Curriculum Vitae of Dr.M.Balasubramanyam
Dr.M.Balasubramanyam
Assistant Director & Senior Scientist
Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF)
Gopalapuarm, Chennai – 600 086, India.
Email: balusignal@gmail.com
Qualifications : MSc., M.Phil., PhD., MNASc.
Specialization: Cell Signaling in health and disease & Molecular Medicine with special
reference to molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of diabetes and its vascular
complications; Insulin signaling; Role of Proteomics, Epigenetics & miRNA aspects in
diabetes research; Unraveling mechanisms of hyperglycemic memory; Redox signaling,
Oxidative stress and biomarkers identification; Bioprospecting herbal molecules.
Positions held in chronological order:
2007 to till date: Assistant Director & Senior Scientist, Madras Diabetes Research
Foundation, Chennai, India
1999 to August 2007: Senior Scientist, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai
1996-1999: Faculty, Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai
1991-1996: Post Doctoral Fellow, American Heart Association Affiliate, New Jersey
Medical School, New Jersey, USA
1988-1991: Research Associate (CSIR), S.V.University, Tirupati
1986-1988: Senior Research Fellow (CSIR), S.V.University, Tirupati
1984-1986: Junior Research Fellow, S.V.University, Tirupati.
Additional Responsibilities:
1999-till date: Member, Institutional Ethics Committee, Madras Diabetes Research
Foundation
1999-till date: Academic Coordinator, MDRF (Training programmes for BSc/BTech;
MSc/MTech students; short-term exposure training and end-semester project training)
2008-till date: Member Secretary, Institutional Animal Ethics Committee, MDRF
Research Experience:
Possessing > 25 years of post-MSc research experience since 1983. This includes an
extensive Post Doctoral Fellow (PDF) training program (1991-95) at the University of
Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), New Jersey Medical School, New
Jersey, USA, on the subject: “Biochemical machinery and Signal transduction in physiology
and pathophysiology”.
Training at the University of San Diego, USA (2004) on human skeletal muscle/adipose
biopsy and insulin signaling profiling.
Teaching experience:
25 years of total teaching experience which include teaching assignments at
a) Department of Zoology, S.V.University, Tirupati (1983-1991),
b) Centre of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai (1995-1999)
c) MDRF (1999 -till-to-date).
Research Grants:
1993-1995 American Heart Association Fellowship grant (PI)
1996-1997 Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Italy - Research Grant (PI)
2002-2005 Department of Science & Technology (DST), New Delhi (PI)
2002-2007 FIST-DST Grant (Programme Coordinator)
2003-2006 Department of Biotechnology (DBT) (Co-Investigator)
2006-2010 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) (Co-Investigator)
2003-2006 Department of Science & Technology (DST), New Delhi (Co-PI).
2007-2012 Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi (PI).
2009-2012 Department of Science & Technology, Indo-Korea Joint Research Project (PI)
PhD students under my supervision at the Cell and Molecular Biology Department of
MDRF (affiliated to the University of Madras) completed/working on the following
topics:
i)
Dr. Sampath Kumar - Altered signaling in diabetes and its complications with
special reference to ion transport, redox imbalance and advanced glycation
aspects (Thesis awarded).
ii)
Dr. Adaikalakoteswari - Biochemical markers and molecular mechanisms of
Oxidative Stress in Diabetes and its Complications (Thesis awarded).
iii)
Dr. Srinivasan - Molecular convergence of hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and
endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in insulin resistance (Thesis awarded)
iv)
Dr. Gokulakrishanan - Biochemical and intracellular studies on cardiovascular
risk factors in relation to glucose intolerance (Thesis awarded)
v)
Mr. Sameer Mahmood - Glucolipotoxicity induced molecular alterations in
insulin secretion and insulin resistance: Role of Gallic acid (Thesis awarded)
vi)
Ms. Sandhya - Clinical significance of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
in diabetic patients and fatty-acid induced molecular perturbations in hepatocytes
and adipocytes (Thesis submitted)
vii)
Mr. Finny Monickaraj - Does oxidation/inflammation impose accelerated
cellular senescence in adipocytes and modify their secretory profile and
function? (Persuing)
viii)
Mr. S. Arvind - Exploring novel mechanisms of insulin resistance and Type 2
diabetes using miRNA and RNAi technologies (Persuing)
ix)
Ms. Samantha – Autocrine and endocrine effects of asymmetric dimethyl arginine
(ADMA) in its relevance to insulin resistance and vascular dysfunction
(Persuing)
x)
Ms. S. Raji - Molecular intricacies of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in
diabetes with special reference to pancreatic beta cells (Persuing)
xi)
Mr. Balakumar – Novel animal models to study the molecular mechanisms of
“hyperglycemic memory” and epigenetic alternations (Persuing)
Summer training & End-semster project training to students:
So far, >200 summer students trained and above 35 project students were directly
supervised and guided for their end-semster project work.
Nominated & Served as PhD examiner for students outside the MDRF:
Conducted PhD viva-voce examination and served as examiner for students from:
University of Madras
Tuberculosis Research Centre,
Department of Biotechnology, CLRI
Central University Hyderabad
National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)
Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER)
Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University
Professional Recognition(s):
(i) Served as Guest-Editor for a special issue on Diabetes Mellitus in “Current
Science” (2002, Vol: 83(12).
(ii) Co-organizer of the meetings organized by MDRF including
a) Brain Storming session on “Cell transplantation” sponsored by Department of
Science & Technology (DST), Govt of India, 2002 at MDRF, Chennai
Scientific Organising Secretary: for
b) MDRF-ADA Post-graduate Course in Diabetology 2002
c) MDRF –ADA Post-graduate Course in Diabetology 2004
d) MDRF –ADA Post-graduate Course in Diabetology 2006
(iii) Organising Secretary – Indo-Swedish Symposium on Genomics and Proteomics of
Diabetes (April 1-2, 2006)
(iv) Served as Guest-Editor for a special issue on Diabetes Research in “Indian
Journal of Medical Research” (Vol 125) 2007.
Referee for various journals including:
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Current Science
Indian Journal of Medical Research
European Journal of Biology
Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics
BMC Endorcine disorders
DRCP, JCMM, IJEB, Diabetes Care, Metabolism
Scientific Services:
Member - Task Force committee on Cardio-vascular diseases (CVD) in Department of
Biotechnology (DBT), Govt of India
Member – Expert Committee on Clinical Proteomics, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of
India
Member – Life Sciences Research Board (LSRB) under DRDO, New Delhi.
Member – Board of Studies, Biotechnology, Loyola College, Chennai
Editorial Board Member: Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics
Memberships & Research Awards:
1) 2009: Member of the National Academy of Sciences, India (MNASc)
2) 2009: Executive Member of the Madras Science Foundation, Chennai
3) 2008 Elected Member – Madras Science Foundation (MSF), Chennai.
4) Elected Member - Asia Pacific International Molecular Biology Network (AIMBN), 2001
5) International Diabetes Society grant to attend 5th IDS Congress, Chennai, 1999
6) MABMS award - Membership of the Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists
1999
7) Fellow - Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists, 1998
8) ICSU/INSA award to attend XIII International Biophysics Congress, New Delhi 2000
9) Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS, Italy) Associateship award, 1998.
10) Young Physiologist Foreign Guest at the Physiological Society meetings, Dublin
(Ireland) March 23-26, 1997
11) The Welcome Trust (UK) award for subsistence at the EC School/Conference on
Calcium and Signal Transduction (Liverpool, UK, 14-20, March 1997)
12) Research Grant award from Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Italy
(Principal Investigator), 1996
13) International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB, Germany),
Young Scientist Travel Fellowship Award for participation in IUBMB Congress
1994, New Delhi, India
14) Junior Scientist Award from the Association of Scientists of India Origin in America
Inc., (ASIOA), Mississippi, USA, 1993
15) American Heart Association (AHA, USA), New Jersey affiliate, Post-doctoral
Fellowship Grant (Principal Investigator) (Diabetes Work), 1993-1995
16) Government of India sponsored Study abroad PDF scholarship award for Specialized
Post doctoral training - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA,
1991-1992
17) Young Scientist Travel award for participation in the Fifth International Theriological
Congress, Rome, Italy - Financed by DST, New Delhi, INDIA & V-ITC, Rome,
ITALY, 1989
Membership of Academies/Research Societies:
Asia-Pacific International Molecular Biology Network (A-IMBN)
Member- Madras Science Foundation (MSF)
Member Indian Biophysics Society (IBS)
Life member Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists (IABMS)
Life member Indian Society of Cell Biology (ISCB)
Life member-European Calcium Society (ECS, Germany)
Member Alliance for Cell Signaling (AFCS, USA)
Member Society of Biological Chemists (India) (SBC)
Member Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA)
Member Inter Academy of Biomedical Forum – (IABF)
Research publications in accredited journals:
1. Narasimhan S, Gokulakrishnan K, Sampathkumar R, Farooq S, Ravikumar R,
Mohan V, Balasubramanyam M. Oxidative stress is independently associated
with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in subjects with and without type
2 diabetes. Clin Biochem. 2010 ;43(10-11):815-21
2. Balasubramanyam M, Raji, L, Finny Monickaraj. Endoplasmic reticulum stress
in diabetes: New insights of clinical relevance. Indian Journal of Clinical
Biochemistry, 2010;25(2):111-118.
3. Balasubramanyam M, Adaikalakoteswari A, Sameermahmood Z, Mohan V.
Biomarkers of oxidative stress: methods and measures of oxidative DNA damage
(COMET assay) and telomere shortening. Methods Mol Biol. 2010; 610:245-61.
4. Kuppan G, Balasubramanyam J, Monickaraj F, Srinivasan G, Mohan V,
Balasubramanyam M. Transcriptional regulation of cytokines and oxidative
stress by gallic acid in human THP-1 monocytes. Cytokine. 2010;49(2):229-34.
5. Gokulakrishnan K, Mohanavalli KT, Monickaraj F, Mohan V,
Balasubramanyam M. Subclinical inflammation/oxidation as revealed by altered
gene expression profiles in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and Type 2
diabetes patients. Mol Cell Biochem. 2009; 324(1-2):173-81.
6. Sameermahmood Z, Raji, L, Saravanan T, Vaidya A, Mohan V,
Balasubramanyam M. Gallic acid protects RINm5F ß- cells from
glucolipotoxicity by its antiapoptotic and insulin-secretagogue actions. Phytother
Res. 2010;24 Suppl 1:S83-94.
7. Srinivasan V, Tatu U, Mohan V, Balasubramanyam M. Molecular convergence
of Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway (HBP) and ER stress leading to insulin
resistance in L6 skeletal muscle cells. Mol Cell Biochem. 2009;328(1-2):217-24
8. Surendar J, Anuradha S, Berty Ashley, Balasubramanyam M, Aravindhan V,
Rema M , Mohan V. Cystatin C and Cystatin GFR as markers of early renal
disease in Asian Indian subjects with glucose intolerance (CURES-64). Metab
Syndr Relat Disord. 2009;7(5):419-25.
9. K Gokulakrishnan, R Deepa, R Sampathkumar, M Balasubramanyam, V Mohan
Association of Leukocyte Count and hsCRP with Metabolic Abnormalities in
Subjects with Normal Glucose Tolerance (CURES – 64) Journal of Association of
Physicians of India. 56; 27-32, 2009
10. K Gokulakrishnan, R Deepa, R Sampathkumar, M Balasubramanyam, V Mohan
Association of Leukocyte count with varying degrees of glucose intolerance in
Asian Indians - the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES-26).
Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2009;7(3):205-10.
11. Sameermahmood Z., Balasubramanyam, M., Saravanan, T. & Rema, M.
Curcumin modulates SDF-1a/CXCR4-induced migration of human retinal
endothelial cells (HRECs). Investig. Ophthalmol. Visual Sci., 49(8):3305-11,
2008.
12. Anitha B, Sampathkumar R, Balasubramanyam M & Rema, M. Advanced
glycation index and its association with severity of diabetic retinopathy in type 2
diabetic subjects. J. Diabetes and its Complications, 22(4):261-6, 2008.
13. Balasubramanyam, M. One more reason for breast-feeding – Prevention of
Diabetes! Current Science, 95:1116-7, 2008
14. Balasubramanyam, M. TCF7L2 and Diabetes: a transcription gene with
prescription hope? Current Science, 93:613-5, 2007.
15. Srinivasan V, Sandhya N, Sampathkumar R, Farooq S, Mohan V &
Balasubramanyam, M. Glutamine Fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase
(GFAT) gene expression and activity in patients with Type 2 diabetes: interrelationships with hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. Clinical Biochemistry,
40:952-7, 2007.
16. Balasubramanyam M, Mohan, V. Diabetes in 2007 – What are the promises &
challenges? Indian Journal of Medical Res. 125:195-199, 2007.
17. Balasubramanyam M, Adaikalakoteswari, A, Finnymonickaraj, S. Mohan, V.
Telomere shortening and metabolic/vascular diseases. Indian Journal of Medical
Res. 125: 441-450, 2007.
18. Sundarajan S, Srinivasan, V, Balasubramanyam M, Tatu, U. Endoplasmic
reticulum (ER) stress and diabetes. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 125: 411424, 2007.
19. Adaikalakoteswari A, Rema, M, Mohan, V. and M. Balasubramanyam.
Oxidative DNA damage and augmentation of Poly (ADP-ribose)
polymerase/Nuclear Factor-kappa B signaling in patients with Type 2 diabetes
and microangiopathy. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology,
39:1673-84, 2007.
20. Adaikalakoteswari A, M. Balasubramanyam, M, Ravikumar, R, Deepa. R. and
Mohan, V. Association of telomere shortening with impaired glucose tolerance
and diabetic macroangiopathy. Atherosclerosis, 195:83-9, 2007.
21. Sameer, M, Balasubramanyam, M. And Mohan, V. Stem cells and diabetes.
Current Science, 91(9):1158-1165, 2006
22. Balasubramanyam, M, Adaikalakoteswari A, Sampathkumar, R and V. Mohan.
Oxidative stress in Asian Indians with Type 2 diabetes. In: Type 2 diabetes in
South Asians: Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Prevention. Jaypee Brothers,
Medical Publishers (P) Ltd., New Delhi, pp 164-172, 2006.
23. Adaikalakoteswari A, M. Balasubramanyam, M. Rema and V. Mohan.
Differential gene expression of NADPH oxidase (p22phox) and hemoxygenase-1
in patients with type 2 diabetes and microangiopathy. Diabetic Medicine 23:666674, 2006.
24. Balasubramanyam M. Antioxidants and cardiovascular disease- Where do we
stand? The Asian Journal of Diabetology, 8(1): 1-5, 2006
25. Premanand C, Rema M, Sameer Mahmood Z, Sujatha M, Balasubramanyam M.
Effect of curcumin on proliferation of human retinal endothelial cells under
invitro conditions. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 47:2179–2184, 2006.
26. Sampathkumar R, Balasubramanaym M, C.Tara, M.Rema, V.Mohan.
+
+
Association of hypoglutathionemia with reduced Na /K ATPase activity in type 2
diabetes and microangiopathy. Mol. Cell. Biochem, 282 (1-2):169-76, 2006.
27. Sampathkumar R, Balasubramanyam M, Sudarslal S, Rema M, Mohan V and
Balaram P. Increased glutathionylated hemoglobin (HbSSG) in type 2 diabetes
subjects with microangiopathy. Clinical Biochemistry, 38(10):892-9, 2005.
28. Adaikalakoteswari A, Balasubramanyam M and Mohan V. Telomere shortening
in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Diabetic Medicine, 22, 1151–1156, 2005.
29. Balasubramanyam M, Sampathkumar R and Mohan V. (2005) Is insulin
signaling molecules misguided in diabetes for ubiquitin-proteasome degradation?
Mol. Cell. Biochem, 275: 117–125, 2005.
30. Balasubramanyam M Transforming ‘traditional anecdotes’ to ‘evidence-based
medicine’ and its relation to diabetes. Current Science, 89(3); 428, 2005
31. Mohan V, Balasubramanyam M, Radha V. Genomics and Proteomics of Type 2
Diabetes in Indians. J Assoc Physicians India, 53: 505-509, 2005.
32. Sampathkumar R, Balasubramayam M, Rema M, et al. A novel advanced
glycation index (AGI) and its association with diabetes and microangiopathy.
Metabolism, 58: 1004-1007, 2005.
33. Balasubramanyam M, Adaikalakoteswari A & Mohan V. Telomere shortening:
A marker of atherosclerosis? Current Science, 87, 422-24, 2004.
34. Balasubramanyam M and Mohan V. (2004) Insulin signaling in Diabetes:
Cascades and Complexities. Advanced Biotech. 2: 24-27, 2004.
35. Balasubramanyam M, Adaikalakoteswari A, Sampathkumar R et al. Curcumininduced inhibition of cellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation: Novel
therapeutic implications. J. Biosci, 28: 715-721, 2003.
36. BrijendraKumar S, Balasubramanyam M & Mohan V. Scientific highlights of
the MDRF-ADA post-graduate course in Diabetology. Int J Diab Dev Countries,
23:135-144, 2003.
37. Balasubramanyam M, Rema M & Premanand C. Biochemical and Molecular
Mechanisms of Diabetic retinopathy. Current Science, 83: 1506 -14, 2002.
38. Balasubramanyam M, Premanand C & Mohan V. Lymphocytes as a cellular
model to study insights into the pathophysiology of diabetes and its
complications. ANYAS - Annals of New York Academy of Sciences, 958:399402, 2002.
39. Balasubramanyam M & Mohan V. The need for high throughput screening of
herbal medicine with special reference to diabetes mellitus. In: Biodiversity
(monitoring, management, conservation and enhancement) Ramamurthy, R. &
Bali, G (Eds), pp. 57-74, 2002.
40. Balasubramanyam M & Mohan V. Orally active insulin mimics: where do we
stand now? J. Biosciences, 26:383-390, 2001.
41. Mohan, V & Balasubramanyam, M, (2001) Fenugreek and insulin resistance. J.
Assoc. Phys. India, 49: 1055-6.
42. Balasubramanyam M, Balaji RA, Subashini B & Mohan V. Evidence for
mechanistic alterations of Ca2+ homeostasis in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int. J.
Experimental Diab Res, 1: 275-287, 2001.
43. Balasubramanyam M & Mohan V. Current concepts of PPAR-g signaling in
Diabetes mellitus. Current Science, 79:1440-1446, 2000.
44. Balasubramanyam M & Mohan V. Signal transduction during cardiac
hypertrophy: New insights. Indian Heart J, 52:226-232, 2000.
45. Balasubramanyam M, Miranda P & Mohan V. Carbohydrate metabolism and
diabetes: Links to etiology of diabetic complications and therapy. VI Volume of
"The Trends in Carbohydrate Chemistry" , 2000.
46. Balasubramanyam M. Calcium and Signal transduction. Indian Journal of
Experimental Biology, 35:1138-1139, 1997.
47. Cho JH, Balasubramanyam M, Chernaya G, Gardner et al. Oligomycin inhibits
store-dependent calcium influx in chinese hamster ovary cells and Jurkat T-cells.
Biochemical Journal, 324:971-980, 1997.
48. Gardner JP, Balasubramanyam M & Studzinski GP. Up-regulation of Ca2+
influx mediated by store-operated channels in HL60 cells induced to differentiate
by 1_, 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 172:284-295,
1997.
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49. Gardner JP & Balasubramanyam M. Na /Ca exchange in circulating blood
cells. Annals of New York Academy of Sciences, 779:502-514, 1996.
50. Dang AM, Balasubramanyam M, Zenaida Garcia, Raveche ES & Gardner JP.
Altered signal transduction in B-1 malignant clones. Immunology and Cell
Biology, 73:511-520, 1995.
51. Balasubramanyam M & Gardner JP. Protein kinase C modulates cytosolic free
calcium by stimulating calcium pump activity in Jurkat T cells. Cell Calcium,
18:526-541, 1995.
52. Balasubramanyam M, Rohowsky-Cochan C, Reeves JP and Gardner JP.
Na+/Ca2+ exchange-mediated calcium entry in human peripheral blood
lymphocytes. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 94:2002-2008, 1994.
53. Balasubramanyam M, Kimura M, Aviv A & Gardner, JP. Kinetics of calcium
transport across the lymphocyte plasma membrane. American Journal of
Physiology, 265:C321-C327, 1993.
54. Mohana Rao, A.M.K. and Balasubramanyam, M. (1992). Chapter 11. The
Mice, Mus spp. In: Rodents in Indian Agriculture, Vol.1 (Eds. Ishwar Prakash
and P.K. Ghosh) Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, India pp 147-164. (book
chapter).
55. Balasubramanyam, M., Maddaiah, G.P. and Ramamurthi, R. (1991). Minimal
baiting and control of rats in storages using new generation anticoagulant
rodenticides. In Proc: Fifth International Working Conference on Stored-product
Protection, Volume III (Eds. Fleurat-Lessard and P. Ducom) Bordeaux, France,
September 9-14, 1990. Published by Institut National de la Recherche
Agronomique (INRA, Paris, France) pp 1481-1488.
56. Balasubramanyam, M. and Purushotham, K.R.
(1988). Anticoagulant
rodenticides - current development and trends. Ind. Review of Life Sci. 8:205232. (Review)
57. Balasubramanyam, M. and Purushotham, K.R. (1988). The susceptibility of
the Indian field mouse, Mus booduga Gray to anticoagulant rodenticidal baits.
Pesticide Sci. 23:209-213.
58. Balasubramanyam, M., Shobarani, D., Maddaiah,G.P. and Purushotham, K.R.
(1988). Responses to warfarin by the Indian gerbil. Tatera indica from Tirupati,
India. Ind. J. of Exp. Biol. 26:694-696.
59. Maddaiah, G.P., Balasubramanyam, M. and Purushotham, K.R. (1988).
Bromadiolone - a potent anticoagulant rodenticide against the house rat, Rattus
rattus. Pesticides 22:28-33.
60. Balasubramanyam, M., Maddaiah, G.P. and Purushotham, K.R. (1988).
Laboratory evaluation of anticoagulant wax blocks to control Indian field mouse,
Mus booduga. Ind. J. of Agric. Sci. 58:330-332.
61. Balasubramanyam, M. and Purushotham, K.R. (1987). Comparative effect of
three rodenticides warfarin, bromadiolone and brodifacoum on the Indian field
mouse, Mus booduga Gray. International Biodeterioration 23:307-314.
62. Maddaiah, G.P., Balasubramanyam, M. and Purushotham, K.R. (1987). Field
evaluation of bromadiolone in two rat infested areas. Tropical Pest Mgmt.
33:230-233.
63. Balasubramanyam, M., Christopher, M.J. and Purushotham, K.R. (1985). Field
evaluation of three anticoagulant rodenticides against rodent pests in paddy fields.
Tropical Pest Mgmt. 31:299-301.
64. Balasubramanyam, M., Christopher, M.J. and Purushotham, K.R. (1985).
Laboratory evaluation of anticoagulant treated baits against Indian field mouse,
Mus booduga. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 94:93-97.
65. Christopher, M.J., Balasubramanyam, M. and Purushotham, K.R. (1984).
Evaluation of bromadiolone in paddy fields. Rodent Newsletter Jan-Dec, p 7.
66. Christopher, M.J., Balasubramanyam, M. and Purushotham, K.R. (1984). Fight
rats in your farms. Poultry punch 1:47-50.
67. Christopher, M.J., Balasubramanyam, M. and Purushotham, K.R. (1984).
Rodent problem in poultry farms of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Poultry guide
xxi:21-26.
68. Christopher, M.J., Balasubramanyam, M. and Purushotham, K.R. (1984).
Toxicity of three anticoagulant rodenticides to male hybrid leghorns. Zeit. fur
Angew. Zool. 71:275-282.
69. Balasubramanyam, M., Christopher, M.J. and Purushotham, K.R. (1984).
Laboratory evaluation of three anticoagulant rodenticides for use against the
Indian field mouse, Mus booduga Gray. Journal of Hygiene 93:575-578.
Talks delivered (2005-2010) by Dr.M.Balasubramanyam
Asst. Director & Senior Scientist, MDRF
“Oxidative stress in diabetes – Multiple cell stressors and challenges” International
Conference on Recent Advances in Free radical Research, Natural Products, Antioxidants
and Radioprotectors in Health and 9th Annual Conference of Society for Free Radical
Research-India (SFRR-India)” Hyderabad, January 11-13, 2010.
“Stress Wars” in Diabetes – Molecular Insights – Guest Lecture at the Division of
Metabolic Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH), 21st December 2009,
South Korea
“Accelerated Senescence in Diabesity? New Molecular Insights”. International
Conference on Nutrition and Physical Activity in Aging, Obesity and Cancer, 12-15th
December 2009, Jeju Island, South Korea.
“Role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the molecular pathogenesis of insulin
resistance and Type 2 diabetes”. International Symposium on “Type 2 diabetes: From
molecular insights to therapeutic intervention” Hyderabad, India; September 18-20, 2009.
“Mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress in diabetes”. 37th Annual Meeting of
RSSDI, Ahmedabad, 5-8th November 2009.
“Basic methods in Eukaryotic Cell Culture” Guest Lecture given at the AICTE-STTP
Programme on Animal Tissue Culture in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai
21st July 2009
“Palmitate causes insulin resistance by inducing epigenetic alterations in
hepatocytes and adipocytes” - 13th ADNAT Convention, International Symposium on
Epigenetic Modifications of the Genome: Mechanisms and Implications, at the Centre for
Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad during February 23-24, 2009.
“Molecular pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes: Technological struggle and the
Gordian Knot” – MDRF-ICMR Workshop on Techniques in Genomics in relation to
diabetes and related disorders, MDRF, Chennai, 9th January 2009
“Molecular intricacies of oxytosis and apoptosis in Type 2 diabetes” – 77th Annual
Meeting of the Society of Biological Chemists, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai,
18-20 December 2008.
“Prevention is better than cure – Molecular perspective on how this ancient adage is
appropriate for diabetes” – State level Symposium on Pre-emptive prevention of
human diseases, Loyola College, Chennai, 18th December 2008.
“Phytochemicals for diabetes – Time tested or Time to Test?”- International
Conference Natural Products in Health" and "21st Annual Conference of the Indian
Society for Atherosclerosis Research", Annamalai University, Chidambaram, 8th
December 2008.
“Functional foods and their molecular mechanisms in relation to diabetes”. 36th
Annual meeting of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI),
Hyderabad, 23rd November 2008.
“Stem cells for diabetes – Where do we stand now?” First International Stem Cell
Summit India -2008, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai, 14th November 2008.
“Oxidative damage and altered HO-1 signaling in Type 2 diabetes” at the Soongsan
Biomedical Symposium, Wonkwang University, Korea, 13th October 2008.
“Traditional medicine & Diabetes: New molecular insights” at the Workshop on
“Opportunities for collaboration through e-IMBL, 11th annual meeting of the A-IMBN
Conference, Seoul Korea, 8-9th October 2008.
“New insights of translational research opportunities in diabetes”. 11th annual
meeting of the A-IMBN Conference, Seoul, Korea, 8-9th October 2008.
“Stress Wars” in Diabetes: Patholgoical insights and new therapeutic concepts”.
International Congress on Cell Biology, Seoul, Korea, 7-10th October 2008.
“Harnessing the benefits of Biotechnology for better diabetes care”. Talk delivered at
the Kumararani Meena Muthiah College of Arts and Science, Chennai on 12th September
2008.
“Vision care in diabetes: Visualizing beyond glucose control”. KNBIRVO
Conference, Chennai, 5th September 2008.
“Phytomedicine & Diabetes: New molecular insights” 1st International Euro-India
Conference on Holistic Medicine (ICHM-2008), Institute of Holistic Medical Sciences,
Kottayam, 21-23 August, 2008.
“Diabetic retinopathy: seeing beyond glucose control” 56th TNOA
Conference:Research and Ophthalmology/Organizing Research at the Regional
Ophthalmic Institute and Govt Ophthalmic Hospital, Chennai, 9th August, 2008.
Participated at the International discussion meeting on “Cell replacement therapy for
diabetes” (DBT/NCCS), National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, 15-16 July 2008.
“Diabetes – in search of an integrated management and interdisciplinary research”
at the International Biomedical Modeling School and Workshop, National Centre for
Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, Feb 27- March 2, 2008.
“Recent trends in Biotechnology and Healthcare with special reference to diabetes”.
Talk by Video Conference, Biotechcellence-2008. Center for Biotechnology, Chennai,
25th February 2008
“Stress wars in diabetes” – role of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
stress – at the 95th Indian Science Congress, Visakhapatnam, 3-7th January 2008.
“Stem Cell Therapy: applications, obstacles and opportunities” – Plenary talk delivered
at the State Level Seminar on Emerging Operandum in Stem Cell Biology &
Nanotechnology – Chennai, 29th December 2007.
“Molecular divergence of O-linked N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase (OGT) silencing,
ER stress and Insulin resistance in L6 skeletal muscle cells” – Indo-French Conference
on: RNAi in Genome Control, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB),
Hyderabad, December 12 -14, 2007.
“Stem cells, diabetes and regenerative medicine” – Frontier Conclave 2007 –
International Conference on Stem Cell, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.
Frontier Lifeline, Chennai, November 30th – December 2nd 2007.
“Metabolic Memory and Oxidative Stress – New Insights From Interventional and
Epidemiological Studies” talk at the 35th Annual Conference of RSSDI, Kolkatta, 2325th November 2007
“Molecular understanding of Type 2 diabetes – Triumphs and Trials” talk at the
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, 12th
November 2007.
“Exploring novel mechanisms of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes using
miRNA and RNAi technologies”- presentation at the Department of Biotechnology
(DBT), Govt. of India, 26th September 2007.
“Multiple diabetes drug targets – A blessing in disguise for Pharma” invited talk
given at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER),
Chandigarh, 11th August 2007.
“Research needs – Chronic Disease Biology & Diabetes”. Department of
Biotechnology (DBT) meeting on Chronic Disease Biology, Trivandrum 7-9th August
2007
“Insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes: New insights in to the molecular
mechanisms” Guest Lecture at the Department of Biotechnology, School of Life
th
Sciences, Central University, Hyderabad on 30 July 2007.
th
“Oxidative stress, Metabolic memory and Diabetic retinopathy” at the 16 Annual
Meeting of Indian Eye Research Group (IERG), L.V.Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad
th
during 28 –29 July 2007
“Molecular pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes-Cell and Organellar Insights” at the
rd
School of Life Sciences, MDIS, Singapore on 3 July 2007
Methods in Calcium homeostasis and Redox signaling at the School of Life Sciences,
th
MDIS, Singapore on 29 June 2007
“Pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes – Technology struggles and the Gordian Knot” at
the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore on
rd
3 July 2007.
“Molecular pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes – Tissues, Issues and Microarray
applications” at the “Workshop on advanced microarray techniques”, Genotypic
th
Technology, Bangalore, 3 - 4 May 2007.
“Type 2 diabetes – Emerging drug targets and exciting challenges” Talk given at
th
BIOCON, Bangalore on 28 March 2007.
“Stem cells, diabetes and bioengineering enterprise”, Guest lecture on Tissue
th
Engineering at the Department of Biotechnology, University of Madras, Chennai, 6
March, 2007.
th
“Molecular pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes-Cell and Organellar Insights” at the 30
All India Cell Biology Conference (AICBC), Theme: Molecules to Compartments;
Corss-talks and Networks. Delhi University, Delhi, 2-4 February, 2007.
Diabetes – What medicinal plants can offer? at the National Conference on “Recent
Trends in Medicinal Plants Research”, University of Madras, Chennai, 24-25 January,
2007.
“Phytochemicals and fight against diabetes mellitus” at the XXIII Annual conference
of the Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists, TamilNadu, Veterinary and Animal
th
Sciences University, Chennai, 27 December 2006.
“Telomere shortening at the cross-road of oxidative stress and atherosclerosis” at
th
the 19 Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Atherosclerosis Research
th
(ISARCON-2006), University of Madras, Chennai, December 16-17 , 2006
“Herbal medicine and diabetes mellitus: Where do we stand now?” at the Natioanal
th
symposium on Current trends in the development of herbal drugs & 27 Annual
th
Conference of Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists, Trivandrum 25-27
November, 2006.
“Screening techniques on herbals for insulin secretagogue and insulin sensitizing
actions” at the IABMS (Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists) Workshop on
th
“Basic tools and techniques in herbal drug research”, Trivandrum 25-27 November,
2006
“Changing trends and translational approaches in studying the molecular
th
pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes” at the 9 A-IMBN (Asia-Pacific International
th
Molecular Biology Network) Conference & 16 MSMBB Scientific Meeting, Theme:
From Genomics and Proteomics to Translational Initiatives, held in Kuala Lumpur,
rd
th
Malaysia during 3 to 5 September 2006.
“Does oxidation/inflammation impose accelerated cellular senescence in adipocytes
and modify their secretory profile and function?” – Presentation at the Department of
Biotechnlogy (DBT), Govt. of India, 28th August 2006.
“War against diabetes mellitus: Phytochemicals revisited?” at the AVT Institute of
th
Advanced Research (AVTAR), Coimbatore on 7 July 2006
“Proteomics and post-translational modifications-Type 2 diabetes context” at the
Indo-Swedish Symposium on Genomics and Proteomics of Diabetes held in Chennai
during April 1-2, 2006
“Changing trends in studying the molecular pathogenesis of diabetes” at the National
Seminar on Molecular basis of diseases – current perspectives and new frontiers, held at
the University of Madras, Chennai during 13-14 March 2006
“Time for a translational approach in diabetes research” at the Seminar on
‘Emerging trends in biomedical sciences and their translational applications’ at the
st
Loyola College, Chennai, 1 March 2006.
“New insights into the pathogenesis of diabetes and the role of phytochemicals” at
the Workshop cum Symposium on “Recent trends in Biochemistry & Biotechnology” at
th
the Annamalai University, Chidambaram, on 26 February, 2006.
“Differential regulation of Ca2+ & Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers
th
during induction of insulin resistance by glucosamine in L6 muscle cells”, at the10
ADNAT convention on: “RNAi & microRNA in development and health”, Center for
th
Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, during 23-24 February, 2006.
“Insulin signaling, diabetes pathogenesis and proteomics aspects” at the National
Symposium & Workshop on Genomics, proteomics and computational biology – Today
and Tomorrow, in Chennai during 15-17 February, 2006.
“Antioxidatns & Metabolic/Vascular diseases – Where do we stand now” at the Joint
Annual Meeting of the International Society of Heart Research & International Academy
th
of Cardiovascular Sciences, held at the Madras Medical Mission, Chennai during 12-14
January, 2006
“Oxidative stress and diabetes – New insights for therapeutic intervention” at the
th
th
38 Annual Conference of the Indian Pharmacological Society (IPS), Chennai, 29
December 2005.
“Diabetes & New Horizons in Drug Development” at the National Conference on
“Path to Health – Biotechnology Revolution in India” held at the Anna University,
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Chennai, 25 November 2005.
“Clinical Proteomics and diabetes: Expectations and Emerging Opportunities” at
the Expert Committee Meeting of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) held in Post
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Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 7
November 2005.
“Herbal medicine, diabetes and oxidative stress as a therapeutic target” at the
“International Conference on Drug Development from Medicinal Plants- Issues and
st
Problems” held at CLRI, Chennai on 21 October 2005.
Brief Profile:
Dr.M.Balasubramanyam is Assistant Director & Senior Scientist at the Cell and
Molecular Biology department of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF).
He is a member of the Asia-Pacific International Molecular Biology Network (A-IMBN)
and had an extensive post-doctoral training (1991-95) at the Hypertension Research
Centre, New Jersey Medical School, USA, in the areas of signal transduction in health
and metabolic diseases with special reference to molecular pathogenesis of Type 2
diabetes and vascular biology. Having worked as a faculty at the Center for
Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai for 3 years (1996-99) he has joined MDRF in
1999. He is instrumental in setting up the basic infrastructural facilities at MDRF and
coordinates various research programmes and educational activities from time-to-time.
Mission & Vision: Dr.Balu’s laboratory is involved in studying cell and molecular
signatures with special reference to insulin secretion, insulin action and vascular function.
Our research integrates physiological and pharmacological approaches with biochemical,
molecular biological and proteomics techniques to study mechanisms underlying
development and progression of diabetes, its complications and cardiovascular diseases.
This challenging multi-disciplinary research specialization dwells around the following
themes:
a) Insights into biochemistry and molecular biology of diabetes and its vascular
complications by studying nutrient-sensing pathways, redox signaling, advanced
glycation end products, calcium signaling and epigenetic mechanisms.
b) Investigating the role of organellar dysfunction (Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
stress and mitochondrial mess) in insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes utilizing
the target tissue specific (skeletal muscle, adipose, β-cell) microarray, proteomics,
siRNA and epigenetics studies.
c) Bio-prospecting biomarker(s) potential in body fluids and tissue biopsies (human
skeletal muscle and adipocytes) adapting to proteomic tools and identification of
prediabetes/diabetes/diabetic complications-specific molecular fingerprints and
protein post-translational modifications.
d) Studying telomere biology and test whether shortening of telomeres are related to
inter-individual differences in biological ageing that predisposes one to ‘lifestyle
diseases’ and serve as a long-term biomarker.
e) Demonstration of oxidative stress as a therapeutic target, testing natural products
(herbals, marine resources) from the Indian biodiversity for their molecular
actions beyond antioxidant property and validation of their utility as novel insulin
secretatgogues/insulin sensitizers/vascular protectants.
The
department
now
serves
as
an
excellent
'interface'
for
biomedical/biotechnology/biopharmaceutical work with translational applications. The
goal of the department is set to evolve as a ‘Centre for Cellular and Molecular
Medicine’ (CCMM) with state-of-the-art facilities for preclinical research, biomarker(s)
identification, high-throughput cell-based assay systems, and to offer world-class contract
research and consultancy work in the areas of specialization.
Research Highlights
One of the thrust areas of research at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF)
is to use the biochemical and proteomic technologies for identifying novel biomarkers
and drug targets in the development and progression of diabetes and its associated
complications. In the sub-set of subjects from CURES, we have shown elevated oxidative
reactions (Sampathkumar et al 2005) and increased advanced glycation end products
(AGEs) (Sampathkumar et al 2004) in patients with Type 2 diabetes and its vascular
complications. Related to oxidative damage, our pilot observations indicated that there
was increased lipid and protein oxidation as early in the stage of impaired glucose
tolerance (prediabetes). In addition, we have seen telomere shortening in prediabetes
subjects and patients with Type 2 diabetes (Adaikalakoteswari et al 2005;
Adaikalakoteswari et al 2007), arising either from a cumulative burden of oxidative stress
and/or other phosphorylation or epigenetic post-translational mechanisms. Another study
(Adaikalakoteswari et al 2007) has demonstrated an association of oxidative DNA
damage with PARP and NFkB activation, indicating a role for poly (ADP)-ribosylation in
the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes. Moreover, a role for oxidative stress in diabetes
patients was also substantiated with differential expression of NADPH oxidase and
hemoxygenase gene (Adaikalakoteswari et al 2006). While these effects have been
studied by classic biochemical and molecular biology methods, the recent onset of
proteomics methods are expected to allow studying oxidative stress responses on a much
wider scale with more emphasis and focus on identification of biomarkers. In this
direction, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, we have recently
identified increased positivity for glutathionylated hemoglobin (HbSSG) as a specific
biomarker in diabetic patients with microangiopathy (Sampathkumar et al 2005b). As a
prerequisite to study the proteomics & genomics of Type 2 diabetes, we have
standardized in-house, the culturing of human skeletal muscle cells (HSMCs). Since
insulin resistance of skeletal muscle primarily results from impaired glucose uptake and
glycogen synthesis, these two metabolic read-out assays were first standardized in
HSMCs (Balasubramanyam, 2006). The fact that defects in these metabolic read-outs are
persisted in culture conditions of HSMCs obtained from patients with Type 2 diabetes,
indicates that these cells are an excellent model system to study the proteomics &
genomics of Type 2 diabetes. From the clinical proteomics view, our pilot studies also
indicated protein spots with region-specific differences in plasma samples of subjects
exhibiting varying degrees glucose tolerance. Other interesting studies which yielded
preliminary data include: convergence of ER stress and insulin resistance in L6 skeletal
muscle cells, palmitate-inudced impairment of multimerization of adiponectin in 3T3
adipocytes, characterization of a novel PTP inhibiting activity in prodigiosin, etc. As a
part of the NMITLI diabetes project on herbal medicine, both curcumin and gallic acid
have been extensively studied and scientifically documented for their specific molecular
actions. Gallic acid has been shown to possess novel (hitherto unknown) actions at the
interface of transcription factors, membrane transport, down regulation of oxidants and
upregulation of antioxidant enzymes etc.
Specialized training: Dr.M.Balasubramanyam is a member of the Asia-Pacific
International Molecular Biology Network (A-IMBN) and had an extensive post-doctoral
training (1991-95) at the Hypertension Research Centre, New Jersey Medical School,
USA, in the areas of signal transduction in health and metabolic diseases with special
reference to molecular pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes and vascular biology. Under the
Scientific Investigator training programme at AIIMS, New delhi, he has learned both
basic and advanced applications of Electron Microscopy techniques. He is well-versed
with transport assays, fluorescence imaging techniques and flowcytometry applications.
In the year 2003, he has visited the University of San Diego and learned techniques
related to human skeletal muscle and adipose tissue culturing, differentiation protocols,
and he is well-versed with the insulin signaling assays such as, glucose uptake, lipolysis,
tyrosine phosphorylation, PTP inhibition, glycogen synthase activity, lipid accumulation,
palmitate oxidation etc. He has participated in several training programmes of frontier
technologies including microarray, siRNA, 2-Dgel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry
and his team is actively collaborating with Indian Institute of Science (Prof.P.Balaram &
Dr.Utpal Tatu) on body fluid and tissue proteomics profiling and JNCASR (Dr.Tapas
Kundu) on epigenetic analysis. He is instrumental in setting up the basic science
infrastructure in MDRF and with his efforts the tissue culture facility at MDRF is now
fully tuned to conduct research on target-specific cells such as human skeletal muscle
cells, human retinal endothelial cells, 3T3-L1 adipocytes, L6 muscle cells, THP-1
monocytes and -cells. He is also instrumental in establishing the animal laboratory at
MDRF. The training offered at this department is considered unique in that it is tailormade for the students of biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.