My research project deals with studying the Interleukin-4 (IL-4) signal transduction pathway and elucidating the role it plays in the development and regulation of allergy and asthma.

 

IL-4 is a cytokine that induces naive CD4+ T cells to differentiate into T helper type 2 cells. It also stimulates B cells to produce IgE and plays an important role in survival of B cells, T cells and mast cells. In people who are prone to asthma, allergens activate CD4+ Th2 cells. The latter then secrete IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, which in turn induce eosinophilic inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and airway hyperresponsiveness, leading to the development of asthma. 

 

I am at present analyzing the signal transduction pathways that are activated when IL-4 binds to it receptor, especially the STAT6 and IRS pathways. My aim is to understand the role these pathways play in the pathogenesis of asthma and possibly develop strategies to modulate the immune response so as to prevent and cure disease symptoms.

T cell isolation and purification, Cell Culture, Histology, Immunohistochemistry, Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, Microscopy

I graduated from St. Joseph's College, Bangalore University, India in May 2005 with a major in Microbiology, Chemistry and Botany. In 2004, I worked in Dr. Satyajit Rath's lab at the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi as a Summer Research Fellow. There, I worked on an exploratory project aimed at understanding the role of gamma delta T cells in combating pathogens, specifically Salmonella. After graduating, I was fortunate enough to work for a short time at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in Dr. K.N. Balaji's lab, helping to characterize a gene encoding a lipase enzyme from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

 

In fall 2006, I joined the Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Program at UMB. I have since completed three lab rotations and joined Dr. Achsah Keegan's lab to work on my thesis project.

 

I also enjoy participating in extra-curricular activities. Last year, I was among a group of students who helped tutor high school children as a part of A Bridge to Academic Excellence (ABAE). Currently, I am a News Editor for the Campus Connection, a student-run newspaper at UMB and a member of the Graduate Student Environmental Action Coalition (GSEAC).  In addition to this, I help out with various activities that are organized by my department.