Sujata Sharma

Sujata Sharma
Born
New Delhi, India
Alma mater
Known forLactoferrin, Structure Based Drug Design Science Communication
SpouseNaval Kishore Vikram
ChildrenAlma Vikram Sitab Vikram
Awards
  • 2021 TWAS Regional Awards in Public Understanding and Popularization of Science
  • 2020 Kalpana Chawla Excellence Award
  • 2011 N-BIOS Prize
  • 2006 BRSI Woman Scientist Award
  • 2007 DBT National Woman Bioscientist Award
Scientific career
Fields
Institutions
Doctoral advisorTej P Singh

Sujata Sharma is an Indian structural biologist, author, science communicator and professor in the Department of Biophysics at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Her research focuses on protein structure determination, structure-based drug design and antimicrobial therapeutics.[1]

Sharma’s research integrates structural biology, molecular biology and translational medicine to develop novel antimicrobial strategies[2].

In addition to her research contributions, Sharma has been active in science communication and public engagement with science. She has authored books that explore science, medicine, and personal narratives from the perspective of a scientist.

Early Life and Education

Sujata Sharma was born at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. She is the daughter of the Hindi writer Maitreyi Pushpa and pharmacologist Dr. R. C. Sharma. She completed her schooling at Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram, New Delhi and joined the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi as an undergraduate student.

Sharma later joined the same institution as a faculty member as an Assistant Professor. She currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Biophysics at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Contributions in structural biology

Sharma has made extensive contributions to the structural and functional characterization of lactoferrin and its derived fragments, exploring their roles in innate immunity, antimicrobial activity, and therapeutic applications.[3]

She was the first structural biologist to successfully demonstrate the proteolytic C-terminal molecular half of lactoferrin (C-lobe) and determine its three-dimensional structure[3][4] and studies examining the molecular mechanisms by which lactoferrin modulates oxidative stress and its potential role in modulating oxidative stress in inflammatory conditions.[5] Sharma and collaborators have examined the antifungal activity of lactoferrin and its derived functional peptides against mucormycosis-causing fungi demonstrating that lactoferrin and its functional fragments may act as adjunct therapeutic agents and could contribute to the development of new strategies for the management of mucormycosis.[6][7]

Her studies have established the fact that lactoferrin has a direct role in chelating the unbound non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which in turn leads to the reduction in the NSAID-induced gastropathy.[8]

The studies on the structure determination of Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein which is a component of the innate immune system and are conserved from insects to mammals, have given a new direction for the development of this protein as a natural protein antibiotic.[9][10] The structural studies on the lactoperoxidase system, that is, lactoperoxidase along with its inorganic ion substrates, hydrogen peroxide, and oxidized products have given new insights into the structure-function interrelationships of this antimicrobial protein.[11][12] Her structural studies on SPX-40 have demonstrated that the molecule acts as a protective signalling factor for breast cancer cells and have validated this protein as a drug target for breast cancer.[13] She has also been involved in the designing of inhibitors, both small organic and inorganic compounds and peptides, against these protein targets. She has successfully demonstrated the potency of these ligands in several animal models.

Awards and honours

Books

Sharma has also authored several books spanning science, medicine, and reflective narratives.

  • A Dragonfly's Purpose [ISBN-13: 978-1646507658] Personal narrative in which Sharma reflects on illness, recovery, and the search for meaning through her experience with Guillain–Barré syndrome
  • Conversations with Shambhu [ISBN-13 ‏: ‎ 978-8197380693] A reflective work exploring issues of mental health among teenagers and young adults through reflective conversations that address anxiety, self-doubt, identity, and emotional resilience.
  • Kovi's Promise [ISBN-13 : ‎ 979-8885037778] Children’s fantasy story set during the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes awareness about health, empathy, and responsible behaviour through the journey of a young character navigating an unusual and uncertain time.
  • Tumhara Bholu – a Hindi work that explores human relationships and emotional bonds through storytelling.
  • Warriors in White [ISBN-13: 978-1637455111] Collection of narratives highlighting the experiences and dedication of healthcare workers during COVID-19

See also

Selected Publications

  1. ^ "Sujata Sharma on AIIMS". AIIMS New Delhi. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  2. ^ "On ResearchGate". 29 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b Sharma, S.; Jasti, J.; Kumar, J.; Mohanty, A. K.; Singh, T. P. (2003). "Crystal structure of a proteolytically generated functional monoferric C-lobe of bovine lactoferrin at 1.9A resolution". Journal of Molecular Biology. 331 (2): 485–96. doi:10.1016/s0022-2836(03)00717-4. PMID 12888354.
  4. ^ Sharma, Sujata; Sinha, Mau; Kaushik, Sanket; Kaur, Punit; Singh, Tej P. (2013). "C-lobe of lactoferrin: the whole story of the half-molecule". Biochemistry Research International. 2013: 1–8. doi:10.1155/2013/271641. PMC 3671519. PMID 23762557.
  5. ^ Pandit, Surabhi; Tanwar, Mansi; Singh, Anamika; Singh, Tej P.; Sharma, Pradeep; Sharma, Sujata (2025). "Lactoferrin as a therapeutic modulator of oxidative stress in inflammatory conditions". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 783 152562. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.152562.
  6. ^ Pandit, Surabhi; Singh, Anamika; Singh, J.; et al. (2024). "Synergistic action of lactoferrin and its derived functional fragments as a promising therapeutic agent in combating mucormycosis". Future Microbiology. 19 (10): 857–866. doi:10.1080/17460913.2024.2352263.
  7. ^ Vaishnav, Ajay (29 June 2024). "AIIMS finds breakthrough in fight against Black Fungus, says report". CNBC TV18.
  8. ^ Mir, Rafia; Singh, Nagendra; Vikram, Gopalakrishnapillai; Sinha, Mau; Bhushan, Asha; Kaur, Punit; Srinivasan, Alagiri; Sharma, Sujata; Singh, Tej P. (2010). "Structural and binding studies of C-terminal half (C-lobe) of lactoferrin protein with COX-2-specific non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)". Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 500 (2): 196–202. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2010.05.026. PMID 20515646.
  9. ^ Sharma, P.; Singh, N.; Sinha, M.; Sharma, S.; Perbandt, M.; Betzel, C.; Kaur, P.; Srinivasan, A.; Singh, T. P. (2008). "Crystal structure of the peptidoglycan recognition protein at 1.8 A resolution reveals dual strategy to combat infection through two independent functional homodimers". Journal of Molecular Biology. 378 (4): 923–32. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2008.03.018. PMID 18395744.
  10. ^ Sharma, P.; Dube, D.; Singh, A.; Mishra, B.; Singh, N.; Sinha, M.; Dey, S.; Kaur, P.; Mitra, D. K.; Sharma, S.; Singh, T. P. (2011). "Structural basis of recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns and inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines by camel peptidoglycan recognition protein". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 286 (18): 16208–17. doi:10.1074/jbc.M111.228163. PMC 3091228. PMID 21454594.
  11. ^ Singh, Prashant K.; Iqbal, Naseer; Sirohi, Harsh V.; Bairagya, Hridoy R.; Kaur, Punit; Sharma, Sujata; Singh, Tej P. (2018). "Structural basis of activation of mammalian heme peroxidases". Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology. 133: 49–55. doi:10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2017.11.003. PMID 29174286.
  12. ^ Singh, A. K.; Singh, N.; Sharma, S.; Singh, S. B.; Kaur, P.; Bhushan, A.; Srinivasan, A.; Singh, T. P. (2008). "Crystal structure of lactoperoxidase at 2.4 A resolution". Journal of Molecular Biology. 376 (4): 1060–75. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2007.12.012. PMID 18191143.
  13. ^ Chaudhary, A.; Kumar, V.; Singh, P. K.; Sharma, P.; Bairagya, H. R.; Kaur, P.; Sharma, S.; Chauhan, S. S.; Singh, T. P. (2018). "A glycoprotein from mammary gland secreted during involution promotes apoptosis: Structural and biological studies". Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 644: 72–80. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2018.03.006. PMID 29524427.
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