Cell experiences several different types of DNA damage by both endogenous and exogenous factors. Faithful maintenance of the genome integrity is crucial. Majority of cancer therapeutic strategy exploits the same by inducing DNA damage to an extent that cell undergoes death. However, the degree of DNA repair mechanism involved in different cases; either individual or therapeutic regimen varies. Efficiency of repair mechanism renders resistance to cancer cell. Some are innately resistant to the therapy, and most of the time they acquire the resistance during the course of therapy. We in the lab are trying to understand the DNA damage repair (DDR) mechanism at different stages of treatment of Glioblastoma (GBM) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Read More

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Dr. Atanu, Saket, Debashmita, and Bhavna are working on this project

 

 

Using our in vitro radiation survival model of GBM, we have reported that the RR population, which are transiently non-proliferative and senescent, are enriched in multinucleated and giant cells (MNGCs), formed as a result of homotypic cell-cell fusions. Importantly, these MNGCs are capable of overcoming mitotic catastrophe and undergo division to form mononucleated relapse population (Kaur  et al, Carcinogenesis, 2015). Since these RR cells are solely responsible for the formation of relapse tumour cells, we are focused on understanding the biology of transition from parent to RR and relapse cells.  Read More

 

Jyothi, Anagha, Tejashree, Madhura, and Saif are working on this project

In order to recapitulate the clinical scenario of GBM patient where they come back with a recurrent tumor within 32-36 weeks, we have established orthotopic mouse models using cell lines and patient samples (patient-derived orthotopic xenografts). An orthotopic model will enhance the clinical understanding of GBM recurrence. A detailed understanding of these resistance mechanisms in these orthotopic model can help us develop novel therapeutic regimes, which can potentially prevent or delay tumor recurrence and significantly improve patient survival. Read More

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Jyothi, Anagha, Saket and Tejashree are working on this project