Shubha Govind

Office: Marshak 617, 212-650-8476
Lab: Marshak 625, 212-650-8571 

Laboratory personnel
Graduate students: Marta Kalamarz (PhD), Indira Paddibhatla (PhD), Chiyedza Small (PhD)
Undergraduate students: Tamara Goncharuk, Roma Ramchandani-Rajwani, Azizul Rehman, Jeffrey Uribe
Technician: Zoe Papadopol 

Research
Hematopoiesis is a dynamic process that results in the continuous production of distinct cell lineages. Various lines of experimental evidence suggest that signal transduction pathways and molecular networks of transcription factors constitute key aspects of hematopoietic development. Mutations in these components lead to disruption of hematopoiesis as well as hematopoietic malignancies. We are focusing on the regulation and functions of Toll-NF-κB and JAK-STAT signaling in Drosophila to understand the genetic basis of self-renewal versus commitment to differentiation. We want to know how these highly-conserved pathways contribute to normal hematopoiesis. Constitutive activation of these pathways results in malignant overgrowth of the hematopoietic tissue and production of microtumors. We are also studying the mechanism underlying the formation and growth of these microtumors. 
The Toll-NF-κB and JAK-STAT signaling mechanisms also govern innate immunity in a highly coordinated manner. Immune-active barrier epithelia, blood cells and fat body serve to limit the growth and development of microbial and metazoan pathogens. A class of natural obligate parasites of Drosophila (parasitic wasps) exhibit distinct host range and employ different virulence strategies to overcome host immunity. We utilize these parasites to perturb hematopoietic development and to study how specific immune responses are coordinated. Our studies include identifying virulence factors produced by parasitic wasps that interfere with host defense.  

Recent publications
Morales, J., Chiu, H., Oo, T., Plaza, R., Hoskins, S. and Govind, S. (2005) Biogenesis, structure, and immune suppressive effects of virus like particles of a Drosophila parasitoid, Leptopilina victoriae. Journal of Insect Physiology 51, 181-195.
Chiu, H., Ring, B., Sorrentino, R.P., Garza, D. and Govind, S. (2005) Drosophila Ubc9 negatively regulates larval hematopoiesis and the antifungal peptide activation.  Developmental Biology 88, 60-72.
Chiu, H., Morales, J., and Govind, S. (2006) Identification and immuno-localization of p40, a protein component of immune-suppressive virus-like particles from Leptopilina heterotoma. Journal of General Virology 87, 461-470.
Schlenke, T.A., Morales, J., Govind, S. and Clark, A. (2007) Contrasting infection strategies in generalist and specialist wasp parasitoids of Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS Pathog 3(10): e158. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.0030158Govind, S. (2008) Innate immunity in Drosophila: Pathogens and pathways. Insect Science 15, 29-43.