Vamsi Gangaraju, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cancer Focus
Delineate the molecular mechanisms by which the Piwi-piRNA pathway silences transposons and maintains genome integrity
Research Program
Research Interest
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). My lab’s research focuses on the piRNA pathway - a novel small non-coding RNA pathway specializing in silencing transposons, thereby promoting genome stability. Specifically, my lab aims to provide a mechanistic basis for two novel players in the piRNA pathway. We focus on understanding how chaperones function in the piRNA pathway.
Positions and Scientific Appointments
2024-Present: Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
2013-2023: Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
2011-2013: Associate Research Scientist, Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT
2001-2006: Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
1999-2000: Project Assistant, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
Education
Postdoctoral
November 2011
Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology
Yale University, New Haven, CT
PhD
January 2006
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
MSc
January 2000
Microbiology
Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
BSc
January 1998
Microbiology
Osmania University, Hyderabad, India