Faculty

 

 

 

Meena Kumari

PhD, Andrology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
MPhil, Neuroendocrinology, University of Delhi

Phone: 785-532-5666
email: mkumari@vet.k-state.edu

Supervisor for:
Molecular Neuroscience

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research Interests:

My research program is directed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie alcohol-mediated alterations in gene expression in the brain. Alcohol, one of the most abused drugs in our society, is known to affect a number of receptor systems in the central nervous system. Of these, the NMDA receptors have emerged as an important site for the action of alcohol, contributing to the development of alcohol dependence, tolerance and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, the excitatory receptors in the central nervous system, are involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Exposure to chronic alcohol (ethanol) both in vivo and in vitro results in an up regulation of NMDA receptor function and number. In our laboratory, we are particularly interested in delineating the molecular mechanism(s) by which chronic ethanol up regulates NMDA receptor number in an in vitro model system of fetal cortical neurons. To accomplish this goal, we employ a multi-methodological approach that utilizes techniques in molecular biology, biochemistry and cell culture.