The association of extracellular vesicle (EV)-cargo miR-330-3p with postoperative delirium and a potential mechanism of tau phosphorylation and neuron toxicity
2026bioRxiv (preprint)
About
About me
I am a Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins University. I work on extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their miRNA cargo, using immunocapture of cell-specific EVs (ICE), miRNA profiling, and biomarker development.
My work looks at how cells communicate through small EVs, with applications in neurological, cardiopulmonary and infectious-disease research. I completed my PhD at the Central University of Rajasthan on a UGC Junior Research Fellowship, studying micro-RNAs — mainly miR-181c-5p — in injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, then joined Johns Hopkins as a research trainee and postdoctoral fellow.
Research
Research focus
EVs & ICE technology
Immunocapture of cell-specific EVs; isolation and characterization by NanoFCM, tetraspanin/leprechaun and Fluorocet assays; in vivo exosome tracking by IVIS.
miRNA profiling & targets
miRNA library prep and sequencing, digital PCR, and target prediction — miR-181c-5p, miR-133b, miR-34a, miR-146a.
Biomarkers & CTE
EV- and miRNA-based biomarkers, including circulating micro-RNAs in chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other tauopathies.
Computational discovery
Molecular docking and simulation, Argonaute-assisted drug discovery, and pathway analysis (GO, KEGG).
Publications
Publications & proceedings
Click a title to open the paper.
Heart failure increases miR-133b expression dysregulating excitation–contraction coupling and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle
2025Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Plus, Vol. 12, 100444
Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, Vol. 43, pp. 8319–8333
Molecular Diversity, Vol. 29, pp. 351–365
In: Sports Ergonomics (HWWE 2022), Springer
Biomarkers
Gene, Vol. 912, 148370 · PMID 38490506
Irish Journal of Medical Science, Vol. 193, pp. 999–1007 · PMID 37540332
Peptide Science, Vol. 115
Molecular Diversity
Effect of weight-reducing commercial formula intake on body weight and food intake of adults
2023IJARESM
Target gene prediction of overexpressed micro-RNA-181c-5p in chronic traumatic encephalopathy associated with contact sports
20236th National & International Conference on Health and Sports Sciences, Faridabad
Identification of novel inhibitors against tau-protein in regulating chronic traumatic encephalopathy
2022International Conference on Impact of Environment, Food and Nutrition on Human Health, Jaipur
Experience & Education
Career & training
Positions
2026 – Present
Postdoctoral Fellow
Johns Hopkins University, USA
Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine
2023 – 2024
Research Trainee
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Cardiovascular & molecular biology (ACCM)
2022 – 2025
Junior Research Fellow
Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer
UGC-funded doctoral research
2021 – 2022
Clinical Dietitian
Medipulse Hospital, Jodhpur
Education
2025
Ph.D., Sports Biosciences
Central University of Rajasthan
miRNA in injury, CTE & stress response
2020
M.Sc., Food Science & Nutrition
Banasthali Vidyapith
2018
B.Sc. — Merit Holder
Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur
2017
RS-CIT
Vardhman Mahaveer Open University
Presentations
Presentations & training
Poster
hiPSC-exosomes as a therapeutic agent in lung inflammation
MSCRF Annual Stem and Regenerative Medicine Showcase.
Poster · 31 May 2024
Sex differences in diet-induced obesity
Johns Hopkins Center for Women’s Health, Sex & Gender Research Symposium — “Advancing Sex & Gender Research on Menopause and Healthy Aging.”
Workshops & trainings attended
- Aug 2024Hands-on training on “In-vivo Imaging Spectrum (IVIS)”, core facility, Johns Hopkins University.
- Dec 2023Training on Blood Borne Pathogens, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
- Dec 2023Training on Animal Care and Use, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
- Jul–Aug 2023DST-STUTI training on “Formulation & Characterization Techniques in Drug Delivery”, CU Rajasthan & Jamia Hamdard.
- Mar 2023DST-ICPS National workshop on “Perspective of Big Data Analysis in Biological Sciences”, CU Rajasthan.
- Jan 2023Workshop on Computer Aided Drug Design (CADD-2023), Delhi (online).
- Nov 2022Research training on “Molecular Biology Techniques” (SERB-DST SRG/2020/001024), CU Rajasthan.
Honours
Awards & memberships
2024
Research Trainee Fellowship
ACCM, Johns Hopkins University, USA.
2022
Best Oral Presentation Award
ISLS International Conference, Jaipur.
2021
UGC Junior Research Fellowship
Central University of Rajasthan.
2018
Academic Merit Holder
Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur.
Professional memberships
ISEV & SNEV (2026)Nutrition Society of India (2025)American Heart Association (2024)
Toolkit
Laboratory & technical skills
In vivo
In vitro
Analytical
In silico
Languages
Languages
Major
HindiRead · Write · Speak
EnglishRead · Write · Speak
SanskritRead · Write · Speak
Indian regional
RajasthaniRead · Write · Speak
GujaratiBeginner
Others
Standard ThaiBeginner
Contact
Get in touch
✉Email
harshita99tak@gmail.com 🆔ORCID
0009-0008-7997-0072 🔬ResearchGate
Harshita-Tak-2 💼LinkedIn
harshita-tak
harshita99tak@gmail.com 🆔ORCID
0009-0008-7997-0072 🔬ResearchGate
Harshita-Tak-2 💼LinkedIn
harshita-tak