Dr. Akhil C. Banerjea

Summary of Research:

Humans and pathogens (viruses/bacteria) have co-evolved during evolution. The pathogens are known to modulate host cell machinery in a manner that ensures their existence. Host cells on the other hand, mount an antiviral or antibacterial response in the form of devising host restriction factors. Indeed, in case of HIV-1, a number of host restriction factors (Tetherin, APOBEC etc) have been identified. Viruses, however, have devised many mechanisms to overcome these restriction factors and HIV-1 accessory proteins are particularly adept at doing so. HIV-1 is known to modulate levels of key cellular regulators (p53 or components of innate immunity) of homeostasis with significant implications for replication fitness and pathogenesis.

HIV-1 accessory and regulatory genes (Tat, Rev, Nef, Vpu, Vpr) are multifunctional that govern pathogenesis by modulating p53, via set of miRNAs, exploiting cellular ubiquitination machinery or by their ability to suppress siRNA mediated functions or by multiple other mechanisms, notably being B-TrcP mediated functions of Vpu. The functional relevance of such perturbations is key to understanding HIV-1 pathogenesis. The various genetic subtypes, the extent of genetic variants and their functional  implications among North-Indian individuals infected with HIV-1  genes or the characterization of  host genes that are known to be associated with progression of the disease or the lack of it, are of fundamental importance for gaining insights into HIV-1 pathogenesis and devising novel ways (small molecules, siRNAs, miRNAs etc) to interfere with its replication and progression. Mechanisms responsible for apoptosis, ubiquitination and autophagy  and their cross-talk seem to play an important role in HIV pathogenesis and needs to be studied in detail to gain insight about a remarkably successful virus like HIV.

Awards:
• Fellow National Academy of Science
• Fellow Indian National Science Academy
• Shakuntala Amir Chand Prize, National Award of ICMR, Govt. of India (1982)
• National Overseas Fellowship Award, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (1999)
• National Bioscience Award for Career Development, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (2001-2002).
• International Recognition by Thomson Reuters as distinguished expert in Virology in the year 2011.
• SR Scientist Oration Award of Indian Immunology Society (2012)
• Ranbaxy Research Award ( 2014)
• National Award of Indian National Science Academy (INSA)- Dr Yellapragada SubbaRow memorial Lecture (2017)