Calcium sensor STIM1 regulates gene expression and synaptic connectivity of Purkinje neurons

Sreeja Kumari Dhanya’s interview with Bio Patrika hosting “Vigyan Patrika”, a series of author interviews. Dhanya is a Ph.D. student working under the guidance of Prof. Gaiti Hasan in National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore. She completed her master’s in Medical Biotechnology from Manipal School of Life Sciences (MSLS) at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal. Her doctoral research focuses on understanding the role of STIM1 (Stromal Interaction Molecule), a calcium sensor molecule present in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and investigating its role in regulating gene expression, excitability and synaptic connectivity in mouse Purkinje neurons (PNs). Her research has significantly contributed to uncovering novel aspects of intracellular calcium signaling in regulating neuronal functions and physiology in mammalian system. Dhanya, as her long-term goal, envisages exploring signaling mechanisms involved in various neurodegenerative disorders and identifying novel therapeutic insights. Here, Dhanya talks about her work on ‘Purkinje Neurons with Loss of STIM1 Exhibit Age-Dependent Changes in Gene Expression and Synaptic Components’ published in Journal of Neuroscience.