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Vision Research Foundation

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Dr Sampathkumar Ranganathan, PhD

Assistant Professor



With a decade of experience in structural bioinformatics and enzyme engineering, I have whetted my expertise in utilizing advanced computational tools and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to explore complex biological systems. My academic journey began with a PhD at Pondicherry University, where I focused on the structural dynamics of biomolecules. This was followed by postdoctoral research at Konkuk University in South Korea, where I refined my skills in enzyme engineering and NGS applications.

As a Research Scientist at the Medical Research Foundation, my research now focuses on the molecular mechanisms of ophthalmic diseases, with a particular focus on glaucoma. Leveraging my background in structural bioinformatics and NGS, I work on identifying novel therapeutic targets and designing inhibitors. My approach combines genomic data with structural analysis, enabling the development of predictive models for drug efficacy and specificity in ocular disease pathways.

Through an interdisciplinary methodology that integrates computational chemistry, molecular dynamics, systems biology, and NGS, my research is dedicated to advancing drug discovery in ophthalmology. I strive to translate these findings into innovative therapeutic strategies, addressing critical needs in the treatment of glaucoma and other ocular pathologies.

As a Research Scientist at the Medical Research Foundation, my research is focussed on uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying ophthalmic diseases, particularly glaucoma, through a multidisciplinary approach. I utilize structural bioinformatics, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and advanced computational techniques, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to analyze protein targets and disease pathways. By integrating molecular dynamics simulations, docking studies, and AI-driven predictive models, I identify potential therapeutic targets and design small molecule inhibitors with high specificity and efficacy.

Incorporating AI and ML into my research allows for the efficient analysis of large datasets and the development of predictive models for drug efficacy and safety. This approach not only accelerates the drug discovery process but also enhances the accuracy of identifying genetic variations that contribute to disease progression. Through this innovative workflow, my research aims to advance personalized medicine strategies and develop targeted therapies that address unmet needs in the treatment of glaucoma and other ocular diseases.

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  1. Ranganathan, S., Nagarajan, H., Busi, S., Ampasala, D.R., Lee, JK. (2024). Mechanistic Understanding of Antibiotic Resistance in ESKAPE Pathogens. In: Busi, S., Prasad, R. (eds) ESKAPE Pathogens. Springer, Singapore.

  2. Nagarajan, H., Ranganathan, S., Jeyaraman, J., Chitipothu, S. (2024). Antimicrobial Peptides and Antibacterial Antibodies for the Elimination of ESKAPE Pathogens. In: Busi, S., Prasad, R. (eds) ESKAPE Pathogens. Springer, Singapore.

  3. Sanjay K. S. Patel, Rahul K. Gupta, Karthikeyan K. Karuppanan, Deepak Kumar Padhi, Sampathkumar Ranganathan, Parasuraman Paramanantham & Jung-Kul Lee. Nonsterile Process for Biohydrogen Production: Recent Updates, Challenges, and Opportunities. Indian J Microbiol 64, 445–456 (2024).

  4. Patel, S.K.S.; Gupta, R.K.; Karuppanan, K.K.; Padhi, D.K.; Ranganathan, S.; Paramanantham, P.; Lee, J.-K. Trametes versicolor Laccase-Based Magnetic Inorganic-Protein Hybrid Nanobiocatalyst for Efficient Decolorization of Dyes in the Presence of Inhibitors. Materials 2024, 17, 1790.

  5. Mahima S. Mohan, Simi Asma Salim, Sampathkumar Ranganathan, Paramanantham Parasuraman, V.T. Anju, Dinakara Rao Ampasala, Madhu Dyavaiah, Jung-Kul Lee, Siddhardha Busi, Attenuation of Las/Rhl quorum sensing regulated virulence and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 by Artocarpesin. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2024;189. 106609.

  6. Kavitha, B., Ranganathan, S., Gopi, S., Vetrivel, U., Hemavathy, N., Mohan, V., & Radha, V. (2023). Molecular characterization and re-interpretation of HNF1A variants identified in Indian MODY subjects towards precision medicine. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 1177268. DOI:

  7. V.T Anju, Siddhardha Busi, Mahima S Mohan, Sampathkumar Ranganathan, Dinakara Rao Ampasala, Ranjith Kumavath, Madhu Dyavaiah, In vivo, in vitro and molecular docking studies reveal the anti-virulence property of hispidulin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa through the modulation of quorum sensing. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 2022;174. 105487.

  8. Anju, V. T., Busi, S., Kumar, S., Suchiang, K., Kumavath, R., Ranganathan, S., … Dyavaiah, M. (2022). Alantolactone modulates the production of quorum sensing mediated virulence factors and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biofouling, 38(4), 331–347.

  9. V T Anju; Siddhardha Busi; Sampathkumar Ranganathan; Dinakara Rao Ampasala; Sandeep Kumar; Kitlangki Suchiang; Ranjith Kumavath; Madhu Dyavaiah. Sesamin and sesamolin rescues Caenorhabditis elegans from P. aeruginosa infection through the attenuation of QS regulated virulence factors. Microbial Pathogenesis. Jun;155:104912.

  10. Himani Meena, Rashmi Mishra, Sampathkumar Ranganathan, V. Venkateswara Sarma, Dinakara Rao Ampasala, Busi Siddhardha. Attenuation of Quorum Sensing Mediated Virulence Factors Production and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa PAO1 by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2021;16(151). 104723.

  11. Parasuraman P, Devadatta bandarupalli, Sarma Vemuri, Sampathkumar R, Dinakara Ampasala, siddhardha busi. et al., Inhibition of Microbial Quorum Sensing Mediated Virulence Factors by Pestalotiopsis sydowiana. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2020;30. 571-528.

  12. Himani Meena, Rashmi Mishra, Sampathkumar Ranganathan, Sarma V. V, Dinakkara Rao Ampasala, Siddhardha busi. Phomopsis tersa as Inhibitor of Quorum Sensing System and Biofilm Forming Ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Indian Journal of Microbiology. 2019;60. 70-77.

  13. Himani Meena, Rashmi Mishra, Sampathkumar Ranganathan, V. Venkateswara Sarma, Dinakara Rao Ampasala, Busi Siddhardha. Attenuation of Quorum Sensing Mediated Virulence Factors Production and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa PAO1 by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2021;16(151). 104723.

  14. Parasuraman P, Devadatta bandarupalli, Sarma Vemuri, Sampathkumar R, Dinakara Ampasala, siddhardha busi. et al., Inhibition of Microbial Quorum Sensing Mediated Virulence Factors by Pestalotiopsis sydowiana. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2020;30. 571-528.

  15. Himani Meena, Rashmi Mishra, Sampathkumar Ranganathan, Sarma V. V, Dinakkara Rao Ampasala, Siddhardha busi. Phomopsis tersa as Inhibitor of Quorum Sensing System and Biofilm Forming Ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Indian Journal of Microbiology. 2019;60. 70-77.

  16. H. Sairengpuii, P. Parasuraman, R. Sampathkumar, A. Dinakara Rao, Dhanasekhar Reddy, Ranjith N. Kumavath, Kitlangki Suchiang, Busi Siddhardha et. al. Mosloflavone attenuates the quorum-sensing controlled virulence phenotypes and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01: In vitro, in vivo and in silico approach. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2019;131. 128-134.

  17. Parasuraman P, devadatha bandarupalli, Dinakara Ampasala, Sampathkumar R, Sarma Vemuri, siddhardha busi. Anti-quorum sensing and anti-biofilm activities of Blastobotrys parvus PPR3 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2020;138. E10381.

  18. P. Subha Swaraj, A. Tanveer, R. Sampathkumar, A. Dinakara Rao, V. Venkateswara sarma, Busi Siddhardha. Aspergillus ochraceopetaliformis SSP13 modulates quorum sensing regulated virulence and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Biofouling. 2018;7014(May). 1–16.

  19. P. Subha Swaraj, R. Sampathkumar, A. DinakaraR Rao, S. Asad, F. Ameen, B. Siddhardha. Attenuation of quorum sensing regulated virulence and biofilm development in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 by Diaporthe phaseolorum SSP12. Microbial Pathogenesis 2018;118. 177-189.

  20. P. Bhagath Kumar, K. Kasi Viswanath, S. Tuleshwori Devi, R. Sampathkumar K, Doucet D, Retnakaran A, et al. Molecular cloning and structural characterization of Ecdysis Triggering Hormone from Choristoneura fumiferana. Int J Biol Macromol. 2016;88: 213–221.

2021 - 2024
Postdoctoral research fellowship from Korean Industrial research programme, South Korea.


2013 - 2016
Research Fellow – UGC, India.


2012
State Eligibility Test (SET) for Lectureship


Dr Sampathkumar Ranganathan, PhD
Assistant Professor,
Medical Research Foundation,
41/18 College Road, Nungambakkam
Chennai – 600 006.
Extn:1841
Email: drsampath@snmail.org