Profile
Yathish J Achar, PhD, earned his doctorate from the University of Szeged, Hungary, specializing in Biological Sciences. During his graduate studies, he pioneered an in vitro system for investigating fork regression activities of key tumour suppressors like HLTF, BLM, WRN, SMARCAL1, and ZRANB3. Following this, he pursued post-doctoral research at Marco Foiani's lab in IFOM, Milan, Italy, focusing on mapping DNA supercoil changes and their impact on chromatin organization using genomic techniques. In 2021, he assumed the role of group leader at CDFD. His research team employs integrated genomics methodologies to unravel the mechanisms underlying chromatin folding in three-dimensional space, illuminating its roles in cellular differentiation, identity, and its dysregulation in disease states.
Current Focus Areas
(i) DNA topological changes during embryogenesis and cellular differentiation: In mammalian development, egg and sperm fusion resets chromatin and epigenetic programs, forming totipotent embryos. Studying genome memory in mice elucidates Zygote Genome Activation triggers. We also examine genome-level structural changes in mouse embryonic stem cells to understand cellular identity regulation.
(ii) Genomic changes in ovarian cancer: Ovarian cancer, ranking eighth globally and with significant incidence in India, exhibits genetic instability. DEK, a nuclear protein implicated in various cancers, including ovarian, is pivotal. Our research aims to decipher DEK's role in ovarian cancer, focusing on DNA supercoiling and genome organization changes.
(iii) Impact of H. pylori on host genome in gastric carcinogenesis: H. pylori infection is the primary cause of gastric cancer, the third leading cancer mortality. Despite widespread infection, only a subset develops cancer. We aim to understand chromatin changes upon infection, exploring mechanisms altering nuclear architecture during cancer progression.
(iii) DNA topology's role in RNA splicing and transcription: DNA winding during RNA splicing affects splicing factor accessibility, efficiency, and specificity. Chromatin-architectural proteins regulate gene splicing in cell processes. Studying mouse and cancer cells, we aim to understand DNA topology's impact on transcription and RNA splicing.
Selected Publications
Achar Yathish Jagadheesh, Adhil Mohamood, Choudhary Ramveer, Gilbert Nick, Foiani Marco. (2020) Negative supercoil at gene boundaries modulates gene topology. Nature, 577(7792):701-705
Choudhary Ramveer, Niska-Blakie Joanna, Adhil Mohamood, Liberi Giordano, Achar Yathish Jagadheesh, Giannattasio Michele, Foiani Marco. (2023) Cell Rep, 42(7): 112747
Brambati Alessandra, Zardoni Luca, Achar Yathish Jagadheesh, Piccini Daniele, Galanti Lorenzo, Colosio Arianna, Foiani Marco, Liberi Giordano. (2017) Nucleic Acids Res, 46(3):1227-1239
Achar Yathish Jagadheesh, Balogh David, Neculai Dante, Juhasz Szilvia, Morocz Monika, Gali Himabindu, Dhe-Paganon Sirano, Venclovas Ceslovas, Haracska Lajos. (2015), Nucleic Acids Res, 43(21): 10277-91
Achar Yathish Jagadheesh, Balogh David, Haracska Lajos. (2011) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 108(34):14073-8