Profile
Rashna Bhandari is a biochemist and cell biologist, and heads the Laboratory of Cell Signalling at the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India. Rashna studied Human Biology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and graduated with a masters and PhD in Biological Sciences from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Rashna’s research focuses on the biochemical, cellular and physiological functions of two phosphate-rich biomolecules – inositol pyrophosphates and inorganic polyphosphate. She is also involved in the characterization of rare genetic disorders. Rashna is a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, and serves on national and international academic committees.
Current Focus Areas
We study the molecular, cellular and physiological functions of the inositol pyrophosphate InsP7. We have identified and characterised a novel post-translational modification, serine pyrophosphorylation, that involves transfer of the beta phosphate from InsP7 to a pre-phosphorylated serine residue. Protein pyrophosphorylation regulates DNA repair, vesicle trafficking and protein turnover.
We study the synthesis and functions of inorganic polyphosphate in mammals. Specifically, we are examining the role of this biopolymer in metabolism, mitochondrial function, and mast cell granules, using cell lines and mice as model systems.
We use cell lines and mouse models for functional characterization of novel mutations and genes underlying monogenic disorders.
Selected Publications
Morgan J.A.M.*, Singh A.*, Kurz L., Nadler-Holly M., Ruwolt M., Ganguli S., Sharma S., Penkert M., Krause E., Liu F., Bhandari R.†, and Fiedler D. † Extensive protein pyrophosphorylation revealed in human cell lines (2024) Nature Chemical Biology (in press).
Shah A. and Bhandari R. † (2021) IP6K1 upregulates the formation of processing bodies by influencing protein-protein interactions on the mRNA cap Journal of Cell Science 134(24):jcs259117
Malla A. B. and Bhandari R.† (2017) IP6K1 is essential for chromatoid body formation and temporal regulation of Tnp2 and Prm2 expression in mouse spermatids. Journal of Cell Science 130, 2854-2866. (Cover image).
Chanduri M., Rai A., Malla A.B., Wu M., Fiedler D., Mallik R. and Bhandari R†. (2016) Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 (IP6K1) activity is required for cytoplasmic dynein-driven transport. Biochemical Journal 473, 3031-3047. (Subject of a Commentary article).
Ghosh S., Shukla D., Suman K., Lakshmi B.J., Manorama R., Kumar S. and Bhandari R.† (2013) Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 maintains hemostasis in mice by regulating platelet polyphosphate levels. Blood 122, 1478-1486. (Subject of a Commentary article).