Team
Minerva Fast Track Group: Guhathakurta Lab
Minerva Fast Track Fellow Sukanya Guhathakurta
Sukanya Guhathakurta studied biotechnology at the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai, India. She earned her PhD in molecular and cell biology as part of the IMPRS graduate school at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg in the department of Chromatin Regulation.
Her PhD research offered novel insights into the enzymatic functions of nuclear epigenetic factors such as MOF in other sub-cellular compartments like mitochondria. She could demonstrate that mutations in these epigenetic factors can lead to pathological manifestations influenced not only by the anticipated transcription dysregulation but also by mitochondrial and metabolic imbalances. Her research, which highlights the non-nuclear roles of epigenetic complexes and challenges conventional views on epigenetic factors, has received several recognitions.
Sukanya was also able to convince the Max Planck Society with her research project to further question conventional views on epigenetic factors and gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between metabolism and epigenetics during human development. As part of the Minerva Fast Track Program, she receives financial support to lead her own research group at the MPI-IE. Leveraging her expertise in biochemistry and molecular cell biology and utilizing state-of-the-art high-throughput imaging and genomics, she seeks to advance the understanding of the relationship between metabolism and epigenetics, particularly in the context of human pathologies.
Qualifications and history
- Born in India. Undergraduate studies: BSc in Microbiology at St. Xavier’s College, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India & MSc in Biotechnology at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India
- 2016-2022 PhD Studies in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics & University of Freiburg, Germany
- 2022-2024 Post-doctoral researcher in the lab of Asifa Akhtar at Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
- 2024 Minerva Fast Track Research Group Leader “Mechanisms of metabolic and epigenetic control of cell fate decisions” at Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
Team
