Gajendra Shahapure

Biotechnology researcher with hands-on experience in cellular immunology, CAR NK cell development, lentiviral vector systems, molecular cloning, viral immunology and flow cytometry. PhD research focused on engineering and evaluating CAR NK cells for targeting reactivated HIV-1 reservoirs, including CAR construct design, molecular cloning, lentivirus production in HEK293T cells, NK-cell transduction and functional evaluation using the ACH2 latency model. Experienced in multicolor flow cytometry, including 13-color panels, using BD FACSAria Fusion and Cytek platforms.

Additional experience includes RT-qPCR/qPCR respiratory virus diagnostics, HEV and SARS-CoV-2 research, mammalian cell culture, immunoassays and infectious virus handling.

PROJECT TECHNICAL SUPPORT III - ICMR-NITVAR - Pune

(2026-01)

• Maintain and manage the CoHRPICA Central Biorepository, supporting organized handling and documentation of HIV-related biospecimens.
• Support laboratory activities involving sample processing, quality control and research documentation.

PH.D. SCHOLAR - ICMR-NITVAR - Pune

(2022-01)

• Developed and evaluated CAR NK cells for targeting reactivated latent HIV-1 reservoirs as part of an ICMR intramural research project.
• Designed CAR constructs and performed molecular cloning into lentiviral vectors, including construct verification and preparation for lentiviral expression.
• Produced lentiviral vectors by transient transfection of HEK293T cells and optimized downstream virus concentration and use for NK-cell transduction.
• Performed NK-cell isolation, activation, lentiviral transduction and post-transduction culture, followed by phenotypic characterization and CAR-expression assessment.
• Used multicolor flow cytometry for immune-cell phenotyping and transduction assessment, including 13-color panels on BD FACSAria Fusion and Cytek flow cytometers.
• Performed functional studies using the ACH2 HIV latency model, including latency reactivation and downstream virological/immune readouts.
• Applied molecular biology, cell culture, immunoassay and data-analysis techniques for troubleshooting and optimization of CAR NK-cell workflows.

PROJECT TECHNICAL SUPPORT III - ICMR-NITVAR - Pune

(2022-01 - 2025-01)

• Characterized SARS-CoV-2 immune responses following third-dose COVISHIELD/COVAXIN vaccination across multiple study time points.
• Performed intracellular cytokine staining (ICCS)-based T-cell studies using variant peptide stimulation and multicolor flow cytometry.
• Supported sample processing, immunological assays, flow-cytometry acquisition and analysis for vaccine-immunogenicity studies.

JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOW - ICMR-NIV, Hepatitis Group - Pune

(2019-01 - 2021-01)

• Investigated biomarkers associated with HEV infection in pregnant women.
• Performed molecular studies including gene polymorphism analysis and immune-cell phenotyping.
• Performed NK-cell phenotyping by flow cytometry and supported immunological data analysis.

JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOW - ICMR-NIV, Influenza Group - Pune

(2018-01 - 2019-01)

• Performed Real-Time PCR/RT-qPCR-based diagnostic testing for Influenza and other respiratory viruses.
• Processed clinical specimens and generated diagnostic reports for hospital and surveillance requirements.
• Maintained laboratory records and followed established workflows for respiratory virus molecular diagnostics.

M.Sc. - Biotechnology - Savitribai Phule Pune University (2016-01)

B.Sc. - Biotechnology - Solapur University (2014-01)