Prashant K. Singh, M.S.

I am a Senior Research Associate at Vanderbilt University specializing in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and structural biology.

I have expertise in sample preparation, data acquisition, and image processing using specialized software tools such as RELION, CryoSPARC, SCIPION, EMAN, TOPAZ, AlphaFold, LightDock and more. I also have experience in molecular modeling and computational methods to refine atomic models based on cryo-EM or x-ray crystallography electron density maps.

My past and present primary research projects include bioenergetics, cell signaling, and viral diseases such as Ebola, HIV and more. I use cryo-EM to visualize the structures of macromolecular complexes and viral proteins, which provides insights into their function and potential targets for drug development. I also use animations and modeling programs like Blender, Chimera, and PyMOL to publish and present my findings in a visually engaging way.

As a Senior Research Associate, I manage research projects, supervise researchers, and collaborate with other scientists within and outside Vanderbilt University. I also have skills in scientific communication and project management.

In summary, my expertise lies at the intersection of cryo-EM, structural biology, and computational modeling. I am making constant contributions to understanding complex biological systems and developing new therapies for viral infections and other diseases.

Background

B. Tech, Meerut Institute of Engineering & Technology

M.S., Middle Tennessee State University

Awards

2024, Vanderbilt University Staff Research Award

2025, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Edward E Price Award

Publications from the lab

Improving CryoEM maps of symmetry-mismatched macromolecular assemblies: A case study on the flagellar motor. Singh PK, Iverson TM. J Struct Biol. 2025 Jun;217(2):108184. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2025.108184. Epub 2025 Mar 5. PMID: 40054642 Free article.

CryoEM structures reveal how the bacterial flagellum rotates and switches direction. Singh PK, Sharma P, Afanzar O, Goldfarb MH, Maklashina E, Eisenbach M, Cecchini G, Iverson TM. Nat Microbiol. 2024 May;9(5):1271-1281. doi: 10.1038/s41564-024-01674-1. Epub 2024 Apr 17. PMID: 38632342 Free PMC article.

An evolving view of complex II-noncanonical complexes, megacomplexes, respiration, signaling, and beyond. Iverson TM, Singh PK, Cecchini G. J Biol Chem. 2023 Jun;299(6):104761. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104761. Epub 2023 Apr 27. PMID: 37119852 Free PMC article. Review.

CryoEM structure of a post-assembly MS-ring reveals plasticity in stoichiometry and conformation. Singh PK, Cecchini G, Nakagawa T, Iverson TM. PLoS One. 2023 May 19;18(5):e0285343. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285343. eCollection 2023. PMID: 37205674 Free PMC article.

An alternative N-terminal fold of the intestine-specific annexin A13a induces dimerization and regulates membrane-binding. McCulloch KM, Yamakawa I, Shifrin DA Jr, McConnell RE, Foegeding NJ, Singh PK, Mao S, Tyska MJ, Iverson TM. J Biol Chem. 2019 Mar 8;294(10):3454-3463. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA118.004571. Epub 2019 Jan 4. PMID: 30610115 Free PMC article

New crystal forms of the integral membrane Escherichia coli quinol:fumarate reductase suggest that ligands control domain movement. Starbird CA, Tomasiak TM, Singh PK, Yankovskaya V, Maklashina E, Eisenbach M, Cecchini G, Iverson TM. J Struct Biol. 2018 Apr;202(1):100-104. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2017.11.004. Epub 2017 Nov 20. PMID: 29158068 Free PMC article.

Structural basis of arrestin-3 activation and signaling. Chen Q, Perry NA, Vishnivetskiy SA, Berndt S, Gilbert NC, Zhuo Y, Singh PK, Tholen J, Ohi MD, Gurevich EV, Brautigam CA, Klug CS, Gurevich VV, Iverson TM. Nat Commun. 2017 Nov 10;8(1):1427. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01218-8. PMID: 29127291 Free PMC article.

Plasticity of the quinone-binding site of the complex II homolog quinol:fumarate reductase. Singh PK, Sarwar M, Maklashina E, Kotlyar V, Rajagukguk S, Tomasiak TM, Cecchini G, Iverson TM. J Biol Chem. 2013 Aug 23;288(34):24293-301. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.487082. Epub 2013 Jul 8. >PMID: 23836905