Biology

Dr. Urmi Bandyopadhyay
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York

Abstract:

My research circles around lysosome biology. Lysosomes are key catabolic organelle for cellular nutrient recycling upon degradation of intracellular and extracellular materials. During the course of dissecting the role of lysosomes in intracellular degradation of macromolecule, I have explored a type of autophagy, known as Chaperon mediated Autophagy (CMA). I will present briefly CMA regulation by formation of dynamic lamp2a multimeric complex on lysosomal membrane and its Importance in neurodegenerative diseases. This motivated me to find out the contribution of autophagy/lysosomal activity in controlling removal of misfolded protein aggregates in motor neurons in ALS, a motor neuron associated neurodegenerative disease. I will focus mostly on my current work primarily aimed at role of lysosome in cellular nutrient homeostasis. I have identified a novel amino acid trafficking pathway, where lysosomal amino acids are exported into the extra cellular milieu, which is counterbalanced by lysosomal amino acid storage. I will present my data on molecular mechanism for this novel nutrient homeostasis pathway. I will also explore, based on my preliminary data, physiological role of lysosomal nutrient export-storage pathway in multiple diseases, such as, nuerodegeneration, cancer and aging.