"My research focuses on identifying the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders associated with maternal diabetes/ viral infection during pregnancy. This study will provide mechanistic insights into the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders and identify potential molecular candidates for therapeutic intervention. "

(PI: Prof Dheen ST)

"Investigation into the roles of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and proteoglycans (PG) in breast, bladder and other cancer types. Transcriptomics and proteomics approaches are used to elucidate GAG-mediated signaling pathways that regulate tumor progression."

(PI: A/Prof George Yip)

"My research interest looks into the neural circuitry that mediates motivation in reward seeking. Unraveling the molecular, synaptic and circuit mechanisms that drive such responses would give an insight on neural circuit adaptations. Translationally, these findings would give us a better understanding of the significant social issues such as obesity, hyper-sexuality and drug addiction."

(PI: Dr Jai)

"My background is in stem cell biology where I explored the direct reprogramming of pluripotent cells into neuronal cells. I did my PhD in the lab of Dr Marius Wernig where I reprogrammed pluripotent cells into dopamine neurons using transcription factors. As I delved deeper into the characterization of neuronal cells, I become interested in neuroscience and related animal behavior.  
I did my postdoc under the mentorship of Dr Weiping Han and Dr Thomas Sudhof, where I discovered a novel circuitry that controlled feeding behavior in mice models. In the Polepalli Lab, my current research looks at the neural circuitry that influences decision-making in feeding, with implications on obesity and related diseases. I am also interested in the molecular dysfunction at the synapse level, which can manifest as disease phenotypes."

(PI: Dr Jai)

"Ionotropic serotonergic signalling mediated by the 5HT3 receptor brings a faster input to synaptic modulation compared to the other metabotropic serotonin receptors in the brain. My current research interrogates the role of ionotropic serotonergic signalling in regulating social behaviour. My scope of work includes the use of electrophysiological, behavioural and molecular techniques to understand the mechanistic underpinnings of how 5HT3aRs impact social behaviour."

(PI: Dr Jai)

"Currently, my area of research involves creating and working with the rodent MCAo Stroke model; particularly to identify and modulate Epigenetic Mechanisms of Microglia during cerebral ischemic conditions. The function of Microglia during such neuropathologies can be decisive when one considers recovery of neuronal function and excessive secondary cell damage through inflammatory cascades."

(PI: Prof Dheen ST)

"Glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans have major roles in multiple cancer-related processes. My research interest is to study their downstream effectors and to determine if they can be utilised as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets."

(PI: A/Prof George Yip)

"My area of interest is in RNA higher order structures and editing of RNA by ADARs. Currently I am working to elucidate the editing complementary sequence of AZIN1, and any possible therapeutics that can work to stop the development of hepatocellular carcinoma."

(PI: A/Prof Polly Chen)

"Currently, my area of research involves creating and working with the rodent MCAo Stroke model; particularly to identify and modulate Epigenetic Mechanisms of Microglia during cerebral ischemic conditions. The function of Microglia during such neuropathologies can be decisive when one considers recovery of neuronal function and excessive secondary cell damage through inflammatory cascades."

(PI: Prof Dheen ST)

"Ageing is a primary risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Microglial cells are the resident macrophage of the central nervous system where they contribute to neuroimmunity and support neuronal function. Their activity influences the progression of neurodegenerative diseases in ageing brains. With ageing, these cells become dystrophic and impaired. My research interest lies in identifying the molecular profile changes associated with dystrophy in microglia."

(PI: Prof Dheen ST)

"Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). My research interest focuses on exploring potential nutraceuticals that provides neuroprotection against PD and ALS."

(PI: Prof Ong Wei Yi)

"Sara Kashkouli is a dedicated and passionate student pursuing a PhD in neuroscience in Professor Ong Wei Yi’s laboratory. With a keen interest in regenerative medicine, and stem cell research, Sara has focused her academic journey on exploring a multistep approach to optimize a protocol to differentiate dental pulp stem cells into dopaminergic neurons, and their potential long-term clinical applications. Her research endeavors thus far have encompassed optimizing differentiation protocols, investigating molecular mechanisms, and characterizing the functional and morphological properties of the derived dopaminergic neurons. Sara aspires to make valuable contributions to the field that will eventually lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases."

(PI: Prof Ong Wei Yi)

"Previous work in lab has shown that IFIT-family is highly associated with breast cancer development, in which high IFIT1 correlated to greater chances of mortality and recurrence in breast cancer. Depending on this result, I am currently working on prospective downstream effectors of IFIT1 and their regulation on breast cancer development via cell assay and biodata analysis."

(PI: A/Prof George Yip)

"Glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans have major roles in multiple cancer-related processes. My research interest is to study their downstream effectors and to determine if they can be utilised as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets."

(PI: A/Prof George Yip)

"Dysregulation of adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR) is associated with cancer development as a result of aberrant A-to-I editing and splicing. Till date, ADAR is known to be overexpressed in various cancers, including oesophageal and hepatocellular carcinomas. My preliminary results suggest that ADAR may be involved in self-regulation of its own expression levels. Therefore, my research aims to elucidate the mechanism(s) involved in ADAR self-regulation and to also investigate the functional significance of this regulatory mechanism(s) in the context of cancer development."

(PI: A/Prof Polly Chen)

"Synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) facilitate trans-synaptic signalling processes. They play key roles in mediating synapse organisation and specification, maintenance, as well as plasticity. My research focus is to determine the contributions of a family of CAMs, Cerebellins, in the synaptic processes of the hippocampus, in order to better understand the neural circuitry involved in learning and memory."

(PI: Dr Jai)