I am a molecular biologist specializing in NGS technologies and currently learning computational biology. Working on some open-source projects that you can find on my GitHub repository - where my commits are more consistent than my PCR results. When not in the lab or coding, you'll find me analyzing Chelsea FC matches or discussing football tactics. The analytical mindset transfers surprisingly well!
Akshay Karn
Molecular Biologist & Technical Writer
"So she spoke, and I yearned to embrace my mother's ghost.
- Homer, The Odyssey
Thrice I rushed forward, eager to hold her,
Thrice she slipped through my arms like a shadow, like a dream."
Beyond Work
Football
Passionate Chelsea FC supporter - yes, I've been suffering lately, but hey, at least my tussle with cell cycle proteins prepared me for this. A football enthusiast who loves analyzing tactics, and discussing this beautiful game. Though honestly, sometimes I think DNA strands are easier to untangle than Chelsea's striker situation.
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Cricket: A Breakup!
Former cricket enthusiast turned occasional viewer. Used to spend hours perfecting my bowling action, only to now spend those hours debugging code. The only "cricket" I consistently handle these days is identifying bugs in my scripts. Still can't resist yelling "Howzzat!"
Status: It's complicated |
Last played: Long enough that my bat might have evolved into a tree by now
Musical Spectrum
My playlist is like my lab bench - surprisingly organized chaos. While Tool keeps my brain doing gymnastics, Hans Zimmer transforms my morning coffee into an epic quest. Late nights belong to Deftones, A Perfect Circle, and Chevelle - because sometimes you just need to headbang your problems away. When nostalgia hits, Sharda Sinha's Maithili melodies transport me back in time, and Bollywood... well, let's just say my dramatic humming have their own fanbase (mostly my own two ears).
Alternative Metal
Progressive Rock
Post grunge
Film Score
Classical
Folk
Nepali
Indie Rock
Bollywood
Maithili
Like my PCR protocols, my music taste requires no optimization - it's already perfectly random.
Current Work & Projects
Current Work
NGS Laboratory
ActiveFocus on wet-lab workflows and quality control procedures at 4baseCare.
- Execute end-to-end NGS wet-lab workflows
- Perform library preparation and quality control
- Collaborate with bioinformatics team
Research Experience
Breast Cancer Research
2023-2024Research Fellow at Dr. Amit Dutt's Lab investigating hormone therapy resistance in breast cancer.
- Conducted gene expression analysis using RT-PCR and Western blotting
- Supported in vivo experiments with mouse models studying tamoxifen resistance
- Research still ongoing
Centrosome Regulation Studies
2022-2023Research Trainee at Dr. Sorab's Lab investigating centrosome regulation through 14-3-3ε protein interactions.
- Performed GST protein purification of 14-3-3ε and its mutants
- Conducted protein-protein interaction studies using GST-pulldown assays
- Executed molecular cloning to map binding sites between 14-3-3ε, Plk1, and Separase
Independent Projects
Tiny
ActiveA command-line tool for DNA sequence analysis with features for sequence comparison, motif finding, and regulatory element analysis.
View Project →DNA2Protein
ActiveWeb application for DNA sequence analysis, featuring ORF identification, protein translation, and codon usage analysis.
View Project →Crispradium
ActiveA web application for CRISPR guide RNA design and analysis, helping researchers identify and evaluate potential target sites.
View Project →VipeDown
CompletedA lightweight, efficient video downloader for Linux systems built with PyQt6, focusing on functionality and reliability.
View Project →Contact
About This Site
This website is written with simplicity and readability in mind, following Edward Tufte's design principles. The layout features sidenotes instead of footnotes, carefully considered typography, and thoughtful white space. Written using vanilla JavaScript for interactivity and CSS for styling, it incorporates:
- Tufte CSS-inspired responsive design
- Dark/Light theme toggle
- Fast, client-side search functionality
- Loading states and performance optimizations
- Custom 404 page with scientific humor
The design was inspired by Austin Seipp's elegant website - a chance discovery that made me realize websites can be as elegant and as well-optimized as a laboratory protocol. The complete template and code will be available soon on my GitHub. I believe in citing my sources and sharing my protocols. Though unlike my lab notebooks, this one's actually readable!
No PCRs were harmed in the making of this website. The same cannot be said for my elbows.