Harbinder Singh

My research endeavors, so far, have been focused on the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of small inhibitors targeting enzymes and proteins associated with inflammatory diseases. I rationally designed and synthesized a series of molecules that are anticipated to have potential against gout, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and cardiovascular diseases.

I employed various organic chemistry methods, including multistep synthesis using the microwave as well as conventional techniques. I have mastered many techniques used in the characterization of molecules, including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and UV spectroscopy. I also have experience in structural elucidation via HETCOR, COSY, and other sophisticated techniques for structure interpretation. As a medicinal chemist, I have also gained experience in the in vitro biological evaluation of molecules using assays based on ELISA, UV spectroscopy, and colorimetry. With the results of the biological evaluation in hand, I performed structure-activity relationship for the synthesized class of compounds. The establishment of a structure-activity relationship helped me to clarify many basic concepts of organic chemistry such as electronic effects and steric effects. I also did molecular modeling studies to analyze the molecular interactions of ligands with their targeted proteins. I am well versed in the advanced techniques of computational studies which can be applied in the drug discovery program. The molecular modeling assignment helped me to rationalize the results of in vitro assays. I have also carried out animal studies to evaluate the molecules to check their anti-hyperuricemic potential in hyperuricemic mice models and analyzed the behavioral understanding. The animal study enhanced my knowledge and practical skills particularly in animal handling, blood sampling (retro-orbital puncture), oral and intraperitoneal injection, and tissue harvesting. After completion of my doctoral degree, I joined the Western University of Health Sciences, California, USA, as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow, where I am involved in learning new aspects of atherosclerotic inflammatory conditions. From the beginning of my postdoctoral training, I am making significant progress in learning several biological techniques, including immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, qPCR, cell culture, and several aspects of survival and non-survival surgeries in a swine model of atherosclerosis, especially angiography and imaging techniques. My postdoctoral research objectives include the design and development of new bioactive molecules and examining their efficacy both in vitro in cultured cells and in clinically-relevant animal models. So far, I have published 35 peer-reviewed articles and reviewed the articles for various reputed journals like Molecules, Medicinal Chemistry Research, Journal of Inflammation Research, Chemistry Select, Pharmaceuticals etc.