My Team

Team Members

Nandini R.J, PhD
DBT-MK Bhan Young Researcher

Functional significance of cardiac mitochondrial subpopulations in type 2 diabetic Asian Indians
The major focus of my research is cardiac mitochondrial metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Asian Indians have the highest prevalence of T2DM. We are metabolically different and more prone to diabetes related cardiovascular diseases and complications than other populations. Yet we lack reports on diabetic cardiac metabolism in Asian Indian population. It is identified that one of the major reasons behind T2DM associated cardiac functional impairments is mitochondrial dysfunction. Any impairment in mitochondrial metabolism will affect the myocardial function as it needs a constant supply of energy. Based on the cellular localization, cardiac mitochondria are classified as subsarcollemmal (SSM) and interfibrillar (IFM) subpopulations. These subpopulations of mitochondria being different in their metabolic status and function, caters the specific energy demands in a myocardial cell. Thus the major objective is to unravel the cardiac metabolite profile and mitochondrial respiration in T2DM Asian Indians with the help of high throughput metabolomics and high resolution respirometry.

Dr. Kalaivani V

Kalaivani V, PhD
DHR-Young Scientist

Effect of Lipoprotein(a) in the Modulation of Early Appearance of Calcification in the Placenta
I am trying to delineate the role of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] on the onset and progression of pre-eclampsia. It is a pregnancy-mediated vascular disease occurs in association with hypertension and proteinuria. Pre-eclampsia shares many pathological events similar to that of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Both pre-eclamptic women and their offspring have an increased risk of developing future CVDs. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a circulating lipoprotein identical to low density lipoprotein. Lp(a) is unique in having a heavily O-glycosylated protein known as apolipoprotein(a). It is present only in humans. Higher plasma level of Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for both pre-eclampsia and CVDs. Moreover, Lp(a) deposits were found in both pre-eclamptic placenta and heart. As pre-eclampsia is a pre-disposing factor for CVDs in women, Lp(a) is considered as a possible connecting link between these two vascular diseases. But the underlying molecular mechanism is not known. In this context, my work specifically focuses on the pathological role of Lp(a) in pre-eclampsia.

Gopika Satheesh

Gopika Satheesh
PhD Student

My work involves assessing the clinical, metabolic, and epigenetic variations to evaluate the risk for Type 2 Diabetes mellitus in a prospective study. I am also working on the modulatory role of Vitamin D in wound healing, an in-vitro study.