Editorial Board Member - JNND
RAJNISH S. DAVE
Associate ScientistDepartment of Neuroscience
Temple University
United States
BIOGRAPHY:
Dr Dave was born and grew up in Mumbai, India. He received his Ph.D. degree from University of Mumbai in 1998. Dr. Dave for his postdoctoral training in molecular virology at Columbia University and subsequently continued his training in neuroAIDS and molecular virology at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr Dave joined the Center for neuroAIDS Research in the Department of Neuroscience in 2008 where his research is focused on elucidating role of miRNAs in HIV-induced brain diseases in opiate-abusers.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
His interest is focused on investigating the role of small non-coding RNAs, in HIV-1 neuropathogenesis. Small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) possess the ability to regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanisms. Both miRNAs and siRNAs have an integral role in disease etiology and host-virus interactions. Alterations in miRNA expression often correlate with onset of cancers, viral infections or mental disorders. Several human viruses also express miRNAs. HIV-1 infection of the Central Nervous System (CNS) often leads to HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD) and HIV-1-associated minor cognitive motor disorder (HMCMD). HIV-1 infection is associated with macrophage infiltration, formation of microglial nodules and multinucleated giant cells, astrocyte activation and neuronal loss. Perivascular macrophages and microglia present in the hippocampus and basal ganglia are predominantly infected. However, the role of miRNAs and siRNAs in HIV-1 infection of CNS remains unclear. Currently, we are investigating alterations in miRNA expression profiles and how they might affect the course of disease progression in HIV-1-infected opiate abusers. This cohort is of interest as it often exhibits an accelerated form of HIV-1 associated dementia and enhanced neurological dysfunction.
Other Editorial Board Members - JNND
Walter Royal
Department of Neurology
University of Maryland
United States
Wei Liu
Director of Rehabilitation Biomechanics Lab
Auburn University
United States
J Vernon Odom
Department of Ophthalmology
West Virginia University
United States
Kelly Sullivan
Department of Neurology
University of South Florida
United States
Gang Chen
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration
Nantong University
China
GIHAN INDRAGITH TENNEKOON
Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics
University of Pennsylvania
United States
Sheila Crewther
School of Psychological Science
Univerity of La Trobe
Australia
Huangui Xiong
Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience
University of Nebraska Medical Center
United States
David Paul Richman
Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience
University of California
United States
Fredric Austin Gorin
Department of Neurology
University of California
United States