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Scientist

Sukanya V.S.

Lab Name : Biomatrix & Microphysiological Systems Lab

  • sukanya@cvjsynbio.org , sukanya.vs@cusat.ac.in
Centre for Synthetic Biology and Bio-Manufacturing, CUSAT

Sukanya V S is a Scientist in Mammalian Cell and Tissue Engineering at CVJ-CSB. She received her integrated BSMS degree in Biological Sciences from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, (IISER) Mohali. She subsequently completed M.Phil in Biomedical Technology from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum. Further completed PhD in Biomedical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Hyderabad. Her doctoral research focused on developing 3D complex cellular models (Spheroids/Microfluidics) for establishing predictive invitro model for bone metastasis. Further, she comes with industrial experience driving innovation in monoclonal antibody therapeutic development from discovery through early validation.

Brief Research Statement:

Dr. Sukanya focuses on advancing mammalian cell and tissue biology to develop predictive, human-relevant models for therapeutic discovery and preclinical evaluation. Her work lies at the intersection of tissue engineering, biomaterials, and cellular engineering, with a strong emphasis on designing complex 3D cell culture systems that closely mimic physiological and disease-specific microenvironments. Her research integrates biomimetic scaffold design, microenvironmental regulation, and quantitative imaging approaches to investigate cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. Her long-term goal is to establish next-generation in vitro platforms that bridge the gap between conventional cell culture and in vivo systems, enabling more predictive, scalable, and translational research outcomes.
  • Cell and tissue engineering
  • Disease modelling
  • 3D in vitro platforms (spheroids, organoids, microfluidics)
  • Regenerative medicine
  • Cell migration and mechanobiology
  • Biomaterials and biopolymers

As an educator, she fosters an inclusive and collaborative learning environment, encouraging interdisciplinary thinking and guiding students to apply scientific knowledge to real-world challenges

Teaching subjects : Cell Biology , 3D cell culture , Bioprinting , Tissue engineering

Publications

  • Saha, S., Kumar, N.V., Enugula, S., VS, Sukanya., Datla, A., Rath, S.N. and Chameettachal, S., 2026. Fused deposition modeling of defect-specific conformable bone grafts from 13-93B3 polymer-bio-glass composites. Biofabrication, 18(1), p.015023.
  • Mehta, V., Vilikkathala Sudhakaran, S., Nellore, V., Madduri, S. and Rath, S.N., 2024. 3D stem-like spheroids-on-a-chip for personalized combinatorial drug testing in oral cancer. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 22(1), p.344.
  • Sukanya, V.S., Mehta, V., Jilla, S. and Rath, S.N., 2024. Differential osteo-specific invasion of patient-derived cancer cells in a microfluidic co-culture model. Chemical Engineering Journal, 489, p.151202.
  • Sukanya, V.S., Giri, P.S., Nellore, V. and Rath, S.N., 2023. Osteomatrix as a personalized 3D tissue-specific invasion test-bed for oral carcinoma. Biomaterials Science, 11(12), pp.4265-4280.
  • Sukanya, V.S., and Rath, S.N., 2022. Microfluidic Biosensor-Based Devices for Rapid Diagnosis and Effective Anti-cancer Therapeutic Monitoring for Breast Cancer Metastasis. In Microfluidics and Biosensors in Cancer Research (pp. 319- 339). Springer, Cham. (Book chapter)
  • Mehta, V., Vilikkathala Sudhakaran, S. and Rath, S.N., 2021. Facile Route for 3D Printing of Transparent PETg-Based Hybrid Biomicrofluidic Devices Promoting Cell Adhesion. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 7(8), pp.3947-3963.
  • Sukanya, V.S., Nalinikanta, P. and Rath, S.N., 2021. Recent approaches in clinical applications of 3D printing in neonates and pediatrics. European Journal of Pediatrics, 180(2), pp.323-332.
  • Anju, S., Prajitha, N., Sukanya, V.S. and Mohanan, P.V., 2020. Complicity of degradable polymers in health-care applications. Materials
  • Sukanya, V.S. and Mohanan, P.V., 2018. Degradation of Poly (ε-caprolactone) and bio-interactions with mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 163, pp.107-118.

Patent

Viraj Mehta, Sharanya Sankar, Sukanya Vilikkathala Sudhakaran, Subha Narayan Rath. “A microfluidic device, method of fabricating and its application thereof”. Indian Patent: Application No. 202141030041. Publication Date: 2022/9/2.

achievements

  • Secured place in top 450 in IISER Aptitude Test -2010
  • INSPIRE scholarship for higher education, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (2010 – 2015)
  • Selected for INSPIRE scholarship for doctoral studies -2015 (Not activated)
  • CSIR-UGC JRF June-2016, 2017
  • Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in Life sciences- 2016, 2018
  • Young Leader Program Award at International Biologics X 3DCC Conference 2026, January 22-23, 2026 | Goa, India