Research Interests
1.How cells regulate actin dependent processes?
To facilitate processes like cell migration and macropinocytosis, eukaryotic cells require a rapid supply of actin polymers to form protrusions, pseudopodia/lamellipodia, and macropinocytic cups. Uncontrolled cell migration and macropinocytosis results in disease conditions, such as cancer metastasis. Primarily, our aim is to uncover the regulatory mechanisms that control cancer cell migration, invasion, metastasis, and endocytosis. We are focusing on identifying novel protein interactors and modifications of the actin nucleating factors (NPFs) Scar/WAVE complex, WASP, and WASH, and investigate their role in the unicellular eukaryote Dictyostelium discoideum, Melanoma, and other cancer cells.
2. To decipher mechanisms by which gut parasites target host's immune system.
The murine helminth parasite, Heligmosomoides polygyrus secretes hundreds of immunomodulatory molecules whose mode of action are unknown. Hence, we are interested in uncovering the cellular and molecular targets of the excretory-secretory (ES) proteins, such as Transforming Growth Factor mimics (TGMs) and Novel Secretory Proteins (NSPs), from the murine intestinal helminth parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus and exploring their therapeutic potential.
An Institute of Eminence
