P. V. G. K Sarma | Biochemistry | Editorial Board Member

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. P. V. G. K Sarma | Biochemistry | Editorial Board Member 

Associate Professor | Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences | India

P. V. G. K. Sarma is a senior Indian biotechnologist and academic leader currently serving as the Head of the Department of Biotechnology at the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, a position he has held since 2004, with his academic training from JNTU Hyderabad and a broad research portfolio reflected in over a hundred scholarly publications indexed across major journals. P. V. G. K. Sarma His core research spans genetic engineering, microbial biotechnology, functional genomics, structural bioinformatics, and stem cell differentiation with a strong translational focus on regenerative medicine and human disease. A major strength of his work lies in the in vitro differentiation of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells into diverse lineages including pancreatic β-cells, erythrocytes, podocytes, type-II pneumocytes, keratinocytes, chondrocytes, and megakaryocytes, contributing to the understanding of cellular plasticity and therapeutic cell generation. Parallel to this, he has made significant contributions to microbial pathogenesis, particularly on Staphylococcus aureus, elucidating molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation, metabolic regulation, and antimicrobial resistance, including MRSA, through gene expression, enzyme activity, and structure-based drug design approaches. His interdisciplinary research also addresses clinical and molecular genetics, with notable studies on mutations linked to congenital erythrocytosis, breast cancer, leukemia drug resistance, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis susceptibility, cardiovascular disease, and pain genetics. During the COVID-19 period, his in silico investigations on antiviral compounds targeting SARS-CoV-2 proteins further demonstrated his adaptability across emerging biomedical challenges. He has consistently integrated wet-lab experimentation with computational biology, signaling pathways, and nanobiotechnology, including cytotoxicity studies of silver nanoparticles on human stem cells. Beyond research, he is actively involved in peer review for reputed international journals and contributes to clinical translational science through collaborations across medicine, genetics, and biotechnology. Collectively, his career reflects sustained leadership in Indian biomedical research, with impactful contributions to stem cell biology, microbial biotechnology, and molecular genetics aimed at advancing diagnostics, therapeutics, and regenerative strategies.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Chandrasekhar, C., Kumar, P. S., & Sarma, P. V. G. K. (2019). Novel mutations in the kinase domain of BCR-ABL gene causing imatinib resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia patients. Scientific Reports, 9, 38672.

  2. Loganathan, S. E., Kattaru, S., Kodavala, S., Chandrasekhar, C., & Sarma, P. V. G. K. (2024). Prominent expression of COL2A1, ACAN and IHH genes observed in the differentiation of human hematopoietic stem cells into articular type of chondrocytes. Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 20.

  3. Kodavala, S., Loganathan, S. E., Kattaru, S., Chandrasekhar, C., & Sarma, P. V. G. K. (2024). In vitro generation of epidermal keratinocytes from human CD34-positive hematopoietic stem cells. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal, 60.

  4. Suthi, S., Mounika, A., & Sarma, P. V. G. K. (2023). Elevated acetate kinase (ackA) gene expression, activity, and biofilm formation observed in methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 21.

  5. Kattaru, S., Manne Mudhu, S., Loganathan, S. E., Kodavala, S., & Sarma, P. V. G. K. (2021). Increased insulin and GLUT2 gene expression and elevated glucokinase activity in β-like cells of islets of Langerhans differentiated from human haematopoietic stem cells on treatment with Costus igneus leaf extract. Molecular Biology Reports, 48.

P. V. G. K. Sarma has advanced translational biotechnology through pioneering stem cell differentiation, molecular genetics, and microbial pathogenesis research that directly supports regenerative medicine and precision diagnostics. His work bridges laboratory science with clinical and industrial applications, contributing to improved disease understanding, therapeutic development, and global biomedical innovation.