Suvendu’s current work focuses on developing selective substrates for monitoring protein tyrosine phosphatase activity. As a researcher, he uses his skills as a medicinal chemist to develop tools to study protein tyrosine phosphatase enzymes. These enzymes are critical in cellular signaling pathways and are important therapeutic targets for the treatments of human diseases including diabetes, autoimmunity, and cancer. This signaling process is highly controlled by the tandem actions of protein tyrosine kinase (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs).
Although there are over a dozen PTK inhibitors currently used as drugs there are no targeted PTP inhibitors that have successfully completed clinical trials. Considering the high importance of the PTPs and their roles in many cellular processes; development of a rapid, sensitive, and fluorogenic probe is highly desirable. His current projects include: Near-IR PTP substrate design: Near infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging is an emerging field for monitoring enzymatic activity in the living organism. The development of new fluorescent imaging sensors had a great impact on detecting and monitoring enzymatic activity in living cells. He is currently working on design and synthesis of long-wavelength water soluble fluorogenic and colorimetric substrate for monitoring protein tyrosine phosphatase enzymes.
DNA-encoded substrate library design: DNA-encoded chemical libraries represent an effective tool for drug discovery. Using this technology, a large number of chemical libraries can easily be accessed and screened at decent costs. In this current work, the assembly of the DNA-encoded substrate library is being used to find selective substrate to target PTPs. The library will be used for high-throughput inhibitor screening. This work is being carried out in collaboration with Prof. Raphael Franzini Lab, one of the leading experts in the DNA-encoded library design.
Alongside postdoctoral research, he also has a strong interest in technology, leadership, and management. He is a professional MBA candidate at the University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business. In his free time, he loves hiking, playing soccer and visiting new places.