Sohini Kulavi

Sohini Kulavi

PhD Scholar · AICTE Doctoral Fellow · Cancer Researcher · Computational Drug Discovery · Precision Medicine

Exploring natural bioactive compounds as potential anticancer agents through an integrated approach combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental validation in glioblastoma cell lines (U87-MG) and C. elegans models.

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Sohini Kulavi speaking at a podium at ORAH 2024
16
Publications
10
Presentations
7
Awards
4
Book chapters

Doctoral research

From molecule to model organism

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer and remains very hard to treat. My PhD, Targeting Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4A-III Using Potential Natural Inhibitors: An Attempt to Design Precision Cancer Therapeutics, looks for plant-derived compounds that can block one protein these tumours rely on.

The work moves in four steps — from choosing a single molecular target on the computer to testing the best candidates in a living organism.

Step 1 · TargeteIF4A3A DEAD-box RNA helicase of the exon junction complex. It is overexpressed in glioblastoma and linked to tumour grade, which makes it a precise drug target.
Step 2 · ScreenDocking · MD · ADMETComputer simulations test phytochemicals from Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) and Castanea sativa (chestnut) for how strongly they bind eIF4A3 and how safe they are likely to be.
Step 3 · ValidateU87-MG · C. elegansThe most promising compounds move to the lab: in vitro in U87-MG glioblastoma cells and in vivo in the model worm C. elegans.
Step 4 · ExtendMDM2–STAT3–PARP1The work now extends to this cancer pathway with withaferin A and withanolide, presented at WBSSTC 2026.

Beyond the PhD, my work spans green-synthesised nanoparticles, nano-mediated drug delivery for cancer and neurodegenerative disease, and precision medicine — you’ll find it in the publications below.

Publications

Research articles

2026DOI ↗ Heavy metal-driven biochemical enhancement of dye degradation by bacterial consortia: a multi-scale statistical and spectroscopic investigation Kumar S, Banerjee S, Pramanik C, Ghosh A, Kulavi S, et al. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A · 61(2):98–124 2024DOI ↗ EIF4A3 targeted therapeutic intervention in glioblastoma multiforme using phytochemicals from Indian medicinal plants — an integration of phytotherapy into precision onco-medicine Kulavi S, Dhar D, Kamal IM, Chakrabarti S, Bandyopadhyay J Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics · 43(12):5849–5869 2022DOI ↗ In-silico screening of some important bioactive compounds as potential inhibitors of 3CLpro protein of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV virus Ghosh C, Saha M, Kulavi S, Chatterjee S Int. J. Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology · 15(4):6043–6054 2021DOI ↗ Virtual screening through molecular docking analysis to identify potential natural inhibitor(s) of Lyn tyrosine kinase — an in-silico approach Kulavi S, Banerjee S, Sengupta T, Ghosh C, Saha M, Chatterjee S Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International · 33(50A):85–105 2021DOI ↗ Characterization and comparative evaluation of antibacterial and cytotoxic efficacy between two quercetin-Au-nanoconjugates synthesized using pure tri-sodium citrate and its natural alternative — lemon extract Kulavi S, Nandi S, Das C, Sengupta T, Saha M, Ghosh C, Ghosh P, Saha A, Chatterjee S Int. J. Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy · 12(2):33–41 2020DOI ↗ Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Oldenlandia corymbosa and Ocimum sanctum leaf aqueous extract Chatterjee S, Das S, Ghosh P, Sengupta T, Nandi S, Kulavi S, Mandal S Int. J. Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology · 13(3):4959–4964 2020DOI ↗ Green synthesis and characterization of silver nano-conjugates using some common medicinal weeds leaf aqueous extracts Chatterjee S, Saha M, Ghosh P, Nandi S, Sengupta T, Kulavi S, Das S Int. J. Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology · 13(1):4752–4758 2019Journal page ↗ Green synthesis and characterization of silver nano-conjugates using Heliotropium indicum and Glycosmis pentaphylla leaf aqueous extracts Ghosh P, Kulavi S, Nandi S, Sengupta T, Biswas M, Das P, Das C, Chatterjee S Journal of Nanoscience, Nanoengineering & Applications · 9(2):22–30

Review articles

2025DOI ↗ Precision paradigm in breast cancer management: a mini review Bhadra S, Kulavi S, Bandyopadhyay J Revista de Senología y Patología Mamaria 2023DOI ↗ Precision medicine advancements in glioblastoma: a systematic review Iyer K, Saini S, Bhadra S, Kulavi S, Bandyopadhyay J BioMedicine · 13(2):1–13 2023DOI ↗ A smart & precise approach with nanoparticles-based therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative diseases Kulavi S, Kaur R, Iyer K, Bandyopadhyay J, Sengupta T Nanomedicine Journal · 10(2):96–106 2021DOI ↗ One size does not fit all: an overview of personalized treatment in cancer Kulavi S, Ghosh C, Saha M, Chatterjee S Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International · 87–103

Book chapters

2026Book ↗ Pharmacological potential of engineered medicinal flora: case studies and future perspectives Kumar S, Ghosh A, Paul S, Kulavi S, Bandyopadhyay J Biofabrication and Synthetic Biology in Medicinal Plants (Elsevier) · 439–452 2026Book ↗ Combinatorial approaches of MAPs and nanotechnology and its applications Kulavi S, Kumar S, Halder S, Bandyopadhyay J Biofabrication and Synthetic Biology in Medicinal Plants (Elsevier) · 133–146 2024DOI ↗ Unveiling the potentials of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal as a precise therapeutic intervention against glioblastoma multiforme Kulavi S, Dhar D, Iyer K, Ghosh AK, Bandyopadhyay J Life as Basic Science, Vol. 1 (IAPH) · 68–91 2021Chapter ↗ A compendium of precision oncology: an approach towards unveiling the unique and individualized reality of cancer Kulavi S, Chatterjee S, Ghosh C, Saha M Current Aspects in Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Vol. 6 · 21–43

Presentations

Sep 2026 · Oral
33rd West Bengal State Science & Technology Congress (WBSSTC 2026)
Targeting the MDM2–STAT3–PARP1 axis in glioblastoma using withaferin A and withanolide
Aug 2024 · Oral
National Conference on Omics in Redefining Healthcare
Targeting EIF4A3 in glioblastoma multiforme: integrating phytochemicals into precision oncology
Jan 2024 · Oral
Trends in Biomedical Research: Advances and Challenges
Precision targeting of EIF4A3 in glioblastoma with phytochemicals from Indian medicinal plants
Jul 2023 · Poster · 1st Prize
8th Annual International Conference BGCI 2023, University of Hyderabad
Analysis of EIF4A3 network in glioma and virtual screening of natural inhibitors
Dec 2022 · Poster
Society of Biological Chemists (India), Kolkata
Protein targeted phytotherapy for glioblastoma
Sep 2022 · Poster
AMDP-2022, Anna University, Chennai
Protein specific therapeutic intervention in glioblastoma using Castanea sativa and Withania somnifera
Nov 2021 · Paper
BIOSPECTRUM 2021, UEM Kolkata
Nano-mediated drug delivery to treat neurodegenerative diseases
Dec 2019 · Paper
4th Regional Science & Technology Congress, MAKAUT
Tea bio-active compound conjugated gold nanoparticles
Sep 2019 · Poster · 1st Prize
New Horizons in Biotechnology (NHBT-2019), Haldia Institute of Technology
Tea bioactive compound conjugated gold nanoparticles
Feb 2018 · Poster
IABS 2018, IACS Kolkata
Differential miRNA expression in a breast cancer cell line

Education

2021 – present
PhD Scholar, AICTE Doctoral Fellow
MAKAUT, West Bengal · Guide: Prof. (Dr.) Jaya Bandyopadhyay
2019 – 2021
M.Tech Biotechnology · DGPA 9.55
MAKAUT, West Bengal · University 2nd rank (in-house)
2015 – 2019
B.Tech Biotechnology (Nanobiotechnology) · CGPA 9.19
Techno India University · University 3rd rank
2019
GATE Biotechnology qualified
Score 408 · Rank 995

Awards

Achiever Award · 2024 & 2025Department of Biotechnology, MAKAUT, West Bengal
1st Prize · BGCI 2023Poster presentation, University of Hyderabad
1st Prize · NHBT-2019Best Poster Award, Haldia Institute of Technology
University 2nd rankM.Tech Biotechnology, MAKAUT
University 3rd rankB.Tech Biotechnology, Techno India University
Summer Research Fellowship 2017Indian Science Academies (IASc, INSA, NASI)
FAST-SF Summer School 2019IASc-INSA-NASI, “Science of Materials”