Genomics Productization · NGS Assay Development · Technical Product Management
From molecular discovery
to customer-ready
genomics products.
Molecular biologist and genomics product scientist with 20+ years leading NGS library prep, assay development, QC/QA frameworks, reagent readiness, and commercial launch across Ultima Genomics, Fluidigm, Dovetail Genomics, and Centrillion.
Dr. Amit Khanna
M.S., Ph.D.
Ultima
Genomics
2023 - Present
Staff Scientist
Applications & Collaborations
Standard
BioTools
2020 - 2023
Staff / Senior Scientist
Applications & New Tech
Dovetail
Genomics
2018 - 2020
Senior Scientist
3D Genomics Product Development
Centrillion
Biosciences
2016 - 2018
Scientist II
Microarray Sequencing Platform
Buck
Institute
2011 - 2016
Postdoctoral Fellow
Aging, Diet & Microbiome
Univ. of
Kentucky
2006 - 2010
Research Scholar
Ph.D. - RNA Biology
A scientist who builds
products, not just papers.
My career traces the full arc from foundational RNA biology — characterising snoRNAs in Prader-Willi syndrome and discovering HIV-associated miRNAs — through aging and longevity research at the Buck Institute, into leading NGS assay and product development in industry.
What I do at that intersection: translate ambiguous molecular problems into product requirements, QC frameworks, reagent readiness evidence, and customer-facing commitments — bridging R&D, QA/QC, Operations, Legal, Bioinformatics, and Commercial teams. I communicate technical tradeoffs clearly to scientists, product managers, and leadership alike.
"The most valuable scientists are the ones who can move science out of the lab and into the world."
Core Expertise
NGS Assay & Library Prep Development
PCR-free and conversion workflows, adapter/primer/barcode design, library QC, and troubleshooting across Ultima, Illumina, and Nanopore platforms.
Productization & Technical Product Management
Assay biology → product requirements, acceptance criteria, QC frameworks, reagent readiness, technical transfer, and launch documentation.
QA / QC & Reagent Readiness
Functional testing, shipping and freeze-thaw studies, stability rationale, lot testing, audit-ready documentation, and ISO readiness support.
Scientific Communication & Collaboration
B2B partner programs, FAS enablement, conference presentations, webinars, science writing, and cross-functional storytelling.
From RNA signals
to gut-brain biology
& genomic products.
My academic work moved through three connected arcs: noncoding RNA and disease biology (HIV miRNA, Prader-Willi snoRNAs), into aging and brain biology (diet, miRNAs, insulin signaling), and finally the gut microbiome and metabolite axis — identifying trimethylamine as a gut-derived modulator of neurodegeneration and lifespan. Each arc produced tools and insights that translated into measurable genomic approaches.
Noncoding RNA & Disease Biology
snoRNA discovery in Prader-Willi syndrome and novel HIV miRNA identification — connecting noncoding RNA regulation to human genetic disease.
Gut-Brain-Aging Axis
Identified trimethylamine (TMA) as a gut-derived metabolite modulating neurodegeneration and lifespan via tyra-3/daf-11 signaling in C. elegans.
Diet, miRNAs & Brain Aging
Calorie restriction downregulates key miRNAs in mouse brain, activating survival pathways — a molecular link between dietary restriction and neuroprotection.
Two defining papers
Trimethylamine modulates dauer formation, neurodegeneration, and lifespan through tyra-3/daf-11 signaling in C. elegans
Khanna A. et al. · Aging Cell
The snoRNA MBII-52 (SNORD 115) is processed into smaller RNAs and regulates alternative splicing
Kishore S.*, Khanna A.* et al. · Human Molecular Genetics
1,100+ citations across 16+ publications — full list below
View All on Scholar20+ years from
bench to product.
Industry roles 2016–present. Academic background summarised below.
Staff Scientist — Applications & Collaborations / Library Prep R&D
Ultima Genomics
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Driving Solaris Free, Solaris Flex, and Solaris 2.0 library prep workflows from development through commercial release on the UG 100 platform — owning cross-functional execution across R&D, QA, Operations, and Commercial.
Staff Scientist / Senior Scientist — Applications & New Technologies
Standard BioTools (Fluidigm)
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Led genomics workflow development and applications at the interface of customer needs and commercialization — feasibility studies, technical positioning, and cross-team knowledge transfer.
Senior Scientist — Product Development & Applications
Dovetail Genomics / EdenRoc Sciences
Scotts Valley, CA
Built proximity-ligation and Hi-C assays for high-quality NGS libraries — from feasibility and DOE through reagent stability, packaging, and productization hand-off.
Scientist II — Product Development
Centrillion Biosciences
Palo Alto, CA
Led a team developing a microarray-based sequencing platform — DNA/RNA workflow optimization, QC, and cross-disciplinary experimental coordination.
Academic & Research Background
2010 – 2016
Postdoctoral Fellow
Buck Institute for Research on Aging & Gheens Center, U of Louisville — aging biology, gut microbiome, miRNA, C. elegans
2006 – 2010
Ph.D. Research Scholar
Friedrich-Alexander University / University of Kentucky — RNA biology, snoRNAs, alternative splicing, Prader-Willi syndrome
2004 – 2006
Research Fellow
PGIMER, Chandigarh — HIV miRNA discovery, immunomodulatory cell biology
Peer-reviewed science,
cited worldwide.
Trimethylamine modulates dauer formation, neurodegeneration, and lifespan through tyra-3/daf-11 signaling in C. elegans
Khanna A, Sellegounder D, Kumar J, et al.
Aging Cell, 2021
The influence of dietary bacteria genotypes on dauer formation in C. elegans
Khanna A*, Kumar J*, Misha VA*, et al. (Equal contributions)
Scientific Reports, 2016 · PMID: 27958277
Mitobolites: the elixir of life
Katewa SD, Khanna A, Kapahi P
Cell Metabolism, 2014 · PMC4103626
Gain of survival signaling by down-regulation of three key miRNAs in brain of calorie-restricted mice
Khanna A, Muthusamy S, Liang R, et al.
Aging (Albany NY), 2011 · PMC3091518
The snoRNA MBII-52 (SNORD 115) is processed into smaller RNAs and regulates alternative splicing
Kishore S*, Khanna A*, Zhang Z, et al. (Co-first authors)
Human Molecular Genetics, 2010
Detection of novel miRNA in HIV-1 genome and its role in CD4 T-cell deletion
Kaul D, Khanna A, Suman
PINAS India, 2006
Full list with citation metrics on Google Scholar
View on Google ScholarAwards, fellowships,
& invited roles.
Recognized for scientific leadership and communication across aging research, RNA biology, and genomics — internationally and in the USA.
Selected Chair — Gordon Research Seminar on Aging & Metabolism
Gordon Research Conferences · Barga, Italy
Conference Chair · 2013Invited Instructor — Alternative Splicing and Disease Workshop
European Alternative Splicing Network (EURASNET)
Invited Instructor · 2009Thomas C. Vanaman Graduate Student Best Talk Award
Spring Research Conference · University of Kentucky
Best Talk Award · 2009Research Assistant Fellowship — DBT Funded Project
Department of Biotechnology, Government of India
Fellowship · 2006Professional Memberships
Webmaster & Member
European Alternative Splicing Network (EURASNET)
2007 – 2010
Student Member
Indian Science Congress
2004 – 2006
Science doesn't stop
at the bench.
Science Media & PublishingBiotic Chronicles
BioticChronicles.com
Science media and publishing platform — books, videos, and advocacy around genomics, aging, and ncRNA biology. Home of WriteHub™ for collaborative science publishing.
Founder & Publisher · Est. 2006
Visit
Health Intelligence & MentorshipGenoTrek
GenoTrek.com
Structured health intelligence platform connecting conditions, biology, screening, and diagnostics — plus a student mentorship program guiding high schoolers through genomics research.
Founder & Program Lead · Est. 2022
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Humor & Creative StorytellingNuptial Nerdom
NuptialNerdom.com
Comics, animated videos, and interactive apps where science meets marriage, politics, and life. Home of "Nerdy Logic" and "Couchside Politics." Because nerds have feelings too.
Creator & Writer · Est. 2024
VisitBooks & Writing
Biotic Chronicles: Explore, Learn, and Discover
Rainbow Riddles, Space Odyssey, Moon & Star Mysteries, Wildlife Wonders, Shapes in Nature, Earth's Magic Moments — science books for curious young minds.
AI Literacy
AI-enabled genomics,
guided by scientific judgment.
I apply AI literacy as a professional capability layer across genomics research, productization, literature intelligence, evidence synthesis, QA/QC documentation and scientific communication. The focus is responsible use: structured outputs, source traceability, expert review and practical decision support.