School of Arts and Sciences

Year of Joining: 2021

Dissertation Advisor: Vivek Tanavde

Research Interests: Stem Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Particularly Immune Cell Mediated Inflammatory Disorders, Biomaterials for Wound Healing

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are among the most extensively studied cell types for their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. They can be isolated from various tissues, with bone marrow being the most common source. Other notable sources include the umbilical cord, adipose tissue, and dental pulp. MSCs derived from different tissues exhibit distinct functional characteristics, which can be leveraged for the treatment of various diseases.

Given the challenges and limitations associated with direct cell-based therapies, there is a growing interest in cell-free therapeutic approaches. This is primarily due to the ability of MSCs to secrete a wide array of bioactive molecules, collectively known as the secretome, which play a critical role in mediating therapeutic effects.

My research focuses on investigating the therapeutic potential of MSCs derived from bone marrow and umbilical cord and their secreted factors in the context of inflammatory diseases, particularly Rheumatoid Arthritis. This study aims to provide insights into the functional properties of source-specific secretomes and their potential application in the treatment of this chronic autoimmune disorder.