Kartiki V Desai

Biography

1999 Ph.D Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India 1992 M.Sc University of Poona, Pune, India 1990 B.Sc University of Poona, Pune, India Professional Appointments Associate Professor, National Institute of Biomedical Genomics                             

Research Interest

My overall goal is to move towards personalizing medicine for treatment of cancer by twinning clinical annotation with molecular analysis using various genomic and phenomic platforms. We will use three modules in the laboratory that will function in parallel but independently of each other. Genomics module: We will stratify patients by molecular subtyping of their tumor and germ-line tissue using a combination of either next generation sequencing, re-sequencing, microarray or single nucleotide polymorphism data. Phenomics module: We will use molecular and cell biology techniques, animal models for human disease to delve deep into the biology of individual genes or pathways not only to ascertain mechanisms in cancer but also to assess their value as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets. In the third module, we will develop gene-based predictors and develop these genes into assays/genetic or immunohistochemistry based tests that are economical and can help us classify new patients prior to treatment. Over time, union of the three approaches will mature into information that impacts patient health. Our program will help prevent unnecessary treatment by match-making the correct patient with the most suitable drug and finding novel drugs for those who do not benefit from existing therapies.