This postdoc’s work leverages protein engineering, construct design, and biochemical characterization to develop impactful tools for biomedical research.
Samruddhi Jewlikar is a postdoctoral researcher in Prem Lakshmanane’s group at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on structure-based design and engineering of recombinant antigens and antibodies and applying them in high-throughput immunoassays to advance diagnostics and therapeutics. In this Postdoc Portrait, she shares her early interest in protein 3D structure and why her research matters now in solving a global health problem.
A Fascination with Protein Structures
Q | How did you first get interested in your field of research?
My curiosity about science began early. In elementary school, I competed in a state-level science exhibition where I designed and presented a project, sparking my fascination with understanding how things work. This early interest deepened when I was awarded the prestigious National Talent Search Exam Scholarship, given to the top 0.01 percent of students in India, which encouraged me to pursue science seriously. During my undergraduate and master’s studies in biological engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, I was intrigued by protein 3D structures and how they encode function. My master’s research on a thermophilic enzyme’s thermostability gave me my first hands-on experience with protein biochemistry and crystallography. To satisfy my curiosity further, I pursued a PhD in biochemistry and structural biology at Stony Brook University, where I investigated the signal transduction mechanism of a blue light-activated adenylate cyclase using protein engineering, enzyme kinetics, and time-resolved spectroscopy. I became fascinated by how structure and dynamics govern function and how we can engineer proteins to modulate their activity. Today, in Lakshmanane’s lab, I use structure-guided approaches to design recombinant antigens and antibodies for diagnostics and therapeutics, driven by my goal to translate molecular insights into impactful biomedical solutions.
Engineering an Antibody Against Flaviviruses
Q | Tell us about your favorite research project you’re working on.
One of my favorite research projects focuses on engineering the G9E antibody to achieve pan-specificity against flaviviruses such as Zika, dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile virus. G9E is a potent neutralizing antibody that targets the E protein of Zika virus, but its breadth is limited to closely related strains. Using structure-guided design, I have analyzed the epitope-paratope interface of G9E bound to Zika E protein to identify key contact residues driving specificity. I am working on designing targeted mutations to broaden recognition while maintaining binding affinity. These engineered variants are evaluated computationally for stability and experimentally for binding and efficiency to neutralize the virus infection. The ultimate goal is to create a broadly effective antibody candidate that can inform the development of a pan-flavivirus vaccine or therapeutic. I love this project because it combines structural biology, computational modeling, and experimental validation, offering an opportunity to solve a problem of global health significance while applying creative protein engineering strategies.
From Translational Impact to a Lab Instrument Alter Ego
Q | What has been the most exciting part of your scientific journey so far?
The most exciting part of my scientific journey has been the realization that science offers a unique platform to turn ideas into reality. From my early days competing in science exhibitions to my doctoral work unraveling the light-driven signaling of OaPAC, I’ve been inspired by how curiosity can be transformed into discovery through experimentation. What excites me most is the freedom to brainstorm bold ideas, design experiments to test them, and see hypotheses evolve into tangible insights. I find joy in sharing this knowledge whether it is presenting at conferences, publishing discoveries, or exchanging perspectives with other scientists, because it is through collaboration and dialogue that science moves forward. Equally fulfilling to me is mentoring and teaching, where I aim to inspire others to pursue science with the same curiosity and passion that shaped my own path. Today, working on antibody engineering and antigen design, I’m especially motivated by the translational impact: the possibility that the proteins I design in the lab could one day contribute to better diagnostics or vaccines. This journey excites me because it allows me to be creative as well as do impactful work while contributing to human health and progress.
Q | If you could be a laboratory instrument, which one would you be and why?
I would be a pipette. I admire how such a simple tool incorporates precision, consistency, and trust: qualities that are essential in science. Like a pipette, I value accuracy and attention to detail, knowing that even the smallest volumes can have a big impact on the outcome. A pipette also represents accessibility; it is found in every lab, from the most advanced to the most basic, quietly enabling discoveries across disciplines. I relate to that versatility in my own career, where I enjoy moving across biochemistry, protein engineering and immunology to tackle new challenges. Pipettes are also instruments of teaching, often the very first tool young scientists learn to use. This reflects my own passion for mentorship, guiding others as they take their first steps in research. For me, the pipette symbolizes reliability, versatility, and the joy of empowering discovery which are values I strive to embody in my journey as a scientist.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
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