Michelle Sahai

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Michelle Sahai is a Computational Biochemist and Lecturer in Biosciences at Brunel University of London. Her research focuses on drug discovery, particularly the use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, AI, and machine learning to study the conformational dynamics and binding mechanisms of membrane proteins. She has a strong interest in psychostimulant drugs, their interactions with targets such as the dopamine transporter, and the societal impact of emerging psychoactive substances.

Previously, Michelle held an independent research position at the University of Roehampton, where she led computational projects on addiction. Michelle is also an advocate for integrating AI into biosciences education aimed at enhancing digital fluency among early-career researchers. She currently leads modules in experimental design, data analysis, and bioinformatics, and supervises MSc and undergraduate projects that bridge computational and experimental biosciences.

Michelle earned her DPhil in Biochemistry from Oxford University, and completed postdoctoral research in New York, Weill Cornell Medicine. She is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC) and committee member of Molecular Graphics and Modelling Society (MGMS) and plays an active role in interdisciplinary and EDI initiatives, including the CompChemURG initiative for underrepresented group in the field of computational chemistry. She is also the Chief Editor of the Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling (JMGM), which publishes research in molecular modelling and computational chemistry. At Brunel, she is an active member of the Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance (CenGEM), the Antimicrobial Innovations Centre (AMIC), and the Computational Biology Research Group.

Experience

  • 2024–present
    Lecturer (Drug Discovery), Brunel University of London, London, UK
  • 2014–2023
    Senior Lecturer, University of Roehampton, London, UK
  • 2011–2014
    Postdoctoral research fellow, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA

Education

  • 2011 
    University of Oxford, DPhil
  • 2007 
    University of Toronto, MSc
  • 2003 
    University of Toronto, Hons. BSc.

Publications

  • 2021
    Sahai MA, Opacka-Juffry J. Molecular mechanisms of action of stimulant novel psychoactive substances that target the high-affinity transporter for dopamine. , Neuronal Signaling, 5:20210006. https://doi.org/10.1042/NS20210006
  • 2021
    Shiref H, Bergman S, Clivio S, Sahai MA. The fine art of preparing membrane transport proteins for biomolecular simulations: Concepts and practical considerations. , Methods, 185:3–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.02.009
  • 2020
    Loi B, Sahai MA, De Luca MA, et al. The Role of Dopamine in the Stimulant Characteristics of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS)—Neurobiological and Computational Assessment Using the Case of Desoxypipradrol (2-DPMP). , Frontiers in Pharmacology 11:1. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00806
  • 2018
    Sahai MA, Davidson C, Dutta N, Opacka-Juffry J. Mechanistic insights into the stimulant properties of novel psychoactive substances (Nps) and their discrimination by the dopamine transporter—in silico and in vitro exploration of dissociative diarylethylamines., Brain Sciences 8:63. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci8040063
  • 2017
    Sahai MA, Davidson C, Khelashvili G, et al. Combined in vitro and in silico approaches to the assessment of stimulant properties of novel psychoactive substances – The case of the benzofuran 5-MAPB. , Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology, and Biological Psychiatry 75:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2016.11.004

Professional Memberships

  • The Royal Society of Chemistry
  • Biochemical Society
  • British Biophysical Society
  • Biophysical Society
  • Molecular Graphics and Modelling Society

Honours

SFHEA MRSC

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