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Contact Info
Dr Ravindresh Chhabra
+91-9478723446
Lab-525, Fifth Floor, Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda (Bathinda)- 151401
Dr Ravindresh Chhabra
Qualification

Ph.D. Biotechnology (2012), Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Delhi, India, Supervisor – Dr. Neeru Saini, Senior Scientist, CSIR-IGIB, Delhi, India

PG Diploma in Patents Law (2007), National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad, India

M.Sc. Biotechnology (2006), Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

B.Sc. Biotechnology (2004), Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

PhD vacancy

 

Experience
Teaching Experience

DST – Inspire Faculty (2013-2019), Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

Assistant Professor (2020 onwards), Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda (Bathinda), Punjab, India

Teaching courses

  • Animal cell culture, Cell Biology, Recombinant DNA technology, Developmental Biology and Introduction to Biotechnology to B.Sc. and M.Sc. students

Supervision

  • Supervised 21 M.Sc. students for their 6-month dissertation in my lab

Organized seminars for B.Sc. and M.Sc. students

Research Experience
  1. Research Associate (2019 – 2020), NYU Winthrop Hospital, New York, USA
  2. DST-INSPIRE Faculty (2013 – 2019), Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
  3. Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2012 – 2013), Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
Research Area

My Ph.D. research topic was Study of miRNAs as critical regulators of cell death and tumorigenesis”. Briefly, my work had shown that the hsa-miR-23a~27a~24-2 cluster can lead to caspase-dependent as well as caspase-independent apoptosis. ER-stress and mitochondrial membrane damage were found to play a crucial role in miR-23a~27a~24-2 cluster induced apoptosis. Additionally, I have validated Fas-Associated Death Domain (FADD) as the target of hsa-miR-27a. Also, this cluster enhances the sensitivity of cells towards TNFα. In collaboration with my colleagues, we had shown that DAMTC regulates cytoskeletal reorganization and cell motility in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line and STAT6 silencing enhances cholesterol levels in NCI-H460 cells.

As DST-INSPIRE faculty, I had focussed on elucidating the underlying pathways responsible for the maintenance of cervical cancer stem cells. I had shown that the EGF pathway and a couple of miRNAs (let-7i-5p, miR-181a-2-3p) coordinate to regulate cancer stem cell population in cervical cancer.

At NYU Winthrop hospital, I had worked on the annotation of novel lncRNA with a potential role in chromatin modification.

At Central University of Punjab, I am trying to identify the non-coding RNAs responsible for the origin and progression of cancer with the aim to identify diagnostic and therapeutic targets. I also intend to get into the area of regenerative biology in future.

Research Interests

Non-coding RNAs, Signal transduction and Cancer Biology

Research Grants/Projects
  1. DST Inspire Faculty project (2013-2019) titled "Identification of miRNA(s) that potentiate the interconversion of cancer stem cells and tumor cells"  awarded by DST at Panjab University, Chandigarh (Completed)
  2. Research Seed Money Grant (2021-2023) titled "Identification of lncRNAs responsible for maintaining cancer stem cells" awarded by Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (Ongoing)
  3. UGC Start-Up Research Grant (2021-2023) titled "To investigate the role of non-coding RNAs in the hormonal regulation of cervical cancer" awarded by UGC (Ongoing)
Professional Recognition/Awards/Scholarships
  1. Department of Science & Technology (DST) Inspire Faculty Award (2013) for 5-year research project titled “Identification of miRNA(s) that potentiate the interconversion of cancer stem cells and tumor cells” in 2013
  2. Department of Science & Technology (DST) Travel Grant to present poster titled “miRNA cluster (miR-23a~27a~24-2): A novel regulator of apoptosis”at Keystone Symposia “MicroRNAs and Non-Coding RNAs and Cancer” held at Banff, Alberta, Canada in Feb 2011 
  3. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Senior Research Fellowship (CSIR-SRF) in 2008 
  4. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Junior Research Fellowship (CSIR-JRF) in 2006 (among top 20%, was called for SPM fellowship test) 
Publications
 

For latest updates, please check the google scholar link: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=WhNhk1UAAAAJ&hl=en

Papers
  1. Sharma, AD; Chhabra, R; Jain, P; Kaur, I; Chauhan, A; Rani, R (2023) Preparation, Characterization, and Biological Potential of Nanoemulsion from Rosmarinus officinalis L. Essential Oil. BioNanoSci. Epub ahead of print.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12668-023-01209-8 (IF 3.0)

  2. Singh, P., Yadav, R., Verma, M., Chhabra, R. (2023) Analysis of the inhibitory effect of hsa-miR-145-5p and hsa-miR-203a-5p on imatinib-resistant K562 cells by GC/MS metabolomics method. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1021/jasms.3c00103 (IF 3.6)

  3. Sharma, AD; Chhabra, R; Jain, P; Kaur, I; Amrita; Bhawna (2023) Nanoemulsions (O/W) prepared from essential oil extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia: synthesis, characterization, stability and evaluation of anticancerous, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1080/09205063.2023.2253584 (IF 3.6)

  4. Singh P, Kumar A, Chhabra R, Singh K, Kaur J (2023). MSMEG_5850, a stress induced TetR protein, involved in global transcription regulation in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Future Microbiology. 18:563-580 https://doi.org/10.2217/fmb-2022-0238 (IF 3.553)

  5. Challakkara, MF, Chhabra, R (2023). snoRNAs in hematopoiesis and blood malignancies: A comprehensive review. J Cell Physiol. doi: 10.1002/jcp.31032. 

  6. Ranga, S., Yadav, R*., Chhabra, R*et al (2023). Long non-coding RNAs as critical regulators and novel targets in cervical cancer: current status and future perspectives. Apoptosis . https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-023-01840-6   *joint Corresponding author (IF 5.561)

  7. Mukherjee S, Bhatti GK, Chhabra R, Reddy PH, Bhatti JS (2023). Targeting mitochondria as a potential therapeutic strategy against chemoresistance in cancer. Biomed Pharmacother. Apr;160:114398. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114398. (IF 7.419)

  8. Yadav, C., Yadav, R., Chhabra, R. et al. (2023) Overview of genetic and epigenetic regulation of human papillomavirus and apoptosis in cervical cancer. Apoptosis. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-023-01812-w (IF 5.561)

  9. Singh, P., Kumar Gupta, S., Ali, V., Chhabra, R.,* & Verma, M.* (2023). MiR-145-5p and miR-203a-5p overcome imatinib resistance in myelogenous leukemic cells through metabolic reprogramming. Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IJBB), 60(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.56042/ijbb.v60i3.66526 (IF 1.476)  *joint Corresponding author

  10. Kisan, A., & Chhabra, R. (2023). Modulation of gene expression by YTH domain family (YTHDF) proteins in human physiology and pathology. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 238(1):5-31. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.30907 (IF 6.513)

  11. Singh, P., Yadav, R., Verma, M., Chhabra, R. (2022) Antileukemic Activity of hsa-miR-203a-5p by Limiting Glutathione Metabolism in Imatinib-Resistant K562 Cells. Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. , 44, 6428-6438. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44120438 (IF 2.976)

  12. Sarraf, G., & Chhabra, R. (2022). Emerging role of mRNA methylation in regulating the hallmarks of cancer. Biochimie. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2022.10.005 (IF 4.372)
  13. Gupta, S. K., Singh, P., Chhabra, R., & Verma, M. (2021). Novel pharmacological approach for the prevention of multidrug resistance (MDR) in a human leukemia cell line. Leukemia Research, 109, 106641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leukres.2021.106641 (IF 3.715)

  14. Chhabra, R. (2018). Let-7i-5p, miR-181a-2-3p and EGF/PI3K/SOX2 axis coordinate to maintain cancer stem cell population in cervical cancer. Scientific Reports, 8(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26292-w (IF 4.996)

  15. Chhabra, R. (2015). miRNA and Methylation: A Multifaceted Liaison. ChemBioChem, 16(2), 195–203. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.201402449 (IF 3.461)

  16. Chhabra, R. (2015). Cervical cancer stem cells: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 141(11), 1889–1897. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-014-1905-y (IF 4.322)

  17. Chhabra, R., & Saini, N. (2014). microRNAs in cancer stem cells: Current status and future directions. Tumor Biology, 35(9), 8395–8405. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-014-2264-7 (IF 3.65)

  18. Goel, A.*, Chhabra, R.*, Ahmad, S., Prasad, A. K., Parmar, V. S., Ghosh, B., & Saini, N. (2012). DAMTC regulates cytoskeletal reorganization and cell motility in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line: An integrated proteomics and transcriptomics approach. Cell Death & Disease, 3(10), Article 10. https://doi.org/10.1038/cddis.2012.141 *equal contribution *equal contribution (IF 9.685)

  19. Dubey, R.*, Chhabra, R.*, & Saini, N. (2011). Small Interfering RNA against Transcription Factor STAT6 Leads to Increased Cholesterol Synthesis in Lung Cancer Cell Lines. PLOS ONE, 6(12), e28509. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0028509 *equal contribution (IF 3.752)

  20. Chhabra, R., Dubey, R., & Saini, N. (2011). Gene expression profiling indicate role of ER stress in miR-23a 27a 24-2 cluster induced apoptosis in HEK293T cells. RNA Biology, 8(4), 648–664. https://doi.org/10.4161/rna.8.4.15583 (IF 4.766)

  21. Chhabra, R., Dubey, R., & Saini, N. (2010). Cooperative and individualistic functions of the microRNAs in the miR-23a~27a~24-2 cluster and its implication in human diseases. Molecular Cancer, 9(1), 232. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-4598-9-232 (IF 41.444)

  22. Chhabra, R.*, Adlakha, Y. K.*, Hariharan, M., Scaria, V., & Saini, N. (2009). Upregulation of miR-23a∼27a∼24-2 Cluster Induces Caspase-Dependent and -Independent Apoptosis in Human Embryonic Kidney Cells. PLOS ONE, 4(6), e5848. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0005848 *equal contribution (IF 3.752)

Book Chapters
  1. Chhabra, R. (2023). Chapter 4—The Epigenetics of Noncoding RNA. In T. O. Tollefsbol (Ed.), Handbook of Epigenetics (Third Edition) (pp. 55–71). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91909-8.00010-4
  2. Chhabra, R., Neyol, P., Bazala, S., Singh, I., Murmu, M., Sharma, U., Barwal, T. S., & Jain, A. (2022). Chapter 14—Potential clinical application of lncRNAs in pediatric cancer. In S. C. Gupta & K. B. Challagundla (Eds.), Clinical Applications of Noncoding RNAs in Cancer (pp. 433–448). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824550-7.00010-2

  3. Chhabra, R. (2021). Chapter 7—The journey of noncoding RNA from bench to clinic. In Y. Hasija (Ed.), Translational Biotechnology (pp. 165–201). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821972-0.00016-2

  4. Chhabra, R. (2017). Chapter 4—The Epigenetics of Noncoding RNA. In T. O. Tollefsbol (Ed.), Handbook of Epigenetics (Second Edition) (pp. 47–59). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-805388-1.00004-3

Research Guidance
  1. Sonu Kumar Gupta (joint supervision with Prof. Malkhey Verma)
  2. Priyanka Singh (joint supervision with Prof. Malkhey Verma)
  3. Puneet Jain

 

Conference/ Workshops/Seminars Attended
University Level
  • IGIB, Delhi - Mayo Clinic, USA joint conference on complex diseases in Delhi, India, Dec, 2010
National
  • Chhabra, R. Identification of miRNA(s) and gene(s) responsible for maintenance of cancer stem cell phenotype in CHASCON held at Panjab University, India in Feb, 2017 (Oral presentation)
  • Microarray workshop organized by Genetix in Delhi, India,2007
International
  • Dubey, R., Chhabra, R. and Saini, N.STAT6 siRNA induces cell death and alters lipid metabolism in lung cancer cells at the Keystone Symposia “Mechanism and Biology of Silencing” held at Monterey, California, USA, Mar 2011. (Abstract published)
  • Chhabra, R., and Saini, N. Exploring the independent and coordinate functions of miRNAs of miR-23a~27a~24-2 cluster in human embryonic kidney cells at Keystone Symposia“MicroRNAs and Non-Coding RNAs and Cancer” at Alberta, Canada, Feb 2011 (Poster presentation)
  • Chhabra, R., and Saini, N. miRNA cluster (miR-23a~27a~24-2): A novel regulator of apoptosis at Keystone Symposia “RNA Silencing: Mechanism, Biology and Application” at Colorado, USA, Jan 2010. (Abstract published)
  • International Human Genome Meeting HGM “Genomics & the Future of Medicine” at HICC, Hyderabad, India Sep, 2008
Conference/ Workshops/Seminars Organised
University Level
  • Coordinator for conducting the Intellectual Property Awareness program under National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) on 20 Apr, 2023 in Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
  • Organizing Member of one-day workshop on “Basics of Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” held on 21 Mar, 2023 at Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
  • Organizing Member and Event Coordinator for observance of “Vigilance Awareness Week” held during 31 Oct to 6 Nov, 2022 at Central University of Punjab, BathindaOrganizing member of one-day National Symposium, an annual event held at Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, India from 2015 – 2018.
Peer Recognition

Regularly review research papers for reputed journals including BMC Pulmonary Medicine, British Journal of Cancer, Cancer Cell International, Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters, Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry, PLoS One, Oncotarget and Scientific Reports.

Invited Talks/ Resource Person
Resource Person for “Microscopy Karyashala-From Start to High-End Research Applications” held from 12-19 Sep, 2022 at Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
Conducted laboratory sessions as a mentor for school kids in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th DST INSPIRE INTERNSHIP CAMP held at Panjab University in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.