Dr. Maitreyi Joshi

Research:

My research is focused on using the knowledge of the circadian clock network to identify drug targets and subsequently search for appropriate compounds to restore clock function. The circadian clock is a crucial regulator of biological processes as the clock-controlled genes regulate the sleep-wake cycle, cell cycle, and even intracellular chemical signaling. This is accomplished through bidirectional communication between the central clock in the hypothalamus and peripheral clocks in the organs. Therefore, perturbations in the functioning of the central clock can affect the synchrony of peripheral clocks resulting in sleep disorders, immune system dysfunction and certain forms of cancers.

We aim to design directed approaches to modulate the circadian clock by pharmacologically targeting clock proteins/pathways. We are conducting high-throughput screening of small-molecule libraries to identify compounds that can alter the properties of the circadian rhythm (e.g. amplitude or period) in the cultured mammalian cell. The successful hits can be applied on the tissue level as well as in organisms to investigate their clock-modulatory effect.

My research expertise includes molecular-cell biology, chemical signaling, fluorescence microscopy and systems biology.

Curriculum vitae:

I received M.Sc. in chemical engineering from Katholieke Universiteit-Leuven, Belgium in 2016. To combine my background with my passion for molecular physiology, I decided to do a PhD in Chemical Biology focused on cell-systems biology. I joined the research group of Prof. Philippe Bastiaens at Max Planck Institute-Dortmund, Germany to study signaling networks in cancer cells and obtained a PhD (summa-cum laude) in 2021. I studied epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) paracrine signaling and associated cell-level phenotypes in the context of the interaction network of EGFR with its phosphatases.

Currently, I am working as a post-doctoral researcher with Dr. Stephan Michel and Dr. Paul Geurink. I am a member of the Dutch BioClock consortium, which aims to translate the molecular understanding of the circadian clock into therapeutic interventions.