Mitochondrial Membrane Protein Folding and Function
Membrane Protein Regulation in Cancer and Neurodegeneration
Molecular Experimental Biophysics
Current Research
Transmembrane beta-barrels of the mitochondrial outer membrane are indispensable for cellular homeostasis. These mitochondrial outer membrane proteins (mOMPs) play additional roles in ROS suppression, aging, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. I study the biogenesis, function, and regulation of the three vital mOMPs:
(i) VDAC (Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel), the major metabolite governator
(ii) the Sorting and Assembly Machinery (SAM) its core protein Sam50, and its bacterial counterpart BamA
(iii) the Translocases of the Outer Membrane (TOM) complex, and its core unit Tom40.
The ultimate goal of the research in my laboratory is to identify a functional link between mitostasis, mOMP remodeling and quality control, and onset of cancer, neurodegeneration, and aging-associated diseases.
New: Positions available
PhD: Two (Jan 2024 session)
Postdoc: One (self-funded)
Project JRF: Two (project funded)
Highly motivated indivduals interested in working on high-impact biophysics and interface research on human mitochondrial membrane proteins can contact maha[at]iiserb.ac.in. Only students with a major in Biophysics and/or Biochemistry, and a strong interest in studying membrane protein folding, need apply.
