MOLECULAR GENETICS LABORATORY
Broad Area of Research: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Genetics
On Going Research
Project 1: Molecular genetics of Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma
Pseudoexfoliation gluacoma (PEXG) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder and a prominent contributor to secondary glaucoma called pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. It is characterized by deposition of white flake like materials on the surface of anterior eye tissues. In addition, it has been associated with cardiovascular abnormalities, lens dislocation, nuclear cataract and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Few genetic players have been associated with the onset of PEXG most of which are extracellular matrix proteins. Our lab is focused on finding the novel genetic and epigenetic players having a role in the development of PEXG utilizing both genetic and molecular approaches.
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Grant Support: DAE and CSIR.
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Project 2: Genetic players of Fuchs Dystrophy
Being one of the most common primary corneal endotheliopathy, FECD is the third most frequent reason for corneal transplantation in India. Affecting elderly population over age forty and predominantly women, it is an autosomal dominant and genetically complex disorder. Our team primarily focuses on deciphering the mode of disease progression due to certain candidate genes. We are also trying to sort the polymorphisms that specifically get associated with Indian FECD patients that may in future aid in disease diagnosis prior to its onset.
Grant Support: DAE and ICMR.
Project 3: Epigenetic role for natural products as regulators of tumor suppressor genes
Natural products are known to have anti-tumour properties and recent work from our lab elucidate the role of two such products, artemisinin and curcumin as anti-tumor agents against brain tumour using an in-vivo Drosophila system. Our hypothesis is that artemisinin and curcumin bring their effect by epigenetic modifications since it cures the tumor in a loss-of-function mutant. The goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in artemisinin and curcumin mediated tumour regression and extend the work to other established glioma models in Drosophila and rats and to establish a high-throughput screening technique using Drosophila system.
Grant Support: DAE, DBT and DST.