Kuladip Jana M.Sc., M.S., Ph.D. Scientist-"C"  Division of Molecular Medicine Scientist-In-Charge, Animal Research Facilty Bose Institute, P 1/12, CIT Scheme VIIM,     Kolkata-700 054, India.   Phone: (+91)-33-25693322 Cell: (+91)-9007042850 Fax: (+91)-33-23553886 E-mail: kuladip@bic.boseinst.ernet.in/ kuladip_jana@yahoo.com/ kuladip.jana@gmail.com

Research interest: Molecular Mechanisms of Germ-line Stem Cell Regulation: Germ-line stem cells (GSCs), which can self-renew and generate differentiated progeny, are unique stem cells in that they are solely dedicated to
and transmit genetic information from generation to generation. Through the use of genetic techniques in Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, and mouse, exciting progress has been made in understanding molecular mechanisms underlying interactions between stem cells and niches. The knowledge gained from studying GSCs has provided an intellectual framework for efining niches and molecular
dregulatory mechanisms for other adult stem cells. Our focus is to study the conserved mechanisms underlying GSC self-renewal and differentiation.

Molecular Signalling of Germ cell and Leydig cell Apoptosis by Benzo(a)pyrene, an Environmental Toxicant:  Possible Protection by Natural Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Antagonists:   The male reproductive abnormalities of benzo(a)pyrene have been demonstrated in male and that are mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon
receptor (AhR). This study related to diminution of testicular steroidogenesis and steroidogenic acute regulatory gene (StAR) expressions which is responsible for mitochondrial cholesterol transport associated with caspases expressions, glutathione depletion and germ cell/ Leydig cell DNA damage coupled with p38MAP kinases and p53
activation following benzo(a)pyrene treatment. The resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihy­droxystilbene), a plant antifungal agent or phytoalexin, present in red wines, is a competitive inhibitor of AhR ligands. Resveratrol binds AhR, and inhibits the induction of DRE-driven transcrip­tion by AhR ligands in both ex vivo and in vivo. Therefore, If natural AhR antagonist could able to prevent such testicular damage, so what is the molecular mechanism to prevent such damage?

Ageing Associated Testicular Gametogenic and Steroidogenic Disorders:
In aged testis, ROS produced by endogenous cellular processes resulting in attenuation of LH receptor signalling to adenylyl cyclase may have a short-term effects on the intracellular transfer of cholesterol to the mitochondria and
long-term effects on the metabolism of cholesterol to testosterone. Therefore, the focus of research is to study the steroidogenic processes in aged Leydig cells in relation to the molecular mechanism of germ cell and Leydig cell apoptosis.

Molecular Signalling of Protein kinase-D and β-Catenin Interaction in Cancer progression: Protein kinase D (PKD), the founding member of a new family of serine/threonine protein kinases occupies a unique position in the signal
transduction pathways initiated by DAG and PKC in normal and cancer cells. Whereas, β -Catenin has been shown to function as a signalling molecule involved in the process of development, proliferation and differentiation. Multiple lines of evidences suggest that stabilization and subsequent nuclear accumulation of β-Catenin are positively linked to various human malignancies. Several recent studies
have also demonstrated β-Catenin as a putative regulator of COX-2, suggesting β -Catenin as a potential target for chemoprevention by anti-inflammatory substances. Moreover, protein Kinase-D (PKD) and β -Catenin  are emerging as the valuable target for development of novel therapeutic approaches in  prostate/cervical/breast cancers in human. Therefore, presently we are working on signal transduction pathways related to these valuable targets.

Chemical Contraception of Pet Animals: The study examined the efficacy and stress of single bilateral intratesticular injection of a new drug preparation ChemisterisolTM in different male domestic
animals for the induction of sterilization through apoptosis and necrosis of testicular parenchyma and to explore the molecular mechanism of action of this drug for the induction of chemical sterilization in male.

The Link Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Both Type 1 and   Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) are both obesity-related conditions that share epidemiological and patho-physiological factors. Insulin resistance is a key factor whereby obesity influences the expression of each condition. However, the mechanisms by which insulin resistance contributes towards the manifestation of PCOS and T2D differ in important ways: in PCOS,
compensatory hyperinsulinemia results in pleiotropic effects including co-gonadotrophic stimulation of ovarian and adrenal steroidogenesis; in T2D, insulin resistance contributes towards β-cell exhaustion and ultimately to hypo-secretion of insulin with resultant dysglycemia. The link between PCOS and Type 1 diabetes mellitus is believed to implicate supra-physiological concentrations of insulin within the systemic circulation. Further progression of the obesity epidemic will ensure even greater prominence of important obesity-related conditions such as PCOS and T2D. Research continuing to gain a clearer understanding of the mechanisms linking each condition should be a top priority.

Collaborators:

1. Prof. Sanghamitra Raha, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata.

2.  Prof. Parimal C. Sen, Bose Institute, Kolkata

3.  Prof. Sujoy Guha, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

4. Prof. Narayan Jana, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata.

5. Prof. Baidyanath Chakraborty, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Kolkata.

6. Dr. Debasish Bandopadhyay, University of Calcutta, Kolkata.

7. Dr. Anup Kr. Misra, Bose Institute, Kolkata.

Awards/Honor Received:

1.      The Biography included in Americas “Who’s Who in Medicine & Healthcare”, 2008-2009.

2.      DST-Fast-Track Young Scientist Scheme Award, 2010.

3.      Young Scientist Travel Award, 2010 from ACC&D (Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.)

4.      Young Investigator Award, 2011 from Parsemus Foundation (San Francisco, California, USA).

5.      Nominated as “International Scientist of the Year, 2011” by International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, U.K.

6.      Scientific Award of Excellence for 2011" by American Biographical Institute, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

Editors/Editorial Board:

1.     Translational Medicine: Current Research

2.     International Journal of Plant Physiology & Biochemistry

3.     Journal of Diabetes & Endocrinology 

4. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences

Reviewer:

 1. Journal of Endocrinology 2. Molecular Cellular Endocrinology 3.Toxicological Sciences 4.. International Journal of Andrology 5. Asian Journal of Andrology 6. Food & Chemical Toxicology 7. Ecotoxicology & Environmental Safety 8. Fertility & Sterility 9. Contraception 10. Reproductive Toxicology 11. Molecular Cellular Biochemistry 12. Molecular Reproduction & Development 13. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine & Biology 14. Molecular Human Reproduction 15. Life Sciences etc.

Member of Scientific Bodies:

     1. The Science Advisory Board, U.S.A.

       2. Society for the Study of Reproduction and Fertility

       3. Society for Reproductive Biology and Comparative Endocrinology.

       4. The Physiological Society  

 List of Important research publications: 

1. P. Nandi, S. Charteerjee, K. Jana & P. C. Sen. Role of a 14 kD sperm protein p14 in maturation, acrosome reaction and capacitation  of caprine spermatozoa. PLoS One 7 (2012) e30552.

2. K. Jana & P.K. Samanta. Clinical evaluation of non-surgical Sterilization of male Cats with Single intra-testicular Injection of Calcium Chloride. BMC Veterinary Research 7 (2011) 39.

3. K. Jana, N. Jana, D.K. De & S. K. Guha. Ethanol induces mouse spermatogenic cell apoptosis in vivo through over expression of Fas/Fas-L, p53 and caspase-3 along with cytochrome c translocation and glutathione depletion. Molecular Reproduction & Development 77 (2010) 820-833.

4. K. Jana, P.K.Samanta & D.K. De. Nicotine diminishes testicular gametogenesis, steroidogenesis and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression in adult albino rats: possible influence on pituitary gonadotropins and alters testicular antioxidant status. Toxicological Sciences 116 (2010) 647-659.

5. K. Jana, I. Manna, & P.K. Samanta. Protective effect of sodium selenite and zinc sulfate on intensive swimming exercise- induced testicular gamatogenic and steroidogenic disorders in mature male rats. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, Metabolism 33 (2008) 903-914.

6. K. Jana, P. Yin, X. Schiffer, P. Grammas, D.M. Stocco & X.J. Wang. Effect of Chrysin on steroidogenesis and steroidogenic acute regulatory gene expression in mouse MA-10 tumor Leydig cells. Journal of Endocrinology 197 (2008) 315-323.

7. K. Jana & P.K. Samanta. Strilization of male stray dog by single intratesticular injection of calcium chloride.  Contraception 75 (2007) 390-400.

8. P.K. Samanta, I. Manna & K. Jana. Effect of L - ascorbic acid supplementation on testicular oxidative stress and reproductive dysfunctions in rats exposed to intensive exercise stress. Reproductive Medicine and Biology 5 (2006) 145-153.

9.  K. Jana, S. Samanta, P.K. Samanta. The possible estrogenic mode of action of sodium arsenite on pituitary- testicular activities in adult albino rats. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 4 (2006), 9- 22.

10.  K. Jana & P.K. Samanta. Evaluation of single intra-testicular injection of calcium chloride for non-surguical sterilization in adult albino rats. Contraception 73 (2006), 289-300.

11.  K. Jana, D. Ghosh & P.K. Samanta.  Evaluation of single Intra-testicular injection of calcium chloride for non-surgical sterilization of male Black Bengal goats. (Capra-hircus): a dose dependent study. Animal Reproduction Science 86 (2005) 89-108.

12.  I. Manna, K. Jana, P.K. Samanta, Effect of different intensities of Swimming Exercise on testicular  oxidative stress and reproductive dysfunctions in mature male albino Wister rats. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 42 (2004) 816-822.

13.  I. Manna, K. Jana & P. K. Samanta. Intensive swimming exercise induced oxidative stress and reproductive dysfunctions in male wistar rats: Protective role of α- tocoferol succinate.  Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology,  29 (2004) 172- 185.

14. I. Manna, K. Jana & P. K. Samanta. Effect of intensive exercise-induced testicular gametogenic and steroidogenic disorders in matured male wistar strain rats: A correlative approach to oxidative stress. Acta Physiologica, 178 (2003) 33-40.

15. K. Jana, P. K. Samanta & D. Ghosh. Dose dependent response to an intratesticular injection of calcium chloride for induction of chemosterilization in adult albino rats. Veterinary Research Communications, 26 (2002) 651-663.

Book Chapter:

1.       K. Jana & P. C. Sen (2011) Environmental Toxicants Induced Male Reproductive Disorders: Identification and Mechanism of Action. Toxicity & Drug Testing: ISBN 979-953-307-310-0.