Area of Interests: Neuro-Genetics; Specialization- in molecular biology of Epilepsy

Experience:

Although I was trained in the field of molecular biology and cell biology, I have specialized in neuroscience, particularly in epilepsy. For the past 17 years I have been working in the area of epilepsy understanding the molecular  signal transduction pathways for how non-ion channel genes, that are involved in epilepsy, mediate seizure.  About 8 million people are affected with epilepsy in India. The most common form of epilepsy is Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and mutation in EFHC1 gene causes JME. The physio-molecular role of EFHC1 is unknown. Using protein-protein interaction studies, I have observed that EFHC1 interacts with PDHC enzyme, physiologically activates and increases production of NADH and lactate. Mutant EFHC1 reduces PDHC mediated NADH production. I have also shown that mutation in EFHC1 decreases ATP energy source and activates AMPK. My observation explains why ketogenic diet reduces severe-forms of epilepsy.

Apart from it, I had worked in various field of Biology; Cholesterol metabolism, Hypertension & Vasodilatation, Pregnancy (pre-term labor). I have expertise in various field of studies:  Biochemical analysis, enzyme kinetics, plasmid vector construction for gene delivery and protein expression in human cell, Gene-library construction and screening, various genetic reporter assay using luciferase or fluorophore, gene expression, protein-protein interaction, protein- co-localization studies using GFP and mRFP, mutation detection, miRNA  assay, siRNA mediated gene knockdown and other molecular techniques that are pre-requisite for modern day high-end scientific research.  

Publications:

• International – 40
• National – 1

Research Projects: 3 projects (completed)

Awards:  Govt. of India fellowship for higher studies abroad (awarded in 1985)

Ph.D. Awarded/ Supervised: 2

Administrative responsibilities undertaken: 

• Serving as a Head of the department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, NEHU.
• Served as a Task Force member in DBT-Neuroscience (2010-2012).

Paper presented in Conferences/Seminars:

• Conference – 17 (International)
• Invited Lectures – 8

Collaboration/Consultancy: 2 (AIIMS & Ramakrishna Mission University, Kolkata)

Journal Reviewed:

• Journal of Clinical Investigation
• Journal of Molecular Medicine
• Journal of Medical Genetics
• Gene
• Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine
• Journal of Ethnopharmacology
• Aging

Edu-Sat Talk (Gyandarshan):

1. History, Anatomy and Functions of Human Brain
2. Hormonal Communication
3. Senile dementia: Parkinson’s disease