Minu Chaudhuri, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Microbial Pathogenesis & Immune Response
Department of Biomedical Sciences

(615) 327-5726
4th Floor, WBS
1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Boulevard
Nashville, TN  37208

mchaudhuri@mmc.edu

(615) 321 2907

CV or Bio (PDF)

Ph.D., Biochemistry, Calcutta University, India
Postdoc, Enzyme, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Chicago Medical School

The major goal of research in Dr. Chaudhuri’s laboratory is to elucidate the mechanisms of mitochondrial biogenesis and signal transduction events that occur during differentiation and the life cycle of the protozoans that are the causative agents of the fatal diseases Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis.  These diseases cause serious morbidity and mortality, particularly in under developed countries. Current studies are focused on the molecular characterization of molecules critical to protozoan viability and unique to the protozoan, so they might serve as useful therapeutic targets, including mitochondrial protein importer molecules and the unique cytochrome independent terminal oxidase of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, known as Trypanosome alternative oxidase (TAO).  Dr. Chaudhuri and her colleagues are also examining the functional role of a protein serine/threonine phosphatase 5 (TbPP5) in T. brucei.

Ott R, Chibale K, Anderson S, Chipeleme A, Chaudhuri M, Guerrah A, Colowick  N, Hill GC.  Novel inhibitors of the trypanosome alternative oxidase inhibit Trypanosoma brucei brucei growth and respiration. Acta Trop. 2006

Chaudhuri M, Ott RD, Hill GC.  Trypanosome alternative oxidase: from molecule to function.  Trends Parasitol. 2006;22:484-91.

Misra S, Bennett J, Friew YN, Abdulghani J, Irvin-Wilson CV, Tripathi MK, Williams S, Chaudhuri M, Chaudhuri G.  A type II ribonuclease H from Leishmania mitochondria: an enzyme essential for the growth of the parasite.  Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2005; 143:135-45.

Chaudhuri M, Ott RD, Saha L, Williams S, Hill GC.  The trypanosome alternative oxidase exists as a monomer in Trypanosoma brucei mitochondria.  Parasitol Res. 2005;96:178-83.

Walker R Jr, Saha L, Hill GC, Chaudhuri M.   The effect of over-expression of the alternative oxidase in the procyclic forms of Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2005;139:153-62.