Dr. Ashish Gupta did his doctorate from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi where he worked in the area of molecular biology of malaria parasite. Thereafter, he moved to USA for his postdoctoral research in the lab of Prof. Anindya Dutta at the University of Virginia. During his post-doctoral, he worked on the area of mammalian biology, where the focus of his research was on functional analysis of chromatin modifier proteins and their modulation and function during viral infection. Currently his lab is interested in addressing several questions related to functional modulation of chromatin remodelling factors and their implicated under physiological and patho-physiological conditions. The findings of his research work are published in reputed international journals. He has been awarded with several prestigious national and international awards and fellowships.
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.
Awarded 'Research Excellence Award-2021' during the Circle of Excellence award ceremony on the special occasion of 10th anniversary celebration of Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR.
INSA Medal for Young Scientist-2015 by Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi. INSA medal is considered to be highest recognition of promise, creativity and excellence in a young scientist.
Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award-2014 by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, New Delhi. IYBA award is given every year to outstanding young scientists in India to pursue innovative research in the frontier areas of biotechnology.
Prof. M.B. Mirza Award-2014 by Indian Society for Parasitology. This award is given for best research work carried out in India in the field of parasitology.
CDMRP US Army Postdoctoral fellowship Award, Goverment of USA
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India ‘Senior Research Fellowship’
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India ‘Junior Research Fellowship’
Awarded ‘Junior Research Fellowship’ from Indian Council for Medical research (ICMR), India
Qualified Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (Life Sciences)