B.S. in Pharmacy, Sultan-Ul-Uloom College of Pharmacy, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, INDIA. May 2004 M.S. in Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology, College of Applied and Natural Sciences,Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA. May 2006

Program Track: Genomics, Proteomics and Drug Discovery

Primary Advisor: Yong Tae Kwon

Current Research:

Our lab is one of the few research groups studying the N-end rule pathway- a subset of ubiquitin dependent proteolytic system.

Currently my projects include:
1. N-end rule inhibitors: Our inhibitors are based on the concept of heterobivalent interaction leading to cognate, cooperative binding to the target. The idea of developing inhibitors of E3 ub ligase is to reinstate protein homoeostasis in pathological conditions. Our approach is promising as we have specific inhibition of a given E3 rather than global protein degradation as is the case with proteasomal inhibitors. We also employ these inhibitors as a tool in furthering our knowledge of the underlying biochemical mechanism(s) governing this pathway.
2. N-end rule mechanics: This intriguing pathway has many check points and sensors controlling protein degradation. Our lab along with other group has reported small peptides, O2, NO and heme as N-end rule pathway sensors. My data suggests the role of another universal, common, regulator of cellular activity as additional sensor of the N-end rule pathway, broadening the scope of N-end rule pathway from just controlling protein degradation.
3. N-end rule proteomics: Understanding the components of the N-end rule pathway is critical in elucidating the pathway and in understanding its role in global protein homeostasis. To accomplish this we employ affinity based proteomics to identify interacting proteins, coupled with functional proteomics to identify novel substrates. We can also identify protein markers for a given pathological condition, as many pathological conditions are manifested with disruption in protein homeostasis.