
Ankit Dutta
Higher Degree by Research Candidate
Adelaide Medical School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
I graduated from The University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biology) with a double major in Biochemistry and Genetics in 2012.
Following graduation, I pursued an Honours degree with research focused on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and their role in osteoporosis; and received a First Class in Bachelor of Health Sciences (Physiology).
I have now undertaken my PhD studies in the field of cancer genomics, with a focus on the incurable blood cancer, Multiple Myeloma. I am a PhD candidate in the Myeloma Research Laboratory under the supervision of Prof. Andrew Zannettino and Dr. Duncan Hewett.
Additionally, I have an interest in Biotechnology participating in networking events and the Brandon Capital Partners life sciences venture capital internship program.
My research focus is on a genomic approach towards an understanding of clonal evolution and disease progression in multiple myeloma.
In almost every case, the largely incurable blood cancer multiple myeloma (MM), develops from asymptomatic disease stages known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined clinical significance (MGUS) and smouldering multiple myeloma (SMM). It is believed complex nonlinear genetic changes drive MGUS/SMM to develop into MM. To date, the genetic factors driving the progression from MGUS/SMM to MM are unknown.
My PhD project aims to unravel the genetic complexities of MM disease progression and tumour evolution using cutting edge next generation sequencing techniques on a rare collection of paired MGUS/SMM to MM patient sample set. High throughput genetic analysis is a novel concept in the MM space; with the “Initial genome sequencing and analysis of multiple myeloma” (Chapman et. al.) performed in 2011.
Determining genomic changes and clonal evolution models critical in the progression of MGUS/SMM to MM will help us identify biomarkers that can predict which people are prone to developing MM. Ultimately, we are hoping to develop new treatments to delay or cure the disease at the MGUS/SMM stage.
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Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2017 Award Research Travel Award The University of Adelaide Adelaide Medical School Australia — 2017 Research Award Abstract Achievement Award American Society of Haematology United States — 2016 Research Award Best PhD Poster Award Australian Society for Medical Research Australia — 2015 Research Award Florey Medical Research Foundation PhD Cancer Grant The Univeristy of Adelaide Australia — 2015 Scholarship National Research Program PhD Scholarship Leukeamia Foundation of Australia Australia — 2015 Research Award Travel Award Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute Australia — 2014 Scholarship Australian Postgraduate Award PhD Scholarship Australian Government Australia — -
Language Competencies
Language Competency Bengali Can read, write, speak and understand spoken English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2014 - 2018 The University of Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine) 2013 - 2013 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) 2010 - 2012 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biology) -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2018 Dutta, A., Fink, J., Grady, J., Morgan, G., Mullighan, C., To, L., . . . Zannettino, A. (2018). Subclonal evolution in disease progression from MGUS/SMM to multiple myeloma is characterised by clonal stability. Leukemia.
DOI2017 Dutta, A., Hewett, D., Fink, J., Grady, J., & Zannettino, A. (2017). Cutting edge genomics reveal new insights into tumour development, disease progression and therapeutic impacts in multiple myeloma. British Journal of Haematology, 178(2), 196-208.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC32015 Martin, S., Fitter, S., Dutta, A., Matthews, M., Walkley, C., Hall, M., . . . Zannettino, A. (2015). Brief report: The differential roles of mTORC1 and mTORC2 in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. Stem Cells, 33(4), 1359-1365.
DOI Scopus37 WoS35 Europe PMC34 -
Datasets
Year Citation — Dutta, A., Zannettino, A., Hewett, D., & l.fink@uq.edu.au. (n.d.). ZANNETTINO_EGA DAA_EGAS00001002850.doc.
DOI
2017 American Society of Haematology (ASH) Abstract Achievement Award
2017 Adelaide Medical School Research Travel Award
2016 Australian Society for Medical Research SA Meeting Best PhD Poster Award
2015 Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute Travel Award
2015 Florey Medical Research Foundation PhD Cancer Grant
2015 Leukaemia Foundation of Australia PhD Scholarship
2014 Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship
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Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2016 - ongoing Member AusBiotech Australia 2016 - ongoing Member Australian Society for Medical Research Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles