Neurosciences (MSc/PhD/MD-PhD)

Raunak Sinha

EDUCATION

College / University

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research India
Presidency College, University of Calcutta

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science (honours)

Major Subjects

Physiology, Molecular Biology
sinha

Country

India

Lab Experience

Histology, experimental physiology (nerve muscle recordings, perfusion experiments on cardiac and smooth muscle), work physiology (measurement of physical fitness indices), recombinant DNA technology (DNA isolation, PCR, cloning, transformation, site-directed mutagenesis), DNA/protein gel electrophoresis, immunoprecipitation, RNA-protein cross-linking studies, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, protein expression and purification studies, affinity chromatography.

Projects / Research

  • July 2005 - June 2006: Identifying a putative role of the molecule Translin in mRNA processing, subcellular localization and translational regulation in Drosophila Melanogaster. Dept. of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India :
  • June - July 2005: Studying the pharmacological properties of Analgesic drugs (topical analgesics) at Glaxosmithkline, India
  • Nov 2004: Evaluating physiological parameters (cardiovascular, anthropometric, haematological, socio-economic, and nutritional) in a field survey of tribal inhabitants in the northeastern part of India

Scholarships / Awards

2006 – 2007: Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
July 2005 – June 2006: Stipend Junior Research Scholar, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, India
June – July 2005: Stipend Research trainee, GlaxoSmithkline, India

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

My scientific goal is to understand neuronal plasticity at the molecular level. Long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity in mammalian brain require local mRNA translation and hence protein synthesis from pre-existing mRNA at the synapse. I am interested in understanding the regulatory mechanisms that facilitate subcellular localization of mRNA, their storage at the synapse and gene expression which are essential for synaptogenesis, axon navigation and memory formation. I am keen on studying how the local repertoire of translational factors enable the synapse to control synaptic strength independent of the cell soma and whether there lies any difference in the biochemical mechanisms governing translation at the synapse.