The iDPCC is thrilled to spotlight several CEIRR researchers who earned a poster presentation award at the 4th Annual CEIRR Network Meeting (ANM). The final spotlight of this series is Gagandeep Singh, Ph.D., an Associate Scientist in Florian Krammer’s lab at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is affiliated with the Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis and Transmission (CRIPT). Singh earned First Place in the Viral Evolution category for his poster titled “Characterization of the Glycoproteins of Novel Fish Influenza B-like Viruses.”
“The novelty and unexplored nature of these viruses is what drives me,” says Singh, who studied an uncharacterized phylogenetic cluster of influenza B-like viruses from fish and amphibians. Because so little is known about these viruses, Singh shared that this research is like “embarking on a brand-new adventure.” Singh and his colleagues evaluated the functions of surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) from these understudied viruses, comparing their functions to those from influenza B. They found that each protein behaved differently, with some showing no similarity to influenza B, while others exhibited some or complete similarity. Singh and team also examined the structures of the glycoproteins using cryo-electron microscopy and computational modeling. Singh plans to continue investigating these influenza B-like viruses because, “We don't know a lot about them yet, so it's exciting because every experiment could reveal something significant or unexpected. I'm really motivated by that kind of inquiry and learning.”
Singh’s project is a multidisciplinary venture, made possible by the collaborative team who contributed to this work. He noted that the expertise from other labs and access to resources gave him a “better understanding of zoonotic threats, emerging viruses, and how to conduct research with a more collaborative and comprehensive approach.” Singh aims to form further collaborations as he grows as a scientist, stating, “My scientific training has greatly benefitted from the CEIRR Program. It has undoubtedly influenced the way I view my work.”
Check out Singh's recent publication on this work in Science Advances!
To learn more about Singh personally, the iDPCC asked several insightful questions:
1. Do you have advice for other trainees or students wanting to get started in research?
A. Try to get into research early, even if it's just working in a lab. You learn so much more from doing than you do from books, and it also enables you to figure out what kind of science really gets you passionate.
2. What is your favorite mundane lab chore?
A. Labeling tubes! While most people would find this monotonous, for me it has an oddly satisfying ring to it. It brings a sense of order to chaos. Neat labels, color coded caps, everything in a line. It is, in a sense, giving structure to science.
3. What technique, skill, or knowledge are you the “go to” person for in your lab?
A. I’m the go-to person in the lab for anything related to serological assays and protein production. Whether it’s running ELISAs or making and purifying viral proteins.