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Research in the lab is driven by our PhD, Masters and the wonderful undergraduate students! Our curiosity is in all things neuroscience - be it axons interfacing with tissues, nerves helping tissue regeneration, drug delivery to the neural tissue, and even understanding neural behaviour of invertebrates for diagnostic applications. The lab collaborates with Clinicians, Data scientists, AI-ML experts and pretty much anybody with complimentary interests.
Axonal Drug Delivery
Axonal Drug Delivery
Axons act as highways within the nervous system, carrying essential molecules across vast neural networks. Our lab is working to harness this natural transport system for precise drug delivery to the brain and peripheral nerves. Inspired by the rabies virus, which efficiently travels along nerve fibers, we are engineering metallic and polymeric nanoparticles with surfaces that mimic this viral transport. These carriers could enable targeted therapies for chronic pain, neurodegeneration, and nerve injuries.
To study how nanoparticles move along axons, we use microfluidic devices and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy to track their transport in real time. Each experiment helps us refine this approach, bringing us closer to treatments that can penetrate deep into the nervous system with exceptional precision.
Neural Inputs in Healing
Neural Inputs in Healing
Beyond movement and sensation, nerves also guide tissue repair. Our lab studies how neural inputs influence corneal limbal stem cells (LSCs), which are essential for regenerating surface epithelial cells and maintaining a clear, functional cornea. Damage to these cells can cause vision loss.
By examining how nerve signals affect LSC stability, proliferation, and differentiation, we aim to uncover neural cues that enhance corneal repair. This work could lead to new therapeutic strategies for ocular surface injuries.
High Altitude Neurovascular Research
High Altitude Neurovascular Research
Oxygen supply is critical for nerve function, but how does reduced nerve blood flow at high altitudes impact neural health? Our lab is investigating the effects of hypoxia-induced changes in nerve microcirculation, exploring how these alterations influence nerve function, pain sensitivity, and regeneration. By understanding these adaptations, we aim to develop strategies to mitigate altitude-related neural impairments, benefiting both high-altitude populations and individuals in extreme environments.
Nematode Behaviour & Diagnostics
Nematode Behaviour & Diagnostics
How do environmental factors, toxins, and even microgravity affect biological systems? Our lab is using C. elegans as a versatile model organism to study toxicology, diagnostics, and cellular adaptation. These microscopic worms share key genetic and physiological traits with humans, making them an excellent system for assessing drug safety, neurotoxicity, and biomarker-based disease detection.
By analyzing behavioral, molecular, and physiological responses in C. elegans, we develop high-throughput screening methods for detecting toxic compounds and evaluating potential therapies. Additionally, our research explores how microgravity impacts cellular and neural function, providing insights that extend from earth-based toxicology studies to space biology applications.
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