Dr. Sayan Chakraborty is an Assistant Professor of Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, specializing in cancer biology and regenerative medicine. His research focuses on the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in cancer progression, particularly in liver cancer. With a strong background in microbiology, immunology, and cancer research, he has made significant contributions to understanding tumor microenvironments. Dr. Chakraborty has published extensively in high-impact journals, secured multiple research grants, and holds patents related to cancer diagnostics and therapies. He actively mentors Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers while serving on editorial boards of prestigious scientific journals. His work has been recognized through several national and international awards, including the A*STAR Career Development Award and Open Fund Young Investigator Grant. As an invited speaker at international conferences, he continues to shape the field of cancer research through his pioneering work in mechanotransduction and ECM-targeted therapies.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Chakraborty completed his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Zoology with honors from Presidency College, University of Calcutta, in 2006. He then pursued a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Biochemistry at the University of Calcutta, graduating in 2008. His doctoral studies focused on the entry mechanisms of oncogenic human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8/KSHV) and their role in Kaposi’s sarcoma development. He earned his Ph.D. from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences, USA, in collaboration with the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore. His postdoctoral training further refined his expertise in microbiology, immunology, and cancer research. With extensive training across renowned institutions in India, the USA, and Singapore, Dr. Chakraborty has built a strong foundation in cancer biology, extracellular matrix research, and mechanotransduction pathways in tumor progression.
Professional Experience
Dr. Chakraborty has held various research and academic positions across multiple prestigious institutions. He began his career as a Research Fellow at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Singapore, in 2012. He was later promoted to Senior Research Fellow and then Research Assistant Professor at the same institute, focusing on cancer research and extracellular matrix dynamics. In 2022, he joined Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center as an Assistant Professor of Oncology, where he is also a member of the Developmental Therapeutics Research Program. Additionally, he plays an active role in graduate education and experimental therapeutics programs. His research contributions extend beyond academia, as he serves as an editorial board member and peer reviewer for high-impact journals. His work in ECM-targeted cancer therapies and mechanotransduction has led to international recognition, positioning him as a key figure in oncology research.
Research Interests
Dr. Chakraborty’s research focuses on the role of extracellular matrix proteins in cancer progression and regenerative medicine. His laboratory investigates how tumor cells interact with ECM components, leading to changes in mechanotransduction pathways that drive oncogenic signaling. A major aspect of his work revolves around Agrin, a key ECM protein that promotes cancer progression through YAP/TAZ signaling and integrin-mediated mechanosensing. His studies explore how ECM-targeted strategies can disrupt tumor growth and angiogenesis, offering new therapeutic approaches for hepatocellular carcinoma and other cancers. Additionally, he is interested in the intersection of ECM biology and tissue regeneration, aiming to develop novel biomaterials for wound healing applications. His long-term research goal is to devise tumor-restraining strategies by targeting ECM components and their interactions with cancer cells, leading to more effective treatment options for patients.
Research Skills
Dr. Chakraborty has expertise in multiple advanced research methodologies, including molecular and cellular biology, cancer signaling, and mechanotransduction analysis. His laboratory specializes in ECM protein characterization, cancer cell migration assays, and 3D tumor modeling. He is proficient in high-resolution imaging techniques, such as confocal and electron microscopy, to analyze ECM-cancer interactions. Additionally, his skills in RNA sequencing, proteomics, and CRISPR-based gene editing allow for comprehensive molecular investigations in oncology. He has experience in preclinical cancer models, including xenograft and organoid systems, to study tumor microenvironments and evaluate potential therapeutics. His ability to integrate mechanobiology with cancer research has led to groundbreaking discoveries in ECM-targeted therapies. Beyond experimental techniques, he is skilled in grant writing, scientific publishing, and mentoring researchers, further contributing to the advancement of oncology research.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Chakraborty has received numerous accolades for his contributions to cancer research. He was awarded the Aparajita Memorial Gold Medallion for securing the first rank in his B.Sc. studies at Presidency College. He also received the CSIR-UGC Merit Scholarship and the University of Calcutta Foreign Scholarship for academic excellence. His doctoral work earned him the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research from Rosalind Franklin University. In Singapore, he was honored with the Early Career Research Award and the Open Fund Young Investigator Research Grant. His A*STAR Career Development Award recognized his pioneering work in ECM-targeted therapies. Recently, he secured the Cancer Center Support Grant at Roswell Park, further advancing his research into ECM and cancer therapeutics. These awards highlight his consistent excellence in research, funding acquisition, and scientific innovation.
Conclusion
Dr. Sayan Chakraborty is a leading researcher in cancer biology, with extensive contributions to understanding the extracellular matrix’s role in tumor progression. His research has led to the identification of ECM-targeted therapeutic strategies, with a particular focus on liver cancer. With a strong academic background, multiple international research experiences, and significant funding successes, he has established himself as a distinguished scientist in oncology. His mentorship, editorial roles, and extensive publication record further reflect his dedication to advancing cancer research. While his work is already making an impact, expanding clinical collaborations and large-scale translational studies could enhance the real-world applications of his findings. Dr. Chakraborty’s pioneering research, coupled with his leadership in the field, makes him a strong candidate for prestigious research awards and continued recognition in cancer biology.
Publications Top Notes
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Title: Agrin as a Mechanotransduction Signal Regulating YAP through the Hippo Pathway
Authors: S. Chakraborty, K. Njah, A. Pobbati, Y.B. Lim, A. Raju, M. Lakshmanan, …
Year: 2017
Citations: 225
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Title: Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latency in endothelial and B cells activates gamma interferon-inducible protein 16-mediated inflammasomes
Authors: V.V. Singh, N. Kerur, V. Bottero, S. Dutta, S. Chakraborty, M.A. Ansari, …
Year: 2013
Citations: 175
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Title: An oncogenic role of Agrin in regulating focal adhesion integrity in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: S. Chakraborty, M. Lakshmanan, H.L.F. Swa, J. Chen, X. Zhang, Y.S. Ong, …
Year: 2015
Citations: 155
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Title: Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus interacts with EphrinA2 receptor to amplify signaling essential for productive infection
Authors: S. Chakraborty, M.V. Veettil, V. Bottero, B. Chandran
Year: 2012
Citations: 125
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Title: Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus entry into target cells
Authors: S. Chakraborty, M. Valiya Veettil, B. Chandran
Year: 2012
Citations: 110
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Title: Interaction of c-Cbl with Myosin IIA Regulates Bleb Associated Macropinocytosis of Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus
Authors: M.V. Veettil, S. Sadagopan, N. Kerur, S. Chakraborty, B. Chandran
Year: 2010
Citations: 82
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Title: Angiogenin functionally interacts with p53 and regulates p53-mediated apoptosis and cell survival
Authors: S. Sadagopan, M.V. Veettil, S. Chakraborty, N. Sharma-Walia, N. Paudel, …
Year: 2012
Citations: 73
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Title: Reactive oxygen species are induced by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus early during primary infection of endothelial cells to promote virus entry
Authors: V. Bottero, S. Chakraborty, B. Chandran
Year: 2013
Citations: 65
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Title: EphrinA2 regulates clathrin mediated KSHV endocytosis in fibroblast cells by coordinating integrin-associated signaling and c-Cbl directed polyubiquitination
Authors: D. Dutta, S. Chakraborty, C. Bandyopadhyay, M. Valiya Veettil, M.A. Ansari, …
Year: 2013
Citations: 63
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Title: Linking extracellular matrix agrin to the hippo pathway in liver cancer and beyond
Authors: S. Chakraborty, W. Hong
Year: 2018
Citations: 60
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Title: c-Cbl-Mediated Selective Virus-Receptor Translocations into Lipid Rafts Regulate Productive Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection in Endothelial Cells
Authors: S. Chakraborty, M. Valiya Veettil, S. Sadagopan, N. Paudel, B. Chandran
Year: 2011
Citations: 54
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Title: The extracellular matrix in hepatocellular carcinoma: Mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerability
Authors: A.M. Roy, R. Iyer, S. Chakraborty
Year: 2023
Citations: 47