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Dr Akhilesh Prajapati

B.Sc. (Biology), M.Sc. (Biotechnology). PG diploma in Biotechnology Law and Policy, PhD (Biochemistry)

Email: akhilesh.prajapati@gsfcuniversity.ac.in

Dr. Akhilesh Prajapati is a distinguished biochemist and cancer researcher with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Department of Biochemistry, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India. His doctoral research focused on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)—a prevalent endocrine and reproductive disorder in men—where he made a landmark contribution by developing an economical and novel rodent model of BPH. This breakthrough not only provided a valuable tool for dissecting the molecular underpinnings and pathogenesis of BPH but also offered new insights into its clinical and biological linkages to prostate cancer.

Currently, Dr. Prajapati serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Life Science and as Associate Dean of the Research & Development Cell at GSFC University, where he plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation, facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations, and strengthening the institution’s research ecosystem.

Driven by a passion for translational oncology, his research focuses on decoding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying oncogenic transformation in breast and prostate cancers. His work investigates the crosstalk between tumor cells, the tumor microenvironment, and signaling networks, with a particular focus on cell surface receptors, neuroendocrine differentiation, cancer stem cells, and their pivotal roles in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance. He integrates molecular biology, computational biology, and advanced biotechnological platforms such as CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and 3D bioprinting to create physiologically relevant cancer models and identify novel therapeutic targets.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Prajapati has authored numerous publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed international journals and presented his findings at leading national and international conferences, symposia, and scientific forums. His research excellence has been recognized through multiple prestigious awards and honors, including:

  • INSA Visiting Scientist Fellowship

  • Best Ph.D. Thesis Award in Life Sciences, Gujarat Science Academy

  • DBT International Travel Award

  • Young Investigator Meet Award

  • Best Poster Award at national scientific meetings

  • Indian Red Cross Humanitarian Award

  • Nomination for the Rayan International Award, among others

In addition to his leadership roles, Dr. Prajapati actively contributes to the global scientific community as a member of various national and international professional bodies and serves as a peer reviewer for several esteemed journals.

He is currently spearheading a flagship research projects funded by the Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of Gujarat, with a sanctioned grant exceeding ₹1.23 crores. These projects focus on exploring cancer stem cells, microRNAs, and metabolic vulnerabilities in endocrine-related malignancies, with the goal of advancing precision medicine and targeted cancer therapies.

Dr. Prajapati’s career reflects scientific curiosity, translational vision, and a steadfast commitment to driving impactful cancer research while mentoring the next generation of scientists.

  • B.Sc. Biology – M.D.S. University, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India (2004)

    • Subjects: Botany, Zoology, Chemistry

    • Class Obtained: First

  • M.Sc. Biotechnology – M.D.S. University, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India (2006)

    • Subjects: Biomolecules, Microbial Diversity, Bio-techniques, Immunology, Enzymology, Food Microbiology, Animal & Plant Tissue Culture, Food Technology, Virology, Metabolism, Environmental Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & IPR

    • Class Obtained: First

  • Ph.D. Biochemistry – The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India (2015)

    • Award: Best Ph.D. Thesis Award in Life Sciences by The Gujarat Science Academy

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology Law and Policy – Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat (2023)

    • Subjects: Introduction to Indian Legal System, The Science of Biotechnology, Biotechnology Regulatory Framework, Biotechnological Inventions & Intellectual Property Rights, Biotechnology & Human Rights, Biotechnology & Environment, Biotechnology & International Trade Law, Dissertation

    • Class Obtained: First

  • Identification and characterization of novel signature proteins and stem cell markers involved in prostate and breast cancer progression.

  • Exploration of neuroendocrine markers in cancer stem cell transformation and tumor plasticity.

  • Investigation of microRNA (miRNA) signatures in breast and prostate cancers, coupled with computational biology and systems biology approaches for cancer biomarker discovery and network analysis.

  • Elucidation of endocrine cancer energy metabolism and its role in therapeutic resistance and disease progression.

  • Application of advanced genome-editing tools (CRISPR/Cas9) for functional gene studies in cancer, and integration of 3D bioprinting technologies for developing physiologically relevant cancer models.

  1. Prajapati A, et al. 2013. Prostate Stem Cells in the Development of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer: Emerging Role and Concepts. BioMed Research International 2013: 10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/107954  PMID: 23936768
  2. Pandya C, et al 2013. Association of Cadmium and Lead with Antioxidant Status and Incidence of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Patients of Western India. Biol Trace Elem Res 2013. 152:316–326 DOI 10.1007/s12011-013-9630-y
  3. Dave, K. et al. Cluster Analysis of Breast Cancer Microarray Data. Nature Precedings (Nat Preced) (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/npre.2010.4936.1 PMID: 23479318
  4.  Prajapati A, et al. 2014a. Pluripotent Stem Cell within the Prostate could be Responsible for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia in Human. J Stem Cell Res Ther 4: 2 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2157-7633.1000164
  5.  Prajapati A, et al 2014b. A single low dose of cadmium exposure induces benign prostate hyperplasia like condition in rats: A novel benign prostate hyperplasia rodent model. Exp Biol Med (Maywood).  2014 May 28;239 (7): 829-841. DOI: 10.1177/1535370214536118 PMID: 24872436
  6. Pulipaka R, et al 2014. Cu (II) Complexes of Isoniazid Schiff Bases: DNA/BSA Binding and Cytotoxicity Studies on A549 Cell Line Advances in Chemistry. Vol. 2014 (2014), Article ID 630575, 14 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/630575
  7. Komal Vyas, et al 2015. Pyrazolone incorporating bipyridylmetallointercalators as effective DNA, Protein and lung cancer targets: Synthesis, characterization and in-vitrobiocidal evaluation. Chemico-Biological Interactions (2015) 240, 250-266. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2015.08.022 PMID: 26341650
  8. Akhilesh Prajapati, et al 2016Analysis of AR, PSA (KLK) and ER-β genetic variants and Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) pathogenesis in Indian Population. Biomed Res J 2016;3 (1): 88–103 DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.240607
  9. Prajapati A, et. al., 2020 Oncogenic transformation of human benign prostate hyperplasia with chronic cadmium exposure. Journal of trace element in medicine and research 62 (2020) 126633. (first and corresponding authorship) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126633 PMID: 32818862
  10. Akhilesh Prajapati, Priyanka Shivnani, Saroj Shekhawat. “Cancer Cachexia and Breast Cancer Stem Cell Signalling – A Crosstalk of signalling Molecules” (2023) Cellular Signalling, 110, 110847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110847 (first and Corresponding author) PMID: 37557973.
  11. Sejal S. Shah, Nihar Purohit, Bhavika P. Turakhia and Khushal M. Kapadiya, Akhilesh Prajapati. “Facile Synthesis of Turmeric rhizome (Curcuma amada) Iron Nanoparticles and its Cytotoxic, Antioxidative and Bactericidal Behaviour” Iranian Biomedical Journal 2024 May 1;28(2&3):71-81. doi: https://doi.org/10.61186/ibj.4061 PMID: 38770844.
  12. Yashvi Patel, Payal Thapa, Akhilesh Prajapati. New Insights into Prostate Cancer from the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System. Cell Signal. 2024 Oct 4;124:111442.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111442   
  13.  Yashvi Patel, Payal Thapa, Akhilesh Prajapati. Unveiling LGR5: Prostate Cancer's Hidden Stem Cell and Treatment Target. Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations,2024,ISSN 1078-1439, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urolonc.2024.10.001  
  14. Vaishnani, M., Prajapati, A., Bijani, S., Shah, S., Kamal, M., Alsaweed, M., Iqbal, D. “Design, Synthesis, Computational Studies, and Evaluation of Triazole Acetamide Linked with Phenyl Piperazine Derivatives as Anticancer Agents Against Breast Cancer. Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds,1–25 (2025).  https://doi.org/10.1080/10406638.2025.2463385
  15. Tanha Rana, Akhilesh Prajapati. Unleashing the Potential of Ferroptosis, Autophagy and Mitochondria Dynamics as Emerging Modalities in Cancer Treatment. World J Clin Oncol. Jul 24, 2025; 16(7): 107788 https://doi.org/10.5306/wjco.v16.i7.107788
  16. Jaimina Gharia, Shriya Pimplaskar and Akhilesh Prajapati. Revolutionizing Cancer Care: Bioprinting Prostate Cancer Stem Cells for Targeted Treatments, World J Clin Oncol 2025 July 24; 16(7): 107007. https://doi.org/10.5306/wjco.v16.i7.107007

 

Book Chapters:

  1. Prajapati A, “Hematopoiesis and Cancer stem cells: the seed and soil crosstalk” Book on Hematopoiesis” by AAP/CRC Press, USA, 2023-24 (single author) ISBN hard: 978-1-77491-472-4. ISBN ebook: 9781003413059 https://www.appleacademicpress.com/hematopoiesis-biochemical-cellular-molecular-and-genomic-perspectives-/9781774914724
  2. Akhilesh Prajapati*, Sindhura Gudipati, Saroj Shekhwat, “Innovations in Cancer Diagnosis: From Biomarkers to Imaging Techniques" book on, "Pathways to Healing: Advancement in Cancer Therapy," published by Nova Science, USA (2025). under communication
  3. Yash Sharma, Akhilesh Prajapati*.AI and Machine learning in Bio-Innovation. Book on " Translational Research in Applied Science: Microbiology, Biotechnology, and Bio-Innovation", under Cambridge Scholars Publishing House. (2025). under communication.
  4. Shivani Bhave, Smriti Das, Akhilesh Prajapati. Deciphering the Role of Environmental Exposures in Androgen-Resistant Prostate Cancer an Insights from Multi-Omics and Toxicogenomics: Insights from Exposomics, Toxicogenomics, and Integrative Multi-Omics Approaches. Book on Environmental Factors in Carcinogenesis: Exposome-Driven Insights into Cancer Risk and Prevention. IGI Global Scientific Publishing, 2026. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-5796-6 ISBN13: 9798337357966|ISBN13 Softcover: 9798337357973|EISBN13: 9798337357980

  1. Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India                                                                               May-June 2006  Position: Summer Intern under Continuing Education Program.  A project entitled “Biochemical Studies on Chondrocyte Cell Culture”

  2. Prathista Industries Ltd. Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh          , India, Dec 2007- May 2008 Position: Biotech Industrial Trainee (DBT-Biotech Consortium India Ltd, Govt. of India, New Delhi)  A project entitled “Production of Colorless Lactic Acid from Calcium Lactate”  Training in all industrial departments.        

  3. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.                        July 2013- March 2014 Position: Technical Assistant (Central Instrumentation facility)  Handled Genomics and Proteomics facility, Experimentation and troubleshooting.

  4. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science,  M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.  April 2014- May 2017 Position: Adhoc Assistant Professor (Cell & Molecular Biology Institute)

     Subjects taught at UG & PG level: Cell Biology, Metabolism, Biomolecules, Animal  tissue Culture, Molecular Diagnostics & Stem Cell Research. Student Counselor and In-charge of the visiting scientists program   In-charge of summer internship program for Cell & Molecular Biology students. Supervised Masters’ Dissertations

  5. Department of Life Sciences, Biotechnology Division, School of Science, GSFC University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.    July 2017- at Present  Position: Senior Assistant Professor (Biotechnology) regular position

     Subjects teaching at UG/ PG/ PhD level: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Metabolism, Biomolecules, Industrial Microbiology, Animal Tissue Culture, stem cell research, IPR, Mammalian Physiology, Bioanalytical tools & Molecular Diagnostics, Biomolecules.

  6. Involve in students’ club activities (Adventure & Health)

  7. Start-up mentor and coordinator
  8. PhD supervisor
  9. Program coordinator (2017-2019, 2022-2023)
  10. Board of studies, Biological sciences Member
  11. Board of Research Studies Member
  12. Student counseling
  13. B.Sc. Microbiology Batch 2023-2026 mentor
  14. Associate Dean R&D cell
  15. Boys' hostel warden

  1. Characterization of breast cancer stem cells and exploring miRNAs as a therapeutic potential to induce breast cancer stem cell death

    • Funding Agency: GSBTM, DST, Government of Gujarat (PI)

    • Amount: ₹43 Lakhs

    • Status: Completed (2021–2025)

  2. Targeting mitochondrial OXPHOS and metabolic pathways for combinatorial therapies to overcome androgen resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer

    • Funding Agency: GSBTM, DST, Government of Gujarat (PI)

    • Amount: ₹80 Lakhs

    • Status: Ongoing (2024–2027)

GUIITAR projects

  • 2021–2022 – Sugarcane Bagasse Biofertilizer

    • Amount: ₹1,20,000

    • Status: Approved

  • 2022–2023 – Superfood Spirulina-Based Nutritious Chocolate

    • Amount: ₹87,000

    • Status: Approved

  • 2022–2025 – Plant-Based Meat

    • Amount: ₹25,000

    • Status: Approved

  • 2023–2025 – Chewable Toothpaste Tablets

    • Amount: ₹83,000

    • Status: Approved

  • 2023–2024 – Serum-Based Prostate Cancer Biomarkers

    • Amount: ₹5,00,000

    • Status: Approved

  • 2024–2025 – Neutriblend Pro Supplement

    • Amount: ₹60,000

    • Status: Approved

 

Editorial Board membership:

1. Advanced Chemicobiology Research (ACBR) Universal Wiser Publisher Pte. Ltd, Singapore.   https://ojs.wiserpub.com/index.php/ACBR/about/editorialTeam  

2. The Journal of Visualized Experiments (Guest Editor for special issue: Advances in Stem Cell Engineering and Differentiation: State-of-the-Art Methods and Emerging Research)

https://app.jove.com/methods-collections/3612/advances-in-stem-cell-engineering-and-differentiation-state-of-the-art-methods-and-emerging-research-

3 Journal of Biosciences and Bioengineering   https://directivepublications.org/journal-of-biosciences-and-bioengineering/editorial-board

4. Academic Board Member of ETERNO PRESS, SINGAPORE 2025.

  1.  Received appreciation from Mission Director, GSBTM, Govt. of Gujarat for setting up biotechnology network in the state under UG-BT-CBC- program for Undergraduate students as a deputy-coordinator, July 2024. (Third position in the state)
  2. Received second prize in oral presentation at YIM Regional conference, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, September 2023.
  3. DBT-CTEP International Travel Grant to present work at International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 11th annual meeting, Boston, MA, USA from 12-15 June, 2013.
  4. Best Oral Presentation award on “BPH stem cells and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition- phenotype cells: Are they siblings?” in A National Seminar entitled “Evolving Concepts in Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine” on 27th Feb, 2014 at GCRI, Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India.
  5. Best PhD Thesis Award in Gujarat State by Gujarat Science Academy, Feb, 2015
  6. Indian National Science Academy (INSA) visiting scientist fellowship award, 2021-22.
  7.  Certificate of excellence in outstanding reviewing, Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 2022 and 2023 (twice)
  8. Certificate of Appreciation by the Student Start-up and innovation policy and Gujarat knowledge society, Education department, Govt. of Gujarat for students’ mentorship in Hackathon-2022
  9. Outstanding research contribution award 2024-25 of GSFC University.
  10. Honored with the Humanitarian Award during the Centenary Celebration of the Indian Red Cross Society, Vadodara Branch, on 9th May 2025.