Dr. Karthigayan ShanmugasundaramDivision of Nephrology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio(UTHSCSA), USA.
Biography
I am Dr. Shanmugasundaram graduated in 2008 with PhD during, which I studied the antitumor effects of proteinaceous toxin from Octopus aegina. I then joined Dr. Sunil Sudarshan as a post-doctoral fellow from 2009-2012 at the Department of Urology, UTHSCSA San Antonio Texas. Dr. Block and Dr. Sudarshan are close collaborators. Dr. Sudarshan moved from UTHSCSA in 2012 and I joined Dr. Block?s laboratory where I remains at the present time. I have extensive training in molecular and biochemical approaches. I have been working on kidney cancer for more than five years with emphasis on metabolomics, transcriptomics and more recently on oxidative stress and cellular metabolism. These broad approaches give unique advantage to me in comprehensively approaching and characterizing metabolism in kidney cancer. I have demonstrated a novel role for mTORC2 signaling in the regulation of the SKP-2/p27 axis, a signaling node commonly altered in cancer (Oncogene, 2012). Other areas studied by me include the role and mechanisms by which the S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP-2) regulates p27Kip1 involved in rapid cell proliferation during renal carcinogenesis. Recently, I identified Tank-binding protein-1 mediates upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and cancer metastasis through the oncometabolite, Fumarate hydratase (JBC, 2014). My contributions to the current projects demonstrate a novel role for the NADPH oxidase isoform, NOX4, in coupling metabolic reprogramming to renal cancer cell survival.I am capable of carrying out independent research; possess strong interpersonal skills. I am open-minded, creative, hardworking and enthusiastic. I have a substantial publication record (18 Research article and one Review article) in peer reviewed journals along with abstract presentation at National and International meetings.
Research Interest
Nephrology