NIPUNA SUDARAKA M S B W Tennakoon Mudiyanselage

A dedicated molecular biologist with a background in interdisciplinary studies involving basic and applied research in the field of molecular microbiology and unraveling the complexities of biological problems, demonstrating good communication and problem-solving skills. Possessing more than seven years of theoretical and practical experience in various molecular biology and virology techniques, and a keen interest in applying cutting-edge methodologies to address critical questions and develop new products in the industry. I am committed to advancing my scientific knowledge in both wet and dry lab areas, contributing to the development of innovative strategies to combat scientific problems in collaboration with the scientific community.

• Graduate
• Generation of luciferase and GFP dual-expressing fusion plasmids and successful cell fusion assay for mouse hepatitis virus plaque analysis.
• Initiating ferritin nanoparticle-based research within the lab and confirmation of recombinant ferritin nanoparticles.
• Project planning and designing experiments for ferritin nanoparticle-based vaccine development (PEDV, DENGUE). Implementing Escherichia coli protein expression, purification, and Optimization of critical conditions for avoidance of protein aggregation.
• SARS2, FMDV, DENGUE viral protein expression and purification
• Undergraduate
• Gene Isolation and sequencing of rubber elongation factor gene from Hevea nitida and published the article in the annual faculty symposium, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.
• Isolation of CCCVD nucleic acids from infected coconut leaves as an in-plant trainee at the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka

• Reduction of cell fusion by deletion in the hypervariable region of the spike protein of mouse hepatitis virus, The Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2021, South Korea (Jeju)
• Reduction of cell fusion by deletion in the hypervariable region of the spike protein of mouse hepatitis virus, American Society for Virology Conference, 2022, The USA (Madison)
• Ferritin nanoparticle complex with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus spike protein induces neutralizing antibody response against PEDV in mouse models, 17th Vaccine Congress, 2023, The UK (Scotland)

• President of the Biotechnology Society, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (2012 - Present)
• Football, Elle, Swimming (2013-2017), Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

• Reduction of cell fusion by deletion in the hypervariable region of the spike protein of mouse hepatitis virus, Viruses, 2022, Nipuna Tennakoon, Jihoon Ryu, Makoto Ujike, Fumihiro Taguchi, Hyun-Jin Shin
• Complete genome sequence analysis and phylogenetic classification of the novel Aeromonas phage AHP-1, a potential member of the genus Tequatrovirus, Archives of Virology, 2022, Chamilani Nikapitiya, Amal Senevirathne, S H S Dananjaya, Nipuna Tennakoon, HyunJin Shin, Jehee Lee, Mahanama De Zoysa

Under review

• Ferritin nanoparticle complex with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus spike protein induces neutralizing antibody response against PEDV in mouse models, Veterinary quarterly, Under review, 2024, M.S.B.W.T.M. Nipuna Sudaraka Tennakoon, Jae-Yeon Park, Hye-Mi Lee, Ji-Hoon Ryu, Hyun-Jin Shin
• Expression of recombinant swine ferritin heavy chain with enhanced solubility in Escherichia coli and simplified purification of ferritin nanoparticles, Enzymes and Microbial Technology, Under review, 2024, M.S.B.W.T.M. Nipuna Sudaraka Tennakoon, Kyoung-Ho Lee, Hyun-Jin Shin

• Prof. Hyun-Jin Shin, DVM, PhD., College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Chungnam, 34134, Republic of Korea, +82 (42) 821-6760, +82 (42) 825-293, shin0089@cnu.ac.kr
• Prof. Mahanama De Zoysa, PhD., College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Chungnam, 34134, Republic of Korea, +82-42-821-6795, +82-42-821-8903, mahanama@cnu.ac.kr
• Prof. D.P.S.T.G. Attanayaka, PhD., Faculty of Science, Horizon Campus, Knowledge City Malabe, KCM Drive, Off Millennium Road, Malabe, Sri Lanka, +94 (71) 810-2379, dpstga@yahoo.com