Education
PhD: Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
BVSc and MVSc: Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, India

Employment
Scientist E – July 2025 to Present
Scientist D – July 2021 to June 2025
Scientist C – January 2017 to June 2021

Selected awards and fellowships
1. Early Career Research Award, SERB-DST, India, 2018
2. DST/INSPIRE Faculty Award, Dept. of Science & Technology, India, 2013
3. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Award, Gordon Research Conference, Italy, 2013
4. National Eligibility Test & Fellowship: CSIR and ICAR, India, 2007

We study Toxoplasma gondii, a highly successful intracellular parasite that causes lifelong chronic infection in almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. The infection can lead to abortion and neonatal mortality in both humans and animals. Our laboratory is primarily interested in studying the fundamental processes that enable T. gondii parasite to survive within the host using a broad array of biochemical, cell biological, and genetic approaches.

Currently, we are focusing on the following specific areas:

1. Mechanisms of gene regulation :
i) Study the role of epigenetics and RNA processes (RNA-capping and -splicing) in maintaining transcript homeostasis.
ii) Examine the role of RNA binding proteins in mRNA processing and decay.

2. Epidemiology and diagnosis:
i) Investigate the prevalence and identify the prevalent
genotypes.
ii) Development of diagnostic test: Develop Point-of-Care diagnostic test.

Selected Publications (from NIAB)

Toxoplasma gondii: biology and host-interactions
1. Gurupwar R, Khandavalli CR, Deshmukh AS. (2026) Parasite-specific essential bromodomain protein TgBDP4 is a key epigenetic reader and a potential drug target for the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Journal of Biological Chemistry 14:113160.
2. Reddy GS, Gorde SM, Saxena K, Behera MK, Deshmukh AS, Sijwali PS. (2025) An ER-resident lipid scramblase is crucial for biogenesis and function of apicomplexan parasite secretory organelles. Nature Communications 16(1):11463.
3. Aswale KR, Kashyap P, Deshmukh AS. (2025) RNA triphosphatase-mediated mRNA capping is essential for maintaining transcript homeostasis and the survival of Toxoplasma gondii. Nature Communications 16(1):5452.
4. Kashyap P, Aswale KR, Deshmukh AS. (2025) Deletion of splicing factor Cdc5 in Toxoplasma disrupts transcriptome integrity, induces abortive bradyzoite formation, and prevents acute infection in mice. Nature Communications 22;16(1):3769.
5. Mitra P, Deshmukh AS. (2024) Proteostasis is a key driver of the pathogenesis in Apicomplexa. BBA-Molecular Cell Research 20;1871(8):119824.
6. Mitra P, Banerjee S, Khandavalli C, Deshmukh AS. (2022) The role of Toxoplasma TFIIS-like protein in the early stages of mRNA transcription. BBA-General Subjects 2;1866(12):130240.
7. Mitra P, Deshmukh AS, Banerjee S, Khandavalli C, Choudhury C. (2022) A functionally divergent transcription elongation factor 1-like protein in Toxoplasma gondii. FEBS Letters 596(1): 112-127.
8. Mitra P, Deshmukh AS, Choudhury C. (2021) Molecular chaperone function of stress inducible Hsp70 is critical for intracellular multiplication of Toxoplasma gondii. BBA-Molecular Cell Research 1868(2):118898.
9. Mitra P, Deshmukh AS, Gurupwar R, Kashyap P (2019) Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii Spt5 like transcription elongation factor. BBA-Gene Regulatory Mechanisms 1862, 184-197.
10. Deshmukh AS, Mitra P, Kolagani A, Gurupwar R (2018) Cdk-related kinase 9 regulates RNA polymerase II mediated transcription in Toxoplasma gondii. BBA-Gene Regulatory Mechanisms 1861, 572-585.
11. Deshmukh AS, Mitra P, Maruthi M (2016) Cdk7 mediates RPB1-driven mRNA synthesis in Toxoplasma gondii. Scientific Reports 19; 6:35288.

Parasite (Toxoplasma & Neospora): epidemiology and diagnosis
1. Mishra V, Mitra P, Shinde S, Chaudhari S, Deshmukh* AS. (2026) Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered sheep: a study of parasite prevalence, isolation, genotyping, virulence, and potential health risks to butchers in India. Microbial Pathogenesis 213:108376.
2. Mishra V, Mitra P, Shinde S, Chaudhari S, Deshmukh AS. (2025) Neospora caninum in pigs and pig farmers in India: Examining the prevalence, immunodominant antigens and associated risk factors. Microbial Pathogenesis 200:107352.
3. Roy M, Mishra V, Mitra P, Umbardand Y, Sapate V, Khan W, Deshmukh AS. (2024) Serological and molecular detection of T.  gondii in domestic pigs intended for human consumption and potential occupational hazard to pig farmers in India. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease 21(2):99-108.
4. Mishra V, Mitra P, Barbuddhe S, Thorat Y, Chavan K, Shinde S, Chaudhari S, Khan W, Deshmukh AS. (2023) Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in free-ranging rats from Nagpur, India. Parasitology Research 123(1):63.
5. Hebbar BK, Roy M, Mitra P, Chavhan K, Chaudhari S, Shinde S, Deshmukh AS. (2022) Seroprevalence, risk factors, and serological cross-reactivity for diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in goats in India. Microbial Pathogenesis 16:105780.
6. Hebbar BK, Mitra P, Khan W, Chaudhari S, Shinde S, Deshmukh AS. (2022) Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in cattle in Central India. Parasitology International 87:102514.
7. Deshmukh AS, Hebbar BK, Mitra M, Aswale K, Shinde S, Chaudhari S. (2021) Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among veterinary personnel and abattoir workers in Central India. Parasitology International 84:102402.
8. Deshmukh AS, Gurupwar R, Mitra M, Aswale K, Shinde S, Chaudhari S. (2021) Toxoplasma gondii induces robust humoral immune response against cyst wall antigens in chronically infected animals and humans. Microbial Pathogenesis 152:104643.

PhD Students

Chitti Raju khandavalli

Rajkumar Gurupwar

Akhil Suresh

Project Student:

Gayathri Sree Kumar

Alumni:
PhD Students

Kalyani Aswale
PhD 2025

Poonam kashyap
PhD 2026

Master trainee (Six months dissertation)
1) Sabarathinam S., Pondicherry University, Puducherry (2026)
2) Sristi Saha, KIIT University Bhubaneswar, Odisha (2025)
3) Rasha Abdulla, Kannur University Palayad, Kerala (2025)
4) Aarushi Kesarwani, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan (2024)
5) Pawan Singh Shekhawat, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Punjab (2023)
6) Soham Deshpande, Amity University Mumbai, Maharashtra (2023)
7) Tanya Sharma, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (2022)
8) Megha Roy, Hislop College, Nagpur, Maharashtra (2021)
9) Yamini Sree Nagidi, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu (2020)
10) Sai Sha Kumar, Bharath University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (2019)
11) Sneha Banerjee, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand (2019)

Our laboratory is funded by intramural (CORE) and extramural research grants (SERB, DBT, and BIRAC).

Following are the ongoing research projects:
1. Understanding the role of RNA-capping and -splicing processes in maintaining transcriptome integrity in Toxoplasma gondii
2. Understanding the role of transcriptional kinases in gene regulation in Toxoplasma gondii
3. Development of Point-of-care test for Toxoplasma gondii detection
4. Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of Toxoplasma gondii in India

Room No. 107, 1st Floor B Wing
National Institute of Animal Biotechnology
Survey No. 37, Opp. Journalist Colony
Extended Q City Road, Near Gowlidoddy
Gachibowli, Hyderabad
Telangana – 500032

Email: abhijit[at]niab[dot]org[dot]in
Tel: +91-(0)40-2312-0137

We have developed a point-of-care test to detect Toxoplasma gondii infection in both animals and humans. This test utilizes a chimeric antigen to specifically identify anti-T. gondii antibodies in serum and plasma samples. An Indian patent (511742) has been granted for this invention, and the technology has also been transferred to a company for potential commercialization.

Technology Release

If you are interested in Molecular Parasitology research at any level, including MSc, PhD, or Post-doc, please email your CV, along with your research interests, to Abhijit at abhijit@niab.org.in