Research Interest
The major research interest of our group is centered on studying the lipid-peptide interaction in order to understand biological processes. Fluorescence-based spectroscopic approaches are extensively used in our laboratory.
Developing Peptide-based Membrane Fusion Inhibitors:
Emerging infectious diseases pose a constant threat to global health and the economy. Understanding the molecular basis of viral fusion peptide-induced membrane fusion would provide detailed insight into the membrane fusion process, which is considered the first step of viral infection. Based on the existing literature, it is quite evident that the protein-centric model of membrane fusion is insufficient to explain the molecular basis of the fusion process since fusion protein varies across viruses. Considering that traditional vaccine/drug discovery strategies invariably target the viral fusion protein, effects are extremely specific against a particular virus, and such an approach is referred to as the ‘one bug-one drug approach’.
Emerging infectious diseases pose a constant threat to global health and the economy. Understanding the molecular basis of viral fusion peptide-induced membrane fusion would provide detailed insight into the membrane fusion process, which is considered the first step of viral infection. Based on the existing literature, it is quite evident that the protein-centric model of membrane fusion is insufficient to explain the molecular basis of the fusion process since fusion protein varies across viruses. Considering that traditional vaccine/drug discovery strategies invariably target the viral fusion protein, effects are extremely specific against a particular virus, and such an approach is referred to as the ‘one bug-one drug approach’.
In our lab, we are working on correlating peptide-induced membrane fusion and its inhibition with their effects on membrane organization and dynamics. We utilize several steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence methods to determine the peptide-induced alteration of membrane organization and dynamics with an aim to understand membrane fusion through peptide-based membrane perturbation. This allows us to design peptides that will modulate the membrane organization and dynamics in such a way that they block membrane fusion.
In our lab, we are working on correlating peptide-induced membrane fusion and its inhibition with their effects on membrane organization and dynamics. We utilize several steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence methods to determine the peptide-induced alteration of membrane organization and dynamics with an aim to understand membrane fusion through peptide-based membrane perturbation. This allows us to design peptides that will modulate the membrane organization and dynamics in such a way that they block membrane fusion.
