UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ENTOMOLOGY
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Parthasarathy RamaseshadriParthasarathy Ramaseshadri

Post-Doctoral Scholar | Palli Laboratory

 

Department of Entomology
S-225 Agricultural Science Center N
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
Ph: 859.257.2692
Fax: 859.323.1120
Email: parthy@uky.edu

 

RESUME

  • Nationality: Indian
  • Permanent residency in US: In process, currently on H1B
  • Present Address: 1729, Nichollasville Rd. Apt#9, Lexington, KY- 40503.
  • Work Address: S225, Agriculture Science Center, Entomology
    University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY- 40546.
  • Phone: Work# (859) 257-1134, Mobile# (859) 338-3765
  • Email: parthy@uky.edu

 

RESEARCH AND WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Research Associate    July 2008 – till date
    Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky
    Lexington, KY- 40546, USA
    Project: Hormonal regulation of insect metamorphosis and reproduction
  • Postdoctoral Research Scholar    September 2004 – June 2008
    Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky
    Lexington, KY- 40546, USA
    Project: Molecular mechanisms of juvenile hormone action in insects
  • Postdoctoral Research Scholar    September 2002 – August 2004
    Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Fellowship
    Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore- 560 012 . India
    Project: Genomics Initiative at IISc: expression profiling
  • Research Associate    November 1997 – August 1999
    Project Directorate of Biological Control (ICAR)
    Hebbal, Bangalore- 560 091. India.
    Project: Use of entomopathogenic nematodes for the biological control of insects

 

EDUCATION

  • PhD: Agricultural Entomology    9.8/10.00    August 1999 – August 2002
    Institution : Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India.
  • M.Sc.: Agricultural Entomology    9.37/10.00    January 1995 – January 1997
    Institution : Annamalai University, India
  • B.Sc.: Agriculture    4.00/4.00    August 1990 – August 1994
    Institution : Annamalai University, India

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interest spans from basic developmental biology of insects to applied aspects of insect pest management. Insects, the tiny tinans, are the ideal model systems to study the biology and evolution of life. Though my background is in the biological control of insects pests, I bring novel molecular approaches to evolve an effective eco-friendly pest management strategies which are indispensable in the modern scientific era. Hormones play critical roles in any animal development and misregulation of gene expression by hormones lead to serious disease conditions. Synthetic hormone analogues are widely in use for insect control, but their molecular mechanisms of action remain unknown. Understanding these mechanisms help in fighting against resistance and in evolving newer potent compounds. My research goal is to understand the basics of hormonal regulation of insect development; and long-term goal is to identify a strategy which disrupts insect development thereby, paving way for an eco-friendly battle against the harmful insect pests.

 

Organogenesis or tissue development is a complicated process that involves inputs like nutrition, hormones, etc. I use midgut (alimentary canal/intestine) as a model system to focus on the hormonal regulation of tissue development. Midgut has multiple roles in insect development such as digestion, absorption, protection against invading pathogens, etc. Several genes regulated by hormones plays critical role in midgut development and functioning. My research focuses on the identification and characterization of these genes. I employ molecular approaches to knock-out genes and study its importance in midgut, and in broader sense, on insect development. I use mosquitoes (vector of malaria, dengue), tobacco budworm (crop pest) and red flour beetle (storage pest) as model insect systems for these studies to widen the research horizons. Also, my study expands to characterization of intestinal stem cells which have broader clinical impacts.

 

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

  • 1. DNA/ RNA isolation and protein purification
  • 2. cDNA synthesis and labeling
  • 3. design of vectors, primers, cloning, PCR, Real time PCR
  • 4. histology using microtome, cryotome
  • 5. immunohistochemistry, In situ hybridization
  • 6. documentation using FISH, confocal microscopy
  • 7. western, Southern and northern blotting
  • 8. tissue culture – transfection, plaque purification
  • 9. Microarray , Proteomics
  • 10. knowledge on bioinformatics

 

PUBLICATIONS AND AWARDS (see annexure I PDF )

  • Research Articles: 31
  • Papers presented in symposia/conference/colloquium: 20
  • Gold medals for highest OGPA: 3
  • Academic prizes: 6
  • First rank certificates: 2
  • Best student awards: 2
  • Best paper/oral presentation awards: 3

 

RECENT RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

 

MEMBERSHIP

  • Entomological Society of America

 

RECENT ATTENDANCE IN MEETINGS

  • Research paper presentation in the 54th Annual Meeting of Entomological Society of America'2006 held at Reno, NV during 16-19th Nov 2008.
  • Keynote Invited Guest Lecture in the International Symposium on Insect Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular biology held at Jinan, China during 19-22nd Sep, 2007.
  • Research paper presentation in the 54th Annual Meeting of Entomological Society of America'2006 held at Indianapolis, IN during 10-13th Dec 2006.
  • Research paper presentation in the 5th International Symposium on Insect Molecular Science held at Tucson, AZ during 20-24th May 2006.
  • Research paper presentation in the 53rd Annual Meeting of Entomological Society of America'2005 held at Fort Lauderdale, FL during 15-18th Dec 2005.

 

RECENT ABSTRACTS IN INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS

  • Palli, S.R., Parthasarathy, R. and Tan, A. Molecular anlaysis of ecdysone action in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Ecdysone Workshop, Ulm, Germany, July 20-24, 2008.
  • Palli S.R., Parthasarathy, R. Wu Yu and Bai, H. Moelcular analysis of midgut remodling. International symposium on Insect Midgut Biology. Guangzhou, China, April 7-11, 2008.
  • Palli S.R., Parthasarathy, R. and Bai, H. Juvenile hormone analog methoprene kills mosquitoes by blocking degeneration of larval tissues. Ninth International conference on JH. York, UK, 5-10 August, 2007.
  • Parthasarathy R., Wu Y. Bai, H. and Palli S.R. Recent advances in understanding the mode of action of ecdysteroid and juvenile hormone analogs. 11th IUPAC International congress of pesticide chemistry. Kobe, Japan, August, 6-11, 2006.

 

REFERENCES

  • Dr. Subba Reddy Palli
    Professor
    Department of Entomology
    University of Kentucky
    Lexington, KY- 40546.
    rpalli@uky.edu
    Office: 859-257-4962
  • Dr. John Obrycki
    Chair, Department of Entomology
    University of Kentucky
    Lexington, KY - 40546.
    john.obrycki@uky.edu
    Office: 859-257-7450

 

ANNEXURE I (PDF)

 

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