Dr. Jomon Sebastian is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kochi. He obtained his PhD in Biotechnology from National Institute of Technology, Calicut. He received his M.Tech in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering from University of Kerala and B.Tech in Biotechnology from Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Deemed University, Chennai. He worked as a researcher and a faculty in the area of biotechnology at various institutes before joining CUSAT.

Research Interests
His research focuses on the discovery and development of targeted anticancer therapeutics by integrating molecular cancer biology, computational drug discovery, natural products, nanotechnology and translational biotechnology. His work primarily investigates mitotic proteins such as kinesin motor proteins and microtubules as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. He has contributed significantly to drug repurposing, natural product-based anticancer agents and nanomedicine for targeted cancer therapy. His research combines in silico drug discovery, cell biology, mammalian cell culture, molecular pharmacology, and transcriptomics to identify novel therapeutic strategies against cancer. He actively supervises doctoral and postgraduate research and has established collaborations with leading researchers in cancer biology, medicinal chemistry, and nanotechnology.


Research work of PhD Students:
1. Ms. Krishnendu C. L.: Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of a microtubule-targeted vanadium–laminarin nanocomposite for enhanced cancer therapy.
2. Ms. Neama Derhab Rabie Derhab (ICCR Fellow): Investigation of the anticancer potential of endophytic microorganism-derived secondary metabolites targeting mitotic proteins.
3. Ms. Gopika Joshi: Isolation, characterization, and evaluation of the anticancer potential of microbial secondary metabolites from marine organisms.
4. Ms. Haritha L. P. (Co-Supervision): Investigation of the biological applications of silica and cellulose nanoparticles.

Undergraduate/Post-Graduate Research Projects:
1. Ms. Ayisha Humna (MES M.K. Mackar Pillay College for Advanced Studies, Ernakulam) – Identification of Eg5 inhibitors as potential anticancer agents using In Silico methods (January 2024 – February 2024).
2. Ms. Akhina E. P. (Garden City University, Bangalore) – Synthesis, characterisation and anticancer potential of guar gum-vanadium nanoparticles (December 2024 – March 2025).
3. Ms. Arathy Nair (St. Berchmans College, Kerala) – Cytotoxicity study of imidazole using HEK-293 cells (December 2024 – January 2025).
4. Ms. Pooja Anish (St. Berchmans College, Kerala) – Cytotoxicity study of triazole using HEK-293 cells (December 2024 – January 2025).
5. Ms. Noufiya Fathima (MES M.K. Mackar Pillay College for Advanced Studies, Ernakulam) – Extraction, purification, characterization and cytotoxic potential of annonacin from Annona muricata (February 2025 – March 2025).
6. Ms. Saranya Manikandan (MES M.K. Mackar Pillay College for Advanced Studies, Ernakulam) – Extraction, purification, characterization and cytotoxic potential of hydroxychavicol glycoside from Piper beetle (February 2025 – March 2025).
7. Ms. Elizabeth Jeevan Philip (Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur) – Extraction, purification, characterization and anticancer potential of bioactive molecules from Aegle marmelos (June 2025 – September 2025).
8. Ms. Nandana Byju (St. Berchmans College, Kerala) – In vitro assessment of rutaecarpine induced cytotoxicity in human cervical carcinoma cells (December 2025 – January 2026).
9. Ms. Gayathri R (St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru) – Endophytic bacteria mediated biosynthesis of vanadium nanoparticles and their in-vitro cytotoxic evaluation (December 2025 – March 2026).
10. Ms. Anjitha K. R. (Amrita School of Biotechnology, Kollam) – Investigation of Anticancer Potential of Berberine Enriched Fraction from Tinospora cordifolia Using In Vitro Cell-Based Assays (January 2026 – May 2026).
11. Ms. Amritha I. J. (Central University of Kashmir) – Cytotoxicity evaluation of Triamterene on HeLa cell line using SRB Assay (January 2026 – February 2026).
12. Mr. Muhammed Sinan T. K. (Central University of Kashmir) – Cytotoxicity evaluation of Silibinin on HeLa cell line using SRB Assay (January 2026 – February 2026).
13. Ms. Shifana A. (MES College, Marampally, Aluva) – Marine macroalgae-derived endophytic bacteria for zinc nanoparticle synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity studies on HeLa cells (March 2026 – May 2026).
14. Ms. Afnan Firoz (MES College, Marampally, Aluva) – Green Synthesis of Vanadium Nanoparticles using Endophytic bacteria isolated from Tinospora Cordifolia: Characterization and Cytotoxicity assessment in HeLa Cells (March 2026 – May 2026).
15. Ms. Fathima Aziz (Union Christian College, Aluva) – Motor Protein Dysregulation in Ovarian Cancer Recurrence: A Pilot Transcriptomic Analysis of Paired Primary–Recurrent Samples (March 2026 – May 2026).
16. Ms. Shafnamol (Union Christian College, Aluva) – In silico transcriptomic analysis of Kinesin motor proteins in docetaxel-resistant breast Cancer (March 2026 – May 2026).
17. Ms. Alfiya Ali (Indira Gandhi College) – Synthesis, characterization and comparative biological evaluation of berberine-2-naphthol and berberine-aniline conjugates: Photodynamic cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity (April 2026 – June 2026).

Undergraduate/Post-Graduate Internships:
1. Ms. Aarcha Dhaneshkumar (IISER Berhampur) – May 2024 – June 2024.
2. Ms. Akhina E. P. (Garden City University, Bangalore) – June 2024.
3. Ms. Malavika P. P. (St. Aloysius Deemed to be University, Mangalore) – May 2025 – June 2025.
4. Ms. Devika T. (St. Aloysius Deemed to be University, Mangalore) – May 2025 – June 2025.
5. Ms. Amalu Rajan (Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kochi) – May 2025 – June 2025.
6. Ms. Varada Shaji (Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kochi) – May 2025 – June 2025.
7. Ms. Jesna P. J. (Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kochi) – May 2025 – June 2025.
8. Ms. Malavika Jain (Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kochi) – May 2025 – June 2025.
9. Ms. Abhirami S. (Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur) – June 2025 – July 2025.
10. Mr. Agnivesh Anil (Sacred Heart College, Thevara, Kochi) – April 2026.
11. Mr. Abhi PS, (Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kochi) – May 2026.

Teaching Exposure:
He has taught undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses on Cancer Biology, Cell Cycle and Cancer Therapy, Biopharmaceuticals, Animal Cell Culture, Parasitology & Immunology, Chordata, Analytical Techniques, Biophysics and Bioinstrumentation, Microbial Physiology, Environmental Science, Biochemistry, Metabolic Engineering, Immunotechnology, and Structural Biology. He has handled labs for Analytical techniques, Immunology, Parasitology, Chordata, and Microbial Physiology.

Training Programmes Coordinated:
1. Hands-on training workshop on "Techniques in Mammalian Cell Culture: Master the Art of Aseptic Cell Handling", UG/PG/Ph.D. students (21 participants), 23–27 June 2025.
2. Faculty Development Programme on "Drug Discovery in Indian Scenario", Faculty members, scientists, and medical professionals (14 participants), 24–26 September 2025.
3. Training programme on research problem presentation on "Possibilities of Biotechnology in Achieving a Diabetes-Free Future", Class IX school students (50 participants), 12 November 2025.
4. Hands-on training workshop on "Techniques in Mammalian Cell Culture: Master the Art of Aseptic Cell Handling", UG/PG/Ph.D. students (11 participants), 12–22 May 2026.

Invited Talks Arranged:
1. “Basics in animal cell culture and its applications” by Prof. Dr. K.G. Raghu (Former Chief Scientist, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Scientist G, Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Thrissur), 23 June 2025.
2. “Discovery, preclinical and clinical development of synthetic anti-VEGF Fab for treating wet-macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy” by Dr. C.N. Ramchand (CEO, Saksin Life Sciences Pvt Ltd., Chennai & San Francisco; CEO, MagGenome Technologies Pvt Ltd, Cochin), 24 September 2025.
3. “Post translational engineering of antibody-based devices” by Dr. Clarence Ronald Geyer (Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Canada), 24 September 2025.
4. “Exploiting antibody modularity for the development of multivalent, multi-specific anti-viral therapeutics” by Dr. Shane G. Miersch (Chief Scientific Officer, SIMISCO Biologics East, Canada), 24 September 2025.
5. “Traditional system of medicine as a database for modern drug discovery” by Dr. K.G. Raghu (Former Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, Scientist G, Jubilee Mission Medical College & Research Institute, Thrissur), 25 September 2025.
6. “Exosome-based drug discovery: current trends and future prospects” by Dr. Priya S. (Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram), 25 September 2025.
7. “Cell-based immunotherapy: driving precision frontiers in cancer care” by Dr. Unnikrishnan U. (Principal Scientist, CVJ Centre for Synthetic Biology & Biomanufacturing, CUSAT), 25 September 2025.
8. “Developing a platform for discovery, manufacturing & validation of therapeutically potential monoclonal antibodies” by Dr. Arunabha Chakrabarti (Principal Scientist, SIMISCO Biologics, India), 26 September 2025.
9. “Drug Discovery in both Academia and Industry: Stories and Success” by Dr. Dileep Vijayan (Scientist D, Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Thrissur), 26 September 2025.
10. "Impact of diabetes in the health scenario of Kerala" by Dr. K.G. Raghu (Former Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, Scientist G, Jubilee Mission Medical College & Research Institute, Thrissur), 12 November 2025.
11. “Cell Culture: From Research to Commercialization” by Prof. (Dr.) Pawan K Dhar (Executive Director, CVJ Centre for Synthetic Biology & Biomanufacturing, CUSAT), 12 May 2026.
12. “From cells to solutions: Industrial perspectives on cell culture and flow cytometry” by Dr. Prajitha N (Flow Cytometry Scientist, Simisco Biologics Pvt Ltd, Kochi), 15 May 2026.
13. “Beyond the flask: Mastering cell culture for high impact academic research” by Dr. Vishnu Priya Murali (Scientist C, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur), 18 May 2026.


Selected Publications
1. Sebastian, J., & Rathinasamy, K. (2023). Microtubules and cell division: potential pharmacological targets in cancer therapy. Current drug targets, 24, 889-918.
2. Sebastian, J., Raghav, D., & Rathinasamy, K. (2022). MD simulation-based screening approach identified tolvaptan as a potential inhibitor of Eg5. Molecular Diversity, 27, 1203-1221.
3. Sebastian, J., & Rathinasamy, K. (2022). Cytotoxic mechanism of tioconazole involves cell cycle arrest at mitosis through inhibition of microtubule assembly. Cytotechnology, 74, 141-162.
4. Sebastian, J., & Rathinasamy, K. (2021). Sertaconazole induced toxicity in HeLa cells through mitotic arrest and inhibition of microtubule assembly. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 394, 1231-1249.
5. Sebastian, J., & Rathinasamy, K. (2020). Benserazide Perturbs Kif15‐kinesin Binding Protein Interaction with Prolonged Metaphase and Defects in Chromosomal Congression: A Study Based on in silico Modeling and Cell Culture. Molecular Informatics, 39(3), e1900035.
6. Ashraf, S. M., Sebastian, J., & Rathinasamy, K. (2019). Zerumbone, a cyclic sesquiterpene, exerts antimitotic activity in HeLa cells through tubulin binding and exhibits synergistic activity with vinblastine and paclitaxel. Cell Proliferation, 52(2), e12558.
7. Raghav, D., Sebastian, J., & Rathinasamy, K. (2018). Biochemical and Biophysical characterization of curcumin binding to human mitotic kinesin Eg5: Insights into the inhibitory mechanism of curcumin on Eg5. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 109, 1189-1208.
8. Mohan, L., Raghav, D., Ashraf, S. M., Sebastian, J., & Rathinasamy, K. (2018). Indirubin, a bis-indole alkaloid binds to tubulin and exhibits antimitotic activity against HeLa cells in synergism with vinblastine. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 105, 506-517.
9. Sebastian, J. (2017). Dihydropyrazole and dihydropyrrole structures based design of Kif15 inhibitors as novel therapeutic agents for cancer. Computational Biology and Chemistry, 68, 164-174.
10. Sebastian, J. (2016). Structure-activity relationship study reveals benzazepine derivatives of luteolin as new aldose reductase inhibitors for diabetic cataract. Current Drug Discovery Technologies, 13(3), 152-163.
11. Soumya, R. S., Reshmi, R., Jomon, S., Antu, K. A., Riya, M. P., & Raghu, K. G. (2014). Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of the antioxidant potential of vanadium encapsulated guar gum nanoparticles. Food & Function, 5(3), 535-544.
12. Salin Raj, P., Prathapan, A., Sebastian, J., Antony, A. K., Riya, M. P., Rani, M. P., Biju, H., Priya, S. & Raghu, K. G. (2014). Parmotrema tinctorum exhibits antioxidant, antiglycation and inhibitory activities against aldose reductase and carbohydrate digestive enzymes: an in vitro study. Natural Product Research, 28(18), 1480-1484.
13. Chakraborty, R. D., Maheswarudu, G., Purushothaman, P., Kuberan, G., Sebastian, J., Radhakrishnan, E. V., & Thangaraja, R. (2016). Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers based identification of blunthorn lobster Palinustus waguensis Kubo, 1963 from South-west coast of India. Indian Journal of Biotechnology, 15, 172-177.
14. Chakraborty, R. D., Purushothaman, P., Kuberan, G., Sebastian, J., & Maheswarudu, G. (2015). Morphological analysis and molecular phylogeny of Aristeus alcocki Ramadan, 1938 from south-west coast of India. Indian Journal of Geo Marine Sciences, 44, 1716-1725.
15. Chakraborty, R. D., Chan, T. Y., Maheswarudu, G., Kuberan, G., Purushothaman, P., Chang, S. C., & Sebastian, J. (2015). On Plesionika quasigrandis Chace, 1985 (Decapoda, Caridea, Pandalidae) from southwestern India. Crustaceana, 88, 923-930.

Research Collaborations:
1. Dr. Rathinasamy K., Professor, Department of Bioscience & Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Calicut
2. Prof. Dr. K.G. Raghu, (Former Chief Scientist, Agroprocessing & Technology Division, CSIR National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Scientist, Jubilee Centre for Medical Research (JCMR), Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala
3. Dr. P. M. Sabura Begum, Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
4. Dr. Sebastian N. Remello, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
5. Dr. Suja Haridas, Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
6. Dr. Soumya RS, Scientist, Department of Biochemistry, Pushpagiri Research Centre, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Science and Research, Kerala
7. Dr. Vishnu Priya Murali, Scientist C, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur

Administrative Responsibilities:
1. Faculty Coordinator for Integrated MSc in Biological Science 2023 Admission, CUSAT
2. Member of Board of Studies (BOS) for M.Tech in Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing, CUSAT
3. Member of Faculty of Technology, CUSAT
4. Department Coordinator for CUSAT Knowledge Festival 2026
5. Member of Evaluation Committee, BTech and MTech in Food Technology, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi
Extension Activities:
1. Delivered at talk on “Instrumental methods of analysis” during training programme for Laboratory Technical Assistants of Vocational Course organized by Samagra Shiksha Keralam & VHSE, General Education Department, Govt. of Kerala on 20th December 2023.
2. Delivered a talk on “Microtubule-targeted anticancer drug discovery” during faculty training programme organized by Department of Biotechnology in association with KSCSTE-DBT Skill Vigyan on 16th February 2024.
3. Delivered a talk on “Targeted therapy in cancer” during Science Day Celebrations at Christ College, Irinjalakuda on 28th February 2024.
4. Delivered a talk on “Targeted therapy in cancer” during Science Day Celebrations at KKTM Government College, Kodungalloor on 1st March 2024.
5. Delivered a talk on "The story of diabetes in the human body" during a training programme on research problem presentation on “Possibilities of Biotechnology in Achieving a Diabetes-Free Future” for Class 9 students from BRC Angamaly by Department of Biotechnology, CUSAT and Samagra Shiksha Kerala on 12th November 2025.

Membership in Professional Bodies:
Life member for American Association for Cancer Research.

Reviewer Activities:
Scientific reviewer of several international journals such as Scientific Report, Analytical Cellular Pathology, Computational Structural Biology, Experimental Cell Research, Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, Natural Product Research, The Protein Journal, and FebsOpenBio.

Student Opportunities:
The laboratory welcomes applications from BSc/MSc students, BTech/MTech students and PhD scholars to be part of the on-going research work. Prospective candidates with interests in cancer biology, computational biology, drug discovery, nanotechnology, or natural product research are encouraged to contact the laboratory.