Name: Juergen Pipper

My Area of Interest: BioMEMs

My Favourite Quote: “If you can dream it, you can do it!”

I am a: Senior Scientist at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore

Short Profile:

What are your future goals? Where do you see your research going?:
Sample in and answer out! I dream that it will be possible to automate the entire workflow using a microfluidic package. For realizing this goal, the microfluidic community has to go beyond the proof-of-concept stage and tackle real-world problems. We try to bridge the gap by teaming up with clinicians.

Technologies seem to changing faster than ever, how do you adapt to that? What are the current technologies you are using?:
We embrace the change, because we are the ones developing technology that -hopefully- will have to be adapted by others! However, you need to know the Achilles’ heel of a current technology in order to improve on it. At present, we are looking into alternative concepts for sequencing.

In the broader picture, where do you see the application for your cutting-edge research?:
We are about to license out our technology to several companies that serve the point-of-care market. The focus is on easy-to-use, fast, and low-cost diagnostic hand-helds targeting infectious diseases.

Fast forward to 2020. What’s your vision of Genomics in 2020?:
The technology will be in place, but a lot of content may still be missing. It is not so much about printing a book, but the ability to read it!

Name: Hans-Gert Bernstein

My Area of Interest: Neurobiology, Neuromolecular Medicine

My Favourite Quote: as it was

I am a: Associate Professor

Short Profile:
Main fields of interest: Neuroanatomy, Molecular Neurobiochemistry, Immunocytochemistry

What are your future goals? Where do you see your research going?:
Main goals are: To contribute by applying modern genomic and proteomic techniques to a better understanding of mental diseases (schizophrenia, depression) and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzhiemer´s)

Technologies seem to changing faster than ever, how do you adapt to that? What are the current technologies you are using?:
learning by doin and reading a lot. The younger generation is always on a good way. So, sometimes I am learning from my doctorands. And of cause wide-spread cooperation eith experts…

In the broader picture, where do you see the application for your cutting-edge research?:
We have identified in the brain a molecular isoform of the very important regulator neuregulin (neuregulin-1alpha). Once it is present there it may be responsible for a plethora of hithero not understood processes in connection with cell migration and cell adhesion (as it is in other tissues). This may have far-reaching consequences for our understanding of schizophrenia, for example., since schizophrenia is commonly regarded a neurodevelopmental disease. Indeed, this isoform is down-regulated in postmortem brains of schizophrenics.

Fast forward to 2020. What’s your vision of Genomics in 2020?:
The year 2020 will witness curing of many diseases by the application of genomics. And we will see a clear switch in the impact of the coutries. I am convinced that in 2020 leading results will mainly come from Asia.

Name: Santanu Bhattacharya

My Area of Interest: Chemogenomics, Gene transfection, molecular level manipulation of genes, and Medicinal Chemistry

My Favourite Quote: “Chance favours prepared mind”

I am a: Professor at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India.

Short Profile:

What are your future goals? Where do you see your research going?:
We would like to develop novel biomimetic tools for gene manipulation at the molecular level. This will allow evolution of new gene derived products.
Our research also attempts to understand secondary structure specific gene targeting. This may lead to development of new class of inhibitors of enzymes (topoisomerase or telomerase) that are involved in DNA metabolism.
We would like to precisely understand gene delivery mechanisms. This will lead to the effective design of gene therapeutics.

Technologies seem to changing faster than ever, how do you adapt to that? What are the current technologies you are using?:
Systems Biology, Synthetic and Chemical Biology are most important disciplines that will catalyze many changes the way drug design is done today.
I am studying the genomic responses to designed chemical compounds and libraries. The goal is to identify novel drugs, drug like molecules and drug targets embracing possible early phase drug discoveries ranging from target identification, compound molecular design and chemical synthesis to biological testing and profiling.
A second area of interest focuses on the identification of appropriate molecular leads for efficient and targeted gene delivery and manipulation.

In the broader picture, where do you see the application for your cutting-edge research?:
My research envisages development of novel biomimetic tools for gene delivery and gene manipulation at the molecular level.
This will allow evolution of new gene derived products, which could be used for improved expression of specific genes and for mapping gene-protein contacts.
Our research attempts to understand secondary structure specific gene targeting. This may lead to development of new class of inhibitors of enzymes that are involved in DNA metabolism.
We are also interested to exploit such chemistry for the elucidation of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).

Fast forward to 2020. What’s your vision of Genomics in 2020?:
The major impact of genomics on drug development so far has been directed toward the identification and validation of biological targets. While much of the present day research on targets is based primarily on comparisons of the biology of health and disease, soon it will become critical to integrate the activity of chemical compounds with the body and this will spur precise molecular design of personalized drugs and active principles.
Precise understanding of gene delivery mechanisms will lead to clinical realization of gene therapy

Name: Dr. Markandeya Gorantla

My Area of Interest: cancer genomics

My Favourite Quote: none

I am a: Director Genomics EPR Group of Cancer Research Laboratories

Short Profile:

Question and Answers :

What are your future goals? Where do you see your research going?:
Identify and validate allelic variants causing cancer in Indian population

Technologies seem to changing faster than ever, how do you adapt to that? What are the current technologies you are using?:
arrays, sequencing

In the broader picture, where do you see the application for your cutting-edge research?:
identify SNP in disease responsive genes

Fast forward to 2020. What’s your vision of Genomics in 2020?:
To type all genetic variations in Indian CML patients

Name: Cadet Jean

My Area of Interest: Chemical and biochemical aspects of oxidatively generated and photo-induced damage to DNA

My Favourite Quote: “Each day is a new opportunity for enjoying life”

I am a: Senior Scientist at CEA/Grenoble, France and Professor at University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada

Short Profile:

Scientific Adviser, French Atomic Energy Commission at CEA/Grenoble and Adjunct Professor, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada after being the head of the Laboratory of “Lésions des Acides Nucléiques” and Research Director at CEA. He his involved in research activities dealing with various aspects of the chemistry and biochemistry of oxidatively generated and photo-induced damage to DNA (mechanisms of reactions, measurement in cells, assessment of biological features such as substrate specificity of DNA repair enzymes and mutagenesis of base lesions). He is author or co-author of 510 publications consisting of more than 460 original contributions to peer-reviewed journals and about 50 book chapters including exhaustive surveys on the photochemistry of nucleic acids (”Bioorganic Photochemistry”, H. Morrison, Ed., Vol. 1, Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 1-272, 1990) and on oxidatively generated damage to DNA (Reviews in Physiology Biochemistry and Pharmacology, 131, 1-87, 1997; Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry - The Chemistry of Peroxides, Z. Rappoport, Ed., Vol. 2, Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 915-1000, 2006). His “h” factor is 55 with 950 citations in 2006. He is currently editor of Free Radical Research, member of the editorial board of several other journals (Chemical Research in Toxicology, Free Radical in Biology and Medicine, Mutation Research, Indian Journal of Radiation Research) and within a few months the Editor-in-Chief of Photochemistry and Photobiology, the journal pf the American Society for Photobiology. He is also in several international (Steering Committee of the ILSI Health and Environmental Sciences Institute group on DNA adducts and biological significance, Life Sciences Advisory Group of the European Space Agency, ESP council) and national (working group of the French Agency of Heath Safety on cosmetic, councils of the French Societies of Photobiology, Photodermatology and Free Radical Research in Biology) committees and societies. He has received several awards including “Armes Lecturer” from The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada (1986/87), “Weiss Medal” from the Association for Radiation Research, UK (1997), “Grand Prix Scientifique” from the French Atomic Energy Commission (1999), “Research Award” from the American Society for Photobiology (2004), the “Medal for Excellence” from the European Society for Photobiology (2005), the “Prix Charles Dhéré” in chemical biology and the “Médaille Berthelot” in chemistry, the two last awards having been delivered in 2007 by the French Academy of Sciences. He has also organized several major international conferences including the 1st and 11th Congress of the European Society for Photobiology, Grenoble (1986) and Aix-les-Bains (2005) and be involved in the organization of seven editions of the Winter Research Conferences on Free Radicals in Biology in the French Alps (1993-1995-1997-1999-2001-2003-2006) and the “Nutrition, Oxygen Biology and Medicine” conferences in Paris (2005 and 2007).

Question and Answers:

What are your future goals? Where do you see your research going?:
Emphasis is currently placed in the laboratory on a better understanding of the molecular mode of action of various oxidizing agents (ionizing radiation, UVA radiation, one-electron oxidants …) on cellular DNA. This relies on a a solid knowledge of the degradation pathways of model compounds as inferred from comprehensive model studies and the development of accurate chemical and biochemical assays aimed at detecting in a highly sensitive and specific ways dedicated DNA lesions. In addition efforts are made to gain further information on the biological role of DNA lesions (mutagenic features, substrate specificity of DNA repair enzymes, kinetics of removal of damage from cellular DNA …).

Technologies seem to changing faster than ever, how do you adapt to that? What are the current technologies you are using?:
In order to achieve the objectives that are outlined above we used a wide set of various techniques and approches:
- analytical techniques such as preparative HPLC and methods of characterization (ESI-MS, NMR, x-ray crystallography …) for the structural assigment of DNA lesions.
- ab initio theoretical methods to challenge mechanisms of reactions leading to the formation of DNA damage.
- oligonucleotide synthesis for the preparation of DNA fragments of defined sequence in which dedicated modifications has been site-specifically inserted (probes for DNA repair and mutagenesis studies)
- HPLC-MS/MS and modified comet assay for the sensitive asessment of damage in cellular DNA

In the broader picture, where do you see the application for your cutting-edge research?:
As I already mentioned our research activities are multidiscplinary involving complementary and overllaping expertise in several disciplines including analytical chemistry, structural assignment, theoretical chemistry, biochemistry and biology. This allows, starting from model systems to gain insights into the formation and the biological role of oxidatively generated and photo-induced lesions in the DNA of cells and human skin (for the photobiology of solar radiation). This obviously has major implications in protection against the deletrious effects of various oxidants and sunlight.

Fast forward to 2020. What’s your vision of Genomics in 2020?:
Genomics is still a fast growing research field in which both basic research projects and targeted applications cohabit very well. Due to the major role played by genetic in major diseases (cancer, aging …) gene therapy and gentic cloning to cite a few examples we are only at the early stage of a likely long and promissing scientific adventure that should be highly benefitial for the human population in the coming years.