Education:

Ph.D. (1988) Zoology (“Expression and modulation of genes during aging of the rat”), Banaras Hindu University (B.H.U.), Varanasi

Junior and Senior Research Fellowships of U.G.C-NET. and C.S.I.R.-NET

M.Sc. (1981) Zoology (specialization: Biochemistry), B.H.U.

B.Sc. (1979) Zoology (Hons.), Utkal University, Odisha

Academic Affiliation:

Post-doctoral research (1989-90) Institute of Molecular Biology I, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Assistant Professor (1990-98), Assistant Professor (Senior Scale) (1998-1999), Associate Professor (1999-2007), Professor (2007-present), School of Life Sciences, J.N.U.

Visiting Scientist (1998-1999) University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, U.S.A.

Short Term Scholar (2005) Stem Cell Institute, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, U.S.A.

Area of Research:

Cytokines, Transcription Factors, Cell Signaling and Disease in mammalian cells and tissues

How cytokines induce and regulate cell signaling and gene expression in cells and tissues? This is fundamental to understanding responses of mammalian cells and tissues to physiological and pathological agents during health and disease. We are studying interferon (IFN)-inducible: transcription factors, interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1), IRF-2 and 2’5’oligoadenylate (2-5A)-dependent ribonuclease L (RNase L) at gene structure, gene expression, protein regulation and cell signaling levels under normal and disease-associated conditions in mouse and human cells and tissues. Recombinant IRF-1, IRF-2 and RNase L proteins are also studied for their in vitro properties and protein-protein interactions in cells and tissues. We are also studying tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) transcription factor with respect to its constitutive activity in cancer cells and its relationship with the tumor suppressor p53 as well as its mutant forms. IRF-1, IRF-2, RNase L and NF-kB are critical for growth, proliferation, differentiation, immune response, host cell response to pathogens, inflammation, stress, cancer and other diseases of mammalian cells and tissues.

Genomic Biology of Repetitive DNA and noncoding RNAs of mammals

Why mammalian genomes have maximum repetitive DNA and minimum protein-coding DNA sequences? This is a fundamental question in understanding evolution, structure, organization, function, regulation and pathological dysregulation of the genomes. We hypothesized that certain genomic repeats must transcribe into RNAs, which may or may not code for proteins but should acquire structural forms inherent to their functional significance. We isolated a novel genomic simple repeat DNA sequence from the rat and used it to further isolate several cDNAs from the rat and human tissues. By computational and functional analyses, we have identified many novel rat and human novel protein-coding as well as non(protein)-coding RNAs by using these cDNAs. These RNAs represent both alternatively spliced and trans-spliced protein coding mRNAs and long noncoding cellular RNAs and some of the noncoding RNAs may be source of small regulatory RNAs of the type of microRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). Functional significance of such repeat sequence containing RNAs and their possible link to human disease(s) is under current study.

We have isolated novel long interspersed nuclear element (LINE) DNA sequences from the rat genome and studied their role in nucleosomal organization of the rat cytochrome P450 2B1/2 (CYP2B1/2) gene promoter during drug-induced expression of the gene in rat liver. We have also isolated large genomic LINE DNAs and studied their RNA expression and polymorphism in the rat tissues. A LINE-DNA is present in large number of copies in all rat chromosomes, it is heavily methylated in the genome but is strongly and widely expressed into LINE-RNAs in the rat tissues. Thus, we are interested in genomic biology of repetitive DNA and their RNAs at chromatin and RNA levels.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Bone Marrow and Regenerative Medicine

Mammalian bone marrow is a fundamental and physiological source of both myeloid and lymphoid cells. At least three types of stem cells reside and originate from the bone marrow. They are hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs). MSCs are proving themselves as excellent candidates for both basic and translational research in stem cell biology as well as applications for cell therapy and regenerative medicine. We are interested in isolation, maintenance, differentiation, implantation and engraftment of MSCs in the adult mouse for curing damage, defects and diseases of tissues and organs.

Awards and Recognition:

A.B. Mishra Award and Gold Medal for 1st position in M.Sc.(Zoology) and Reddy Award for 1st position in Biochemistry Specialization in M.Sc.(Zoology), B.H.U., 1981

Tilak Award, Association of Gerontology of India, 1988

C.S.I.R. Research Associate, 1988 and Scientist’s Pool, 1991 (both not availed)

Swiss National Fund Post-doctoral Fellowship, University of Zurich, Switzerland, 1989-90

Young Scientist Research Project, Department of Science and Technology (D.S.T.), Govt. of India, 1993-95

I.U.I.S.-F.I.M.S.A. bursary award and Second best paper award, International Immunology Workshop and Symposium, Beijing Medical University, China, 1996

Advanced Genome Sequencing and Analysis Course Fellowship, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, U.S.A., 1998

Clayton Foundation Visiting Scientist Fellowship, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, U.S.A., 1998-99

Visiting Scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (C.C.M.B.), Hyderabad, 2000

Invited University Teacher, Indian Academy of Science (Bangalore), 2001

N.I.H.-Short Term Scholarship, Stem Cell Institute, Medical School, University of Minnesota (Minneapolis), U.S.A., Nov.-Dec., 2005

Sandia National Laboratories, U.S.A. grant for ‘Asia Biosecurity and Biosafety Conference’, Bangkok, April, 2007

Member, Consortium Advisory Committee (CAC), NAIP-Project (ICAR), NDRI, Karnal

Member, Bio-Gerontology Task Force and Project Review Committee (PRC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi

Executive Council Nominee and Member, Governing Body, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi

Reviewer, “Expert Reviews on Anticancer Therapy” (Future Drugs, London, U.K.), Animal (France), Cancer Investigation (U.S.A.), DNA and Cell Biology (U.S.A.), IJBB (India)

Invited Lectures and Chair, Several International and National Conferences

Membership of scientific societies:

Life member: Association of Gerontology, India (AGI), Indian Immunology Society (IIS), Indian Association of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology (IAVMI), Indian Society of Cell Biology (ISCB), Association of Biotechnologists of India (ABI), Indian Society of Chronobiology, Transcription Assembly, Society of Biological Chemists, India (SBCI), Indian Association for Cancer Research (IACR).

M.Phil./Ph.D. thesis and students supervised:

12 Ph.D., 03 M.Phil., several M. Sc. project and summer/winter trainees’ theses.

Selected Publications:

1. Singh D.K. and Rath P.C. (2012) Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) show tissue-specific, mosaic genome and methylation-unrestricted, wide-spread expression of noncoding RNAs in somatic tissues of the rat. RNA Biology 9(11): 1380-1396.
2. Gupta A, Rath P.C. (2012) Expression, purification and characterization of the interferon-inducible, antiviral and tumor-suppressor protein, human RNase L. J Biosci 37: 103-111.
3. Mishra RR, Chaudhary JK, Rath P.C. (2012) Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by expression of a novel TPIP (TPIP-C2) cDNA encoding a C2-domain in HEK-293 cells. Mol Biol Rep 39: 7389-7402.
4. Mishra RR, Chaudhary JK, Bajaj GD, Rath P.C. (2011) A novel human TPIP splice-variant (TPIP-C2) mRNA, expressed in human and mouse tissues, strongly inhibits cell growth in HeLa cells. PLoS one 6(12): e28433.
5. Prakash K, Rath P.C. (2012) Mouse interferon regulatory factor-2: expression, purification and DNA binding activity. Mol Biol Rep 39: 599-606. [Epub 2011 May 11].
6. Prakash K. and Rath P.C. (2010) Replacement of the C-terminal tetrapeptide (314PAPV317 to 314SSSM317) in Interferon Regulatory Factor-2 alters its N-terminal DNA binding activity, J. Biosci. 35 (4): 547-556.
7. Goswami S.K., Rath P.C. and Das H.K. (2010) Molecular Biology, (chapter 13), In: Textbook of Biotechnology, edited by H.K. Das, Wiley-Dreamtech, New Delhi, 4th edn, (revised) pp 661-763 (2010), 3rd edn (revised) pp 653-748 (2007), 2nd edn (revised) pp 577-674 (2005), 1st edn pp 539-631 (2004).
8. Rath P.C. and Mukhopadhyaya T. (2009) p53 gene expression and 2-methoxyestradiol treatment differentially induce NF-kB activation in human lung cancer cells with different p53 phenotypes, DNA Cell Biol. 28 (12): 615-623.
9. Pandey M. and Rath P.C. (2007) Organization of the interferon-inducible 2’,5’-oligoadenylate-dependent ribonuclease L (RNase L) gene of mouse. Mol. Biol. Rep. 34(2): 97-104.
10. Rath P.C. (2005) Relationship between constitutive Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kB) and Inhibitor kappaB-alpha (IkB-a) in an Interferon-a-sensitive human Burkitt lymphoma cell line. Biochim. Biophys. Acta.: Molecular Basis of Disease.1741: 253-263
11. Upreti M. and Rath P.C. (2005) Expression and DNA binding activity of the recombinant Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 (IRF-1) of mouse. Mol. Biol. Rep. 32:103-116.
12. Padmavathi B., Upreti M., Singh V., Singh R.P., Rao A.R. and Rath P.C. (2005) Chemoprevention by Hippophae rhamnoides: effects on tumorigenesis, phase II-, antioxidant enzymes and IRF-1 transcription factor. Nutrition and Cancer. 51: 59-67.
13. Dey I. and Rath P.C. (2005) A novel rat genomic simple repeat DNA with RNA-homology shows triplex (H-DNA)-like structure and tissue-specific RNA expression. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 327: 276-286.
14. Dey I. and Rath P.C. (2005) Correlation between alterations in nucleosomal organization of LINEs in the promoter of Cytochrome P450 2B1/2 gene and induction of CYP2B1/2B2 mRNA expression by phenobarbitone in rat liver. DNA Cell Biol. 24: 359-370.
15. Bandhuvula P., Rath P.C., Rao A.R. and Singh R.P. (2005) Roots of Withania somnifera inhibit forestomach and skin carcinogenesis in mice. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (eCAM) 2(1): 99-105.
16. Pandey M. and Rath P.C. (2004) Expression of interferon-inducible recombinant human RNase L causes RNA degradation and inhibition of cell growth in Escherichia coli. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 317: 586-597.
17. Pandey M., Bajaj G.D. and Rath P.C. (2004) Induction of the interferon-inducible RNA-degrading enzyme, RNase L by stress-inducing agents in the human cervical carcinoma cells. RNA Biology.1:21-27.
18. Upreti M, Kumar S and Rath P.C. (2004) Replacement of 198MQMDII203 of mouse IRF-1 by 197IPVEVV202 of human IRF-1 abrogates induction of IFN-b, iNOS, and Cox-2 gene expression by IRF-1. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 314: 737-744.
19. Rath P.C. and Aggarwal B.B. (2001) Antiproliferative effects of Interferon-a correlate with down regulation of Nuclear Factor kappa B. J. Interferon & Cytokine Res. 21: 523-528.
20. Rath P.C. and Aggarwal B.B. (1999) TNF-induced Signalling in Apoptosis. J. Clin. Immunol. 19: (6) 350-364(review).

Courses offered:

Molecular Biology (Theory and Experiments), Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (Theory) at M. Sc. and Cell Signaling (Theory) at M. Phil. /Ph. D. levels

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