Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Publications
References
Timeline
Generic
Arka Saha

Arka Saha

Postdoctoral Scientist
Rehovot

Summary

Dynamic Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Weizmann Institute of Science with expertise in experimental design and interdisciplinary coordination. Proven track record in publishing high-impact research and optimizing laboratory techniques. Skilled in advanced molecular biology methods and adept at mentoring teams, driving innovative solutions in cancer research.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Weizmann Institute of Science
Rehovot, Israel
10.2020 - Current
  • Currently working on adhesion mediated signaling in cancer metastasis.
  • Contributed to and actively participated in research conception, design and execution to address defined problems.
  • Designed research projects and alternative approaches and discussed results with professor.
  • Managed laboratory resources efficiently, ensuring optimal use of time and materials for successful project completion.
  • Contributed to the publication of multiple high-impact research articles in peer-reviewed journals, showcasing the significance of the findings.
  • Liaised with supervisor to review grants and manuscripts to develop potential publications.
  • Enhanced research quality by designing and executing rigorous experiments in a timely manner.
  • Demonstrated adaptability by learning new techniques quickly when required for specific experiments or analyses.

Senior Scientific Officer

InDNA Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
10.2017 - 08.2019
  • Technical manager, Histopathology department.
  • Proficient in handling solid tumor patient tissues, processing, sectioning, H&E staining and immunohistochemistry.
  • Aided in development of gene/protein based diagnostically relevant technology.
  • Authored three national project proposals for molecular diagnostics along with the Chief Scientific Officer.
  • Supervised and resolved technical issues in the departments of Histopathology, Molecular Diagnostics and Cytogenetics in the company.
  • Optimized lab safety by implementing strict guidelines and providing regular training sessions for all personnel.
  • Maintained compliance with regulatory requirements through diligent record-keeping and adherence to established protocols.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to expedite project completion and optimize resource allocation.
  • Worked with Doctors and Clinicians to understand requirements and provide exceptional diagnostically relevant service

Senior Research Fellow

KIIT School of Biotechnology
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
09.2014 - 09.2017
  • Oversaw studies, documented data, and extrapolated results.
  • Managed interdisciplinary teams to maximize collaboration and ensure timely completion of research projects.
  • Organized workshops and seminars to foster knowledge exchange among colleagues and promote professional development opportunities.
  • Conducted thorough literature reviews to inform study designs and stay current on developments within the field.
  • Mentored junior researchers, providing guidance on study design and data analysis techniques for successful project outcomes.
  • Authored professional scientific papers for publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Increased research project success by implementing new methodologies and optimizing existing processes.
  • Proficiency in performing siRNA mediated gene silencing experiments.
  • Successfully generated and characterized oral cancer stem cell like spheroidal population called orospheres.
  • Standardized Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Technique in laboratory.
  • Characterized the DNA damage repair response characteristics of orospheres and oral cancer cell lines when exposed to dose-dependent cisplatin treatment.
  • Reported a novel extra telomeric role of TRF2 in DNA damage repair response and maintenance of the cancer stem-like cell phenotype.
  • Reported a novel in-silico interaction of TRF2 with transcription factor Klf4.
  • Reported a prognostic role of TRF2 in recurrence prediction for oral cancer patients.
  • Presented talks at National Oncology conferences, speaking about role of TRF2 in chemoresistance in oral cancer.

Junior Research Fellow

KIIT School of Biotechnology
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
08.2012 - 09.2014
  • Trained and proficient in handling human colon and oral cancer cell lines.
  • Trained and proficiency in oral cancer patient sample collection, handling and storage.
  • Standardized laboratory protocols for advanced molecular biology techniques such as flow cytometry, cell viability and sensitivity studies, real time qPCR, PCR, ICC, immuno-blotting and total protein extraction from tumor tissues.
  • Generated and characterized cancer stem cell mimicking spheroidal populations from colon cancer cell lines termed colonospheres.
  • Identified a novel role of β-catenin, hTERT and TRF2 molecules in the formation of colonospheres.
  • Published a new method of observing protein expression through immunocytochemistry in the developing wound front during “wound closure” termed Developmental Front Assay (DFA).
  • Standardization and proficiency in DNA damage response assays like COMET assay and yH2Ax immunocytochemistry.
  • Identified a novel telomeric protein TRF2 to be involved in DNA damage repair response in colon cancer cells.
  • Worked closely with faculty advisors receiving constructive feedback regularly adjusting approaches accordingly when necessary.
  • Developed strong working relationships with peers and faculty members to foster a collaborative research environment.
  • Contributed to the development of novel research methodologies for improved data collection and analysis.

M.Tech Dissertation

National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health (NCAAH),
Ernakulam, Kerala, India
01.2010 - 01.2011
  • Maintained a safe work environment by strictly adhering to established safety protocols and guidelines.
  • Presented research findings at academic conferences, increasing visibility of the university''s undergraduate research program.
  • Showcased excellent time management skills by balancing multiple competing priorities within tight project timelines.
  • Final year dissertation on “identification of molecular markers for growth in giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii”, under the guidance of Prof. I. S. Bright Singh, Ernakulam, India.
  • Development of molecular biology techniques for aquatic samples.
  • Learned the maintenance and culture of aquatic fauna in controlled conditions.
  • Applied critical thinking abilities to troubleshoot technical issues during experimentation, minimizing potential delays or setbacks in progress.

Summer Intern Researcher

CSIR - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
06.2010 - 08.2010
  • Summer Internship on the topic 'Evaluation of Anti-proliferative properties of andrographolide derivatives' under the supervision of Dr. Padma Das and Dr. Chinmoy Choudhury.
  • Maintenance of leukemic cell lines.
  • Determination of IC50 values of treatment with andrographolide derivatives against a leukemic cell line using the MTS/PMS method.
  • Confirmation of apoptosis inducing property of andrographolide derivatives in leukemic cell lines using confocal microscopy.

Education

Ph.D. - Biotechnology

KIIT School of Biotechnology
Bhubaneswar, India
08.2012 - 09.2017

M.Tech - Marine Biotechnology

National Centre For Aquatic Animal Health (NACA)
Ernakulam, Kerala, India
06.2009 - 01.2011

B.Tech - Biotechnology

Haldia Institute of Technology
Haldia, West Bengal, India
04.2005 - 04.2009

Skills

Interdisciplinary coordination

Standardization of Laboratory techniques

Trained and skilled in preparing and delivering Scientific presentations

Proficient in Scientific writing, proofreading and editing

Research and Experimental design

Proficient in efficient and non-linear thinking with capacity to independently plan and execute experiments towards fulfilment of the objectives

Proficient in solid tumor patient tissue sample handling and processing

Proficient in basic and advanced molecular biology techniques such as shRNA generation and silencing, bacterial transformation of expression and shRNA plasmids, cloning techniques, siRNA silencing, Co-IP, ChIP, PCR techniques, SDS-PAGE and COMET assay, tissue immunofluorescence, IHC, tissue microarray, FISH, immunocytochemistry

Proficiency in handling high throughput instruments such as confocal microscopy, fluorescent microscopes, Flow Cytometer, Microtome, Real time PCR machines

Proficiency in handling and maintenance of multiple cancer cell lines

Publications

  • Saha, A., & Ben-Ze’ev, A. (2025). Plasticity in cell adhesion during tumor progression. In Advances in Cancer Research. Academic Press [In Press]. (Impact Factor: 5.767).
  • Saha, A.; Gavert, N.; Brabletz, T.; Ben-Ze’ev, A. A Necessary Role for Cyclin D2 Induction During Colon Cancer Progression Mediated by L1. Cells 2024, 13, 1810. (Impact Factor: 5.1).
  • Saha, A.; Gavert, N.; Brabletz, T.; Ben-Ze’ev, A. An Increase in Mucin2 Expression Is Required for Colon Cancer Progression Mediated by L1. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 13418. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713418. (Impact Factor: 4.9)
  • Saha, A.; Gavert, N.; Brabletz, T.; Ben-Ze’ev, A. Downregulation of the Tumor Suppressor TFF1 Is Required during Induction of Colon Cancer Progression by L1. Cancers 2022, 14, 4478. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14184478. (Impact Factor: 4.5)
  • Saha, A.*, Cheriyamundath, S.*, Kumar, A., Gavert, N., Brabletz, T., Ben-Ze’ev, A. A necessary role for increased biglycan expression during L1-mediated colon cancer progression. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 445. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010445. (Impact Factor: 4.9)
  • Saha, A, Roy S, Kar M, Roy S, Thakur S, Padhi S, Akhter Y, Banerjee B. Role of telomeric TRF2 in orosphere formation and CSC phenotype maintenance through efficient DNA repair pathway and its correlation with recurrence in OSCC. Stem Cell Rev. 2018 Dec;14(6):871-887. (Impact Factor: 4.5).
  • Saha, A, P. S., Kar M, Roy S, Maiti P, Banerjee B. (2017). Role of TRF2 in efficient DNA repair, spheroid formation and cancer stem cell maintenance. Oncomedicine, 2, 71-79.
  • Saha, A., et al., A method of detecting new cancer stem cell-like enrichment by the development front assay (DFA). J Stem Cells, 2014. 9(4): p. 235-42.
  • Saha, A., et al., HCT116 colonospheres show elevated expression of hTERT and β-catenin protein - a short report. Journal of Stem Cells, 2014. 9(4): p. 243-51.
  • Padhi, S*, Saha, A* et al.,Clinico-pathological correlation of β-catenin and telomere dysfunction in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. J Cancer, 2015. 6(2): p. 192-202.*Equal contribution. (Impact Factor: 3.3).
  • Sikder S, Kumari S, Mustafi P, Ramdas N, Padhi S, Saha A, Bhaduri U, Banerjee B, Manjithaya R, Kundu TK. Non-histone human chromatin protein PC4 is critical for genomic integrity and negatively regulates autophagy. FEBS J. 2019 Jun 6. doi: 10.1111/febs.14952. (Impact Factor: 5.62).
  • Roy S, Kar M, Roy S, Padhi S, Saha A, Banerjee B. KLF4 expression in the surgical cut margin is associated with disease relapse of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2019 Mar 1. pii: S2212-4403(19)30154-3. (Impact Factor: 2.0).
  • Roy S, Kar M, Roy S, Saha A, Padhi S, Banerjee B. Role of β-catenin in cisplati resistance, relapse and prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Oncol (Dordr). 2018 Apr;41(2):185-200. (Impact Factor: 4.9).
  • Anuja K, Chowdhury AR, Saha A, Roy S, Rath AK, Kar M, Banerjee B. Radiation-induced DNA damage response and resistance in colorectal cancer stem-like cells. Int J Radiat Biol. 2019 Jun;95(6):667-679. (Impact Factor: 2.368).
  • Roy S, Roy S, Kar M, Thakur S, Akhter Y, Kumar A, Delogu F, Padhi S, Saha A, Banerjee B. p38 MAPK pathway and its interaction with TRF2 in cisplatin induced chemotherapeutic response in head and neck cancer. Oncogenesis. 2018 Jul 9;7(7):53 (Impact Factor: 7.485).
  • Padhi SS, Kar M, Saha A, Baisakh MR, Mohapatra N, Banerjee BN. Rapid recurrence and poor prognosis with altered levels of β-catenin in 3 cases of head and neck Squamous cell carcinoma patients. Head Neck Oncol 2014 Aug 18; 6(4):39.
  • Padhi S., Roy S., Kar M., Saha A., Roy S., Adhya A., Baisakh M and Banerjee B. Role of CDKN2A/p16 expression in the prognostication of oral squamous cell carcinoma. 2017. Oral Oncology (73). 27-35. (Impact Factor: 5.337).

References

  • Prof. Avri Ben-Ze’ev

Department of Molecular Cell Biology,

Wolfson Building,

Weizmann Institute of Science,

Rehovot, Israel

Email: avri.ben-zeev@weizmann.ac.il


  • Dr. Birendranath Banerjee,

Professor,

JBS Haldane Centre for Molecular Medicine

Silicon Institute of Technology, 

Bhubaneswar, India

Email: biren.banerjee@silicon.ac.in


  • Prof. Srinivas Pattnaik.

Dean and Professor,

School of Biotechnology

KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India

Email: srinivas.patnaik@kiitbiotech.ac.in

Timeline

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Weizmann Institute of Science
10.2020 - Current

Senior Scientific Officer

InDNA Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd
10.2017 - 08.2019

Senior Research Fellow

KIIT School of Biotechnology
09.2014 - 09.2017

Junior Research Fellow

KIIT School of Biotechnology
08.2012 - 09.2014

Ph.D. - Biotechnology

KIIT School of Biotechnology
08.2012 - 09.2017

Summer Intern Researcher

CSIR - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology
06.2010 - 08.2010

M.Tech Dissertation

National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health (NCAAH),
01.2010 - 01.2011

M.Tech - Marine Biotechnology

National Centre For Aquatic Animal Health (NACA)
06.2009 - 01.2011

B.Tech - Biotechnology

Haldia Institute of Technology
04.2005 - 04.2009

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Arka SahaPostdoctoral Scientist