium channels. Degeneracy seen w/ Str-fn relationship at synapse. Deepak Nair, IISc #MSS2025
Endosomal trafficking spans multiple levels of spatiotemporal organization. Fusions & collisions are necessary for conversion for small endosomes. Senthil Arumugam, @emblaustralia.bsky.social Monash Univ #MSS2025
February 28, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Endosomal trafficking spans multiple levels of spatiotemporal organization. Fusions & collisions are necessary for conversion for small endosomes. Senthil Arumugam, @emblaustralia.bsky.social Monash Univ #MSS2025
Lack of dynamin PH domain shows long-lived highly constricted pre-fission intermediates. Tubulation is imp for sorting. Bin1 an Bar domain+ dynamin bdg protein tubulates acts as D adaptor & inhibits D. Membrane lipids imp for Drp1 mediated fission. Thomas Pucadiyl, IISER-Pune #MSS2025
February 28, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Lack of dynamin PH domain shows long-lived highly constricted pre-fission intermediates. Tubulation is imp for sorting. Bin1 an Bar domain+ dynamin bdg protein tubulates acts as D adaptor & inhibits D. Membrane lipids imp for Drp1 mediated fission. Thomas Pucadiyl, IISER-Pune #MSS2025
Membrane as a target for drugs to control cellular function. Describes Serotonin effects on membranes w/ effects on exocytosis. Differential multi-dimensional space properties can give you fine tunability to alter fn. Sudipta Maiti, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad #MSS2025
February 27, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Membrane as a target for drugs to control cellular function. Describes Serotonin effects on membranes w/ effects on exocytosis. Differential multi-dimensional space properties can give you fine tunability to alter fn. Sudipta Maiti, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad #MSS2025
Cajal's law of dynamic polarization does not hold w/ dendrites expressing active ion channels. Network motifs in cellular neurophysiology span 2 different scales of biology. Degeneracy is a feature of complex systems. Single neurons are adaptive systems. Rishikesh Narayanan, IISc #MSS2025
February 27, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Cajal's law of dynamic polarization does not hold w/ dendrites expressing active ion channels. Network motifs in cellular neurophysiology span 2 different scales of biology. Degeneracy is a feature of complex systems. Single neurons are adaptive systems. Rishikesh Narayanan, IISc #MSS2025
HCN channel integrate electrical signals w/ chemical signals. Was suggested that ligand bdg exhibits non-monotonic co-operatively to cAMP -shows this is untrue. Lipid membranes modulate allostery not intrinsic bdg affinity. Baron Chanda, WUSM St. Louis #MSS2025
February 27, 2025 at 6:20 AM
HCN channel integrate electrical signals w/ chemical signals. Was suggested that ligand bdg exhibits non-monotonic co-operatively to cAMP -shows this is untrue. Lipid membranes modulate allostery not intrinsic bdg affinity. Baron Chanda, WUSM St. Louis #MSS2025
TRP channels are physiologically imp for sensing temp/heat etc but also present on intracellular organelles. TRPV3 mutations cause Olmsted syndrome & are involved in lysosome biology. Chandan Goswami, NISER #MSS2025
February 27, 2025 at 6:11 AM
TRP channels are physiologically imp for sensing temp/heat etc but also present on intracellular organelles. TRPV3 mutations cause Olmsted syndrome & are involved in lysosome biology. Chandan Goswami, NISER #MSS2025
Deorphanizing GPCRs thru cryoEM. One contains a cache domain seen in bacteria-which allowed deorphanizing the R. Its a metabotrophic glycineR. Another has structural homology to plant auxin transporter and retains auxin transport activity. Appu Kumar Singh, IIT-Kanpur #MSS2025
February 27, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Deorphanizing GPCRs thru cryoEM. One contains a cache domain seen in bacteria-which allowed deorphanizing the R. Its a metabotrophic glycineR. Another has structural homology to plant auxin transporter and retains auxin transport activity. Appu Kumar Singh, IIT-Kanpur #MSS2025
Folding of βbarrel proteins in bacteria depends on BamA. Lipids changes stability of BamA. BamA may be a target to develop new anti-bacterials. Presents general rules of folding βbarrel proteins eg VDAC. R. Mahalakshmi, IISER-Bhopal #MSS2025
February 27, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Folding of βbarrel proteins in bacteria depends on BamA. Lipids changes stability of BamA. BamA may be a target to develop new anti-bacterials. Presents general rules of folding βbarrel proteins eg VDAC. R. Mahalakshmi, IISER-Bhopal #MSS2025
Targeting lipids for new antibiotics may help in making them refractory to AMR. Mtb has structurally distinct lipids. Mtb inner membrane is less fluid than outer membrane due to lipids. Membrane biophysical attributes govern antibiotic partitioning. Shobhna Kapoor, IIT-Bombay #MSS2025
February 26, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Targeting lipids for new antibiotics may help in making them refractory to AMR. Mtb has structurally distinct lipids. Mtb inner membrane is less fluid than outer membrane due to lipids. Membrane biophysical attributes govern antibiotic partitioning. Shobhna Kapoor, IIT-Bombay #MSS2025
Bidirectional movement: In simulations with motor teams, Kinesin never gets a chance against dynein for movement. Catch-bonded dynein inactivates it and gives Kinesin a chance to move. Motor regulatory proteins can also bias movement. Roop Mallik, IIT-Bombay #MSS2025 by @tifrscience.bsky.social
February 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Bidirectional movement: In simulations with motor teams, Kinesin never gets a chance against dynein for movement. Catch-bonded dynein inactivates it and gives Kinesin a chance to move. Motor regulatory proteins can also bias movement. Roop Mallik, IIT-Bombay #MSS2025 by @tifrscience.bsky.social