RESEARCH TOPICS

Project-1: “Role of microRNA in Arsenic induced Carcinogenesis”

Arsenic and arsenic-containing compounds are long known to cause cancer. Many studies have shown that arsenic exposure in the form of drinking water or inhalation associated with some occupation increases the rate of the non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), which is the main type of Lung Cancer. microRNAs (miRNAs) are a member of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) which are short (~20-23 nucleotide length), endogenous, single-stranded RNAs that regulates the expression of gene from which it originated by binding to its 3’-end. Changes in miRNA has been correlated with gene expression change in development, differentiation, signal transduction, infection, aging, and wide variety of diseases including cancer.

The mechanism by which Arsenic causes cancer is not fully understood. The objective of my project is to determine the role of miRNAs in causing cancer due to Arsenic exposure. Preliminary works in “Yong Li Lab” have shown that microRNA knockout mouse models are resistant to various cancer causing agents when compared to their wild-type counterpart, when exposed.

Project-2: “Identification of Circulating Biomarkers associated with Lung cancer is smoking and Non-smoking patients.”

Recently importance of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) as biomarkers in early diagnosis of diseased state has come to limelight. Among them are the “Circulating biomarkers” present in the body fluids which are of particular interest. Among the circulating biomarkers, serum exosomal ncRNAs are considered more specific to a particular condition of the body. Recent publications shows enrichment of particular microRNAs in the exosome in response to a particular stress^{1, 2}. Considering these findings, my project intends to identify circulation serum exosomal biomarkers for early detection and identification of smoking and non-smoking patients who are highly susceptible to lung cancer in their life period.

Thesis Committee

(Yet to be decided)

Publications and Dissertations

1. Saibyasachi N. Choudhury, Xiaodong Ma, Xiang Hua, Zhongping Dai, and Yong Li (2013). Interaction of the oncogenic miR-21 microRNA and the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Carcinogenesis: bgt044v2-bgt044. (Note: SNC and XM equally contributed towards the article)
2. Takwi, A. L; Li, Y; Buscaglia, L; Zhang, J; Choudhury, S; Li, Y; et al. (2012). "A statin-regulated microRNA represses human c-Myc expression and function." EMBO Molecular Medicine 4(9): 896-909.
3. Choudhury, S. and Li, Y (2012). “miR-21 and let-7 in the Ras and NF-κB Pathways.” MicroRNA. Bentham Science Publishers. 1: 65-69 (doi:10.2174/2211212700121465366)
4. Ma, X; Kumar, M; Choudhury, S; Buscaglia, L; Barker, J; Kanakamedala, K, Liu, M; and Li, Y (2011). “Loss of miR-21 Allele elevates the expression of its target genes and reduces Tumorigenesis.” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
5. Choudhury, S. and L. M. Bowe (2009). “Phylogeographic analysis of rare Lady’s Tresses orchids (Spiranthes) from Missouri and Indiana.” Biology. Springfield, MO, Missouri State University. MS Plant Science: 1-38.
6. Choudhury, S. and S. M. Bhatt (2003). “A Review on Chromosomal Banding technique.” Administrative Management College, Bangalore, India: 1-32.
7. Choudhury, S. and P. Narayanaswami (2003). “RAPD characterization of open pollinated progeny of Mallika (2/8) mango (Mangifera indica L.).” Biotechnology. Bangalore, Bangalore University. M. Sc Biotechnology: 1-22.
8. Choudhury, S. and B. Deb (2001). “Survey of water microflora of river Barak, Assam, India.” Botany. Silchar, Assam, India, Assam University. B. Sc Botany (H): 1-20.

(For Recent Publications, please check PubMed)

Posters Presented

1. miR-21 Knockout Protects Mice from Caerulein-induced Acute Pancreatitis. Xiaodong Ma, Saibyasachi Choudhury, Yong Li. Research Louisville (Oct-2011). Research Louisville, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY (Note: equally contributed by SNC and XM)
2. Interaction of the oncogenic miR-21 microRNA and the p53 tumor suppressor pathway.Xiaodong Ma, Saibyasachi N. Choudhury, Xiang Hua, Zhongping Dai, and Yong Li (Oct-2013). Rustbelt RNA Meet (RRM), Cleavland, OH
3. Interaction of the oncogenic miR-21 microRNA and the p53 tumor suppressor pathway.Xiaodong Ma, Saibyasachi N. Choudhury, Xiang Hua, Zhongping Dai, and Yong Li (Oct-2013). 15th James Graham Brown Cancer Center Retreat, Univ of Louisville, Louisville, KY
4. Interaction of the oncogenic miR-21 microRNA and the p53 tumor suppressor pathway.Xiaodong Ma, Saibyasachi N. Choudhury, Xiang Hua, Zhongping Dai, and Yong Li (Oct-2013). Research Louisville, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

Conferences Attended

1. Rustbelt RNA Meet- 2014, Pittsburgh, PA
2. Rustbelt RNA Meet- 2013, Cleveland, OH

Professional Memberships

• American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
• Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS)