Research Interests: Nanobiotechnology, Toxicology, DNA Forensics, Point Of Care/Detection Diagnostic Devices.
Ritesh K Shukla is working as Assistant Professor at Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University. He did his master's in Forensic Sciences from Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra and PhD in Toxicology (extensively worked in the field of Nanomaterial Toxicology) from CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow (Work place) and Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. His PhD work was focused on understanding the adverse effect of engineered nanoparticles through in vitro and in vivo approaches. Before joining Ahmedabad University, he served as Assistant Professor at the Institute of Forensic Science, Nagpur and Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, a Central University, Bilaspur.
Ritesh has research expertise in diversified field of Toxicology (Genetic toxicology, Nanotoxicology and radiation toxicology) and Forensic Science (DNA Forensics). At Ahmedabad University, Ritesh intends to develop research in the field of Forensic Biotechnology, another diversified field of life science. Currently his research focused on to develop paper based affordable point of care detection device for body fluid identification. He also intends to develop novel method for blood detection that cannot be interfere subsequent DNA analysis.
Ritesh interested to focus his area of research on Nanobiotechnology, Forensic Biotechnology, Toxicology, DNA Forensics, Point of Care/detection Diagnostic Devices.
Nanobiotechnology/Point of care/detection devices
In the forensic investigation “on field” detection of body fluids is a challenging task. With the motto of Life science strengthen to solving crime our research group engages to develop “on field” affordable point of detection device for body fluid identification. Such type of technological innovation may helpful to speed up the investigation process & overcome the burden of crime cases in the laboratories.
Biotechnology/ DNA Forensics
Focused on to develop a method for body fluid detection that can be used further for DNA analysis, even after going through the initial screening test. This procedure used together could potentially change the way that forensic investigations are carried out, enabling body detection at the crime-scene itself and thereby considerably reducing the time involved in the process. Moreover, it will work to prevent significant DNA degradation and so will preserve scarce body fluid samples for further analysis.
Our research group is also focused on to assess the biochemical & molecular marker for aging of biological stain. The ability to Estimate the time since deposition (aging) of biological stains found at a crime scene could be an invaluable evidence for investigators to establish the time frame, when the crime has been committed. In this area of research, the degradation rate of macromolecules at different environmental condition can be correlated with aging of biological stains.
Toxicology
Nanotoxicology- Focused to assess the toxicity of nanomaterials on in vitro model (normal and cancer cell lines).
Food Toxicology- Food safety is a challenging aspect in developing country like India. To enhance the texture, taste or stability synthetic dyes, chemicals and other additives are intentionally or unintentionally added into the food products. These additives which are known as adulterants frequently creep up not just in our local products, but even in packaged/branded products. These rampant instances of adulteration and contamination in essential foods can be a potential source of disease infection or toxic poisoning. Our research group is not only focused to detect such type of adulterants but also assess their effect on biomolecules.
RESEARCH GRANTS
Funding Agency: DST-SERB (Early Career Research), Govt of India.
Project Title: Design and development of multiplex assay integrated nanodevice for rapid 'on field' identification of body fluids
Project Grant: INR 42.71 Lakh
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: DBT, Govt of India
Project Title: NanoTOF: Toxicological Evaluation & Risk Assessment on Nanomaterials in Food
Project Grant: INR 76 Lakh
Role: Co-Investigator
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