Research Facilities

ADBS Laboratory

The Accelerator Programme for Discovery in Brain Disorders using Stem Cells (ADBS) aims to understand mental illness by harnessing the power of sophisticated clinical investigations, modern human genetics, and stem cell technology. ADBS was launched in 2016 under the joint stewardship of three institutions from Bengaluru – the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) and NIMHANS. The first five-year period, to be concluded in April 2023 was supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and the Pratiksha Trust. ADBS is an integrative approach that links basic research with clinical studies of mental illness. Scientists from NCBS and inStem worked with clinicians and basic scientists from NIMHANS to explore how mental illnesses develop, using human genetics and genomics coupled with stem cell technology.

This programme has brought together experts in molecular genetics, neurobiology and stem cell technology to create a comprehensive and long-term resource aimed at better understanding mental health issues at both the molecular and clinical levels. The ADBS programme has created a cohort of young adults from families with a high incidence of mental illness and longitudinally follows these families and individuals for temporal evaluation of mental illness (who develops a mental illness, and how it progresses). These families are examined in detail by clinicians using modern medical technology. Genetic analysis of individuals from these families will provide an insight into the genetic basis of mental illness. ADBS lab has a well-established protocol for blood sample collection and subsequent steps towards the isolation of cells and the creation of iPSCs. Overall, the ADBS repository has currently stored 2607 lymphocytes, 2546 DNAs, 2607 plasma samples, 368 lymphoblastoid cell lines, 11 iPSCs, and 14 neural stem cells). All samples collected are coded prior to biomaterial isolation. Information on these samples is maintained in a local clinic database which is password-protected and accessible only to valid users.

This programme will harness the potential of stem cell technology to understand “disease in a dish” models of brain cells. Comparing cells from patients with those sans such mental illness can provide a unique opportunity to understand the disease biology of mental disorders at the molecular, cellular and developmental levels. The recent analysis, using cellular samples isolated from psychiatric patients confirms cellular abnormalities -- shows cell cycle changes in OCD patients and bipolar disorder. Stem cells from familial bipolar disorder also showed migration abnormalities. This, in turn, can drastically alter the course of brain development and be a significant factor in pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders.

Advanced Flow Cytometry Laboratory

The Advanced Flow Cytometry Laboratory enables the sorting and analysis of single cells based on multiple parameters respectively. Students/researchers from the Departments of Neurovirology and Neuropathology use this facility for their research works.

Autoimmune Laboratory

Autoimmune Laboratory, an advanced diagnostic facility for the diagnosis and management of neurological autoimmune disorders, was set up in 2014. This initiative was launched on a “self-sustaining mode” supported by a seed grant from NIMHANS to meet the initial expenditure involved in establishing new tests, recruit and train personnel. The primary objective was to provide advanced diagnostic solutions to NIMHANS patients at an affordable cost while also serving as a referral diagnostic centre for hospitals nationwide. The laboratory has evolved into a prominent “referral diagnostic facility” with more than 70 hospitals, across the country, including prestigious institutions like AIIMS, PGIMER and JIPMER availing the facility. It has gained a remarkable reputation for delivering high-quality diagnostic reports, as evidenced by External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS) programs. By maintaining short turnaround times, the laboratory ensures that patients receive timely and precise diagnoses, crucial for managing autoimmune disorders effectively.

The facility actively supports DM and PhD dissertations and contributes to several research projects undertaken by faculty and staff from various departments of the Institute, including Neurology, Psychiatry, and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. The lab has the largest biorepository of confirmed cases of autoimmune disorders in the country, serving as a valuable resource for advancing autoimmune disease research and treatment. During the review period, a total of 32,040 samples were tested. The lab’s commitment to staying at the forefront of advancements in the field is evident in its ongoing efforts to expand the scope of testing. As the landscape of autoimmune disorders continues to evolve, the lab is proactive in incorporating newer and more sophisticated diagnostic tests into its repertoire.

Bioinformatics and Proteomics Laboratory

The Bioinformatics and Proteomics Laboratory is actively involved in genomic, proteomic, phosphoproteomic and glycoproteomic analysis of various human tissues, body fluids and cell lines to understand cellular biology. The major thrust areas of this laboratory encompass the study of proteomic map of the human brain; chronic meningitis including tuberculous meningitis, cryptococcal meningitis, and toxoplasma encephalitis; infections including rabies encephalitis, pathogenic fungi and cerebral malaria and neurological disorders such as stroke, ALS, schizophrenia, muscle dystrophy, traumatic brain injury, and X-linked intellectual disability.

In addition, a new state-of-the-art X-ray diffractometer integrated with a Hybrid Photon Counting (HPC) X-ray detector facility has recently been established for rational drug discovery research. The X-ray facility is used to determine three-dimensional structures of proteins and protein complexes (protein-protein and protein-inhibitor complexes) by a single crystal diffraction method.

Cell Culture and Stem Cell Biology

The objective of this lab is to investigate the pathomechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS using in-vitro cellular model systems. Currently, primary cultures of motor neurons, astrocytes, microglia, olfactory bulb; cell lines of mouse motor neurons (NSC- 34), human oligodendroglia (MO3.13), human microglia (HMC3) as well as the Human Embryonic Stem Cells (BJNhem20) are grown in this laboratory. Induced pluripotent stem cells have been derived from fibroblasts of ALS patients and healthy individuals for modelling ALS pathomechanisms in a “humanized dish model”.

The current research activities include: Directed differentiation of human iPSCs into motor neurons, their characterization and use as a humanized dish model of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Investigating the role of oligodendrocytes in the pathomechanisms of ALS in the in-vitro and in-vivo models of sporadic ALS; Studying the mechanism of action of chitotriosade-1, the biomarker of ALS found to be significantly up-regulated in CSF of ALS patients; Identifying the miRNA in ALS- CSF contributing to neuroinflammatory responses, etc. In addition, several research scholars of the institute have utilised state-of-the-art facilities available in the lab including Live Cell Imaging.

Electrophysiology Laboratory

The Electrophysiology Laboratory is engaged in evaluating the synaptic plasticity mechanisms in various animal models of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Activity-dependent synaptic modulation and information processing in live brain slices of the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex are being studied. The researchers are also studying plasticity mechanisms in the hippocampus, cortex and amygdala in animal models of stress, depression and epilepsy. In addition, the role of neurosteroids on synaptic plasticity is being evaluated. Several strategies to restore cognitive deficits and abnormal synaptic plasticity in the above-mentioned disease conditions by rewiring and remodelling neural circuits including pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches have been developed. In addition, the researchers have used microelectrode array technology for in vitro recording of electrophysiological activity of neurons. The patch-clamp facility is used to study the channelopathies and channel kinetics in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders including depression, ageing and epilepsy.

The ongoing research activities include: Depression-induced Cognitive Deficits: Effect of Modulation of Glutamatergic Transmission and Brain Stimulation Reward; Cellular and Molecular Basis of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy-induced Cognitive Deficits: Role of Enriched Environment and Levetiracetam Treatment; Mechanisms of Epileptogenesis: Modulation of GABAergic and Neurotrophic Support and its Effects on Synaptic Plasticity, Sleep and Cognitive Behaviour; Role of Neurosteroids in Synaptic Plasticity and Cognitive Functions; Role of Glucocorticoid System in Modulating the Effects of Finasteride on Mood and Cognition; Role of Cholinergic System in Sex-Dependent Effects of Finasteride on Mood and Cognition; Effects of Allopregnanolone on Synaptic Transmission in the Hippocampal Schaffer Collateral - CA1 Synapses.

Flow Cytometry Laboratory

The Flow Cytometry Laboratory houses the FACSR Aria III Cell Sorter and the FACS Verse machines. In addition, the laboratory also houses IVD-approved FACSCalibur equipment received from JNCASR, Bengaluru under a collaborative project in July 2021. Additionally, a new clinical Beckman Coulter DxFlex Flow Cytometer was donated through CSR funds by Inflow Technologies, Bangalore, in partnership with Rotary Bangalore Palmville, and was installed on 21 February 2023. The FACSCalibur and DXFlex machines are exclusively used for diagnostic immune profiling to support the care of patients with neurological immune disorders.

The laboratory is used routinely by researchers from various departments at NIMHANS namely Human Genetics, Molecular Genetics, Biophysics, Neurovirology, Neurophysiology, Neuromicrobiology and collaborating institutes in the neighbourhood. The experiments conducted here include multiparametric immunophenotyping of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as part of research projects to understand immune dysregulation in psychiatric and neurological disorders. The facility is used to conduct basic research experiments to understand the pathophysiology of infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. The assays include assessment of mitochondrial function, apoptosis, detection of stem cell differentiation markers etc. Assessment of T cell function by intracellular cytokine staining assay is performed for several projects. The estimation of cytokines and chemokines in serum or cell culture supernatants by using the Cytometric Bead Array assay is commonly used for various research projects.

Clinical Flow Cytometry: The laboratory started offering the CD19 CD20 B Cell Phenotyping testing service on 1 June 2022 for patients with neuro-inflammatory disorders and immunosuppressive therapy. A total of 801 samples were received from 1 June 2022 to 31 March 2023 from various units of the Department of Neurology.

Human Genome Laboratory

The laboratory houses a state-of-the-art next-generation sequencing platform and microarray facility. The major diagnostic and clinical research activities of this recently established laboratory include (i) Next-generation sequencing of the human genome, exomes for all the Mendelian diseases in humans, sequencing of transcriptomes, and epigenetic studies, (ii) Chromosomal microarray and epic array used to investigate chromosomal disorders and whole genome methylation in humans and cell cultures (iii) Pathogenic viral genome, including COVID-19 variants and bacterial genomes, as well as gut microbiome constitution (iv) Research on wide variety of genomic studies like schizophrenia, FTD, ID and Autism and (v) To identify various (up to 100) biomolecules like inflammatory markers in a single sample.

The lab is actively involved in research collaborations with various national and international institutes and research foundations. Over 1400 samples have been received for various genetic tests and DNA banking services since its initiation on 3 October 2020. As part of the diagnostic services, a total of 564 samples have been sequenced during the review period, while a Chromosomal array has been performed for 100 samples to date. Comprehensive and quality-ensured reports have been released for these samples. More than 1500 samples have been processed using whole exome captures as part of various research projects on intellectual disability, CNS malformations, neuromuscular disorders especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, etc.

Over 2800 samples for COVID-19 sequencing have been completed as part of INSACOG. The lab is also actively involved in a collaborative study on founder mutation analysis in an indigenous South Indian community with atypical Canavan disease. The lab has a comprehensive genomic database which is being maintained with regular updating and curation. Recently the group has been designated as a collaborating centre for the multicentric project entitled ‘Mission Program in Paediatric Genetic Disorders’ funded by DBT which aims to comprehensively identify, and catalogue inherited genetic disorders and syndromes in children.

Metabolic Laboratory

The Metabolic laboratory conducts high-throughput, mass spectrometry (MS)-based tests for identification of Inborn Errors of Metabolism. This facility, which is the first of its kind in a government set-up in the country, analyses samples from all over India as well as from other neighbouring countries. For screening of disorders of intermediary metabolism, 13 amino acids, free carnitine and 45 acylcarnitines are measured in 3.2mm blood spots collected on filter paper using a triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer, and based on the characteristic profiles, inborn errors of amino acid metabolism, fatty acid oxidation defects and organic acidemias are identified. With funds from DBT, India, two robust and sensitive, mass spectrometry-based methods for measuring a panel of very long-chain lysophosphatidylcholines (C20:0, C22:0, C24:0 and C26:0 LPCs) in dried blood spots collected on filter paper, have been developed for the identification of X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) and other peroxisomal disorders.

The first is a high-throughput, low-cost and fast-flow injection analysis-tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) method which can be used for newborn or mass population screening for X-ALD. The second method is a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method which is 100% sensitive and specific and can be used for confirmation of positive cases. This lab participates in the newborn screening quality assurance program, conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, USA, and since 2008 has obtained 100% satisfactory results. The research activities of the lab include the identification of differentially expressed circulating and microRNAs in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, cerebral small vessel disease, Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative disorders to determine their utility as diagnostic and prognostic molecular biomarkers, and altered tissue miRNAs to elucidate their role in the etiopathogenesis of these diseases. The possible role of estradiol and estrogen receptors in the patho-mechanism of cerebral aneurysm rupture and the genetic determinants of platelet response during low-dose aspirin therapy in ischemic stroke is being investigated.

Molecular Biology Laboratories: Communicable and Non-communicable

Molecular Biology Laboratory: This laboratory is currently used for processing diagnostic samples for RT PCR-based identification of several pathogens including Rabies virus, Herpes Simplex virus, Influenza virus (H1N1), Enterovirus, Chikungunya, JC virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and Hemophilus Influenza. The laboratory space is equipped with four RT PCR machines and four Biosafety cabinets.

Molecular Biology Laboratory: The laboratory hosts a sequencing facility for both targeted whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and metagenomic sequencing. From April 2022 onwards, the lab has been used for whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 on the MiSeq Platform which was gifted by the WHO. From April 2022 to March 2023, the laboratory received more than 400 samples for SARS CoV2 whole genome sequencing and the results were communicated to INSACOG. The Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) Nanopore MinION sequencing platform is currently used for sequencing of several isolates including rabies virus and respiratory syncytial virus; and metagenomic analysis of CSF and respiratory samples. This area is used for preparing samples for sequencing, and pre and post-amplification processing – including clean hoods and freezers for reagent storage, laminar air flow hoods for processing amplified DNA and freezers for sample storage. Bioinformatics and sequence analysis are also performed in these labs.

COVID-19 RT PCR Laboratory: This laboratory space provided by the institute exclusively for sample reception and RT PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 was inaugurated on 15 August 2020. The new space houses BSL-2 laboratories with two biosafety cabinets, two automated extractors and a real-time PCR machine. The equipment was procured through donations under the CSR initiatives of various corporations. The laboratory also does the initial RT PCR screening of samples received for whole genome sequencing of SARS-COV-2 to identify variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Molecular Genetics Laboratory

Molecular Genetics Laboratory carries out research projects and diagnostic work in neuropsychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dementia, Huntington’s disease, spino-cerebellar ataxia, Duchene’s/Becker’s muscular dystrophy and spino-muscular atrophy. Candidate gene and epigenetic studies are being carried out in patient samples with alcohol dependence and alcohol-induced cirrhosis.

Patient care services include genetic testing for DMD/BMD (44 samples) and SMA (29 samples) through MLPA and PCR-RFLP methods, respectively. A total of 300 samples were tested for adult-onset movement disorders. Of these, FRDA: 22 out of 59 cases, Huntington’s disease: 33 out of 77, SCA1: 21 out of 186, SCA2: 23 out of 189, SCA3: 8 out of 187 and SCA12: 8 out of 187 were reported.

Multi-modal Brain Image Analysis Laboratory

This laboratory aims at integrating the acquisition and analysis of multiple modalities of brain imaging for a comprehensive understanding of brain structure, function and signalling in various neuropsychiatric disorders. The lab focuses on using an integrated multi-disciplinary approach to examine brain structure and function in health and disease through active collaborations between various departments both within and outside the institute.

Some of the major thrust areas of research at the lab include: utilizing multi-modal imaging methods to investigate the neurobiology of schizophrenia, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia as well as different states of conscious awareness; mathematical modelling of transcriptional regulation of protein interactions using bioinformatics approaches; and machine learning approaches using multimodal neuroimaging features. The laboratory has active collaborations with the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit, the Centre for Consciousness Studies as well as investigators from the Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, Neurophysiology, Clinical Psychology etc. The laboratory supports PhD and MD dissertations. The research works at the laboratory are funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and National Institute of Health (NIH), USA.

Music Cognition Laboratory

The research focus of this laboratory is music cognition and neuromusicology from basic science to clinical application. This is the first laboratory in India which aims at scientific investigations into basic cognition and neural correlates of music perception and cognition as well as the application of music in clinical conditions.

Music Cognition Laboratory

Music is a universal phenomenon. In the field of Cognitive Neuroscience, music is considered as a powerful tool to understand the functioning of the human brain. Neural plasticity is a fundamental feature of the human brain function and music -both passive and active engagement is known to facilitate neural plasticity. The main focus of this laboratory is to carry out research to understand the neural underpinnings of music perception, cognition and production. The focus is to study the relationship between music cognition and neurocognitive functions in the non-musical domains. The objective is to examine the neural correlates and cognitive processes involved in music perception, production and cognition from both a basic science approach and application of the findings to clinical set-up.

The lab aims to carry out research to examine the use of music and music-based interventions as evidence-based therapy in neurological and psychiatric conditions. Ongoing research projects include “Understanding the Neural Correlates of Music and Rhythm Perception and the Effect of Indian Music and Rhythm-based Cognitive Remediation in Parkinson’s Disease” and “Therapeutic Role of Prayer and Listening to Music – An Exploratory Survey to Understand Patients”. At present five PhD scholars and two MPhil Clinical Psychology trainees are carrying out research work in the area related to neuromusicology and music cognition. The members of the lab have published several research papers in national and international journals.

Neuro-Oncology Laboratory

This dedicated facility is a state-of-the-art research laboratory, equipped to carry out Fluorescent In situ Hybridisation (FISH), PCR (conventional/real-time), DNA sequencing, Western Blotting, immunohistochemistry and advanced imaging work. This is one of the few labs in the country where the tissue microarray technique for high throughput validation of biomarkers is being carried out. This has facilitated PhD, DM, MCh and PDF students to carry out advanced molecular biology work to understand the pathobiology of brain tumors. The primary objective of Neuro-Oncology Lab is to conduct translational research in neuro-oncology. The lab focuses on tissue- based research along with collaborations with other biological research institutes.

This has helped in understanding the pathogenesis of several adult and paediatric brain tumours with emphasis on gliomas, CNS embryonal tumors and meningiomas. Several publications and presentations by faculty and students from the departments of Neuropathology and other collaborating departments/ institutes have stemmed from the work carried out in the lab. Various molecular tests are offered as a diagnostic service facility at the laboratory and this as part of the ‘self-sustaining diagnostic services’. There has been increasing demand for molecular testing for most of the brain tumors. Therefore, apart from the tests that were being carried out, new tests have been introduced.

The molecular diagnostic tests offered by the lab include: FISH for 1p19q, CDKN2A/B, CMYC, NMYC, EGFR, MN1, BRAF, EWSR1; DNA sequencing for IDH and H3.3/31., TERT promoter mutation, BCOR ITD; PCR for BRAF fusion, MGMT promoter methylation; and medulloblastoma molecular panel.

Neuroinfection Laboratory

The Neuroinfection Laboratory is equipped to carry out research and molecular diagnostic tests aimed at various bacterial and fungal infections of the central nervous system. The laboratory focuses on the PCR-based detection of organism-specific nucleic acid sequences in elucidating the spectrum of disease associated with fungal and bacterial infections of the CNS in order to establish the aetiology. The laboratory owns the BioFire FilmArray automated system which enables the detection of a panel of a comprehensive set of 14 most common bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens associated with CNS infection providing accurate identification with a rapid turnaround time of one hour helping clinicians to quickly ensure appropriate care.

ELISA-based detection of the increased expression of IL-6 in serum which is expected to predict the severity of COVID-19 is being performed. Leptospirosis diagnostics - The molecular experiments including nucleic acid extraction followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to diagnose Leptospira infection in CSF and serum samples are performed. Immunological experiments in diagnostics and research - Cytokine estimation of M. tuberculosis and Brucella spp. on ‘in vitro’ samples and antibody detection in CSF and serum for Leptospira diagnosis by ELISA. In ‘in vitro’ infection assays - Gene expression analysis (genes in relation to pathogenicity of Leptospira, autophagy related genes in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, differential expression of various molecular, immunological and structural pathways during the pathogenesis of Cryptococcal meningitis) and on specimens obtained after infecting human cell lines [microglial cell line (CHME3), Human embryonic Kidney (HEK 293), Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell line (HBMEC)] with pathogenic microorganisms (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Leptospira spp and Cryptococcus species complex).

In addition, the facility also performs anti-fungal susceptibility testing by Microbroth dilution method as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) to reliably produce MIC values that are used to guide patient therapy and track the rates of antifungal drug resistance among the cases of Rhino-Orbito- Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) and other invasive fungal infections. Currently, as many cases of chronic meningitis remain undiagnosed because of the lack of sensitivity and scope of presently available diagnostic modalities, the facility is initiating a novel study where the utility of Metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing (mNGS) will be evaluated alongside conventional techniques with a multifaceted approach for the detection of causative agents of chronic meningitis with an attempt to screen for a broad range of human pathogens in an unbiased manner.

Neuromuscular Laboratory

The Neuromuscular Laboratory, in keeping with its mandate, has continued to provide advanced diagnostics and promote research in neuromuscular disorders. The self-sustaining diagnostic facility has been running successfully, providing advanced diagnostics for muscle disorders. There are several ongoing projects in neuromuscular disorders funded by grants from ICMR. The outcomes of the research have been presented nationally and internationally by faculty and students. Research, last year, focused on the analysis of respiratory chain complexes in muscle tissue of patients with clinical diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders and its correlation with the phenotype and genotype. Complete mitochondrial gene sequencing, and clinical exome sequencing to identify nuclear gene mutations and nuclear-mitochondrial intercommunication disorders are underway.

Research in peripheral neuropathy aimed at identifying the mutations in inherited neuropathies. Since the inception of the Neuromuscular Laboratory, several diagnostic tests have been initiated for the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders - Western Blot technique for muscular dystrophies, estimation of respiratory chain enzyme assays for diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders and immunodiagnosis for immune mediated disorders on a self-sustaining project mode with a seed grant from the Institute with the primary objective of providing expensive, and sophisticated tests available to patients admitted at NIMHANS as well as other hospitals in and around Bengaluru at affordable cost. Molecular genetic tests for mitochondrial disorders and autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophies were initiated as part of the research project funded by the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Science & Technology in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. The technology was transferred to the Neuromuscular Laboratory, NIMHANS in due course to make it available as a diagnostic facility in NIMHANS.

In order to continue the work initiated, Genetic Analyzer and ancillary instruments have been procured. Genetic Analyser is now routinely used to screen complete mitochondrial genome sequencing, several nuclear genes, diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, other skeletal muscle disorders including congenital myopathies and protein aggregate disorders, molecular characterization of CNS tumors and inherited peripheral neuropathies. The facility is also extended to other departments including Neurovirology, Human Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine. Tissue culture facility has been initiated in research mode with the culturing of fibroblasts from skin punch biopsies (of patients) and also the development of cybrid technology for studying the pathomechanism of various mitochondrial disorders.

Neurotoxicology Laboratory

The primary objective of the Neurotoxicology Laboratory is to assess the neurotoxic phenomena that are applicable to various neurological and psychiatric diseases using cell and animal models and human brain samples. The laboratory uses biochemical, morphological, time-lapsed, proteomic, and epigenetic methods to understand the toxicological basis of CNS diseases. The laboratory receives financial support from the Institute and external funding agencies and involves PhD students and research staff to conduct research.

The ongoing research projects include: Molecular analysis of the neurotoxic cell models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) using proteomic and phosphor-proteomic methods; Assessment of the role of oxidative post-translational modifications (PTMs) on mitochondrial proteins such as mitochondrial complex I (CI) in neurotoxic models of PD via proteomic approaches; Aging studies on the human brain samples including evaluation of nigro- striatum and associated structures; Analysis of biomarkers in PD patients with cognitive impairment; Characterization of the animal models of PD including organellar and inflammatory mechanisms; Molecular analysis of the neurotoxic cellular models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) using live cell imaging techniques.

Optical Imaging Lab

The laboratory is equipped with confocal microscope, epifluorescence systems for imaging and a patch clamp setup for electrical recording from cells. These state-of-the-art techniques are being used by the researchers to unravel the cellular and molecular basis of physiological and pathological signalling in the nervous system.

Optical Imaging Laboratory

Optical Imaging Laboratory is an advanced facility for conducting a real-time recording of signalling events in cells and tissue. The laboratory is equipped with a confocal microscope, epifluorescence systems for imaging and a patch clamp setup for electrical recording from cells. Multi-Electrode array is also used for measuring electrophysiological recordings from cells and brain slices. Live-cell fluorescence imaging is performed extensively for measuring intracellular Ca2+ response, ER Ca2+ refilling, ER stress, mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS generation.

The ongoing research activities include: Understanding the neuron-glia interaction in neurological disorders; the morphological and functional changes in hippocampal astrocytes in animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy; glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; the role of cytosolic HDACs in the pre and post synaptic functions of excitatory hippocampal neurons; role of alpha-synuclein phosphorylation on dopaminergic neuron dysfunction; development of in vitro Hypoxic-ischemic injury model using neural progenitors from human embryonic stem cells; extracellular alpha-synuclein effect on astrocyte function; dynamic changes of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in reference to nerve conduction velocity of Sciatic nerve in Diabetic Neuropathy and exosomes as drug delivery vehicles to the CNS in vivo.

Extensive functional studies on dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes differentiated from Healthy control and PD patient-specific iPSCs are also conducted. To summarize, the functional parameters of the in vitro and in vivo platforms of the above-mentioned neurodegenerative diseases are addressed in this laboratory. Multiple extramural projects are ongoing and the studies performed using this facility have been reported in peer-reviewed international journal publications.

Translational Psychiatry Laboratory

The Translational Psychiatry Laboratory (TransPsych Lab) facilities have been created to initiate an integrated clinical research facility with a focus on translational applications in psychiatry. The goal of the TransPsych Lab is to evaluate and establish composite biomarkers involving neuroimmunobiological abnormalities in Schizophrenia and other disorders like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Affective Disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. Ongoing research activities focus on examining the neuroimmunogenetic and neuroplastic correlates of brain abnormalities in schizophrenia, neuromodulatory effects of tDCS in schizophrenia, eye movement abnormalities in schizophrenia and OCD, EEG/ERP abnormalities in schizophrenia and OCD, neurohemodynamic abnormalities in schizophrenia using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy and imaging-genetics studies in OCD.

TransPsych Lab facilitates the provision of transcranial direct current stimulation for schizophrenia patients, OCD and several other psychiatric disorders. Research staff in the lab contributes to the clinical services of the schizophrenia clinic as well as the metabolic clinic, Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS. Several dissertations are being facilitated and supported through the lab.