Yogeeshwar Ajjugal

Postdoctoral fellow with strong background in research, data analysis, and scientific writing. Proven ability to drive projects forward and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams. Adept at adapting to evolving requirements and delivering high-quality results. Known for strong problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.

Y AJJUGAL, NIMILITHA CH & RATHINAVELAN T (2015), “Stereochemical rationale for the higher stability of RNA-DNA hybrids formed by trinucleotide repeat expansions and their interaction with RNaseH1”. Poster presentation at International congress on Friedreich’s ataxia and DNA structure in health and disease. Delhi, 11-13 April, 2015. (Best poster award)

Y AJJUGAL (2018), “A B–Z junction induced by an A…A mismatch in GAC repeats in the gene for cartilage oligomeric matrix protein promotes binding with the hZαADAR1 protein”. Dr. KV Rao research awards - 1st Runner up.

Recipient of "Excellence in Research" Award in IIT Hyderabad, India (2018).

Y AJJUGAL, KOLIMI N & RATHINAVELAN T. (2019), “Revelation of G-quadruplex formation as a molecular basis of fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) leads to a new direction in the drug discovery”. (BIRAC-SRISTI GYTI award-2019).

Recipient of Junior Research Fellowship, MoE (formerly MHRD), Government of India (2014-2016).

Recipient of Senior Research Fellowship, MoE (formerly MHRD), Government of India (2016-2019).

KOLIMI N*, Y AJJUGAL* &   RATHINAVELAN, T. (2017), A B–Z junction induced by an A...A mismatch in GAC   repeats in the gene for cartilage oligomeric matrix protein promotes binding   with the hZaADAR1  protein. J. Biol. Chem. 2017 292: 18732-18746 (DOI:   J.Biol.chem.10.1074/jbc.M117.796235).  (* represents equal co-first   author contribution).

Y AJJUGAL & RATHINAVELAN T. 2020. Sequence dependent influence   of an A… A mismatch in a DNA duplex: An insight into the recognition by   hZαADAR1 protein. Journal of Structural Biology, 107678. (DOI:doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107678)

Y AJJUGAL, TOMAR K*, RAO D K.* & RATHINAVELAN T. 2021. Spontaneous and frequent   conformational dynamics induced by A…A mismatch in d(CAA)·d(TAG) duplex. Scientific   Reports, 11, 1-18. (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82669-4) (* represents equal contribution). 

Y AJJUGAL *, KOLIMI N*. & RATHINAVELAN   T. 2021. Secondary structural choice of DNA and RNA associated with   CGG/CCG trinucleotide repeat overexpansion rationalizes the RNA misprocessing   in FXTAS. Scientific Reports, 11, 1-17. (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87097-y) (*   represents equal co-first author contribution).

Y AJJUGAL & RATHINAVELAN T. 2021. Conformational   distortions induced by periodically recurring A…A in d(CAG).d(CAG)   provide stereochemical rationale for the trapping   of MSH2.MSH3 in polyQ disorders. Computational and Structural   Biotechnology Journal (doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2021.07.018).

C SATHYASEELAN, S VEERAPATHIRAN,   UTTAM DAS, GAYATHRI R, Y AJJUGAL, J. SINGH, A K RENGAN,   THENMALARCHELVI R & G PRABUSANKAR. 2023. Destabilizing   effect of organo Ru(ii) salts on the intermolecular parallel CGG repeat DNA   quadruplex associated with neurodegenerative/neuromuscular diseases ACS chemical Neuroscience (DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00285).

HYUN*, JIAYU SHEN*, Y AJJUGAL, A RAMACHANDRAN, SMITA   S PATEL, SANG-HYUK LEE. 2024. Sequence-specific dynamic DNA bending explains mitochondrial TFAM’s   dual role in DNA packaging and transcription initiation. Nature   communications (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49728-6). (* represents equal co-first author contribution).

SHEN J*, GOOVAERTS Q*, AJJUGAL Y*, DE   WIJNGAERT B, DAS K, PATEL SS. Human mitochondrial RNA polymerase structures   reveal transcription start site and slippage mechanism. Molecular Cell. 2025 Aug   21;85(16):3137-50. (* represents equal co-first author   contribution).

AJJUGAL Y*, GOOVAERTS Q*, SHEN J, DE WIJNGAERT B, DAS K,   PATEL SS. Protocol to investigate human mitochondrial transcription   initiation by integrating biochemical and cryo-EM approaches. STAR   protocols. 2026 Mar 20;7(1).  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2025.104347 (* represents equal co-first author   contribution).

• Father’s Name: Ram Mohan Ajjugal
• Date of Birth: 19-07-1990
• Marital Status: Married
• Nationality: Indian

• Hardworking
• Self-Motivated
• Honest
• Adaptability

• Structural biology
• Computational biophysics
• Molecular biology
• Protein biochemistry
• DNA/RNA…. protein interactions
• DNA/RNA…. ligand interactions