Stem Cells are pushing the boundaries of healthcare research in the field of regenerative medicine !
Gaurang Telang, our next pathbreaker, PhD Candidate (Part-Time) at Amity University, researches T-cell immunomodulation using mesenchymal stem cells.
Gaurang talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his work on scientific illustrations for research papers, and his interests in communicating complex concepts, experiments through art.
For students, the fascinating world of biology springs to life through intricate scientific illustrations and graphics which make science more accessible !
Gaurang, can you tell us about your growing up years?
I grew up in Mumbai, India and developed an interest in science at an early age. I participated in science exhibitions and quiz competitions. I decided to study biotechnology around 8 standard. I studied Biotechnology during my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Apart from academics, I was involved in various extracurricular activities such as scientific illustration and graphics for research. My father had a background in engineering and my mother encouraged my curiosity in science.
What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?
For my graduation, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at D.Y. Patil, a Deemed University in Navi Mumbai. After that, I continued my education and completed a Master’s degree in Biotechnology at Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute in Pune.
What were some of the influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional and unusual career?
I was influenced by my biology teacher who introduced me to the fascinating world of biology in 8th standard which subsequently led to me taking science in class 11, and later exposing me to the research taking place in biotechnology.
During my school days, I had the guidance and support of my biology teacher who encouraged my passion for scientific research. They shared their knowledge and experiences, inspiring me to pursue a career in this field.
During my bachelors in biotechnology, I understood that there are many opportunities in the field of research which led to me taking on multiple internships in various laboratories.
During my bachelor’s dissertation , I developed a keen interest in immunology and stem cell research. The potential to understand and manipulate the immune system, as well as the regenerative capabilities of stem cells, fascinated me. These turning points solidified my decision to pursue a career in this field.
Tell us about your career path
My bachelor’s thesis was on differentiating/ making osteoblasts/ bone cells from Dental Pulp Stem Cells (cells obtained from inside of tooth). I successfully made bone cells and studied how they are formed, and how their genotype and phenotype varies during their formation.
I started working in Logical Life Science Pvt. Ltd., Pune during my master’s as it was during COVID-19 pandemic and classes were online. Shortly after completing my masters, I was promoted to Research Associate and a new title was given to me as Creative Associate as well. I always wanted to do PhD since my college days and I received support from my lab to pursue a part-time PhD at Amity University, Mumbai.
I currently work on T cells, directly isolating them from human PBMCs/blood (Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells) , where I perform various experiments on cancer cells, stem cells and tumor tissues as well. I am trying to find out how to boost immune response to fight cancer without genetic manipulation or conventional radiation or chemotherapy.
My PhD work will be focused on understanding the interactions between a particular type of stem cells and T cells, what effect do they have, how they behave, and do they have any therapeutic applications?
I started making scientific illustrations and diagrams for research papers and gained an interest in visualizing complex data, experiments through diagrams. I also made some comics on biological topics which are published on amazon kindle.
Here is an example of a poster I made for one of my paper;
I focused on gaining relevant knowledge and skills through my educational journey. I took courses and participated in research projects related to immunology and stem cell biology. This helped me build a strong foundation in my field of interest.
I had the opportunity to work as a research intern at Geochem Laboratories Private Limited in Mumbai. This experience provided me with hands-on training in food microbiology, molecular biology, and organic and inorganic chemistry. This led me to understand how private organizations function and commercialization works in the field of biotechnology.
For my bachelor’s dissertation, I joined Institute of Applied Biomedical Research and Development at Nirav Biosolutions Pvt. Ltd., Pune where I learned advanced human cell culture and techniques.
Later, I joined Logical Life Science Pvt. Ltd. as a Research Assistant . In this role, I designed experiments, performed data analysis, wrote reports, and created scientific illustrations and visualizations. This allowed me to combine my scientific skills with my creative flair.
Additionally, I served as an Ambassador for the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS), where I wrote scientific blogs and reported on the latest immunological research.
Networking and establishing connections with professionals in the field helped me gain insights and opportunities, especially, connecting with seniors and internships as well as professors. Attending workshops, and being part of scientific societies allowed me to connect with like-minded individuals and experts.
Continuing education and obtaining certifications related to my field of expertise, such as flow cytometry, helped me enhance my skills and stay updated with the latest techniques and advancements.
How did you get your first break?
My first break came when I secured a research internship at Geochem Laboratories Private Limited. This opportunity provided me with practical experience in various aspects of biotechnology and allowed me to apply the knowledge gained during my studies.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
I faced some challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic as I was working in the lab and attending my online classes which was difficult for me, but this experience prepared me to enroll in the part-time PhD programme.
Where do you work now?
Currently, I am pursuing a part-time PhD in Biotechnology at Amity University. My research focuses on T-cell immunomodulation using mesenchymal stem cells. This allows me to delve deeper into my field of interest and contribute to advancing scientific knowledge.
What is the benefit of your work to society?
My previous research on Dental Pulp Stem Cells has very impactful applications in regenerative medicine, where primed stem cells (osteoblasts) can be injected into a fractured bone to speedup the recovery. My master’s thesis was on anti-cancer effect of Allicin (a chemical found in garlic), where I checked how this compound kills lung cancer cells.
Currently, I work on developing new assays and experiments where I am developing a testing method for monoclonal antibodies in just 24 hours using high throughput technique flow cytometer. This will reduce animal experimentation, as well as the cost and time required for approving and developing new anti-cancer, autoimmune and other medicines, and drugs.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
I have received Young Researcher Award, International Best Researcher Award and 1st Prize in Quiz competition for STUTI Program on material science.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
My advice to students is to have passion and curiosity no matter what your marks or percentage is because I was not good enough in mathematics and I was never a topper in my class during my school time. But the only reason I was able to learn complex biology was because of my curiosity. So, be curious and try to learn more than your textbooks even if its difficult to understand because whatever you read and learn will always be useful at some point of time in your career.
Future Plans?
Currently, my immediate goal is to successfully finish my PhD in the coming years and learn as much as possible from the biotech industry. My long-term goal is to develop novel assays and reduce the time and cost of developing novel drugs and study immunology as much as possible to better understand cancer and eventually develop my own therapy.