BioBank- AIG Hospitals
Introduction
Our group utilizes the Biobank platform and is involved in maintaining various consented biological specimens for research purposes. Vision of our division is to be a large-scale clinical and biomedical database platform incorporating de-identified genetic, health as well as lifestyle information with bio-specimens encompassing Pan-Indian demographic. In the near future, disease specific tissues and biological samples will be banked from various departments. BioBank on-site being populated by genetic information from healthy individuals of Pan-Indian origin accompanied by clinical, lifestyle and risk factor metrics is a valuable repository to represent the “Indian-Phenotype” in population-based and novel drug discovery studies at a global level. The over-arching goal of our BioBank is to support research and clinical studies involved in Genomics, Personalized Medicine and many other areas of contemporary medical practice.
BioBank- AIG Hospitals
Dr. Suman S Govindaraju
PhD
Scientist,
Biobank Lab,
Asian Healthcare Foundation
Hyderabad
Biography
Currently leading a team of six scientific staff and involved in initiating and developing the Biobank platform at AIG Hospitals under the leadership of clinical and research divisions of the hospital. Successful team lead overseeing integrated drug discovery client projects. Translational biology expert, spanning 12+ years of experience in GI cancer research, renal failure and neurobiology and project development from in vitro to in vivo to clinical studies. Seasoned initiator in Clinical Research projects involving Gastroenterology and Oncology via matrix environment; effectively involved in operational planning /integrating research teams spanning investigators, research scientists, medical directors, and key leaders. Data-driven, detailed-oriented, efficient multi-tasker, embraces challenge and thrives in high- stress work environment, resulting in high-quality, timely deliverables as evident by 4+ awards for excellence in teaching/leadership. Innovative leader and passionate team player organized 15+ events as part of social and diversity leader for postdoctoral association and supervised 20+ graduate teaching assistants every term for a class of 1000 students at introductory biology level at The Ohio State University, USA.
Areas of Expertise
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Bio-banking and tissue preservation
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High-quality bio-specimen collection and clinical data repository
Research
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Population based- Bio-banking for clinical research
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Cryopreservation of tissues
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Improving public health outcomes by identifying preventive/therapeutic strategies for various diseases
Research
Overview
Research Focus Areas
1. Biobanking
2. Cryopreservation
3. Cell-line generation
Ongoing Projects / Collaborations
1. Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad
2. Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad
Principal Investigator
Dr. Suman S Govindaraju
Scientist Incharge
Team Members
Krishna VV
Ashalatha Jangala
Nissi Nadmidoddi
Sridevi Arji
Rajasri Degala
Sujatha Lanka
Zeba Begum
The BioBank experience at Asian Institute of Gastroenterology Hospitals: Clinical features of 10,000 consented samples. Govindaraju S, Jangala A, Rao GV, Reddy DN, Mitnala S. (Submitted, 2025)
Gastrointestinal organoids of patient origin – Opportunities and challenges: A mini review. Govindaraju S, Jangala A, Mitnala S, Rao GV, Reddy DN. (Submitted, 2025)
Insertional mutagenesis defines drivers and evolutionary relationships in pancreatic cancer metastasis. Govindaraju S, Maurin M, Mann KM. bioRxiv Preprint Server of Biology (2021)
Whole exome sequencing of murine pancreatic tumors and genetic features of head, neck, and tail pancreatic tumors. Govindaraju S, Fujimoto TN, Deorukhkar A, Taniguchi CM. (In Preparation)
HIF2/EPAS1-mediated gut protection in radiation therapy of pancreatic cancer. Govindaraju S, Marimar de la Cruzz B, Tara N. Fujimoto, Anthony S. Lucas, Taniguchi CM. (In Preparation)
Ptf1a BAC transgenic mouse models to improve research studies in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Govindaraju S, Erin M., Fujimoto TN, Piwnica-Worms D, Taniguchi CM. (In Preparation)
Inhibition of HIF-mediated radiation protection in SBRT approaches to pancreatic cancer. Fujimoto TF, Molkentine JM, Govindaraju S, Deorukhkar, Taniguchi CM. (In Preparation)
Genetic profiling of morphologically distinct spontaneous pancreatic tumors. Govindaraju S, Fujimoto TF, Molkentine JM, Taniguchi CM. (In Preparation)
HIF2 regulates intestinal Wnt5a expression. Carolina Garcia-Garcia, Kumari N, Govindaraju S, Taniguchi CM. Front Oncol (2021)
Mechanisms of intestinal radioprotection. Carolina Garcia-Garcia, Kumari N, Govindaraju S, Taniguchi CM. Cancer Res (2019)
Krüppel-like factor 8 is a stress-responsive transcription factor that regulates expression of HuR. Govindaraju S, Lee BS. J Cell Physiology & Biochemistry (2014)
Adaptive and maladaptive expression of the mRNA regulatory protein HuR. Govindaraju S, Lee BS. World J of Biological Chemistry (2013)
Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
March 2022 – Outstanding Research Presentation, Research Scientist, Molecular Oncology Q4
March 2021 – Best Oral Presentation Award, Annual Molecular Oncology Retreat
December 2020 – Outstanding Senior Post-doctoral Research Presentation Award, Cancer Biology & Evolution Program
February 2019 – Best Poster Presentation, Molecular Oncology Symposium
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
March 2017 – Travel Award for Best Post-doctoral Research Poster, to attend Keystone Hypoxia Conference, Wheeler, Canada
The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA
March 2014 – Outstanding Poster Presentation Award, Annual Physiology & Cell Biology Research Day, Wexner Medical Center
June 2013 – Graduate Research Fellowship, Margaret Nishikawara Endowment Fund, College of Medicine (Full tuition, stipend & health insurance, ~USD 75,000)
March 2013 – Nishikawara Pillar Award (USD 500), Dept. of Physiology & Cell Biology
March 2012 – Nishikawara Pillar Award (USD 500), Dept. of Physiology & Cell Biology
September 2006 – Program Fellowship, Biochemistry Program
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
December 2005 – Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant, Bogusch Memorial Scholarship (USD 2,000), Dept. of Biology
August 2004 – Welch Memorial Scholarship (USD 1,000), Dept. of Biology
Madras Medical Mission, Chennai, India
August 2001 – Placed in Distinction, Physician Assistant Program
