Abha Sahni, Ph.D.

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Protein Biochemistry and Enzymology:

Binding of Growth factors and cytokines to fibrinogen and fibrin using various binding assays including Biacore. Isolation, purification and characterization of proteins employing affinity chromatography, SDS-PAGE, western blotting and gel filtration techniques Labeling of cells with 3H-adenosine, 3H-thymidine, 32P, and 35S. Immunoprecipitation,. Characterization of calmodulin and associated secondary messenger systems in filarial worms using FPLC and Electrophoretic techniques. Specific staining of proteins and enzymes on polyacrylamide gels and determination of molecular mass with non-denaturing and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Assay of monoamine oxidase activity in sub cellular organelles viz. nuclear, Mitochondrial and Microsomal fractions of S. cervi. Spectrophotometric assay of total, Na+, K+, Mg++ and Ca++ adenosine triphosphatases in biological tissues. Spectrophotometric assay of Lactate Dehydrogenase and Malate Dehydrogenase and quantification of lactate production in S. cervi. Assay of reduced glutathione (GSH) in tissues by colorimetric, fluorometric and enzymatic recycling methods. Quantification of proteins using Lowery and Bradford assay protocols. Production of antibody in mouse using hybridoma cells.

Molecular Biology:

Isolation and quantification of DNA and RNA from tissues and cells; purification of plasmid and phage DNA; transformation. DNA cloning; Purification and radiolabelling of synthetic oligonucleotides; colony hybridization, Southern, Northern and Slot Blot hybridization; Generation of cDNA probe from engineered bacteria; Random primer labeling of cDNA with radioactive nucleotides; Purification of DNA fractionated on agarose gels using DEAE-Sephacel columns; Labeling of 3' terminus of double stranded DNA using Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase-I and bactereophage T4 DNA polymerase; T4 polynucleotide kinase labeling of 5' terminus of DNA; PCR; RT-PCR; DNA sequencing by the Sanger dideoxy- mediated chain termination and cycle sequencing methods.

Neuropharmacology:

Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of biogenic amines viz. Catecholamines, Serotonin, GABA and other neurotransmitter molecules employing electrochemical/fluorescence detectors; Analysis of biogenic amines metabolism using specific metabolic inhibitors; In vitro binding assay of neurotransmitter receptors using high affinity isotopically labeled radioligand neurotransmitters, agonists and antagonists; Recording of neuromuscular movements of filarial parasites in an isolated organ bath employing Multichannel recording system; Assay of [3H] Serotonin /dopamine uptake in S. cervi.

Cell Biology and In Vitro Tissue Culture:

Maintenance and growth of variety of cell lines including human foreskin fibroblast, HeLa and human umbilical vein endothelial cells in Vitro cultures. Treatment of cultures grown cells with growth factors and other drugs and follow up assessment of growth and viability. Measurement of cells proliferation using 3H-Thymidine incorporation assay and Flow Cytometer. Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy for association and localization of receptors. Measurement of apoptosis using TUNEL assay and NF-kB activation by EMSA. Metabolic labeling for analysis of de novo protein synthesis.

In vivo models of angiogenesis:

Effect of fibrinogenbound growth factors and cytokines to support angiogenesis in Chicken chorioallantoic membrane, mice Matrigel and placental explant models.

Current Appointments

• Research Assistant Professor - Department of Medicine, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute (SMD)

Education
PhD Biochemistry	India - Free-Standing Inst	1991
MS Biochemistry	India-Lucknow U,g.s.v.m. Med Col	1986
BS Zoology	India-Lucknow U,g.s.v.m. Med Col	1984

Post-Doctoral Training & Residency
Research Associate, Mentor: Dr. O. P. Shukla, Department of Biochemistry, Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, India	1998 - 1993
Research Associate, Mentor: Dr. Manohar Furtado, Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL	1994 - 1994

Fellowship Awards
Postdoctoral Fellowship Award Research Associate Award from Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt. of India
Predoctoral Fellowship Award(s) National Merit Junior Research Fellowship from CSIR, Govt. of India. Senior Research Fellowship Award from CSIR, Govt. of India

Recent Journal Articles
Showing the 5 most recent journal articles. (28 available)
Alexis JD; Wang N; Che W; Lerner-Marmarosh N; Sahni A; Korshunov VA; Zou Y; Ding B; Yan C; Berk BC; Abe J. "Bcr kinase activation by angiotensin II inhibits peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma transcriptional activity in vascular smooth muscle cells." Circulation research. 2009; 104(1):69-78. Epub 2008 Nov 20.
Sahni A; Simpson-Haidaris PJ; Sahni SK; Vaday GG; Francis CW. "Fibrinogen synthesized by cancer cells augments the proliferative effect of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)." Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH. 2008; 6(1):176-83. Epub 2007 Oct 22.
Sahni SK; Rydkina E; Sahni A. "The proteasome inhibitor MG132 induces nuclear translocation of erythroid transcription factor Nrf2 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human vascular endothelial cells." Thrombosis research. 2008; 122(6):820-5. Epub 2008 Apr 02.
Rydkina E; Sahni A; Silverman DJ; Sahni SK. "Comparative analysis of host-cell signalling mechanisms activated in response to infection with Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia typhi." Journal of medical microbiology. 2007; 56(Pt 7):896-906.
Sahni A; Khorana AA; Baggs RB; Peng H; Francis CW. "FGF-2 binding to fibrin(ogen) is required for augmented angiogenesis." Blood. 2006; 107(1):126-31. Epub 2005 Sep 13.