Arti Shukla

Biography

Prof Arti Shukla, received her Ph.D. PhD (Biochemistry) Banares Hindu University. Currently, she is working as Professor in university of vermont. She has successfully completed her Administrative responsibilities as Professor. Her research has includedlies in studying cell signaling mechanisms of asbestos fibers-induced lung diseases including lung cancer and mesothelioma. We are exploring asbestos-induced signaling mechanisms in human mesothelial cells as well as in different mesothelioma cell lines to be targeted by different anti-cancer drugs in combination with pathway inhibitors. We are trying to elucidate possible mechanisms of asbestos-induced carcinogenesis. Mechanistically, we are focusing our investigations on how ERK cell signaling pathway plays a role in the development of malignant mesothelioma (MM). So far we have shown that ERK1, 2 and 5 and CREB are very important in mesothelioma pathogenesis. As a follow up we are running a preclinical trial with the ERK5 specific inhibitor, XMD8-92. The current focus of our group is to demonstrate the role of inflammation with special emphasis on inflammasomes in MM pathogenesis. Our goal is to reveal the role of inflammasomes in development of asbestos–induced mesothelioma and to manipulate them to develop potential therapeutic strategies for MM.We are also in the process of assessing differential susceptibility of pleural and peritoneal mesothelial cells to asbestos by Next Gen Sequencing (Massive Parallel Sequencing). This will help us understand why pleural mesothelioma is more common than peritoneal mesothelioma. In addition, role(s) of exosomes in development and therapy of MM is also being explored. The goal of this project is to show if exosomes are the carriers of information to mesothelial cells for development of MM. We also hope to identify exosome signature as biomarkers of asbestos exposure for the early diagnosis of MM.

Research Interest

My present research interest lies in studying cell signaling mechanisms of asbestos fibers-induced lung diseases including lung cancer and mesothelioma. We are exploring asbestos-induced signaling mechanisms in human mesothelial cells as well as in different mesothelioma cell lines to be targeted by different anti-cancer drugs in combination with pathway inhibitors. We are trying to elucidate possible mechanisms of asbestos-induced carcinogenesis. Mechanistically, we are focusing our investigations on how ERK cell signaling pathway plays a role in the development of malignant mesothelioma (MM). So far we have shown that ERK1, 2 and 5 and CREB are very important in mesothelioma pathogenesis. As a follow up we are running a preclinical trial with the ERK5 specific inhibitor, XMD8-92. The current focus of our group is to demonstrate the role of inflammation with special emphasis on inflammasomes in MM pathogenesis. Our goal is to reveal the role of inflammasomes in development of asbestos–induced mesothelioma and to manipulate them to develop potential therapeutic strategies for MM. We are also in the process of assessing differential susceptibility of pleural and peritoneal mesothelial cells to asbestos by Next Gen Sequencing (Massive Parallel Sequencing). This will help us understand why pleural mesothelioma is more common than peritoneal mesothelioma. In addition, role(s) of exosomes in development and therapy of MM is also being explored. The goal of this project is to show if exosomes are the carriers of information to mesothelial cells for development of MM. We also hope to identify exosome signature as biomarkers of asbestos exposure for the early diagnosis of MM.