General Research Interest
Targeting mitotic machinery (Aurora B kinase and Survivin) in cancers, DNA double strand break repair, Radiation Biodosimetry, Radio-protectors and Radio-sensitizers.Research Description
My research focus/areas of interests include:
a) Biomarkers for early prediction of the delayed effects of normal tissue injury following radiation disaster or therapeutic exposure: The ultimate goal is to develop non-invasive serum/urine based biodosimetry and therapeutic strategies for timely intervention prior to expression of the disease.
b) Mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in malignant brain tumors: We are interested in the epigenetic modulators which define the competence of chromatin in DNA repair and understanding how it varies in normal tissue, radiation sensitive and resistant tumor tissues, with emphasis on GBM. The ultimate goal is to develop novel/ improved strategies for radio-sensitization of cancer cells, protecting normal cells and thereby achieving better therapeutic ratio.
c) Targeting the mitotic machinery in cancers: In collaboration with investigators at OSU College of Pharmacy, we have developed and tested several novel small molecules that inhibit survivin function in the Chromosomal Passenger Complex (CPC) and its association with Aurora-B kinase, another critical regulator of mitotic progression. We are currently investigating the efficacy of these agents.
d) Investigate the therapeutic, radio-protective and radio-sensitizing effects of selected natural products in mouse models.