agupte@kumc.edu

 

Research interests:

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. T2D is characterized by insulin resistance and is typically correlated with obesity and aging. In our lab, we study the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related and high fat diet-induced insulin resistance. We hypothesize that oxidative stress is responsible for inhibiting the insulin signaling and for the impairment of glucose homeostasis. Stress kinases such as JNK and IKK-beta are activated by oxidative stress and have recently been implicated in inhibiting insulin signal transduction. Thus, we are examining the targeted inhibition of stress kinases to improve insulin sensitivity. We are also exploring therapeutic interventions such as heat therapy, exercise and anti-oxidant treatment in aged rats.

Academic training:

2006-present	Pre-doctoral student, KUMC, Mentor: Dr. Paige Geiger Dissertation Title: Targeting stress kinases in the treatment of age-related insulin resistance in skeletal muscle
2004-2006	MS, Molecular Biology, Kansas State University (KSU)
2002-2004	MSc, Applied Medical Life Sciences, University of Mumbai, India
1999-2002	BSc, Life Sciences & Biochemistry, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, India

Awards:

• Biomedical Research Training Program pre-doctoral fellowship, 2007-2008, KUMC
• Research presentation award, Musculoskeletal session in SRF-2007, KUMC
• Graduate student travel award, KUMC, March 2007
• James Ackert award for best research presentation, KSU, 2006
• Research presentation award, Graduate School Research forum -2006, KSU
• Graduate Student Council travel award, KSU, April 2006
• ‘Sakal foundation’ award for international travel, Pune, India (2004)

Publications:

Gupte A., Mora S. (2006) Activation of the Cbl insulin signaling pathway in cardiac muscle; Dysregulation in obesity and diabetes. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 342:751–757.

Abstracts/Presentations:

Gupte A., Bomhoff G.L., Touchberry C.D., John T. Dollerschell and Geiger P.C. Heat shock mediated JNK inactivation improves insulin signaling in skeletal muscle. Poster presented at the Experimental Biology meeting (FASEB), Washington DC, April 2007.

Gupte A., Mora S. Insulin stimulates the activation of the Casitas b-lymphoma (Cbl) in striated skeletal muscle. Poster presented at the Experimental Biology meeting (FASEB), San Francisco, April 2006.

Gupte A., Mora S. Insulin stimulates the activation of the Cbl pathway in cardiac muscle. Poster presented at the 2006 Kansas City Area Life Science Institute Research Day.

Gupte A., Bomhoff G.L., and Geiger P.C. Heat shock mediated JNK inactivation improves insulin signaling in skeletal muscle. Poster and oral presentation, Student Research Forum, KUMC, 12th April 2007.