Student Profile in ADP-ribosylation in DNA repair
Jugal Mohapatra
Biological Chemistry Graduate Program
Mentor: Glen Liszczak, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Degree: Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
Undergraduate Institution: Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Hometown: Cuttack, Odisha, India
Awards/Fellowships: Graduate: GSO Endowment Scholarship 2022; ASBMB Travel Award; 2022 Best Poster Award; Undergraduate: Institute Silver Medal; Kirrtan B Behera Endowment Award; Charpak Fellowship Indian Academy of Sciences Summer Research Fellowship
How did you become interested in science and/or research?
I grew up in a neighborhood that had the state's biggest government hospital. Through various instances during my childhood, I came across family members, acquaintances and many other patients suffering from different forms of metabolic disorders and cancer. As an inquisitive high school student, I developed a curiosity to better understand the underlying pathophysiology, which then grew into a passion to contribute to discovering novel therapies to treat such types of diseases. My undergraduate training at IIT further equipped and motivated me to continue in the path to become a biomedical researcher.
Please describe your research.
My research focuses on the post-translational modification of ADP-ribosylation, which is a major modification occurring on proteins in the DNA damage response pathway. In particular, I was interested in deciphering the role of histone ADP-ribosylation in the context of DNA repair. My efforts led to the development of a strategy to install ADP-ribosylation on full length histones in a site-specific and chain length-specific manner. This helped me to reconstitute this mark on histones in vitro, and biochemically interrogate its function. My work revealed that histone poly-ADP-ribosylation converts nucleosomes into robust substrates for the chromatin remodeler ALC1, thus better informing the field and drug-discovery efforts to combat BRCA-negative and PARP-inhibitor resistant cancers.
Why did you choose UT Southwestern?
The UTSW graduate school is seated within a well-integrated system of research and medicine which offers a unique training experience as well as exploration opportunities. The labs here perform cutting-edge scientific research and publish in reputed journals, which makes the brand of the university well-known throughout the world. The vast number of options in terms of research areas and labs, and the flexible curriculum of the graduate school provided me a sense of confidence in choosing UTSW. In addition, the city of Dallas itself has a great cost of living and lots of good food.
What makes your specific program one of the top in the country?
A major strength of UTSW's biochemistry graduate program comes from the synergy within the biochemistry department. A strong history of collaboration between biochemistry and chemistry faculty as well as the continued support from a multitude of core facilities drive the impactful research achieved by trainees at UTSW. Many investigators affiliated with the program are at the forefront of their respective fields, which gives the students access to some of the best techniques and resources available presently.
What do you love about the Biological Chemistry Program?
I really appreciate the transparency and flexibility of our program, and the various opportunities that it provides in regard to collaborations and presentation of our work to the scientific community. I have always felt welcomed in this program, and have been constantly encouraged by my thesis committee and the department faculty. I have never thought twice before asking people for help in the department, especially from the program director Dr Ben Tu, who has been extremely supportive throughout my tenure as a PhD candidate.
– Jugal Mohapatra
