Profile

Research Interest:

I. Chromatin Remodelling Factors & Nuclear Receptor Signalling

Since epigenetic regulators are critical for many basic biological processes, our lab is interested in elucidating the chromatin remodelling factors underlying the action of nuclear receptors and their implications in normal cellular physiology and pathophysiological conditions. One of our research focus is to understand how chromatin microenvironment and chromatin modifiers regulate nuclear receptor signalling and its functional dynamics.

TIP60, a histone acetyl transferase protein is known to regulate steroid receptor function in a context-dependent manner. Our lab has shown that TIP60 forms a novel complex with PXR, a xenobiotic receptor and together this complex promote cell migration and adhesion. Cell migration is fundamental to both normal cellular processes such as development, wound healing, tissue regeneration as well as in spread of metastatic cancers. We are currently studying the mechanism by which TIP60 and PXR work together to regulate the process of cell migration and adhesion and the physiological/pathophysiological implications resulting due to their aberrant activity.

II. Identification & characterization of novel molecular targets of human malaria parasite

Despite worldwide efforts ongoing to control and eliminate malaria, it still remains one of the deadliest parasitic infectious diseases that cause ~6.6 lakh deaths annually. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify and characterize novel molecular targets to deepen our understanding of the basic biology of malaria parasite and for strategizing better approach for anti-malarial therapy.

Given the essential role of epigenetics and chromatin remodelling factors in regulation of gene expression, the goal of our research project is to identify and characterize the molecular machinery involved in bringing epigenetic changes in the parasite genome during different stages of IDC. To gain insight into these mechanisms we are applying functional genomics approaches integrating molecular biology techniques, biochemistry and bioinformatics. To identify and characterize novel molecular targets for anti-malarial chemotherapy.

III. Host-Pathogen interaction

Infectious agents such as bacteria, virus or parasite when infect human host tries to alter the host genomic environment in such a manner that favours their survival and successive proliferation. An important strategy employed by these organisms to ensure their survival and replication is alteration of host epigenome leading to altered protein expression profile & inactivation/degradation of proteins related to cell-cycle check points and apoptotic pathways.

The major objective of this study is to investigate the role of pathogens in altering the host cellular protein expression profile and its role in pathogen survival and infection. Unravelling these molecular mechanisms is important to develop strategies to prevent infection of these pathogens.