Dr. Jyoti Parkash

Biography

 Dr. Jyoti Parkash, PhD Assistant Professor Centre for Animal Sciences School of Basic and Applied Sciences Central University Punjab

Research Interest

These past years we have provided compelling evidence that cell-to-cell communication processes involving non neuronal cells, such as glial and endothelial cells, are important in regulating the secretory activity of those hypothalamic neurons that secrete gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH is a neuropeptide essential for mammalian sexual development, acquisition of reproductive capacity at puberty, and adult reproductive function. Our studies unveiled that glial-neuronal interactions in the median eminence, the projection field of GnRH neurons, modulate the access of the GnRH nerve terminals to the pericapillary space during the estrous cycle. Notwithstanding the importance of these plastic rearrangements, genetic approaches revealed that glia-toneuron signaling pathways involving neuregulins, transforming growth factors and their guidance cue (like Semaphorins) play an essential role in the control of GnRH release, and that the disruption of this communication system delays sexual maturation and impairs adult reproductive function. My research will focus on the recognition of these new regulatory components, and the integrative use of cellular, molecular, and genomic approaches, to unravel the basic cell-cell regulatory mechanisms controlling GnRH release within the median eminence. In the second part of my research I would also like to evaluate how pathologies (such as obesity) may affect these neurobiological events and, conversely, how impairment of brain communication with the periphery renders the organism prone to develop pathologies (obesity, diabetes, precocious and/or delayed puberty and infertility). My research work is mainly focus to understand and elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tripartite synapse, which is classically associated with different forms of plasticity in adult brain using animal (rat and mice) as well as neuronal and glial cell lines as a model system.  Hormone-dependent development and plasticity of the metabolic brain  Role of semaphorins in brain development and neuro-glia plasticity