University of Missouri

Research Interests

The focus of the Gangwani lab’s research program is to understand the molecular basis of neurodegeneration associated with the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, including Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Current research projects in the lab include:

1. Identification of modifier genes and validation using in vitro (patient-derived cell-based models) and in vivo (mouse models) methods, including role of zinc finger protein 1 (ZPR1) as a protective modifier of ALS4.
2. The molecular mechanism of R-loop metabolism and the role of R-loops in genomic integrity and neurodegeneration.
3. Testing of small-molecule drug compounds (JNK inhibitors) in SMA mouse model to develop SMN-independent treatment for SMA.
4. Impact of alteration in R-loop levels and genomic instability on the development of AD or AD-related dementia (ADRD)-like disease in a mouse model.
5. Study of biochemical functions of protein-protein complexes such as ZPR1-EF1A (translational elongation factor 1A) and ZPR1-Senataxin using newly created state-of-the-art mouse models to disrupt protein-protein interactions in specific cell types, including neurons.
6. Study of ZPR1 functions in R-loop metabolism, DNA Replication and genomic integrity using yeast model system in collaboration with Branzei lab (Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy). The basic science research data are utilized for developing molecular and translational medicine approaches such as genetic (gene therapy) and pharmacological (small molecule drug compounds) methods to conduct pre-clinical studies using animal disease models.