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NEWS After earning his PhD in India, Harshit Malhotra has moved to Umeå, where he works as a 'Excellence by Choice' postdoctoral researcher developing advanced chemo-optogenetic tools. His research aims to control bacterial cellular processes and reprogram them to produce valuable chemicals.
Harshit Malhotra is 'Excellence by Choice' postdoctoral fellow in professor Yaowen Wu lab at the Department of Chemistry and professor Anita Sellstedt lab at Umeå Plant Science Centre, UPSC, at Umeå University.
ImageMattias Pettersson"My doctoral work focussed on the metabolic engineering of the unique bacterium Pseudomonas bharatica CSV86T to degrade the toxic pesticide Carbaryl. The bacterium, isolated from petrol-contaminated soil, has a broad metabolic diversity and unique carbon utilization property, making it ideal for biodegradation and metabolic engineering applications."
"Through this work, I gained expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and metabolic engineering."
"Professor Yaowen Wu's lab at Umeå University has developed unique tools that find application in metabolic engineering and hold immense potential in revolutionising synthetic biology. This fact drew my attention."
"My research focusses on the development of chemo-optogenetic tools to control cellular processes in bacteria. These systems combine chemical molecules, optics, and genetically modified proteins to precisely control protein activities at specific locations in cells using light-sensitive small molecules."
"The challenge of being a researcher lies in the persistent effort, patience, and resilience required to uncover the truths of nature. However, this pursuit is deeply fulfilling, as it contributes to the advancement of human knowledge and progress."
"The city is very close to nature and serene. The work environment is conducive to the career development of researchers and provides wide range of scientific facilities for project implementation."
"My driving force is contributing to society by harnessing the potential of synthetic biology."
Harshit Malhotra's driving force for research in life sciences is to contribute to society by harnessing the potential of synthetic biology.
ImageMattias PetterssonComing from: Mumbai in India
Is exciting about my research: Rewiring microbes to produce valuable chemicals
In my free time: I like to read or go for a run
On the bedside: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
Favourite holiday spot: Mangaluru in India
On my bucket list: Travel to Madagascar
