1. Can you tell us about yourself, your educational background, and the key milestones in your career journey?

I am Deepti Jain, a Professor of biophysics and structural biology at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad. I completed my master’s degree from IIT Roorkee and pursued my PhD at the National Institute of Immunology (NII), Delhi, under the supervision of Dinakar M Salunke and moved to Rockefeller University for my Postdoctoral studies in the laboratory of Seth A Darst. The key milestone in my career includes establishing my laboratory at RCB, which was a pivotal moment, granting me the freedom to explore fundamental questions in biology. Currently, our research focuses on unravelling the mechanisms of biofilm and flagellar gene regulation in the pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

2. Do you have any role models in life? Who are the individuals who have inspired you the most? 

My parents and teachers have been my greatest role models. During my postgraduate studies at IIT Roorkee, the biophysics course taught by Ritu Barthwal sparked my interest in the field. This foundation led me to pursue a PhD in structural biology, where I was trained in X‑ray crystallography under the mentorship of Salunke. In addition, my parents deeply inspired me — my mother’s dedication to her work and my father’s encouragement to pursue science played a pivotal role in shaping my career.

3. As a mentor for YIM 2025, what advice would you give to young scientists striving to make a mark in research?

Everyone should seek mentorship. Having mentorship in your journey helps in facing the hurdles of a race. In science, subsistence is not a straight path, it is often accompanied by ups and downs. Mentors help in building persistence and resilience which goes a long way in the journey. 

4. What drives your passion for structural biology, and what inspired you to pursue this field?

My passion for structural biology stems from a deep fascination with understanding life at the molecular level — how biological macromolecules function, interact, and drive complex cellular processes. Structural biology is a fascinating field because it allows you to see the atomic level details of the molecules and understand their in-depth mechanism. Structural biology plays a key role in drug discovery, protein engineering, and fundamental understanding of diseases at the molecular level. The idea that my research could contribute to real-world applications — such as developing new drugs or therapeutics — drives my enthusiasm for the field.

5. Without delving into political aspects, the current scenario suggests a decline in funding for science. What are your thoughts on this, and do you have any suggestions to navigate these challenges? 

One probable way to deal with this could be by tapping into international funding sources. Another possibility is sharing resources. The I‑STEM portal has a list of high-end equipment present across different institutes. These initiatives help people to carry out cutting-edge research without having to invest in the very expensive infrastructure and fostering possible collaborations. 

6. Collaborations are a key to academic success. However, in India, it still lacks transparency. What are your thoughts about this?

In my personal experience, collaboration works best when it happens organically. While Indian and international funding opportunities encourage collaboration, their success depends on clear communication.

At the outset, it’s crucial to transparently discuss authorship, data sharing policies, roles, and contributions to ensure a smooth and productive partnership.

7. You have experienced science from multiple perspectives — earning a PhD in India, conducting research abroad, and now serving as an independent faculty member in the Indian education system. Based on this diverse experience, what changes or adaptations do you believe the Indian system needs? 

One key consideration is extending the duration of research funding. Currently, grants typically last between one to three years, but science requires sustained support over longer periods — five to ten years — to encourage researchers to tackle more challenging questions. Additionally, fundamental research must be supported without the mandatory inclusion of a translational component, allowing investigators to explore foundational scientific inquiries freely. Secondly, I would also emphasise the importance of timely disbursement of funds, be it grants or student stipends.

8. As a female researcher, do you believe the journey to your current position was more challenging? How did you navigate those challenges? 

Women scientists face unique challenges, balancing responsibilities at home and in the lab while managing the time-intensive demands of research. 

A strong support system, both at home and within institutions, is crucial. Facilities like daycare can significantly aid in this balance. Most importantly, women in science should know that they belong and can thrive in this field.

9. Are there any personal anecdotes from your journey that you believe would inspire the next generation of scientists? 

In my early years of independent research, when I was a young PI, I faced a challenging setback when my student and I spent over two years crystallising and solving a protein structure, only to find the same structure from the same organism published. It was disheartening, especially for my student. However, instead of giving up, we analysed the structure in greater detail, conducted additional experiments, and turned our findings into a compelling story, ultimately publishing it in a respected journal. This experience taught me that failures are not dead ends but stepping stones in breakthroughs. 

10. The field of research is constantly evolving. What do you think are the most exciting future directions in your area of expertise, and how can young researchers contribute to them?

The recent (2024) Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded for computational protein design and protein structure prediction, which highlights the structural biology field’s rapid progress. Artificial Intelligence-driven tools like AlphaFold and RosettaFold have revolutionised structure prediction, while cryo-EM now enables the atomic-level resolution of macromolecular complexes. Additionally, protein engineering is opening new possibilities for synthetic biology and functional protein design. These areas are poised to drive significant scientific and medical advancements.