Profile
My research is focused on the intricate interplay between stem cells and bacteria. I am interested in exploring how infections impact the functionality of adult stem cells and the molecular mechanisms that govern stem cell dynamics during chronic infections. Utilizing a combination of in vivo (adult stem cells in Planarians and Mice) and in vitro (Primary Stem Cells) stem cell model systems, we are investigating how adult stem cells respond to infections and subsequent tissue damage. We employ a wide range of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics techniques, such as gene silencing, transcriptomics, epigenetics, immunostaining, gene expression analysis, bioinformatics, etc. to understand the gene networks that regulate stem cell behaviour. Currently, we are studying the dynamics of planarian stem cells and mice hematopoietic stem cells during bacterial infections. https://www.prasadabnavelab.com/
Current Focus Areas
Exploring innate immune mechanisms conferring resilience to bacterial infections in planarians. Planarians exhibit a remarkable ability to combat several human pathogenic bacteria without compromising their regenerative capabilities. Presently, we are exploring the role of peptidoglycan recognition proteins, a highly conserved PRR, in planarians' antibacterial resistance.
Exploring hematopoietic stem cell dynamics in infection scenario. Infections often skew hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) towards either the myeloid or lymphoid lineage. Consequently, our research is focused on exploring the molecular mechanisms that govern HSPC dynamics in the context of infections.
Selected Publications
Abnave P., Mottola G., Gimenez G., Boucherit N., Trouplin V., Torre C., Conti F., Ben Amara A., Lepolard C., Djian B., Hamaoui D., Mettouchi A., Kumar A., Pagnotta S., Bonatti S., Lepidi H., Salvetti A., Abi-Rached L., Lemichez E., Mege J. L. and Ghigo E.*. (2014). Screening in planarians identifies MORN2 as a key component in LC3-associated phagocytosis and resistance to bacterial infection. Cell Host & Microbe. 16(3):338-350.
Abnave P., Aboukhatwa E., Kosaka N., Thompson J., Hill M. and Aboobaker A.*. (2017). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factors control pluripotent adult stem cell migration in vivo in planarians. Development. 144(19):3440-3453.
Mihaylova Y.#, Abnave P.#, Kao D., Hughes S., Lai A., Jaber-Hijazi F., Kosaka N. and Aboobaker A.*. (2018). Conservation of epigenetic regulation by the MLL3/4 tumour suppressor in planarian pluripotent stem cells. Nature Communications. 9(1):3633.
Torre C., Abnave P., Tsoumtsa L. L., Mottola G., Lepolard C., Trouplin V., Gimenez G., Desrousseaux J., Gempp S., Levasseur A., Padovani L., Lemichez E. and Ghigo E.*. (2017). Staphylococcus aureus promotes Smed-PGRP-2/Smed-setd8-1 methyltransferase signalling in planarian neoblasts to sensitize anti-bacterial gene responses during re-infection. EBioMedicine. 20:150-160.
Sahu S., Sridhar D., Abnave P., Kosaka N., Dattani A., Thompson J. M., Hill M. and Aboobaker A.*. (2021). Ongoing repair of migration-coupled DNA damage allows planarian adult stem cells to reach wound sites. Elife. 10, e63779.