Ishwariya Venkatesh
CCMB, Hyderabad
Ishwariya Venkatesh has been serving as a Senior Scientist at CSIR CCMB, since December 2022, following her role as a SERB Ramanujan Fellow at CCMB from April to December 2022. She holds a PhD in molecular neuroscience from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has pursued a postdoctoral position at Marquette University, working on understanding the molecular underpinnings of regenerative capacity across mammalian development, using the mouse as a model system. Following her postdoctoral work, she established and led an independent lab at Marquette University as a Research Assistant Professor. She currently leads a dedicated team at CCMB, whose research is centred on addressing the fundamental question of what molecular mechanisms drive regenerative capacity in central nervous system (CNS) neurons, with a specific and crucial emphasis on spinal injuries. Her work holds significant promise for advancing our understanding of neural regeneration and its potential applications in treating CNS injuries. Selected as Associate in 2023.
Session 3A - Lectures by Fellows and Associates
E Krishnakumar, RRI, Bengaluru
Decoding the molecular blueprint of regeneration in mammalian CNS neurons: Peeling back the regulatory layers
Our research delves into the molecular regulation of axon growth during development and regeneration in mammals. Axons are crucial for efficient nervous system communication, and their preservation is essential for proper neuronal function. While young neurons exhibit remarkable regenerative abilities, adult neurons lose this capacity, resulting in irreversible damage. Unravelling the molecular pathways that drive the decline in regenerative capacity throughout development is the aim of our research. We explore the intricate interplay between transcription factor regulatory networks, epigenetic landscape, and 3D genome topology, which collectively govern axon growth and regeneration. Using bioinformatic modelling and cutting-edge functional genomics techniques, including single-cell RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq, they aim to decipher the underlying regulatory mechanisms that enable successful regeneration. In viva mouse models of injury to assess axonal growth and regeneration are used. Ultimately, our research is expected to clarify fundamental molecular mechanisms that govern successful regeneration and, in the future, may contribute to the development of therapeutic interventions aimed at promoting regeneration and repair in the adult nervous system.