Age :                 29
Sex :                 Male
Nationality :       Indian
Marital status :   Single

Educational Qualifications

• 2007 (June)     Ph. D. (Biochemistry), Mumbai University.

• 2000               M. Sc. (Industrial Biotechnology), Punjabi University. (Gold medalist)

• 1998               B. Sc. (Chemistry Honours with Physics and Mathematics), Calcutta University.

Professional Experience 

• Nov 2007–Present: Postdoctoral research associate, Department of Nanoscience and Engineering, Myongji University, Yongin, South Korea, working on lab-on-a-chip concept amongst others.

• Apr–Oct 2007: Research Associate, Nanotechnology Centre, Electrical Engineerng Department, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, working on development of microfabricated portable biosensors.

• Oct 2006–Mar 2007: Visiting faculty in Department of Biotechnology, CKT College, Panvel, Mumbai, undertaking lectures on bioprocess technology, commercial biotechnology and molecular biology to postgraduate students.

• May–Sep 2006: Research fellow, in Department of Biotechnology (DBT) sponsored project, "Development of transgenic cyanobacteria" at Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Mumbai.

• Jul 2000–May: 2006 Ph.D. research, "Biosensor development for environmental and clinical monitoring", in collaboration with Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai.

• Aug 1999–May: 2000 M.Sc. project, "Evaluation and characterization of the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties of Nerium indicum leaves extracts and identification of active components" at Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University.

Research experience

• Developed fluorescence and electrochemical (potentiometric, amperometric and conducting polymer – based) biosensors for methyl parathion, glucose, urea and catalase.

• Undertaken projects related to immobilization and stabilization of enzymes and microbial cells in electrochemically and radiation polymerized synthetic and natural polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyHEMA and copolymers of polyacrylamide and polyvinyl alcohol.

• Designed analogue electronic circuits and interfaced them to digital environment using virtual instrumentation (with Labview). Performed digital signal conditioning and statistical data analysis.

• Developed computer controlled dissolved oxygen meter (sensitive to parts per trillion), for assay of catalase in pathological, cell and tissue preparations; pH meter for potentiometric urea biosensor and silicon based interdigitate devices for capacitive biosensor using microfabrication technique.

• Handled routine laboratory techniques and equipments used in molecular biology (Southern & Western blots; vector and probe construction; nucleic acid purification; electroporation; PCR and colony PCR etc.); clinical, biochemical and microbiological analysis; isolation and maintenance of microbial and animal cells and plant tissue cultures; production, characterization and purification of enzymes.

Summary of Doctoral Thesis

Some of the key highlights of the doctoral research are listed here:

• Development of natural as well as synthetic polymers for biosensor applications: including PVA- polyacrylamide co-polymer, polyHEMA prepared by gamma-irradiation.

• Development of reusable potentiometric urea biosensor as stand-alone equipment for blood urea nitrogen measurement. The sensor was based on op-amp circuit, interfaced with ADC card and computer. Data acquisition and visualization software was developed using Labview. The working range of the biosensor was 1mM-1M urea with a response time of 2 min. The sensor was successfully tested on clinical blood samples without pretreatment.

• Immobilization of live microbial cells in polyaniline conducting polymer and its use as a biosensor. The bacterial cells were optimized for high urease activity and used as enzyme source. The entrapment was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and fluorescent imaging. The cells could be kept alive within the polymer. The pH-based conductivity of the polymer was responsive element for detection of ammonia in the biochemical reaction.

• Development of a sensitive protocol for estimation of catalase activity in biological samples. The method was based on dissolved oxygen (DO) meter developed with op-amp circuit interfaced to computer using ADC card. The software was developed for data acquisition and visualization using Labview. Catalase activity in biological samples was determination from the change of dissolved oxygen level in 10-60 sec. The catalase assay method was useful in evaluation of catalase activity in animal tissue samples.

Research Publications 

• 2007 Sandeep K. Jha, Anita Topkar, S. F. D'Souza, Development of potentiometric urea biosensor based on urease immobilized in PVA-PAA composite matrix for estimation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods. (Communicated)

• 2006 B. S. Kubal, J. Kumar, Sandeep K. Jha & S. F. D’Souza. Immobilization of the urease on eggshell membrane and its application in potentiometric urea biosensor. Biosensors and Bioelectronics (Communicated).

• 2006 J. Kumar, Sandeep. K. Jha & S. F. D'Souza, Optical microbial biosensor for detection of methyl parathion pesticide using immobilized whole cells Flavobacterium sp. on glass fibre filters as disposable biocomponent. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 21 (11), 2100-2105.

• 2005 Sandeep K. Jha & S. F. D'Souza, Preparation of polyvinyl alcohol - polyacrylamide composite polymer membrane by gamma - irradiation for entrapment of urease. Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods. 62 (3), 215-218.

• 2005 Sandeep K. Jha and S. F. D'Souza, Development of sensitive automated pH meter for real- time biosensor applications. Asian Journal of Physics. 4 (1&2), 112-117.

Conference proceedings / other publications

• 2005 S. F. D'Souza, Sandeep K. Jha & J. Kumar, Environmental biosensors. IANCS Bulletin, special issue on Environ. Biotech. 4 (1), 54-59.

• 2002 Sandeep K. Jha & S. F. D'Souza, Potentiometric urea biosensor. Proceedings of the DAE Solid State Physics Symposium. 45, 139-140.

• 2001 A. Bhatia, & Sandeep K. Jha, Evaluation of in-vitro immunomodulatory effects of Nerium indicum leaves extract. Proceeding of Indian Science Congress; Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology section.

Posters & Presentations

• 2003 Sandeep K. Jha & S. F. D'Souza, Biosensors in quality assurance of agro-products. Regional agro-wealth: opportunities for value addition and export, organized by Maharashtra Academy of Science and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.

• 2003 Sandeep K. Jha & S. F. D'Souza, Potentiometric urea Biosensor for quantitation of serum urea, International workshop on biosensors, organized by Central food technological research institute, Mysore.

• 2002 Sandeep K. Jha & S. F. D'Souza, Potentiometric urea biosensor. 45th DAE Solid State Physics Symposium, organized at Punjab University, Chandigarh.

• 2001 A. Bhatia & Sandeep K. Jha, Evaluation of in-vitro immunomodulatory effects of Nerium indicum leaves extract. Indian Science Congress (Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology section), organized by Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

Invited Lectures 

• 2004 "Development of sensitive transducing systems for Biosensor Applications" at IXth Raman Memorial Conference, Dept. of Physics, University of Pune.

• 2001 "Biosensors in environmental monitoring" at the workshop on "Environmentally Benign Industrial Biotechnology" organized at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad.

Conference Participations

• 2003 Summer school on "Electrochemical Sensors - Theory, Characterization and Fabrication", organized by Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.

• 2001 International Conference on "Industrial Pollution and Control Technologies", organized by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad.

• 2001 Symposia on "Prospects in Biosensor and Biomolecular Electronics", organized by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.

• 2000 Workshop cum seminar on "Electro-analytical chemistry and allied topics", organized by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.
   

Fellowship & Awards

• 2000-05 Received Research Fellowship from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi.

• 2001      Awarded with University Gold medal by Honourable Governor of Punjab, Mr. F. C. Jacob for standing first in the order of merit at M. Sc. (Biotechnology) at Punjabi University, Patiala.

Other Qualifications & Examinations Passed

• 1999 & 2000 Qualified twice: Joint CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) for Lectureship and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Life Sciences.

• 1998 Qualified All India Common Entrance Test for Biotechnology, conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (All India rank 288)

• Also qualified UPSC Combined defence services exam in 1999 for AFA, OTA and IMA, was dropped in SSB. Got selected for Airmen crew (technical) in 1998 but didn't join the post.