Dr. Avtar Singh Meena, PhD 

Assistant Professor,
Department of Biotechnology, 

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 

New Delhi-110029

The main focus of our group is to understand the complex bidirectional communication between the gut microbiota and the liver in relation to alcohol consumption.

Education

Ph.D. in Biotechnology (2008-2013) from National Centre for Cell Science, INDIA                

PG Diploma Intellectual Property Rights ( 2011-2012) from Indira Gandhi National Open University INDIA

PG Diploma in Business Administration (2009-2011) from Symbiosis Distance Learning Centre, INDIA

M.Sc. in Biotechnology (2005-2007) from M S University of Baroda, Gujarat, INDIA

B.Sc. (H) in Biochemistry (2002-2005) from Delhi University, INDIA

Experience

12/2022 - Present, Affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Role: Assistant Professor

08/2020- 12/2022, Affiliation: CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Role: Scientist

11/2019 ‐  07/2020, Affiliation: University of Tennessee (UTHSC), Memphis, Role: Instructor (Faculty)

01/2015 ‐  10/2019, Affiliation: University of Tennessee (UTHSC), Memphis, Role: Postdoctoral Fellow

12/2013 ‐  12/2014, Affiliation: National Institute of Pathology, India, Role: ICMR Postdoctoral Fellow

07/2013 ‐  12/2013, Affiliation: GGV (A Central University), India, Role: Assistant Professor

2023

Meena AS*, Shukla PK*, Rao R, Canelas C, Pierre JF, Rao RK (2023) TRPV6 Deficiency Attenuates Stress and Corticosterone-Mediated Exacerbation of Alcohol-Induced Gut Barrier Dysfunction and Systemic Inflammation. Accepted for publication in Frontiers in Immunology (Molecular Innate Immunity) (Impact Factor 8.786) (*equal contribution)

2022

Meena AS*, Shukla PK*, Briar B*, Giorgianni F, Caires R, Fernández-Peña C, Beranova S, Aihara E, Montrose MH, Chaib M, Makowski L, Neeli I, Radic MZ, Vásquez V, Jaggar JH, Cordero-Morales JF, Rao RK (2022) TRPV6 Channel Mediate Alcohol-Induced Gut Barrier Dysfunction and Systemic Response. Cell Reports. 39(11):110937 (Impact Factor 9.995) (*equal contribution)

Adhikari P, Shukla PK, Bhandari S, Meena AS, Regmi B, Alharthi F, Sahay P, Rao RK, Pradhan P (2022).  Photonics probing of pups' brain tissue and molecular specific nuclear nanostructure alterations due to fetal alcoholism via light scattering/localization approaches. Journal of Biomedical Optics. 27(7):076002 (Impact Factor 3.758)

Pandrangi SL, Chittineedi P, Chalumuri SS, Meena AS, Neira Mosquera JA, Sánchez Llaguno SN, Pamuru RR, Mohiddin GJ, Mohammad A (2022). Role of Intracellular Iron in Switching Apoptosis to Ferroptosis to Target Therapy-Resistant Cancer Stem Cells. Molecules. 2022 May 7;27(9):3011. (Impact Factor 4.927)  

Shukla PK*, Meena AS*, Pierre JF, Rao R. Central role of intestinal epithelial glucocorticoid receptor in alcohol- and corticosterone-induced gut permeability and systemic response (2022) FASEB J. 2022 Jan;36(1): e22061. (Impact Factor 5.834) (* equal contribution)

2021

Kalra RS, Dhanjal JK, Meena AS, Kalel VC, Singh B, Dahiya S, Dewanjee S, Kandimalla R (2021) COVID-19, Neuropathology, and Aging: SARS-CoV-2 neurological infection, mechanism, and associated complications. Front Aging Neurosci. 2021 Jun 3;13:662786. (Impact Factor 5.702)

Shukla PK*, Meena AS*, Dalal K, Canelas C, Samak G, Pierre J, Rao RK. (2021) Chronic Stress and Corticosterone Exacerbate Alcohol-Induced Tissue Injury in the Gut-Liver-Brain Axis. Scientific Report. Jan 12;11(1):826. (Impact Factor 4.996)(* equal contribution)

2020

Shukla PK*, Meena AS*, Rao RK. (2020) Prevention and mitigation of alcohol-induced neuroinflammation by Lactobacillus plantarum by an EGF receptor-dependent mechanism. Nutr Neurosci. 2022 Apr;25(4):871-883 (Impact Factor 4.062 (* equal contribution).

Kalra RS, Tomar D, Meena AS, Kandimalla R. (2020) SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, and Hydroxychloroquine: Cardiovascular Complications, Therapeutics, and Clinical Readouts in the Current Settings. Pathogens. 2020 Jul 7;9(7):546. (Impact Factor 4.531)

Shukla PK*, Meena AS*, Gangwar R, Szabo E, Balogh A, Lee SC, Vandewalle A, Gabor T, Rao RK. (2020) LPAR2 receptor activation attenuates radiation-induced disruption of apical junctional complexes and mucosal barrier dysfunction in mouse colon. FASEB J. 2020 Sep;34(9):11641-11657 (Impact Factor 5.834) (* equal contribution)

2019

Meena AS*, Shukla PK*, Sheth P, Rao RK. (2019) EGF Receptor Plays a Role in the Mechanism of Glutamine-Mediated Prevention of Alcohol-Induced Gut Barrier Dysfunction and Liver Injury. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 64; 128-143 (Impact Factor 6.117) (* equal contribution)

2018

Shukla PK*, Meena AS*, Rao V, Rao R, Balazs L, Rao RK. (2018) Human Defensin-5Blocks Ethanol and Colitis-Induced Dysbiosis, Tight Junction Disruption and Inflammation in Mouse Intestine. Scientific Report. 8(1); 16241 (Impact Factor 4.996) (* equal contribution).

Thompson KE, Ray RM, Alli S, Ge W, Boler A, McCool WS, Meena AS, Shukla PK, Rao RK, Johnson LR, Miller MA, Tigyi GJ. (2018) Prevention and treatment of secretory diarrhea by the lysophosphatidic acid analog Rx100. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 243(13); 1056-1065. (Impact Factor 4.088)

Shukla PK*, Meena AS*, Manda B, Gomes-Solecki M, Dietrich P, Dragatsis I, Rao RK. (2018) Lactobacillus plantarum Prevents and Mitigates Alcohol-Induced Disruption of Colonic Epithelial Tight Junctions, Endotoxemia and Liver Damage by an EGF Receptor-Dependent Mechanism. FASEB J. 2018 Jun 18;32(11):fj201800351R (Impact Factor 5.834) (* equal contribution). Note: Figure from this article highlighted on Cover Page of FASEB J (Issue: June 2018)

Shukla PK, Meena AS, Rao R, Rao R. (2018) Deletion of TLR-4 Attenuated Fetal Alcohol Exposure-Induced Gene Expression and Social Interaction Deficits. Alcohol. 73; 73-78. (Impact Factor 2.558)

Kuprysa PV, Tsukamotob H, Gao B, Jiad L, McGowane J, Coopersmith C, Camargoa M, Hulsebusg H, Meena AS, Souza Smithi FM, Ropera P, Fosterj M, Rajuk VS, Marshall A, Fujitag M, Choudhry MA, Kovacs EJ. (2018) Summary of the 2018 Alcohol and Immunology Research Interest Group (AIRIG) Meeting. Alcohol. 77; 11-18. (Impact Factor 2.558)

Manda B, Mir H, Gangwar R, Meena AS, Amin S, Shukla PK, Dalal K, Suzuki T, Rao R. (2018) Phosphorylation hotspot in the C-terminal domain of occludin regulates the dynamics of epithelial junctional complexes. Journal of Cell Science. 131(7); pii: jcs206789. (Impact Factor 5.235)

2017

Gangwar R*, Meena AS*, Shukla PK, Nagaraja AS, Dorniak PL, Pallikuth S, Waters CM, Sood A, Rao R. (2017) Calcium mediated oxidative stress: a common mechanism in tight junction disruption by different types of cellular stress. Biochem J. 474(5); 731-749. (Impact Factor 3.766) (* equal contribution) Note: Figure from this article highlighted on Cover Page of Biochemical Journal (Issue: March 2017)

2016

Samak G, Gangwar R, Meena AS, Rao RG, Shukla PK, Manda B, Narayanan D, Jaggar JH, Rao R. (2016) Calcium Channels and Oxidative Stress Mediate a Synergistic Disruption of Tight Junctions by Ethanol and Acetaldehyde in Caco-2 Cell Monolayers. Scientific Report. 6; 38899. (Impact Factor 4.996)

Shukla PK, Gangwar R, Manda B, Meena AS, Yadav N, et al. (2016) Rapid disruption of intestinal epithelial tight junction and barrier dysfunction by ionizing radiation in mouse colon in vivo: protection by N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 310(9); G705‐15. (Impact Factor 4.871)

Mir H, Meena AS, Chaudhry KK, Shukla PK, Gangwar R, et al. (2016) Occludin deficiency promotes ethanol‐induced disruption of colonic epithelial junctions, gut barrier dysfunction and liver damage in mice. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1860(4); 765‐74. (Impact Factor 4.117)

Shukla PK, Chaudhry KK, Mir H, Gangwar R, Yadav N, Manda B, Meena AS, Rao R. (2016) Chronic ethanol feeding promotes azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colonic tumorigenesis potentially by enhancing mucosal inflammation. BMC Cancer. 16(1); 189. (Impact Factor 4.638)

Barapatre A, Meena AS, Mekala S, Das A, Jha H. (2016) In vitro evaluation of antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of lignin fractions extracted from Acacia nilotica. Int J Biol Macromol. 86; 443-53. (Impact Factor 8.025)

2015

Chaube B, Malvi P, Singh SV, Mohammad N, Meena AS, Bhat MK. (2015) Targeting metabolic flexibility by simultaneously inhibiting respiratory complex I and lactate generation retards melanoma progression. Oncotarget. 6(35); 37281-99. (Impact Factor 3.33)

Aadil KR, Barapatre A, Meena AS, Jha H. (2015) Hydrogen peroxide sensing and cytotoxicity activity of Acacia lignin stabilized silver nanoparticles. Int J Biol Macromol. 82; 39-47. (Impact Factor 8.025)

Singh SV, Ajay AK, Mohammad N, Malvi P, Chaube B, Meena AS, Bhat MK. (2015) Proteasomal inhibition sensitizes cervical cancer cells to mitomycin C-induced bystander effect: the role of tumor microenvironment. Cell Death Dis. 6; e1934. (Impact Factor 9.685)

2014

Mohammad N, Malvi P, Meena AS, Singh SV, Chaube B, Vannuruswamy G, Kulkarni MJ, Bhat MK. (2014) Cholesterol depletion by methyl-β-cyclodextrin augments tamoxifen-induced cell death by enhancing its uptake in melanoma. Mol Cancer. 13; 204. (Impact Factor 41.444)

2013

Meena AS, Sharma A, Kumari R, Mohammad N, Singh SV, Bhat MK. (2013) Inherent and acquired resistance to paclitaxel in hepatocellular carcinoma: molecular events involved. PLoS One. 8(4); e61524. (Impact Factor 3.752)

2012

Ajay AK, Meena AS, Bhat MK. (2012) Human papillomavirus 18 E6 inhibits phosphorylation of p53 expressed in HeLa cells. Cell Biosci. 2; 2. (Impact Factor 9.584)

2010

Sharma A, Meena AS, Bhat MK. (2010) Hyperthermia-associated carboplatin resistance: differential role of p53, HSF1 and Hsp70 in hepatoma cells. Cancer Sci. 101(5); 1186-93. (Impact Factor 6.518)

Book Chapter

1.     Meena AS, Shukla PK. (2020) Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling in Colon Cancer. Recent Advances in Signal Transduction and Therapy; Bentham Science Publishers. Accepted and in press. First and Corresponding author.

2.    Meena AS, Shukla PK. (2020) Altered mitochondrial signalling in neurodegenerative conditions. Mitochondria in Neurological Disorders; Elsa Elsevier. In review.

Awards and Honors

1.         Received Senior Postdoc Achievement Award (Senior Category) from UTHSC PhDA (2019).

2.         Received Best Poster Award from UTHSC PhDA (2018)

3.         Received Travel Award from UTHSC PhDA to attend Research Society on Alcoholism meeting in San Diego, CA (June, 2018)

4.         Received Travel Award from Alcohol and Immunology Research Interest Group to attend AIRIG meeting in Aurora, CO (January, 2018).

5.         Received Junior Postdoc Achievement Award (Junior Category) from UTHSC PhDA (2017).

6.         Received Junior Investigator Award from RSA meeting in Denver, CO. (2017)

7.         Received Pre-doctoral and Postdoctoral Poster Awards from American Physiological Society in Experimental Biology meeting (2016)

8.         Received Travel Award from UTHSC PhDA to attend EB meeting in San Diego, CA (2016)

9.         Received Best Oral Award from UTHSC PhDA (2016)

10.     Travel Award from ICMR to attend conference in Japan

11.     ICMR CENTENARY -Post Doctoral fellowship from ICMR, India (2013-2014)

12.     Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral fellowship from UGC, India

13.     Pre-doctoral Research Fellowships from CSIR India Postdoctoral fellowship from UGC, India

Students Trained

1.         Trained Summer Student, Ashwin Sateesh Nair, from Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA

2.         Trained Summer Student, Leo Kokorev, from University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis USA

3.         Trained Summer Student, Vaishnavi Rao, from PES Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

4.         Trained Summer Student, Kesha Dalal, from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India

5.         Trained PhD rotating Student, Briar Bell, from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India

6.         Trained Summer Student, Brittany Campbell, from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India

Committees and Office Held

1.       Served as UTHSC PhDA steering committee member from 2015 to 2016. In that period, I have attended various events organized by UTHSC PhDA and actively participated in all meetings organized by Postdoc Office and Postdoc Association.

2.       Served as co-president for UTHSC PhDA from 2016 to 2017. My roles included attending a monthly meeting to discuss 1) problems faced by postdocs in UT, 2) promote their career development through the various event, 3) promote interaction with other postdocs regionally and nationally through interaction with the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA), 4) inviting potential speaker which impact on postdocs professional developments.

3.          Served as UTHSC PhDA steering committee member from 2017 to 2018. In this period, I have attended various events organized by UTHSC PhDA and actively participated. In addition, played a moderator role in various events organized by the postdoc office and postdoctoral association.

4.         Serving as an in-charge and coordinator for the tissue culture facility at CCMB, Hyderabad

Oral and Poster Presentation

1.         Meena AS, Shukla PK, Rao RK (2018) Glutamine supplementation attenuates ethanol-induced gut and liver injury by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-dependent mechanism. Accepted for Poster Presentation RSA meeting (June 16-20, 2018) in San Diego, CA.

2.         Shukla PK, Meena AS, Rao RK (2018) Probiotics and their Soluble Factors Prevent and Mitigate Alcoholic Disruption of Gut-Liver-Brain Axis by an EGF Receptor-Dependent Mechanism. Accepted for Oral Presentation in RSA meeting (June 16-20, 2018) in San Diego, CA

3.         Meena AS, Shukla PK, Manda B, Amin S, Rao, RK. (2018). TRPV6 deficient mice are resistant to ethanol-induced disruption of colonic epithelial tight junctions, mucosal barrier dysfunction and liver damage. Alcohol. 66. 93. 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.11.023. (Oral Presentation in Alcohol and Immunology Research Interest Group (AIRIG) on January 26, 2018 at Aurora, CO.

4.         Meena AS, Shukla P, Manda B, Amin S, Rao RK. (2017) Deletion of TRPV6 channel in mice blocks ethanol-induced disruption of colonic epithelial junctions, barrier dysfunction and liver damage. (Oral presentation in Digestive Disease Week 2017, Chicago).

5.         Meena AS, Shukla P, Manda B, Amin S, Rao RK. (2017) Absence of TRPV6 channel in mice blocks ethanol-induced disruption of epithelial tight junctions, barrier dysfunction and liver injury. (poster presentation in 40th Annual RSA Scientific Meeting, Denver CO).

6.         Shukla P, Meena AS, Manda B, Rao RK. (2017) Lactobacillus Plantarum prevents and mitigates ethanol-induced gut and liver injury by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-dependent mechanism. (Oral presentation in Digestive Disease Week 2017, Chicago).

7.         Shukla P, Meena AS, Manda B, Rao RK. (2017) L. Plantarum blocks ethanol-induced gut and liver damage by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-dependent mechanism. (Poster presentation in 40th Annual RSA Scientific Meeting, Denver CO).

8.         Meena AS, Gangwar R, Shukla P, Manda B, Pallikuth S, Rao RK. (2016) Ca2+-Induced Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Mediates Disruption of Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junction: Activation of a Similar Signaling Cascade in Colon by Chronic Restraint Stress. The FASEB Journal Volume 30 no. 1 Supplement 1250.8. (poster presentation in Experimental Biology 2016 Meeting).

9.         Meena AS, Gangwar R, Shukla P, Manda B, Pallikuth S, Rao RK. Ca2+­Induced Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Mediates Disruption of Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junction: Activation of a Similar Signaling Cascade in Colon by Chronic Restraint Stress. (poster presentation Presented in UTHSC PhDA event).

10.     Shukla PK, Gangwar R, Manda B, Meena AS, Balogh A, Szabo E, Lee SC, Tigyi G, Rao RK. (2016) Prevention and Mitigation of Radiation-Induced Colonic Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction by Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor-2 Agonists. The FASEB Journal Volume 30 no. 1 Supplement 1250.9. (poster presentation in Experimental Biology 2016 Meeting).

11.     Shukla PK, Chaudhary KK, Mir H, Gangwar R, Yadav N, Manda B, Meena AS, Rao RK. (2017)  Potential role of mucosal inflammation and histone modifications in alcohol-mediated promotion of colonic tumorigenesis in mice. Alcohol Volume 59, March 2017, Pages 75–76. (Oral presentation in Bioactive Lipid Conference, 14th International conference, Budapest, Hungary).

12.     Meena AS, Sharma A, Kumari R, Bhat MK. (2011) Chemotherapeutic drugs induced caveolin-1 mediates cell death in breast cancer cells via activation of p53 and p38 pathways. Poster presentation in 3rd International Symposium on Translational Research, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India.

13.     Meena AS, Sharma A, Kumari R, Bhat MK. (2009) Molecular signatures for Inherent and Acquired drug resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Poster presentation in 70th Annual meeting of the Japanese Cancer Association, Nagoya, Japan.

14.     Meena AS, Sharma A, Kumari R, Bhat MK. (2009) Molecular mechanisms underlying chemotherapeutic drug resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Role of membrane and cellular signaling proteins. Poster presentation in 4th International Symposium on Translational Research, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.

15.    Meena AS. Involvement of cellular and membrane proteins towards Taxol drug resistance. (2008) Graduate Student Meet (GSM), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India. Attended.