Institute of Molecular Medicine,
254 , Okhla Industrial Estate,
Phase III
New Delhi 110020, India
Phone: Off: 41028710
Fax: 011-41028709
E-mail: sujatha@tcgaresearch.org
Ph.D, M.G.R.Medical University, Chennai. (2000)
M.Sc, Madras University, Chennai. (1994)
July 2007- present, Research Scientist, Institute of Molecular Medicine, New Delhi
2004- 2007, Research Scientist, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi
2001- 2004, Research Associate, National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi
2000- 2001, Research Associate, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
2000-2000, Research Scientist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
Having a sound background in both cancer genetics and in malaria, our lab research is aimed in utilizing advanced technologies towards developing cancer therapy response markers and in answering basic questions in malaria.
Predictive markers for therapy response in cancer
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which participates in signaling pathways that are deregulated in cancer cells, is a promising target in epithelial cancer, notably colorectal cancer. Cetuximab and Panitumumab, monoclonal antibodies targeting EGFR, are currently used in EGFR expressing metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, clinical benefit with EGFR-targeting antibodies seems to be restricted to a particular subgroup of mCRC patients and no validated predictive factor is currently available to improve the rational administration of these therapies in this patient population.
Our lab is involved in studying the EGF pathway to derive upon a set of genes using target that can be used as predictive markers to monitor drug efficacy of Cetuximab treatment when used as first-line treatment. Our work aims in arriving on strategies to increase median progression free survival and overall survival of patients with mCRC.
Our work also aims towards certain therapeutic aspects in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Imatinib mesylate has revolutionized the treatment of CML. It is the first disease to be treated by a small molecule targeted drug. Imatinib has succeeded in increasing the duration of the chronic disease and a majority of the patients remain in the chronic phase. In the Indian scenario, poor screening modality in the country is prevalent and Indian patients present much later in the disease. Due to possible late presentation, there is a possibility of adverse BCR-ABL mutations at diagnosis that might contribute to the poor cytogenetic response. While this might be true, currently there are no studies in Indian patients that BCR-ABL mutations present prior to starting imatinib are responsible for resistance to imatinib, especially in newly diagnosed chronic phase CML. We hypothesize that Indian Imatinib-naïve patients have baseline BCR-ABL mutations which will affect treatment response.
Our lab is using advance platform technologies to validate the baseline BCR-ABL mutations that are present in Indian patients with chronic phase CML using sequencing, qPCR and MassArray technology.
Analyzing Oxidative stress response in Anopheles during Plasmodium invasion using comparative transcriptomics
We propose to evaluate fluidity of mosquito transcriptome permitting parasite development. These measurable parameters include ookinetes formation, oocysts journey from gut to haemolymph, sporozoite maturation/release and host response or the lack of host response to parasite’s presence. Our hypothesis is that comparative transcriptomics utilizing publically available microarray data of Anopheles and Drosophila will throw light into those genes that are involved in the various pathways of oxidative phosphorylation, PPP and wnt signaling during ookinete invasion. The information would help to identify distinct class of molecules that are not yet to be characterized in Anopheles. Using system biology and tools like support vector machine (SVM), pathway modeling we are building the entire network involved in this complicated process.
Sunil, S., V. S. Chauhan and P. Malhotra. Distinct and stage specific nuclear factors regulate the expression of falcipains, Plasmodium falciparum cysteine proteases. BMC Molecular Biology. 2008, May 14; 9:47.
Sunil, S., M. Hossain., G. Ramasamy and P. Malhotra. Transient silencing of Plasmodium falciparum Tudor Staphylococcal Nuclease suggests an essential role for the protein. Biochem Biophy Res Comm. 2008, Jul 25; 372(2):373-8.
Mamillapalli, Anitha., S. Sunil., S. S. Diwan., S. K. Sharma., P. K. Tyagi., T. Adak., H. Joshi and P. Malhotra. Polymorphism and epitope sharing between the alleles of merozoite surface protein-1 of Plasmodium falciparum among Indian isolates. Malaria Journal. 2007, 6:95.
Sunil, S., K. Raghavendra., O.P. Singh., P. Malhotra., Y. Huang., L. Zheng and S. K. Subbarao. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers from malaria vector, Anopheles culicifacies. Molecular ecology notes. 2004. 4-3: 698.
Amanda, Maestre., S. Sunil., G. Ahmad., A. Mohmmed., E. Marcela., C. Mauricio., B. Silvia., V. S. Chauhan and P. Malhotra. Inter-allelic recombination in the P.vivax merozoite surface protein 1 gene among Indian and Colombian isolates. Malar Journal. 2004, 3:4
Singh, O. P., D. Chandra., N. Nanda., K. Raghavendra., S. Sunil., S. K. Sharma., V.K. Dua and Sarala. K. Subbarao. Differentiation of members of Anopheles fluviatilis species complex by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction based on 28S ribosomal DNA sequences. Am.J.Trop.Med.Hyg. Jan, 2004; 70 (1), 27-32.
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