Neurogenetics Lab

Team

Vimlesh Kumar

I was trained in plant sciences during my Masters from School of Life Sciences, (Jawaharlal Nehru University, JNU), where I studied plant-pathogen interactions in Cicer arietinum (Chickpea). I graduated from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (TIFR) in 2005 where I learnt “fly” pushing, and studied cellular mechanisms of synaptic vesicle recycling in late Prof KS Krishnan’s laboratory. I did my postdoctoral training in Prof. Mani Ramaswami’s laboratory at University of Dublin Trinity College, Ireland. I joined IISER Bhopal in January, 2010.

Contact

Email: vimlesh@iiserb.ac.in

Phone - +91-755-2691405 (Office)

+91755-2691406 (Lab)

Fax - +91-755-2692392

Publications

Srikanth Pippadpally*, Anjali Bisht, Saumitra Dey Choudhury, Manish Kumar Dwivedi, Zeeshan Mushtaq, Suneel Reddy-Alla, Vimlesh Kumar* (2026). E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Highwire/Phr1 Phase Separation Mediates Endocytic Control of JNK Signaling in Drosophila Neurons. eLife15:RP109510 (Revision Pending) *Corresponding authors.
Anjali Bisht, Srikanth Pippadpally, Snehasis Majumder, Athulya T Gopi, Abhijeet Das, Chandan Sahi, Mani Ramaswami and Vimlesh Kumar(2025). Prefoldin 5 is a microtubule-associated protein that suppresses Tau aggregation and neurotoxicity. eLife 13:RP104691
Bhagaban Mallik, Shikha Kushwaha, Anjali Bisht, Harsha MJ, Andrew C Frank* and Vimlesh Kumar* (2026). An ArfGAP-Dependent Signaling Modulates Synaptic Plasticity via IP3-Regulated Calcium Release from the Endoplasmic Reticulum. PLoS Genet 22(1): e1012031*Corresponding authors.
Bhagaban Mallik, Manish Kumar Dwivedi, Zeeshan Mushtaq, Manisha Kumari, Praveen Kumar Verma and Vimlesh Kumar (2017). Regulation of Neuromuscular Junction Organization by Rab2 and Its Effector ICA69 in Drosophila: Development, doi: 10.1242/dev.145920.
Saumitra Dey Choudhury, Zeeshan Mushtaq, Suneel Reddy-Alla, Sruthi S Balakrishnan, Rajan S Thakur, KS Krishnan, Padinjat Raghu, Mani Ramaswami and Vimlesh Kumar (2016). sigma2-adaptin Facilitates Basal Synaptic Transmission and is required for Regenerating Endo- Exo Cycling Pool under High Frequency Nerve Stimulation in Drosophila GENETICS 2016 10.1534/genetics.115.183863.

Lab social media accounts:

Present members - PhD

Priyabrata Sarangi

Email: priyabrata24@iiserb.ac.in

I did my Masters in Pharmacy at NIPER Ahmedabad. In my masters I had worked on Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect of omega 3 fatty acids in Rat. Main focus of my research is on understanding how J-domain proteins contribute towards the neuronal physiology and neurodegeneration.

Ramya Shekar (visiting student)

Email: ramyashekhar@iisc.ac.in

I am a visiting student in the Neurogenetics Lab, coming from Upendra’s Lab at IISc. My research focuses on investigating the role of cytoskeletal chaperones in microtubule organization and their implications in neurodegeneration.

Shruti Tyagi

Email: shruti25@iiserb.ac.in

I completed my Master's degree in Biotechnology from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar where I worked on identifying early responsive genes associated with impaired neuronal insulin signaling in Alzheimer’s disease using an invitro model system. I am interested in investigating the functional diversity of Sis1 orthologs in Drosophila and understanding their roles in modulating protein aggregation and neurodegeneration.

Biteshwari Devi

Email: leishangthem25@iiserb.ac.in

My research focuses on understanding how molecular chaperones regulate neuronal survival and neurodegeneration. By combining Drosophila genetics, CRISPR/Cas9 knockout models, and disease-relevant interactions with TDP-43 and FUS, I aim to uncover how Hsp40s contribute to ALS and related disorders.

Divyasree Nair

Email: divyasree26@iiserb.ac.in

I completed my Integrated BSMS dual degree from IISER Thiruvananthapuram with a major in Biological sciences. My master's thesis focused on understanding the role of miRNAs in regulating metabolism and aging in adult Drosophila neurons. In my PhD, my research focuses on understanding the role of stress response pathways in neurodegeneration.

Present members - BS-MS/MSc/JRFs/Interns

Sumaya

BSMS (2022-2027), Email: sumaya22@iiserb.ac.in

My research focuses on understanding the molecular pathway involving the membrane associated protein ICA69 and Wasp in regulating synaptic organisation at the drosophila NMJ. Using drosophila genetics i investigate how ICA69 interact in the wasp dependent pathway to control actin cytoskeletal remodelling, postsynaptic glutamate receptor organisation and synaptic development.

Rishu Raj

BSMS (2022-2027), Email: rishu22@iiserb.ac.in

I am a Final year BS MS student. My research focuses on studying proteins involved in autophagy regulation and their role in neurodegenerative disorders. I aim to understand how disruption of autophagic pathways affects neuronal health, protein homeostasis, and disease progression using molecular and genetic approaches.

Indispensable Humans of the Neurogenetics Lab

Mr. Rajendra Nagar

Lab Technician; Email: rajendranagar479@gmail.com

Mr. Aakil Khan

Lab Technician; Email: aakilkhan465@gmail.com

I joined the Neurogenetics Laboratory in 2014. I am responsible for all the activities in the fly facility and also take care of fly stocks.

Shaping Neurogenetics @ IISERB: PhD Alumni

P Srikanth

Email: psrikanth20@iiserb.ac.in; Twitter: @Sri_1118

Srikanth completed his PhD in 2026. He identified a novel endocytic role that mediates Highwire-dependent JNK signaling through phase separation.

Publications

Srikanth Pippadpally, Sakshi Dunakhe and Vimlesh Kumar. Cell non-autonomous cytoskeleton regulation by G4C2 repeats through transsynaptic signaling (Under preparation)
Anjali Bisht*, Srikanth Pippadpally* and Vimlesh Kumar. Protein Quality Control Systems in Neurodegeneration- Chaperones, Cytoskeleton and the Pathogenic Transition of Tau (Review article, Submitted) *equal contribution.
Srikanth Pippadpally*, Anjali Bisht, Saumitra Dey Choudhury, Manish Kumar Dwivedi, Zeeshan Mushtaq, Suneel Reddy-Alla, Vimlesh Kumar* (2026). E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Highwire/Phr1 Phase Separation Mediates Endocytic Control of JNK Signaling in Drosophila Neurons. eLife15:RP109510 (Revision Pending) *Corresponding authors.
Das J, Datta M, Pippadpally S, Jethani B, Singh SB, Kshirsagar A, Jena A, Kumar V, Majumdar A, Subramanyam D. Pathogenic mutations in clathrin heavy chain disrupt synapse architecture and learning in Drosophila. iScience. 2026 Jun 11;29(7):116317. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.116317. PMID: 42325560; PMCID: PMC13276152.

Anjali Bisht

Email: anjali19@iiserb.ac.in; Twitter: @anjali_neuro

Anjali completed her PhD in 2025. She identified Prefoldin5 as novel microtubule-binding protein and a regulator of Tau-induced neuropathy.

Current position: Postdoc Fellow, Anand Swaroop Lab, National Eye Institute, NIH

Publications

Anjali Bisht*, Priyabrata Sarangi*, Srikanth Pippadpally, Debasis Nayak and Vimlesh Kumar. A posttranslational role of cytoskeletal regulatory chaperones in regulating respiratory tube size and gaseous exchange (Under preparation).
Anjali Bisht*, Srikanth Pippadpally* and Vimlesh Kumar. Protein Quality Control Systems in Neurodegeneration- Chaperones, Cytoskeleton and the Pathogenic Transition of Tau (Review article, Submitted).
Anjali Bisht, Srikanth Pippadpally, Snehasis Majumder, Athulya T Gopi, Abhijeet Das, Chandan Sahi, Mani Ramaswami and Vimlesh Kumar(2025). Prefoldin 5 is a microtubule-associated protein that suppresses Tau aggregation and neurotoxicity. eLife 13:RP104691.

Shikha Kushwaha

She completed her PhD in 2022. She explored the role of dAsap in synaptic morphogenesis.

Current position: Working at Mayo Clinic, USA.

Publications

Shikha Kushwaha, Bhagaban Mallik, Anjali Bisht, Zeeshan Mushtaq, Srikanth Pippadpally, Nitika Chandra, Shubradip Das, Girish Ratnaparkhi, and Vimlesh Kumar (2024). dAsap regulates cellular protrusions via an Arf6-dependent actin regulatory pathway in S2R+ cells. FEBS letters, 10.1002/1873-3468.14954. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/1873-3468.14954.

Manish Kumar Dwivedi

Twitter: @ManishKD_neuro

He completed his PhD in 2020. He explored the role of AP2-mediated synaptic signaling in synaptic morphogenesis.

Current position: Postdoc in Collins lab at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Publications

Shefali Mishra, Vijaya Verma, Sambit Pradhan, Manish Dwivedi, Pooja Jorwal, Varun Gowda, Madavan Vasudevan, Sujit Sikdar, Vimlesh Kumar, Pakkirisamy Thilagar, James Clement and Upendra Nongthomba (2024). Urolithin A mitigates behavioral and synaptic deficits associated with epilepsy (Under review).
Saumitra Dey Choudhury, Manish Kumar Dwivedi, Srikanth Pippadpally, Abhinandan Patnaik, Shirish Mishra, Raghu Padinjat and Vimlesh Kumar (2022). AP2 Regulates Thickveins Trafficking to Attenuate NMJ Growth Signaling in Drosophila. eNeuro, 9(5), ENEURO.0044-22.2022.https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0044-22.2022.
Chitre, K., Kairamkonda, S., Dwivedi, M. K., Yadav, S., Kumar, V., Sikdar, S. K., & Nongthomba, U. (2024). Beadex, the Drosophila LIM only protein, is required for the growth of the larval neuromuscular junction. Journal of neurophysiology, 10.1152/jn.00064.2024. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00064.2024.

Bhagaban Mallik

Twitter: @Mallik_Synapse

Bhagaban completed his PhD in 2017. He explored the role of PICK1-ICA69-Rab2 in iGluR clustering at the synapse

Current position: Senior postdoctoral research scholar at the University of Iowa, USA, with Dr. C. Andrew Frank.

Publications

Bhagaban Mallik, Shikha Kushwaha, Anjali Bisht, Harsha MJ, Andrew C Frank* and Vimlesh Kumar* (2026). An ArfGAP-Dependent Signaling Modulates Synaptic Plasticity via IP3-Regulated Calcium Release from the Endoplasmic Reticulum. PLoS Genet 22(1): e1012031*Corresponding authors.
Bhagaban Mallik, Srikanth Pippadpally, Anjali Bisht, Sajad Bhat and Vimlesh Kumar. (2024). Distinct Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) family proteins may assemble on the same tubule to regulate membrane organization in vivo. Heliyon, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33672
Bhagaban Mallik, Sajad Bhat and Vimlesh Kumar (2022). Role of Bin‐Amphiphysin‐Rvs (BAR) domain proteins in mediating neuronal signaling and disease. Synapse. 76. 10.1002/syn.22248.
Bhagaban Mallik, Aditi Rajasekhar, Vimlesh Kumar* and Jeyaraman Sakar* (2019). A Cell-Permeant Small Molecule for Super-Resolution Imaging of Endoplasmic Reticulum in Live Cells. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9OB00408D. *Corresponding authors.
Bhagaban Mallik and Vimlesh Kumar. (2017). Regulation of actin-Spectrin cytoskeleton by ICA69 at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Communicative & integrative biology. 10.1080/19420889.2017.1381806.
Bhagaban Mallik, Manish Kumar Dwivedi, Zeeshan Mushtaq, Manisha Kumari, Praveen Kumar Verma and Vimlesh Kumar (2017). Regulation of Neuromuscular Junction Organization by Rab2 and Its Effector ICA69 in Drosophila: Development, doi: 10.1242/dev.145920.

Saumitra Dey Choudhury

Twitter: @saumitradc

Saumitra completed his PhD in 2016. He mapped the angur mutant to sigma2-adaptin and explored its role in synaptic function and BMP signaling

Current position: Scientist-II (Microscopy), Centralized Core Research Facility, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Publications

Saumitra Dey Choudhury, Manish Kumar Dwivedi, Srikanth Pippadpally, Abhinandan Patnaik, Shirish Mishra, Raghu Padinjat and Vimlesh Kumar (2022). AP2 Regulates Thickveins Trafficking to Attenuate NMJ Growth Signaling in Drosophila. eNeuro, 9(5), ENEURO.0044-22.2022.https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0044-22.2022
Saumitra Dey Choudhury, Zeeshan Mushtaq, Suneel Reddy-Alla, Sruthi S Balakrishnan, Rajan S Thakur, KS Krishnan, Padinjat Raghu, Mani Ramaswami and Vimlesh Kumar (2016). sigma2-adaptin Facilitates Basal Synaptic Transmission and is required for Regenerating Endo- Exo Cycling Pool under High Frequency Nerve Stimulation in Drosophila GENETICS 2016 10.1534/genetics.115.183863.
Saumitra Dey Choudhury, Ancy VS, Zeeshan Mushtaq and Vimlesh Kumar (2017). Altered Translational Repression of an RNA-binding Protein, elav by AOA2-causative Senataxin Mutation. Synapse, doi: 10.1002/syn.21969.

BS-MS/MSc Alumni

Sakshi Dunakhe

BSMS (2021-2026), Email: sakshi21@iiserb.ac.in

I am interested in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern synapse function, development, and maintenance. My current focus lies in exploring how cellular signaling is affected in ALS pathology.

Deshna Bankar

BSMS (2021-2026), Email: deshna21@iiserb.ac.in

Deshna finished her BSMS in 2026. Her work focused on the genetic and functional analysis of RBP mislocalization in ALS models of Drosophila.

Snigdha Pathak

BSMS (2020-2025) ; Email: snigdha20@iiserb.ac.in

Snigdha finished her BSMS in 2025. Her work focused on investigating the role of Hsp40 family proteins in ALS using Drosophila as a model.

Thanvi

BSMS (2020-2025) ; Email: thanvi20@iiserb.ac.in

Thanvi finished her BSMS in 2025. Her work focused on functional significance of proteins involved in the synaptic plasticity and synaptic architecture, using the Drosophila NMJ (neuromuscular junction) as a model system.

Tanvi Saksena

BSMS (2020-2025) ; Email: tanvi19@iiserb.ac.in

Tanvi finished her BSMS in 2025. Her work focused on uncovering the structural and functional roles of Sis1 orthologs in Drosophila.

Current position: PhD in Neurobiology, SNIPER Lab (PI: Jonathan Elegheert), IINS, University of Bordeaux, France.

Vishnu Pavithran

BSMS (2020-2025) ; Email: vishnu20@iiserb.ac.in

Vishnu finished his BSMS in 2025. His work focused on proteins that affect the synaptic architecture using Drosophila NMJ as model system.

Athulya T Gopi

BSMS (2019-2024) & JRF ; Email: athulya19@iiserb.ac.in

Athulya finished her BSMS in 2024. Her work focused on understanding the functional significannce of Hsp40 proteins in Drosophila Tauopathy models.

Current position: PhD, Dr. Nam-Sung Moon lab, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Nitika Chandra

MSc, Biotechnology (2022-2024); Email: nitika22@iiserb.ac.in

Nitika finished her MSc in 2024. Her work focused on understanding the functional significannce of Hsp40 proteins in Drosophila eye development and maintenance.

Teesta Rayachaudhuri (BSMS, 2023)

Teesta finished her BSMS in 2023. Her work focused on understanding the functional aspects of Prefoldin family proteins in Drosophila development and proteostasis.

Current position: PhD, Dr. Christian Dahmann lab, Institute of Genetics, TU Dresden, Germany.