Krishanu Ray
Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Hyderabad Campus, National Brain Research Centre, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, University of Calcutta
0000-0001-6406-3199
About
Molecular cell biology of tissue differentiation has been my long term interest. After obtaining a PhD for research on the development of chemosensory organs at the TIFR, Mumbai (1994), I worked at IMCB, Singapore on the molecular-genetic analysis of Dynein Light Chain 1 functions, and at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Diego, on identifying the cellular functions of kinesin-2. I established the laboratory at TIFR in 1998 to investigate the molecular cell biology of motor proteins and study their impact on the development and behaviour of an organism. At present, the primary focus in our laboratory is to understand how cell signalling regulates intracellular transport and how that impacts neuronal homeostasis and sensory function. We use the microtubule-based motor, kinesin-2, to probe the mechanism. Our laboratory also investigates the developmental cell biology of stem cell differentiation and sperm release in Drosophila testis. We described, for the first time, the sperm release live and found a unique reactive F-actin based process that prevents abnormal penetration of somatic cells by sperm. The other key aspect is the regulation of stem cell transit amplification. Molecular genetics, biophysical analysis and microscopic techniques (both optical and electron microscopies) are the primary expertise of my laboratory.
Research Focus:
• Regualtion of intracellular transport and its impact on cell physiology
• Molecular biophysics of F-actin assembly at the plasma membrane
• Regulation of stem cell and transit amplification divisions.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Domain structure-functions relationship of kinesin-2, and their role in intracellular transports
• Molecular and biophysical trigger of F-actin assembly at the plasma membrane due to nanoscale deformation
• Cellular lifespan prediction from the demography of stem cell and its progeny in a tissue
• Experimental demonstration of Anharmonic Resonance (AHR) of light.
Employment
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Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Hyderabad Campus Senior Professor2025 - Present
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National Brain Research Centre Director2022 - 2024
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Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Sr. Professor1998 - 2024
Education
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Tata Institute of Fundamental Research PhD1990 - 1994
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University of Calcutta M.Sc.1987 - 1989
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University of Calcutta B. Sc. (hons)1984 - 1987
Projects & Funding
Projects & funding information is unavailable.
Publications (56)
- EB1 surges promote ciliary outer-segment growth through periodic tubulin influxes into the Drosophila olfactory cilia Save
- Phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate-dependent Klp98A recruitment regulates endosomal flux underlying developmental synaptic remodeling via Rab4 Save
- The interplay of active and passive mechanisms in slow axonal transport Save
- Buffered EGFR signaling regulated by spitz-to-argos expression ratio is a critical factor for patterning the Drosophila eye Save
- Ciliary membrane, localised lipid modification and cilia function Save
- Time-lapse imaging of Drosophila testis for monitoring actin dynamics and sperm release Save
- The rates of stem cell division determine the cell cycle lengths of its lineage Save
- Kinesin-2 transports Orco into the olfactory cilium of Drosophila melanogaster at specific developmental stages Save
- An actomyosin clamp assembled by the Amphiphysin-Rho1-Dia/DAAM-Rok pathway reinforces somatic cell membrane folded around spermatid heads. Save
- Cyclin E and Cdk1 regulate the termination of germline transit-amplification process in Drosophila testis Save