Shahnawaz Baba

Motivated and learner

My research is driven by a commitment to understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression, drug resistance, and translational therapeutics, with a particular focus on  cancer signaling pathways. Through an interdisciplinary approach, and my PhD training in synthetic biology with experience in microbiology and nanotechnology, I use my previous training and understanding to integrate cancer biology, molecular therapeutics, bioinformatics, and immunology to uncover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. My goal is to bridge the gap between fundamental cancer research and clinical applications, ultimately contributing to the development of more effective treatment strategies.

My current research focuses on these key areas:

Chromosomal Instability (CIN) and STING Pathway in Breast Cancer and other cancer

Investigating how CIN promotes pro-metastatic signaling in breast cancer by modulating chromosomal instability (CIN) and immune evasion mechanisms.

Exploring the role of STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) signaling in tumor-initiating cells (TICs) and its implications for immunotherapy response.

Evaluating potential therapeutic strategies targeting CIN and the STING pathway to enhance immune checkpoint therapy efficacy.

Viperin as a Biomarker for Immunotherapy Resistance

Examining the role of Viperin in immunotherapy resistance and its potential as a biomarker for predicting patient response to STING agonists and other immunotherapeutics.

Developing diagnostic tools for personalized immunotherapy approaches based on Viperin expression profiles in breast cancer patients. Identifying small-molecule inhibitors and targeted therapeutics for aggressive and treatment-resistant breast cancer subtypes.

Applying computational approaches and bioinformatics tools to enhance the efficiency of drug discovery and validation pipelines.

Interdisciplinary & Collaborative Efforts

My research thrives on collaborations across multiple disciplines, including synthetic biology, bioinformatics, and clinical oncology. I have worked with scientists across these fields to integrate computational modeling, high-throughput screening, and experimental validation to accelerate drug discovery and translational research.

Future Research Directions

Building on my expertise, I aim to expand my research in the following areas:

Developing novel combination therapies by integrating STING pathway modulators with targeted therapies to improve outcomes for breast cancer patients.

Elucidating the mechanisms of immune evasion in aggressive breast cancers to uncover new immunotherapeutic targets.

Exploring synthetic biology approaches to engineer more effective tumor-targeting therapeutic agents.

I have a doctorate degree in micro and molecular biology with special focus on aptamer and diagnostics