Yogesh C. Awasthi, Ph.D., Professor
Studies in our laboratory are focused on the cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative and electrophilic stress. Specifically, looking into the expression, and the functional and structural characterization of glutathione S-transferases in human tissues and the cell lines of human origin. Since glutathione S-transferases detoxify electrophilic xenobiotics/endobiotics which are mutagenic, the overall objective of research is to modulate the expression of these vital defense enzymes in order to attenuate the carcinogenic effect of toxic electrophiles. Studies in the mechanisms of inherent and acquired drug resistance to cancer chemotherapeutic agents are one of the most important components of our current research interests. Specifically, we focus on the mechanisms of drug/xenobiotics efflux from normal cells, as well as cancer cells displaying varying degrees of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents with the overall objective of devising strategies to overcome the drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy. Antioxidant defense mechanisms against cataractogenesis in ocular lens are also being actively studied. Particular focus is on the role of glutathione S-transferases as antioxidant enzymes and the mechanisms through which these enzymes regulate stress mediated signaling for apoptosis.
Disease/Research Impacted by Basic Research
Cancer
Cataractogenesis
Atherosclerosis
Diseases/Organ Systems Impacted by the ResearchLung cancer
Ocular cataract
Disorders of red cell metabolism/transport
