Research/Areas of Interest
My research interest is understanding the complex gene regulation processes in specific cell types of the immune system. In particular, I am working on delineating the role of alternative polyadenylation, an important mRNA 3’ end processing mechanism, in determining macrophage differentiation and polarization. Initial findings indicate that regulation of polyadenylation plays an important role in macrophage differentiation. Depletion of CstF64, a cleavage/polyadenylation (C/P) protein and known regulator of polyadenylation efficiency, delayed macrophage marker expression, cell cycle exit, attachment to surfaces, and acquisition of structural complexity, and impeded shortening of mRNAs with functions relevant to macrophage biology. Conversely, CstF64 overexpression increased use of promoter-proximal poly(A) sites and caused the appearance of differentiated phenotypes in the absence of induction. Moreover, another important C/P protein CFIm25 has been found to promote macrophage differentiation and it activates the NF-κβ pathway. Further studies are going on how regulation of mRNA polyadenylation affects the terminal differentiation of naïve macrophages into the inflammatory M1 type of cells or the anti-inflammatory, tumor promoting M2 cells.
Education
- BSc, Microbiology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
- MSc, Microbiology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
- PhD, Biophysics, Molecular Biology & Genetics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India