Dr. Sunil Ghatge is experienced in various molecular biology and biochemistry techniques. He is proficient in electrophoresis techniques such as SDS-PAGE, PAGE, agarose gel electrophoresis, Southern and Western blotting. He also has expertise in PCR-related techniques including random mutagenesis, site-directed mutagenesis, screening of metagenomic libraries, RT-PCR, QPCR, and overlap PCR. Dr. Ghatge is skilled in molecular biology and recombinant DNA techniques such as cloning, restriction digestion, restriction mapping, transformation, electroporation, homologous recombination, and gene knockout. Additionally, he is experienced in protein purification techniques such as adsorption, ion exchange, and affinity chromatography using Akta prime, purifier, and explorer systems. He is also proficient in various biophysical techniques including calorimetry, UV-visible spectrophotometry, viscometry, SEM, XRD analysis, flame photometry, HPLC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, and FTIR. In enzymology, Dr. Ghatge has expertise in biochemical characterization, rational engineering for desired properties, assay development, enzyme kinetics, computational analysis, and understanding enzyme mechanisms and modes of action.
Trainee Officer:
During his tenure as a Trainee-Officer at Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd in Pune, India, from June 2010 to January 2011, Dr. Sunil Ghatge worked in the Downstream/Upstream processing and quality control unit of the Process and Development Department. His responsibilities likely included supporting the development and optimization of biopharmaceutical processes, ensuring quality control measures were met, and gaining valuable hands-on experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Research Experience:
Dr. Sunil Ghatge has extensive research experience in biodegradation and biotransformation processes. Since May 2015, he has been involved in projects such as the biodegradation of polyethylene and pesticides using the bio-photo Fenton approach, production of biomass-derived flavor or fragrance compounds through lignin valorization using thermophilic laccase, biodegradation and biotransformation of herbicides using nitroreductase, and engineering substrate selectivity of ferulic acid decarboxylase. Prior to his postdoctoral work, Dr. Ghatge completed his Ph.D. at the Division of Applied Life Sciences, Synthetic Biotechnology Lab, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea, with a dissertation titled “Characterization of recombinant cellulases and the role of carbohydrate binding modules in the hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose.” He also holds a Master of Science from Shivaji University, focusing on the isolation and characterization of glucose isomerase from Streptomyces griseus, and a Bachelor of Biotechnology from Lokmangal Biotechnology College, where he studied antimicrobial substrate-producing microorganisms.