Muskan is currently completing a PhD with Dr Adi Idris in the Antiviral Therapies Research Group.
Muskan’s PhD project focuses on the development of targeted extracellular vesicle (EV)-based RNA therapeutics for Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1), an oncogenic retrovirus associated with Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma. Her work aims to design and validate siRNA, shRNA, and antisense RNA targeting key HTLV-1 regulatory genes, including Tax, HBZ, and the viral long terminal repeat (LTR), and to package these RNA therapeutics into engineered EVs for cell-specific delivery to infected T cells. The project investigates transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanisms and integrates RNA interference strategies with epigenetic modulation to better understand viral latency and gene regulation.
Prior to commencing her PhD, Muskan worked as a Research Assistant, gaining hands-on experience across multiple molecular virology and cell biology projects, contributing to experimental design, data generation, and laboratory management.
Muskan is a recipient of the Australian Government National Industry PhD Program, undertaking her research in partnership with GeneCo as the industry partner.