2026 preprint
Mechanotransduction and DNMT3A during cutaneous wound repair
Defined how wound-induced mechanical cues regulate nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of DNMT3A through actin remodeling and ERK1/2 signaling during epidermal repair.
Academic Profile
Currently seeking postdoctoral opportunities (2026-2027)
Johan Ajnabi
Mechanotransduction · Epigenetic Regulation · Tissue regeneration
I am Johan Ajnabi, a PhD candidate in the Jamora laboratory at BRIC-inStem, studying how injured skin converts physical cues into signaling, chromatin-state change, and epidermal repair programs.
My work brings together primary keratinocyte systems, fluorescence imaging, molecular biology, spatial transcriptomics, and mechanobiology approaches to understand tissue repair and disease-associated remodeling.
Flagship Work
Representative projects and outputs
The strongest entry points into my current research program are the projects below: mechanotransduction-driven epigenetic regulation, spatial immune-state mapping, and epithelial stemness signaling.
Spatial transcriptomics
Immune-state mapping in vitiligo skin after NB-UVB treatment
Profiled treatment-associated remodeling of the cutaneous immune landscape using spatial transcriptomic analysis complemented by validation in patient tissue.
Stemness and signaling
Mindin-integrin-STAT3 control of keratinocyte stemness
Contributed to work uncovering a signaling axis that sustains keratinocyte stemness through integrin endocytosis and downstream transcriptional activation.
Prefer a narrative view of the work? Browse the flagship project pages.
Research Pillars
Three connected directions
My work is organized around how skin cells sense tissue-scale change, translate those cues into molecular programs, and remodel during repair or disease.
Pillar 01
Mechanical regulation of chromatin
I study how wound-associated mechanics, actin remodeling, and ERK signaling alter the localization and function of chromatin regulators such as DNMT3A.
Pillar 02
Tissue regeneration and epithelial repair
My research focuses on how epidermal cells coordinate migration, repair, and state transitions in wounded tissue and primary keratinocyte systems.
Pillar 03
Inflammation, stemness, and translational biology
I connect regeneration-focused questions with spatial transcriptomics, immune-state remodeling, keratinocyte stemness, and disease-relevant epithelial biology.
Postdoctoral Fit
Where I want to take the work next
I am looking for postdoctoral environments where mechanobiology, epigenetic regulation, tissue regeneration, and translational biology can be brought together in ambitious ways.
Questions I want to pursue next
- How mechanical microenvironments influence chromatin regulator localization and cell fate.
- How repair programs transition between regeneration, inflammation, and fibrosis.
- How tissue architecture shapes epithelial plasticity in injury and disease.
Model systems and methods I bring
- Primary epithelial and keratinocyte culture, wound repair biology, and tissue-section analysis.
- Live-cell imaging, biochemical assays, genetic perturbation, qPCR, and validation workflows.
- Spatial transcriptomics and interpretation of tissue-level expression states.
Research environments where I fit well
- Interdisciplinary groups bridging cell biology, tissue repair, and regenerative medicine.
- Labs combining mechanobiology with epigenetics, imaging, or systems-level profiling.
- Collaborative teams with translational interest in regeneration, tissue repair, or disease remodeling.
Technical Toolkit
Methods and systems
A compact view of the experimental and analytical toolkit I bring to postdoctoral work.
01
Imaging and biophysics
Dynamic readouts of localization, movement, and tissue architecture.
Confocal imaging
Live-cell imaging
Multiphoton microscopy
FRAP
FRET
Immunofluorescence
02
Cell and molecular biology
Experimental systems for perturbing signaling, chromatin, and epithelial states.
Primary keratinocytes
Mouse models
Mechanobiology assays
Genetic perturbation
Biochemical assays
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP)
Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
Epigenetic regulators
qPCR validation
Western blotting
Flow cytometry
03
Analysis and visualization
Quantitative interpretation, image analysis, and publication-ready data display.
Tissue-section analysis
FIJI/ImageJ analysis
GraphPad Prism
Bioinformatics interpretation
Basic R and Python
Research Experience
Research experience and training
Training across epidermal repair, stem cell biology, tissue analysis, and plant molecular biology.
Jul 2024 – Present
Research Assistant
Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence
Primary focus
Epigenetic and mechanical regulation of the cutaneous wound response, with a focus on wound-induced regulation of DNMT3A.
Model systems
Primary mouse keratinocytes for studying mechanotransduction-driven nuclear localization and function of epigenetic regulators.
Aug 2019 – Present
Research Scholar
BRIC–Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem)
Primary project
Mechanotransduction-driven regulation of DNMT3A localization during epidermal repair, integrating molecular biology, biochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, and genetic engineering.
bioRxiv (preprint), 2026 [Ajnabi et al., 2026]Tissue-scale and translational biology
Applied spatial transcriptomics to investigate treatment-responsive molecular programs in vitiligo and explored extracellular matrix regulation of cutaneous fibrosis using transgenic mouse models, integrating tissue-scale profiling with mechanistic validation.
Clinical & Translational Immunology, 2026 [Dutta et al., 2026] · JID, 2023 [Rana et al., 2023]Stemness and niche regulation
Contributed to the discovery of a Mindin–integrin–STAT3 signaling axis that sustains keratinocyte stemness through integrin endocytosis, and to studies demonstrating how autocrine Mindin signaling maintains stem and progenitor states in skin epithelium and carcinoma cells.
Cell Communication and Signaling, 2026 [Dam et al., 2026] · Cell Reports, 2022 [Badarinath et al., 2022]Host-pathogen interactions
Investigated LL-37-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry using mammalian cell systems, pseudovirus assays, and flow cytometry.
Frontiers in Immunology, 2023 [Bhatt et al., 2023]
Jan 2018 – Jul 2019
AIEEA-PG Scholar
ICAR–National Institute for Plant Biotechnology
Master's research
Identified cis-regulatory regions controlling PM19 gene expression in wheat.
MSc Thesis, ICAR–IARI, 2019 [Ajnabi, 2019]Methods
In-silico genome analysis, gene/promoter cloning, transient GUS assays, plant tissue culture, and plant transformation.
Awards & Recognition
Awards, fellowships, and qualifications
Competitive awards, fellowship support, and national qualifying examinations that have shaped my academic training.
Awards
-
Paeonia Foundation Travel Award
MBI Conference, National University of Singapore · 2023
Competitive travel award supporting presentation of mechanobiology research at Mechanobiology in Health and Disease, National University of Singapore.
Scientific Community
-
Featured by Epithelial Mechanics Fan Club
Research Spotlight · 2026
Research on actin-dependent mechanotransduction and DNMT3A-mediated epigenetic regulation during cutaneous wound repair was highlighted by the Epithelial Mechanics Fan Club community. Read feature
Fellowships
- ICMR Junior Research Fellowship Life Sciences · 2019 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India
- DBT-BCIL Junior Research Fellowship Biotechnology · 2019 Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India
- CSIR Junior Research Fellowship Life Sciences · AIR 20 · 2019 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India
- ICAR AIEEA-PG Scholarship Plant Biotechnology · AIR 1 · 2017 Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), India
Qualifications
- ASRB-NET Agricultural Biotechnology Lectureship · 2020 Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), India
- Joint CSIR-UGC NET Life Sciences · AIR 20 · 2019 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and University Grants Commission (UGC), India
- GATE XL Life Sciences · AIR 8 · 2019 Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, administered nationally by IITs/IISc
- ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF Agricultural Biotechnology · AIR 3 · 2019 Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), India
Publications
Selected publications and full record
Selected work below highlights the strongest links to my current research identity: mechanotransduction, tissue regeneration, spatial profiling, and epithelial stemness.
First-author preprint
Actin-dependent mechanotransduction controls DNMT3A partitioning during wound healing
Defines a mechanotransduction-driven route from wound-induced actin remodeling and ERK1/2 signaling to nucleocytoplasmic control of an epigenetic regulator.
Spatial transcriptomics
Spatial transcriptomic analysis of NB-UVB-treated vitiligo skin
Uses spatial transcriptomics and validation in patient tissue to resolve treatment-linked immune-state remodeling in the cutaneous landscape.
Stemness signaling
Mindin-mediated integrin endocytosis activates STAT3 to maintain keratinocyte stemness
Connects extracellular matrix signaling, integrin trafficking, and transcriptional activation to the maintenance of keratinocyte stemness.
Epithelial plasticity
Snail maintains epithelial stem/progenitor states through Mindin signaling
Identifies an autocrine Snail-Mindin signaling loop that sustains epithelial stemness in normal skin and carcinoma-associated contexts.
Full publication record
Filter by article type or sort chronologically below. A PDF version is also available in CV (PDF).
2026
Dam, B., Ajnabi, J., Saha, T., Shrivastava, A., Badarinathan, K., Hegde, A., Dutta, A., Jasoria, S., Kataria, S., Singh, A., Jamora, C.
Mindin-mediated αM-integrin endocytosis activates STAT3 to maintain keratinocyte stemness
Cell Communication and Signaling, 2026
Mindin-mediated αM-integrin endocytosis activates STAT3 to maintain keratinocyte stemness
Cell Communication and Signaling, 2026
This study shows how Mindin promotes integrin endocytosis and endosomal activation of STAT3 to sustain keratinocyte stemness.
Ajnabi, J., Dam, B., Gupta, E., Saha, T., Dutta, A., Kumar, S., Gupta, A., Palakodeti, D., Jamora, C.
Actin-dependent mechanotransduction controls nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of DNMT3a through ERK1/2 signaling during cutaneous wound healing
bioRxiv (preprint), 2026
Actin-dependent mechanotransduction controls nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of DNMT3a through ERK1/2 signaling during cutaneous wound healing
bioRxiv (preprint), 2026
This study demonstrates how wound-induced mechanical cues regulate DNMT3a nucleocytoplasmic localization through actin remodeling and ERK1/2 signaling, revealing a mechanotransduction-driven epigenetic control mechanism during cutaneous wound healing.
Dutta, A., Gupta, D., Ajnabi, J., Dam, B., P, S., Jamora, C.
Spatial transcriptomic analysis of the immune landscape following NB-UVB treatment of vitiligo skin
Clinical & Translational Immunology, 2026
Spatial transcriptomic analysis of the immune landscape following NB-UVB treatment of vitiligo skin
Clinical & Translational Immunology, 2026
This study employs spatial transcriptomic approaches to resolve immune cell states in vitiligo patient skin before and after narrowband UV-B therapy, revealing treatment-induced remodeling of the cutaneous immune landscape.
2025
Dutta, S., Islam, Z., Das, S., Barman, A., Chowdhury, M., Mondal, B. P., Ajnabi, J., Manna, D.
Harmonizing plant resilience: unveiling the symphony of membrane lipid dynamics in response to abiotic stresses
Discover Plants, 2025
Harmonizing plant resilience: unveiling the symphony of membrane lipid dynamics in response to abiotic stresses
Discover Plants, 2025
A comprehensive review of membrane lipid remodeling in plants under abiotic stress, highlighting lipid-mediated signaling mechanisms that contribute to stress tolerance.
2023
Rana, I., Kataria, S., Tan, T. L., Hajam, E. Y., Kashyap, D. K., Saha, D., Ajnabi, J., Paul, S., Jayappa, S., Ananthan, A. S. H. P., et al.
Mindin (SPON2) is essential for cutaneous fibrogenesis in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2023
Mindin (SPON2) is essential for cutaneous fibrogenesis in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2023
This paper establishes Mindin as a critical regulator of dermal fibrogenesis, demonstrating its requirement for extracellular matrix remodeling in systemic sclerosis.
Bhatt, T., Dam, B., Khedkar, S. U., Lall, S., Pandey, S., Kataria, S., Ajnabi, J., Gulzar, S.-E.-J., Dias, P. M., Waskar, M., et al.
Niacinamide enhances cathelicidin mediated SARS-CoV-2 membrane disruption
Frontiers in Immunology, 2023
Niacinamide enhances cathelicidin mediated SARS-CoV-2 membrane disruption
Frontiers in Immunology, 2023
This study shows that niacinamide potentiates cathelicidin-mediated antiviral activity by enhancing membrane disruption of SARS-CoV-2, providing mechanistic insight into host defense enhancement.
2022
Badarinath, K., Dam, B., Kataria, S., Zirmire, R. K., Dey, R., Kansagara, G., Ajnabi, J., Hegde, A., Singh, R., Masudi, T., et al.
Snail maintains the stem/progenitor state of skin epithelial cells and carcinomas through the autocrine effect of matricellular protein Mindin
Cell Reports, 2022
Snail maintains the stem/progenitor state of skin epithelial cells and carcinomas through the autocrine effect of matricellular protein Mindin
Cell Reports, 2022
This study identifies an autocrine Snail–Mindin signaling loop that sustains epithelial stemness in both normal skin and carcinoma contexts.
2019
Ajnabi, J.
Identification of cis-regulatory regions regulating the expression of PM19 gene in wheat
MSc Thesis, ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, 2019
Identification of cis-regulatory regions regulating the expression of PM19 gene in wheat
MSc Thesis, ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, 2019
Master's thesis identifying cis-regulatory elements controlling PM19 gene expression in wheat, contributing to understanding of stress-responsive transcriptional regulation in plants.
Talks & Presentations
Selected talk and presentation record
A highlighted mechanobiology presentation appears first, followed by the broader presentation record.
Selected presentation
MBI Conference 2023: Mechanobiology in Health and Disease
National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore · September 2023
Poster Presentation — Epigenetic and mechanical regulation of the cutaneous wound healing response
Additional presentations
10th International Conference of Laboratory Animal Scientists' Association (LASA)
Hyderabad, India · June 2022
Poster Presentation — Understanding the role of DNMT3A in the cutaneous wound healing response using a mouse model
National Agricultural Science Congress
Delhi, India · February 2019
Poster Presentation — Identification and characterization of stress responsive PM19 promoter from wheat
Contact
Currently seeking postdoctoral opportunities (2026-2027)
Start a Conversation
I welcome conversations about mechanobiology, epigenetic regulation, tissue regeneration, collaborations, and postdoctoral opportunities.
Email: [email protected]