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Faculty Profiles

Profile Overview

Dr. Soni Kaundal​
Dr. Soni Kaundal​
PhD (Structural Biology and Biophysics)​
Associate Professor
soni.Kaundal@smcw.siu.in
NA
2026-05-04

Research Publication

Title/Topic Role Journal/Conference Year Outcome
The yxiD gene from Bacillus subtilis 6633 encodes a polymorphic toxin with tRNase activity and is neutralized by the cognate immunity protein YxxD Co-author Nucleic Acids Research (IF: 16.6) 2025 Published
Functional diversity in GII.4 norovirus entry: HBGA binding and capsid clustering dynamics Co-author PNAS (IF: 9.4) 2025 Published
BTP2 restricts Tulane virus and human norovirus replication independent of store-operated calcium entry Co-author Journal of Virology (IF: 4.4) 2025 Published
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of predominant human norovirus forms liquid–liquid phase condensates as viral replication factories First Author Science Advances (IF: 13.6) 2024 Published
Structure of orthoreovirus RNA chaperone σNS, a component of viral replication factories Co-author Nature Communications (IF: 14.7) 2024 Published
Antiviral fibrils of self-assembled peptides with tunable compositions Co-author Nature Communications (IF: 14.7) 2024 Published
A single nanobody neutralizes multiple epochally evolving human noroviruses by modulating capsid plasticity Co-author Nature Communications (IF: 14.7) 2023 Published
2.7 Å cryo-EM structure of rotavirus core protein VP3, a unique capping machine with a helicase activity Co-author Science Advances (IF: 13.6) 2020 Published
Molecular and biochemical characterization of YeeF/YezG, a polymorphic toxin–immunity protein pair from Bacillus subtilis First Author Frontiers in Microbiology (IF: 5.2) 2020 Published
Structure-guided designing and evaluation of peptides targeting bacterial transcription Co-author Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (IF: 5.7) 2020 Published
Luteolin inhibits Musashi1 binding to RNA and disrupts cancer phenotypes in glioblastoma cells Co-author RNA Biology (IF: 4.9) 2018 Published
Mycobacterium tuberculosis CarD, an essential global transcriptional regulator, forms amyloid-like fibrils Co-author Scientific Reports (IF: 3.8) 2018 Published
Structural, functional, and biological insights into the role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis VapBC11 toxin–antitoxin system Co-author Nucleic Acids Research (IF: 16.6) 2018 Published
Crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis VapC20 toxin and its interactions with cognate antitoxin VapB20 Co-author FEBS Journal (IF: 5.0) 2017 Published
Dual role of CysK, a biosynthetic enzyme, in contact-dependent growth inhibition in bacteria First Author PLOS ONE (IF: 2.9) 2016 Published

Leadership & Committees & Administrative Roles

  • Establishing an independent research group in biomolecular phase separation, virology, and structural biology.
  • Served as Guest Editor for Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology and Virus Research, and as a reviewer for several international journals.
  • Acted as Poster Judge at Baylor College of Medicine research conferences (2019, 2022, 2024).
  • Contributed to competitive grant applications as Co-Investigator.
  • Actively participated in professional scientific societies including the American Society for Virology, American Crystallographic Association, and Electron Microscopy Society of India.

Teaching & Mentoring Highlights

  • Mentored undergraduate and Ph.D. trainees, and trained new researchers in advanced experimental techniques.

Awards, Honors & Recognition

Year Award/Fellowship/Achievement
2025 The Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers Excellence in Research Award by Baylor College of Medicine, presented by Nobel Laureate Prof. Venki Ramakrishnan on April 24th during the 50th Annual Verna and Marrs McLean Lectures in Biochemistry
2024 Postdoctoral Scholar Travel Award to attend the 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Virology (ASV 2024) held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio from June 24-28, 2024
2016 Travel grant by the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) to attend the Global Exchange Lecture Course held in Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea from June 19-26, 2016
2013-2018 Senior Research Fellowship by UGC
2011-2013 Junior Research Fellowship by UGC
2010 Qualified CSIR-NET JRF (Life Sciences)
2009 Qualified GATE (Life Sciences)
2008 Fellowship for M.Sc. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology by MHRD, India
2004 Fellowship for B.Sc. Medical Technology (X-Ray) by P.G.I.M.E.R. Chandigarh, India

Skills & Additional Competencies

  • Expertise in protein biochemistry, structural biology, virology, and biomolecular phase separation (LLPS).
  • Proficient in protein expression and purification, confocal microscopy, FRAP, Cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, AUC, ITC, SPR, and BLI.
  • Experienced in grant writing, scientific publishing, peer review, student mentoring, and interdisciplinary research collaborations.
  • Strong track record of research leadership with publications in high-impact journals including Science Advances, Nature Communications, PNAS, and Nucleic Acids Research.

Extracurricular & Co-Curricular Activities

  • Actively participate in national and international scientific conferences, workshops, and professional society activities.
  • Contribute to academic community service through student mentoring, poster judging, and research training programs.
  • Enjoy fitness activities, walking, travel, and exploring new developments in science and technology.
  • Value teamwork, lifelong learning, and community engagement through collaborative academic and social initiatives.

Career Aspirations / Current Focus Areas

  • My career goal is to establish a globally recognized research program in biochemistry, biomolecular phase separation (LLPS), and virology, with a focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying viral replication, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • My current research focuses on biomolecular condensates, viral replication complexes, RNA remodeling proteins, and therapeutic enzyme engineering.
  • Integrating structural, biochemical, and cellular approaches to develop innovative therapeutic strategies and train the next generation of scientists.