VCP Scientific Focus Group

Dr. Anirban Banerjee is a professor in the Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). His research focuses on bacterial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, cellular immunity using Streptococcus pneumoniae. Dr. Banerjee has uncovered key insights into the role of ubiquitination in bacterial pathogenesis, including a novel mechanism by which VCP/p97 enables bacteria killing through the extraction of ubiquitinated bacterial membrane proteins. Additionally, his work has illuminated how differential ubiquitination can act as a defensive barrier, preventing bacterial transcytosis across the blood-brain barrier. In recognition of his significant contributions, Dr. Banerjee was presented the Prof. Rita Mulherkar Lecture Award from the Indian Society of Cell Biology in 2023 and was named a DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance Senior Fellow that same year.