WHAT DO WE DO?
Our research uses an integrative approach of functional genomics, genetic manipulations, and cell biology. We use the following techniques in our lab:
Gene editing using CRISPR and TALENS
Genomics
Molecular and Cell Biology
Infectious Biology
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We research host-pathogen interactions in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections.
We also work on mobile genetic elements, with a primary focus on their role in genomic instability and cancer.
TRANSPOSONS
Transposons are DNA sequences that can change their location in the genome. Retrotransposons are a class of transposons that occupy almost 50% of our genome and replicate through an RNA intermediate. These repetitive sequences are usually silenced in a healthy somatic cell. However, genomic instability, a hallmark of most human cancers, is often accompanied by the reactivation of retrotransposons.
While most studies on cancers till date have focused on understanding the role of protein coding genes in disease, recent findings from high throughput sequencing studies present compelling evidence that retrotransposons are de-repressed in cancers. Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1 (LINE-1/L1) are the only autonomous, active elements in humans and comprise 17% of the human genome.Â
Our primary focus is understanding the role of (LINE1/L1) in genomic instability and cancer.
OUR MODEL SYSTEM
Due to the persuasive nature of mobile genomic elements, we use diverse genetic model systems (mouse, zebrafish, and fly) to understand the pathologies associated with transposon activation.