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Bench to Bedside Research: Translational and Basic Biomedical Sciences

Overview

Translational and Basic Biomedical Sciences bridge the gap between fundamental research and clinical application. Basic biomedical sciences uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms of health and disease, providing the foundation for identifying therapeutic targets. Translational research transforms these discoveries into practical interventions like drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools, ensuring innovations benefit patients directly. Together, these fields drive medical breakthroughs, fostering collaboration among scientists and clinicians to address global and local health challenges effectively.

Global Kashmiri Connect proudly presents the Session on Bench to Bedside Research: Translational and Basic Biomedical Sciences, featuring some of the finest Kashmiri researchers in the fields of immunology, precision medicine, translational science, and veterinary sciences. The session brings together Drs. Khalid Shah, Aamir Nazir, Hamid Matoo, Nadeem Shabir, and Ajaz Ul Hamid, with Dr. Tanzila Mukhtar as the moderator.

These experts have dedicated their careers to unraveling the mysteries of diseases and translating scientific findings into real-world healthcare solutions. Their contributions span a wide range of domains, from cutting-edge research at Harvard Medical School and Sanofi to transformative work at CSIR-CDRI, SKUAST, and the University of Kashmir. Collectively, they represent the spirit of innovation and dedication, applying their expertise to solve critical health challenges globally while remaining connected to their roots in Kashmir.

Through this session, the speakers aim to inspire the next generation of biomedical scientists and healthcare professionals. By sharing their academic and professional journeys, they provide a roadmap for aspiring researchers to excel in the ever-evolving field of biomedical sciences. The event fosters dialogue on integrating basic and translational research, offering valuable insights into how discoveries at the bench can transform patient care at the bedside.

This session is designed to motivate young professionals to explore careers in biomedical research, offering guidance and mentorship to cultivate the next wave of leaders in science and healthcare.

Speakers:

 

Dr. Khalid Shah
Dr. Khalid Shah is the Vice Chair of Research and a Professor at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. He is a globally recognized leader in cancer immunotherapy and stem cell-based therapeutics. His pioneering work focuses on developing innovative approaches to treat aggressive cancers, particularly using engineered stem cells to target tumors. Dr. Shah’s research bridges the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications, making significant strides in personalized cancer treatments.

Dr. Aamir Nazir
Dr. Aamir Nazir is a Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, India. He specializes in neurobiology and drug discovery, with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. His work emphasizes finding novel molecular targets and developing therapeutics that address unmet medical needs in neurology, blending basic research with translational applications.

Dr. Hamid Matoo
Dr. Hamid Matoo is the Director of Precision Immunology at Sanofi, Cambridge, USA. He is a leading expert in immune modulation and personalized medicine, focusing on the development of targeted therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. With a strong background in immunology, Dr. Matoo’s contributions have advanced the understanding of immune mechanisms and their implications for innovative treatment strategies.

Dr. Nadeem Shabir
Dr. Nadeem Shabir is a Veterinary Scientist at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar, India. His research focuses on zoonotic diseases, animal health, and their intersection with human biomedical challenges. By addressing diseases that affect both animals and humans, Dr. Shabir’s work has critical implications for public health and epidemiology in the region.

Dr. Ajaz ul Hamid Wani
Dr. Ajaz ul Hamid Wani is a Principal Investigator Scientist at the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India. He specializes in molecular biology and genetics, with an emphasis on gene-environment interactions that contribute to health issues in Kashmir. His research aims to provide insights into hereditary disorders and environmental factors, leading to better prevention and management strategies.

Moderator: Dr. Tanzila Mukhtar
Dr. Tanzila Mukhtar, a Postdoctoral Fellow at UC San Francisco, California, USA, is the session’s moderator. With a strong background in translational sciences, she is passionate about fostering conversations between researchers and clinicians to inspire the next generation of biomedical scientists and healthcare professionals.

Knowledge Lounge

Insights into Stem Cell Research

Notable Publications by Speakers

  1. Sri Lanka stakeholder preferences for a new rotavirus vaccine candidate
  2. Rotavirus vaccination slows down a major childhood killer in Pakistan
  3. Gleason, Alec, Chirag K. Kumar, Eili Klein, Ramanan Laxminarayan, and Arindam Nandi. “Effect of rotavirus vaccination on the burden of rotavirus disease and associated antibiotic use in India: a dynamic agent-based simulation analysis.” Vaccine 42, no. 22 (2024): 126211.

  4. Mukhtar, Tanzila, Jeremie Breda, Manal A. Adam, Marcelo Boareto, Pascal Grobecker, Zahra Karimaddini, Alice Grison et al. “Temporal and sequential transcriptional dynamics define lineage shifts in corticogenesis.” The EMBO journal 41, no. 24 (2022): e111132.

  5. Mukhtar, Tanzila, and Verdon Taylor. “Untangling cortical complexity during development.” Journal of experimental neuroscience 12 (2018): 1179069518759332.

  6. Hameed R, Naseer A, Saxena A, Akbar M, Toppo P, Sarkar A, et al. Functional implications of NHR-210 enrichment in C. elegans cephalic sheath glia: insights into metabolic and mitochondrial disruptions in Parkinson’s disease models. Cell Mol Life Sci [Internet]. Springer International Publishing; 2024;81(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-024-05179-2

  7. Liu C, Shah K. Taming CAR T cell therapy toxicity. Nat Mater. Springer US; 2023;22(12):1444–5.

  8. Kanaya N, Kitamura Y, Vazquez ML, Franco A, Chen KS, van Schaik TA, et al. Gene-edited and -engineered stem cell platform drives immunotherapy for brain metastatic melanomas. Sci Transl Med. 2023;15(698).

  9. Chen KS, Reinshagen C, Van Schaik TA, Rossignoli F, Borges P, Mendonca NC, et al. Bifunctional cancer cell–based vaccine concomitantly drives direct tumor killing and antitumor immunity. Sci Transl Med. 2023;15(677).

  10. Mattoo H, Bangari DS, Cummings S, Humulock Z, Habiel D, Xu EY, et al. Molecular Features and Stages of Pulmonary Fibrosis Driven by Type 2 Inflammation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2023;69(4):404–21.

  11. Gul I, Hassan A, Muneeb JM, Akram T, Haq E, Shah RA, et al. A multiepitope vaccine candidate against infectious bursal disease virus using immunoinformatics-based reverse vaccinology approach. Front Vet Sci. 2023;9.

  12. Akram T, Gul I, Parveez Zia M, Hassan A, Khatun A, Shah RA, et al. Ribavirin inhibits the replication of infectious bursal disease virus predominantly through depletion of cellular guanosine pool. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10(July):1–12.

  13. Sarkar A, Shamsuzzama, Kumar L, Hameed R, Nazir A. Multiple checkpoints of protein clearance machinery are modulated by a common microRNA, miR-4813-3p, through its putative target genes: Studies employing transgenic C. elegans model. Biochim Biophys Acta – Mol Cell Res [Internet]. Elsevier B.V.; 2022;1869(12):119342. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119342

  14. Liu L, Shah K. The Potential of the Gut Microbiome to Reshape the Cancer Therapy Paradigm: A Review. JAMA Oncol. 2022;8(7):1059–67.

  15. Ali R, Hameed R, Chauhan D, Sen S, Wahajuddin M, Nazir A, et al. Multiple Actions of H2S-Releasing Peptides in Human β-Amyloid Expressing C. elegans. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2022;13(23):3378–88.

  16. Kitamura Y, Kanaya N, Moleirinho S, Du W, Reinshagen C, Attia N, et al. Anti-EGFR VHH-armed death receptor ligand–engineered allogeneic stem cells have therapeutic efficacy in diverse brain metastatic breast cancers. Sci Adv. 2021;7(10):1–18.

  17. Mahajan VS, Mattoo H, Sun N, Viswanadham V, Yuen GJ, Allard-Chamard H, et al. B1a and B2 cells are characterized by distinct CpG modification states at DNMT3A-maintained enhancers. Nat Commun [Internet]. Springer US; 2021;12(1):1–17. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22458-9

  18. Khalsa JK, Cheng N, Keegan J, Chaudry A, Driver J, Bi WL, et al. Immune phenotyping of diverse syngeneic murine brain tumors identifies immunologically distinct types. Nat Commun [Internet]. Springer US; 2020;11(1). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17704-5

  19. Ali R, Pal HA, Hameed R, Nazir A, Verma S. Controlled release of hydrogen sulfide significantly reduces ROS stress and increases dopamine levels in transgenic: C. elegans. Chem Commun [Internet]. Royal Society of Chemistry; 2019;55(68):10142–5. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c9cc05153h

  20. Reinshagen C, Bhere D, Choi SH, Hutten S, Nesterenko I, Wakimoto H, et al. CRISPR-enhanced engineering of therapy-sensitive cancer cells for self-targeting of primary and metastatic tumors. Sci Transl Med. 2018;10(449):1–16.

  21. Shabir N, Khatun A, Nazki S, Gu S, Lee SM, Hur TY, et al. In vitro immune responses of porcine alveolar macrophages reflect host immune responses against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses. BMC Vet Res. BMC Veterinary Research; 2018;14(1):1–13.

  22. Shamsuzzama, Kumar L, Nazir A. Modulation of alpha-synuclein expression and associated effects by microRNA let-7 in transgenic C. Elegans. Front Mol Neurosci. 2017;10(October):1–14.

  23. Du W, Seah I, Bougazzoul O, Choi GH, Meeth K, Bosenberg MW, et al. Stem cell-released oncolytic herpes simplex virus has therapeutic efficacy in brain metastatic melanomas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017;114(30):E6157–65.

  24. Robert Cronin Yung Peng, Rose Khavari ND, Kate Shannon . GODPJSJMCFRN. 乳鼠心肌提取 HHS Public Access. Physiol Behav. 2016;176(1):139–48.

  25. Mattoo H, Mahajan VS, Maehara T, Deshpande V, Della-Torre E, Wallace ZS, et al. Clonal expansion of CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients with IgG4-related disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016;138(3):825–38.

  26. Khatun A, Shabir N, Seo B-J, Kim B-S, Yoon K-J, Kim W-I. The Attenuation Phenotype of a Ribavirin-Resistant Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Is Maintained during Sequential Passages in Pigs. J Virol. 2016;90(9):4454–68.

  27. Shabir N, Khatun A, Nazki S, Kim B, Choi EJ, Sun D, et al. Evaluation of the cross-protective efficacy of a chimeric porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus constructed based on two field strains. Viruses. 2016;8(8):1–18.

  28. Sashidhara K V., Modukuri RK, Jadiya P, Rao KB, Sharma T, Haque R, et al. Discovery of 3-arylcoumarin-tetracyclic tacrine hybrids as multifunctional agents against Parkinson’s disease. ACS Med Chem Lett. 2014;5(10):1099–103.

  29. Van De Water JAJM, Bagci-Onder T, Agarwal AS, Wakimoto H, Roovers RC, Zhu Y, et al. Therapeutic stem cells expressing variants of EGFR-specific nanobodies have antitumor effects. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109(41):16642–7.

  30. Kauer TM, Figueiredo JL, Hingtgen S, Shah K. Encapsulated therapeutic stem cells implanted in the tumor resection cavity induce cell death in gliomas. Nat Neurosci [Internet]. Nature Publishing Group; 2012;15(2):197–204. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nn.3019

  31. Squire LR. NIH Public Access. Neuron. 2009;61(1):1–7.

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