Krishnakumar Balasubramanian, Ph.D. 1997, Institute of Microbial Technology (India) M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Cancer Biology Contact Information Biographical Sketch

Research Interests: Mechanisms in apoptosis and phagocytosis; resistance to drugs and death ligands; metastasis and acquisition of metastatic potential

Research in our laboratory is directed towards understanding the mechanisms of PS externalization during apoptosis. We are currently focused on the role of calcium homeostasis between the ER, mitochondria and cytosol in regulating transbilayer PS movements during extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis. Another aspect of our research is centered on evaluating the relationship between resistance to apoptosis and transtion of primary non-metastatic tumors to an invasive, metastatic phenotype.

Depending on the student’s interests, a tuorial in our laboratory will provide experience in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology including confocal microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, gene expression and silencing, flow cytometric analysis, immunofluorescence and ion transport studies.
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Balasubramanian K, Mirnikjoo B, Schroit AJ. Regulated externalization of phosphatidylserine at the cell surface: Implications for apoptosis. (submitted)

Balasubramanian B, Maiti SN, Schroit AJ (2005) Recruitment of beta-2-glycoprotein 1 to cell surfaces in extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis. Apoptosis 10:439-46.

Balasubramanian K, Schroit AJ (2003) Aminophospholipid Asymmetry: A Matter of Life and Death Annu.Rev.Physiol. 65:701-734.

Balasubramanian K, Bevers EM, Willems GM, Schroit AJ (2001) Binding of annexin v to membrane products of lipid peroxidation. Biochemistry 40:8672-6.