Dr. Shashi Prakash Singh obtained his Ph.D. in Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, Chennai, where he investigated the importance of the dio3 (thyroxine 5' deiodinase) gene in the development and differentiation of a unicellular eukaryote, Dictyostelium discoideum.
After completing his Ph.D., Dr. Shashi received a fellowship from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Scotland Institute (formerly known as CRUK Beatson Institute) to pursue his post-doctoral research on the investigation of regulatory mechanisms that control the activation of actin nucleation promoting factor, the SCAR/WAVE complex, in cells. His contributions showed the importance of Rac1 binding and phosphorylation as key mediators of the Scar/WAVE function in Dictyostelium discoideum and Melanoma. His research contributions led him to receive the International Post-Doctoral Researcher Award by the Dictyostelium Society.
Before joining BITS Pilani as a faculty member, Dr. Singh worked as a Senior Research Associate at the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, UK.
Research Interests
1.How cells regulate actin dependent processes?
To facilitate processes like cell migration and macropinocytosis, eukaryotic cells require a rapid supply of actin polymers to form protrusions, pseudopodia/lamellipodia, and macropinocytic cups. Uncontrolled cell migration and macropinocytosis results in disease conditions, such as cancer metastasis. Primarily, our aim is to uncover the regulatory mechanisms that control cancer cell migration, invasion, metastasis, and endocytosis. We are focusing on identifying novel protein interactors and modifications of the actin nucleating factors (NPFs) Scar/WAVE complex, WASP, and WASH, and investigate their role in the unicellular eukaryote Dictyosteliumdiscoideum, Melanoma, and other cancer cells.
2. To decipher mechanisms by which gut parasites target host's immune system.
The murine helminth parasite, Heligmosomoidespolygyrus secretes hundreds of immunomodulatory molecules whose mode of action are unknown. Hence, we are interested in uncovering the cellular and molecular targets of the excretory-secretory (ES) proteins, such as Transforming Growth Factor mimics (TGMs) and Novel Secretory Proteins (NSPs), from the murine intestinal helminth parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus and exploring their therapeutic potential.
Opportunities
Net-JRF qualified candidates may contact for a PhD position. PhD registration may be provided as per institute norms.
Candidates interested in writing post-doctoral applications (DST-NPDF, WOS, Inspire etc.) may contact.
