Transformation of normal cells to cancer is a complex process and involves the combination of genetic and epigenetic changes. Recently, advancements in high throughput sequencing methods have opened new doors for the development of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets to combat cancer, and that is where our group's research interest lies. We are interested in the exploration of the cancer genome and epigenome to discover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Dr. Sudhanshu Shukla
Associate Professor,
IIT Dharwad
sudhanshu@iitdh.ac.in
Ph.D. Students:
Seema Khadirnaikar (2018-Present)
The mortality rate due to cancer continues to grow exponentially every year. Even today, the treatment strategy for most cancer types relies hugely on the tumor's grade and stage (severity and degree of spread). This traditional approach does not account for the underlying genomic variations that determine the disease's progression, response and resistance to therapy, and also the relapse of the disease. This work aims to apply machine learning (ML) algorithms to integrate multi-omics data from genomic and epi-genomic levels with an aim to stratify the patient population into smaller subgroups. Better treatment choices can be made based on the characteristics of the patients in each subgroup which, besides minimizing the cost of therapy, will maximize the patient benefit. As the ML models rely hugely on a large number of samples, we also aim to use generative models to generate the genomic data synthetically.
Annesha Chatterjee (2019-Present)
NSCLC (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) accounts for the highest number of cancer related deaths across the globe due to late diagnosis, absence of a useful prognostic marker and poor therapeutic options. Thus, it is imperative to identify a novel biomarker and therapeutic targets for NSCLC patients. GTPases, a family of hydrolases enzyme works as a molecular switch which cycles between active and inactive state based on the GTP/GDP bound form. It plays a crucial role in the regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton and gene transcription thus affecting polarity, motility and invasion, cell cycle progression and cell survival. I am working on the characterization and functionalization of GTPases in NSCLC. My work mostly involves working on the genetics and epigenetic landscape of GTPases in tumors. I also investigate the functional role of GTPases in tumor growth and mortality. My main aim is to identify a novel therapeutic target for solid tumors.
Nikita Bhandari (2020-Present)
I am working on characterization of Molecular and clinical role of novel RNA binding Proteins in solid tumors. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are considered as an old player in the molecular and cellular biology that regulates the RNA function post-transnationally. Alterations in the expression and function of RBPs can amplify the effects of cancer driver genes, accelerate tumor progression, and promote aggressiveness. Understanding the function of RBPs in cancer cells can assist in developing prognostic and response biomarkers that can potentially unveil new targets for the therapeutic design. The majority of known RBPs are not well characterized hence a deeper understanding of the molecular and clinical role of these RBPs in solid cancers is missing and requires a comprehensive approach. In our study we are using Bioinformatics methods to analyse the high throughput data to identify the novel and cancer-associated RBPs. Cellular and molecular biology methods like knockdown, overexpression, RNA sequencing, Pulldown, PAR-CLIP, etc. are also being used for the characterization. At the end of the study, we expect to establish RBPs as therapeutic target and biomarker in solid cancers.
Lakshana Mandve (2022-Present)
I am working on functional characterization of transporters present on plasma membrane in cancer. In recent years, the significance of plasma membrane transporters in cancer has grown. The expression of several important nutrient transporters is upregulated or downregulated in cancer. The second-largest family of membrane proteins is the SLC superfamily. They are divided into 52 families, each of which contains 395 transporters. Together, these transporters are widely distributed throughout the body, but especially in epithelial tissues. Members of the SLC superfamily regulate ion fluxes at the plasma membrane, or solute transport into and out of cellular organelles. The management of therapeutic substances, particularly anticancer medications, is significantly influenced by the SLCs. Therefore, different levels of SLC expression in malignancies may affect how well treatments work. As not much information is known about the relevance of these transporters in cancer, we are trying to unleash its importance and role in cancer.
Disha Acharya (2022-Present)
I work on functional characterization of Gap Junction (GJs) proteins in cancer. GJs are specialised protein channels that enable direct communication between two adjacent cells by a mechanism called GJIC (Gap Junction Intercellular Communication). Connexins (Cxs) are the basic building blocks of GJs. Connexins can influence cellular phenotypes through a variety of mechanisms, including GJIC, C-terminal tail-mediated signalling, cell-cell adhesion during gap junction creation. Given that cancer is a condition of uncontrolled cell proliferation, Gap Junction Communication in tumour cells frequently breaks down. We seek to understand the role of gap junctions in the advancement of this disease since the its function in cancer has not yet been thoroughly characterised.
Junior Research Fellows (JRFs):
Shweta Yalshetti (2023)
Panchami Bhat (2023)
Past Members
Shreesh Pratap Samarat
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Pranjal Kumar (2018-2023)
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Satish Kumar Manjhi