3112
apanda @ tifrh . res . in
FReTB, PI-304
Personal Webpage
Research Overview
A central theme of our research is understanding how membrane organization governs cellular signaling, particularly in the context of neuronal communication and metabolic regulation. While it is well recognized that membrane proteins and lipids form dynamic, functional assemblies critical for signal transduction, a comprehensive view of how these assemblies adapt across physiological states—such as hibernation—or break down in disease remains incomplete and essential to uncover. Broadly, the Apanda Lab investigates the molecular architecture of membrane systems using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates native and cross-linking mass spectrometry, lipidomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, complemented by in vitro and cell-based assays. This allows us to systematically map protein-protein and protein-lipid interaction networks under diverse biological conditions. A major focus of our lab is on vesicle- mediated neurotransmitter release and cargo trafficking, with the aim of elucidating how disruptions in these pathways contribute to neurobiological and metabolic disorders. We are also incorporating AI and machine learning to model complex signaling networks and identify points of intervention for therapeutic development. Over time, we plan to extend our investigations to human clinical samples, advancing our goal of translating fundamental insights into next- generation strategies for disease treatment.