Dr. Surendra Ghaskadbi

Biography

His Education and Scientific Career: M.Sc. (Zoology) – Pune University 1978, M.Phil. (Zoology) – Pune University 1980, Ph. D. (Zoology) – Pune University 1984, M.M.S. (Systems Management) – Pune University 1998. CSIR Emeritus Scientist since May 2016, Scientist G since April 2011, Scientist F – ARI- 2007 & In-Charge, Zoology Group, Scientist E – ARI- 2002 & In-Charge, Zoology Group, Scientist D- ARI- 1996, Scientist B- ARI- 1985, Scientist C- ARI- 1990.

Research Interest

Commonality in the basic body plan of animals has made it possible to understand the development of higher animals using the knowledge from simpler models. Studies using hydra, a diploblastic cnidarian, one of the first to have a definite body plan, are providing new insights into animal development. A large number of developmental phenomena occur continuously in the hydra polyp due to sustained growth of the polyp, pattern formation in its regenerating body parts and budding. These features, along with the progress in understanding molecular basis of development, have generated a renewed interest in pattern formation in hydra. Our work using hydra has identified homologues of several genes important in vertebrate development and signaling, including noggin, crucial for development of nervous system in higher organisms, Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) important in cellular signaling, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), the entire set of genes needed for nucleotide excision repair, among others.