Dr. Samarth S. Bhatt
Associate Professor & Senior Scientist | PhD in health biology
Resume websites: https://www.samarthsbhatt.in
Linked-in profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samarthbhatt/
Google Scholar profile: http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8PuKseAAAAAJ
ORCID profile: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5706-4572
BIOBLURB:
Dr Samarth Shaunakbhai Bhatt is a Senior Scientist at Neuberg Center for Genomic Medicine, Ahmedabad and affiliated with Sandip and Bhavini Research Institute, Ahmedabd as an Associate Professor. Dr. Bhatt holds a PhD degree in health biology from University of Montpellier, France (with cotutelle agreement with University of Jena, Germany). Dr. Bhatt’s specialization is in the field of human genetics (includes classical and molecular cytogenetics and molecular genetics). Since 2001, after receiving an MSc in bio medical technology, he has been involved in several successful research projects (include the work funded by National Institute of Health, USA; National Science Foundation, USA; Carl Zeiss Microimaging Gmbh, Germany and Monika Kutzner Stiftung, Germany) and contributed significantly in 49 peer reviewed publications (includes an article each in Cell, Nature Genetics, American Journal Human Genetics, Human Molecular Genetics, Human Mutation, Gene, Child Development, and Clinical Epigenetics), 4 book chapters and 3 manuscripts at different preparation stages (includes 36 publications from the post-PhD work). Over the period of time, he has mastered the techniques and analytical tools used in classical and molecular cytogenetics (includes Karyotyping, mFISH, mMCB- FISH, 3D FISH, POD FISH) and different molecular techniques like DNA extraction (blood, plasmid and saliva), RNA extraction (blood and lung), PCR (Regular, long range, DOP, Q, and RT), bisulfite conversion, PCR cloning, PAGE, array CGH, and sanger sequencing. He also has a very good experience in using online bioinformatics tools and R programming language, which are used in genomic analysis.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in health biology (cytogenetics)– University Montpellier I (France; Cotutuelle du These together with University Jena, Germany), March 2008.
European diploma in molecular cytogenetics – University Montpellier I (France), September 2004; Class Awarded: First Class.
Masters in Science (M. Sc) in Biomedical Technology – Gujarat University (India), April 2001; Class Awarded: First Class.
Certificate In Computing (CIC)- Indira Gandhi National Open University (India), 1999; Class Awarded: First Class.
Bachelors in Science (B. Sc) in Biochemistry (Vocational Biotechnology)- Gujarat University (India), April 1999; Class Awarded: First Class.
Note: Enrolled in a PhD program (Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology Department, University of Florida, USA) between August 2016 and December 2019. Due to health reasons, couldn’t complete the program. Overall GPA: 3.6.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS:
Molecular techniques: DNA isolation (Peripheral blood, Tissue, Saliva, BACs, PACs and Fosmids), RNA isolation (Blood and Tissue), DNA labeling (Nick translation and DOP-PCR), DNA cloning. Regular and Long Range PCR. Poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis, RT-PCR, SNP genotyping using real time PCR, Non-SNP genotyping, qPCR (gene expression, copy number variation, telomere length measurement), MMQPCR (telomere length measurement), ELISA (Cortisol, DHEA, Oxytocin, Influenza A/B IgG/IgM) etc..
DNA microarray: Roche Nimblegen platform.
Molecular cytogenetics: chromosome micro-dissection, Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH), 3- dimensional = Suspension FISH (S-FISH), various multicolor FISH, 3D FISH, FISH-banding (MCB and mMCB), interphase and metaphase-FISH.
Cytogenetics:cell culture, metaphase preparation, chromosome banding techniques (GTG banding, R banding, C banding, T banding), karyotyping (R banded and G banded chromosomes).
Computer skills:Online databases like ENSEMBL, EMBL repeat masker, BLAST, and UCSC genome browser. Karyotyping softwares like Ikaros, ISIS (MetaSystems), Bandview and Cytovision, Scion (Olympus). Sequence analysis software (Sequencher), etc.
Statistical Skills: Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA, logistic regression (binary, multinomial, ordinal) using SPSS. Methylation (450K array) data processing using R.
Details(Post-PhD Research and Work Experience):
From January 2024 – Present
Organization: Sandip and Bhavini Research Institute, Ahmedabad
Designation: Associate Professor
From October 2021 – Present:
Organization: Neuberg Center for Genomic Medicine, Ahmedabad.
Designation: Senior Scientist
From August 2016 – December 2019:
Organization: Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Projects: 1) To analyse the impact of early life stress on gene expression using qPCR, 2) To analyse the impact of early life adversity on DHEA levels using ELISA, 3) To analyse the impact of stress on first year students on hair cortisol using ELISA, 4) To analyse the impact of early life stress on the methylation status of HPA axis genes, 5) To standardize the influenza A/B IgG/IgM ELISA technique for serum/plasma samples, 6) To standardize the hair processing technique for LC-MS/MS analysis, 7) To standardize the telomere length measurement using MMQPCR 8) To standardize the telomere length measurement using qPCR and 9) Lab Maintenance.
Designation:Graduate Student (Student Lab Manger/Lab Waste Manager)
From Aug 2019 – Dec 2019, Aug 2018 – May 2019, Aug 2017 – May 2018 and Aug 2016 – May 2017:
Organization: Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. Courses:Cognitive Psychology, Sensory Processes (Theory) Sensory Processes (Lab) Designation: Graduate Teaching Assistant
From September 2013 – May 2015:
Organization: Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Projects: 1) Setting a molecular lab by creating standard operating procedures for DNA/RNA isolation; regular PCR; DNA cloning; bisulfite conversion; gene expression analysis using qPCR; genotyping using qRT-PCR and PAGE; hair and salivary cortisol assays; hair and salivary DHEA assays; and lab waste management; 2)To analyse the impact of early life adversity on serum Cortisol levels using ELISA, 2) To analyse the impact of early life stress on the methylation status of HPA axis genes,3) To find the association between the genotypes, stress response and human animal interaction; and 4) Lab Maintenance.
Designation: Other Personnel Services
From March 2012 - December 2012 and from February 2010 - October 2011:
Organization: Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Jena, Germany.
Project: Parental Origin Determination FISH, Detection of cryptic aberrations in leukaemia.
Designation: Scientific Co-Worker (Post Doc).
From August 2008 - August 2009:
Organization: Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA.
Project: Analysis of copy number variations in patients with DD/MR.
Designation: Post Doc Associate.
