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Saurabh Kulkarni

Saurabh Kulkarni

Assistant Professor, Cell Biology

Email
[email protected]
Website
http://www.kulkarni-lab.com

Bio & Overview

WE USE FROGS TO STUDY DEVELOPMENT, DISEASE, AND REGENERATION PRECISION MEDICINE OF BIRTH DEFECTS Every parent that loses their baby to a birth defect wants to know why and if it will happen again. My lab works at the interface of clinical and basic science to answer those questions. We recruit patients with birth defects to discover novel genes and variants using whole exome and genome sequencing. We use CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce patient mutation in the frog genome to characterize the disease phenotype and identify underlying cell biological function using advanced microscopy and biochemistry techniques. HOW TO BUILD AN AIRWAY Multiciliated cells (MCCs) line the airway epithelium and play a central role in removing pathogens to prevent chronic respiratory diseases. Therefore, much attention is now given to understanding how the mucociliary (mucus+cilia) epithelium is formed to bioengineer motile cilia and the airway epithelium. We use frog embryonic skin to address this question. We integrate multiple approaches, from machine learning and high-resolution live imaging to skin organoids and mechanobiology. REGENERATION Multiciliated cells (MCCs) of the airway are constantly injured from smoke, pollution, and acid reflux. These injuries can impair mucus clearance and can cause and exacerbate chronic respiratory diseases (CRD). Interestingly, MCCs and cilia can regenerate, re-establish airway clearance, and improve the symptoms of CRD. My lab uses fluorescence and cryo-electron microscopy combined with proteomics and transcriptomics to uncover the mechanisms of cilia regeneration.

Academic Information

Department
Cell Biology

Primary Education

  • PhD, Biology, University of Cincinnati, 2012
  • Postdoc, Cell and Developmental Biology, Yale School of Medicine, 2019

Other Appointments

  • Biology

Other Affiliations

  • MSTP
  • BIMS
  • Assistant Professor, Membrane and Cell Physiology

Research Interests

Precision medicine, translational science, regeneration, organoids, high resolution imaging, computational modeling

Research Disciplines

  • Biology
  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Cell and Developmental Biology
  • Development, Stem Cells & Regeneration
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Translational Science

Research Opportunities

  • Cell Biology
  • Chemistry and Physics of Living Systems
  • Development, Stem Cells & Regeneration
  • Genetics

PhD Programs

  • Cell Biology

Selected Publications

2024

Zhou, C., & Kulkarni, S. (2024). 19th International Xenopus Conference Meeting Report: Latest developments and future perspectives. DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, 253(2), 272-276. doi:10.1002/dvdy.693

2021

Kulkarni, S., Marquez, J., Date, P., Ventrella, R., Mitchell, B. J., & Khokha, M. K. (2021). Mechanical stretch scales centriole number to apical area via Piezo1 in multiciliated cells. ELIFE, 10. doi:10.7554/eLife.66076

Rao, V. G., & Kulkarni, S. S. (2021). Xenopus to the rescue: A model to validate and characterize candidate ciliopathy genes. GENESIS, 59(1-2). doi:10.1002/dvg.23414

2020

Shewade, L. H., Schoephoerster, J. A., Patmann, M. D., Kulkarni, S. S., & Buchholz, D. R. (2020). Corticosterone Is Essential for Survival Through Frog Metamorphosis.. Endocrinology, 161(12), bqaa193. doi:10.1210/endocr/bqaa193

2018

Kulkarni, S. S., & Khokha, M. K. (2018). WDR5 regulates left-right patterning via chromatin-dependent and -independent functions. DEVELOPMENT, 145(23). doi:10.1242/dev.159889

Griffin, J. N., Sondalle, S. B., Robson, A., Mis, E. K., Griffin, G., Kulkarni, S. S., . . . Khokha, M. K. (2018). RPSA, a candidate gene for isolated congenital asplenia, is required for pre-rRNA processing and spleen formation in Xenopus. DEVELOPMENT, 145(20). doi:10.1242/dev.166181

Kulkami, S. S., Griffin, J. N., Date, P. P., Liem, K. F. J., & Khokha, M. K. (2018). WDR5 Stabilizes Actin Architecture to Promote Multiciliated Cell Formation. DEVELOPMENTAL CELL, 46(5), 595-+. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2018.08.009

2017

Griffin, J. N., del Viso, F., Duncan, A. R., Robson, A., Hwang, W., Kulkarni, S., . . . Khokha, M. K. (2018). RAPGEF5 Regulates Nuclear Translocation of β-Catenin. DEVELOPMENTAL CELL, 44(2), 248-+. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2017.12.001

Kulkarni, S. S., Denver, R. J., Gomez-Mestre, I., & Buchholz, D. R. (2017). Genetic accommodation via modified endocrine signalling explains phenotypic divergence among spadefoot toad species. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 8. doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00996-5

2014

Kulkarni, S. S., & Buchholz, D. R. (2014). Corticosteroid signaling in frog metamorphosis. GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY, 203, 225-231. doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.03.036

2013

Kulkarni, S. S., & Buchholz, D. R. (2013). Developmental Programs and Endocrine Disruption in Frog Metamorphosis: The Perspective from Microarray Analysis. ANIMAL METAMORPHOSIS, 103, 329-364. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-385979-2.00012-5

Gomez-Mestre, I., Kulkarni, S., & Buchholz, D. R. (2013). Mechanisms and Consequences of Developmental Acceleration in Tadpoles Responding to Pond Drying. PLOS ONE, 8(12). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0084266

2012

Kulkarni, S. S., & Buchholz, D. R. (2012). Beyond Synergy: Corticosterone and Thyroid Hormone Have Numerous Interaction Effects on Gene Regulation in Xenopus tropicalis Tadpoles. ENDOCRINOLOGY, 153(11), 5309-5324. doi:10.1210/en.2012-1432

2011

Kulkarni, S. S., Gomez-Mestre, I., Moskalik, C. L., Storz, B. L., & Buchholz, D. R. (2011). Evolutionary reduction of developmental plasticity in desert spadefoot toads. JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, 24(11), 2445-2455. doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02370.x

2010

Kulkarni, S. S., Singamsetty, S., & Buchholz, D. R. (2010). Corticotropin-releasing factor regulates the development in the direct developing frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui. GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY, 169(3), 225-230. doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2010.09.009