- Postdoctoral training: Medicinal Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology (formerly Pharmacology & Toxicology), Purdue University (1994)
- Ph.D., Biochemistry, University of Madras, India (1989)
- M.Phil., Biochemistry, University of Madras, India (1986)
- M.S., Biochemistry, University of Madras, India (1984)
- B.S., Chemistry, University of Madras, India (1981)
In the Lab
Dr. Kanthasamy’s research program has been at the forefront in unraveling the cell signaling mechanisms underlying key pathophysiological processes of PD, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, dopaminergic therapy, aSyn protein aggregation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, exosome trafficking, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. Furthermore he and his team recently adopted a highly sensitive RT-QuIC assay to successfully detect ultralow levels of pathologic αSyn aggregates from serum, plasma, CSF and submandibular and skin samples from PD and related Parkinsonian disorders. Dr. Kanthasamy’s lab translational research efforts also involve testing the efficacy of several small-molecule, peptide, and probiotic therapeutics against select targets in various experimental models of PD such as MPTP, 6-OHDA, MitoPark, and αSyn rodent models to advance them for further preclinical and clinical evaluations.
Research Interest
- Novel apoptotic and compensatory signaling activated during neurotoxic insult in the dopaminergic neurodegenerative process
- Protein misfolding and neuroinflammatory mechanisms in neurotoxicity
- Epigenetic reprogramming in neurotoxic stress
- Translational biomarker and drug discovery in neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration