Dr. Debmalya Bhunia - Chemical Biology - Best Researcher Award

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory - United States

AUTHOR PROFILE 

SCOPUS 

ORCID 

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS 🎓

DEBMALYA BHUNIA'S academic journey began with a strong foundation in chemistry, which paved the way for his outstanding contributions to the field of organic and medicinal chemistry. He completed his doctoral research at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India, where he earned his degree from the University of Calcutta. During his studies, Debmalya focused on designing and synthesizing organelle-specific peptides, small molecules, and lipids for targeted drug delivery systems. His work involved advancing drug delivery mechanisms, particularly using liposomal lipopeptides for tumor inhibition. This early academic pursuit set the stage for a career dedicated to innovative biomedical research.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS 🌍

After his doctoral work, Debmalya honed his expertise further by working at various prestigious institutions. He served as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at The Ohio State University, where his research focused on the design and synthesis of noncanonical nucleobases and novel peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). His work in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department involved developing cell-based assays for PNA-DNA/RNA interactions, which are crucial for understanding genetic material manipulation. Debmalya then moved to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, where he made significant contributions in chemical biology and molecular biology, particularly in DNA/RNA mutagenesis, DNA preservation, and the design of cancer vaccines using innovative peptide nucleic acid strategies.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS 🔬

Debmalya’s research focuses on the intersection of chemical biology, DNA/RNA sequence manipulation, and therapeutic development. He has developed new methodologies for DNA preservation and translation inhibition, contributing to a deeper understanding of gene expression regulation. His expertise in designing bifacial PNAs and utilizing click chemistry for DNA Chemical Biology coupling has opened new avenues for genetic research and therapy development. His recent work includes exploring potential applications of peptide nucleic acids in cancer vaccine development, positioning him at the forefront of genetic engineering and molecular therapeutics.

ACCREDITATION AND RECOGNITION 🏅

Debmalya’s exceptional research and innovative contributions have been recognized by his peers in academia and industry. His work on peptide-based drug delivery systems and cancer Chemical Biology vaccines has garnered attention for its potential in translational medicine. At Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, he was promoted to Senior Fellow in January 2025, underscoring his commitment and expertise in advancing biomedical sciences. His postdoctoral fellowships at The Ohio State University and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, coupled with his early career accomplishments, reflect his standing as a prominent figure in chemical biology and molecular medicine.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE 🌐

Debmalya’s work has significantly influenced the fields of drug delivery, peptide chemistry, and molecular therapeutics. His innovative research on peptide nucleic acids and DNA/RNA Chemical Biology interactions holds great promise for improving our understanding of genetic diseases and developing targeted therapies. His pioneering efforts in cancer vaccine design using peptide nucleic acids demonstrate his ability to bridge the gap between basic chemistry and clinical applications. Debmalya’s impact is not limited to academia but extends to biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, where his findings could lead to the development of novel treatments.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS 🚀

As Debmalya advances in his career, his research is poised to leave a lasting legacy in the realms of chemical biology, therapeutic development, and molecular engineering. His ongoing work at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory promises to yield even more groundbreaking discoveries, particularly in the area of cancer therapy and genetic manipulation. His future contributions will likely continue to shape the future of personalized medicine, gene therapy, and targeted drug delivery, making him a key figure in the evolution of modern biomedical sciences.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS 

• Title: Peptide nucleic acids: Recent advancements and future opportunities in biomedical applications
  Authors: Achinta Sannigrahi; Nayan De; Debmalya Bhunia; Jhuma Bhadra
  Journal: Bioorganic Chemistry (2025)
  DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.108146
• Title: Modular synthesis of functional libraries by accelerated SuFEx click chemistry
  Authors: Joshua Homer; Rebecca A. Koelln; Andrew Barrow; Timothy Gialelis; Zlata Boiarska; Nikita Steinohrt; Erinna Lee; Wen-Hsuan Yang; Robert Johnson; Taemoon Chung et al.
  Journal: Chemical Science (2024)
  DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05729a
• Title: Designed hybrid anticancer nuclear-localized peptide inhibits aggressive cancer cell proliferation
  Authors: Prasenjit Mondal; Saswat Mohapatra; Debmalya Bhunia; Prabir Kumar Gharai; Nabanita Mukherjee; Varsha Gupta; Satyajit Ghosh; Surajit Ghosh
  Journal: RSC Medicinal Chemistry (2022)
  DOI: 10.1039/D1MD00324K
• Title: Synthesis of bifacial Peptide Nucleic Acids with diketopiperazine backbones
  Authors: Not specified
  Journal: Synlett (2022-03-18)
  DOI: 10.1055/a-1802-6873
• Title: A Small Molecule with Bridged Carbonyl and Tri‐fluoro‐aceto‐phenone Groups Impedes Microtubule Dynamics and Subsequently Triggers Cancer Cell Apoptosis
  Authors: Not specified
  Journal: ChemMedChem (2021-09-06)
  DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100192