As the name suggests, Indrani’s Niche is a lab that explores the neuronal niche – comprising glial cells like astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells – and its modification using Bone Marrow mesenchymal stem cells. We are interested in developing potential translational approaches to treating neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD), diabetic neuropathy (DN) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) by understanding the role played by the glia, and by modifying glial function and interplay with neurons.

We work on many models for this, ranging from in vivo rodent models (we have a fully functional and validated rodent model for chronic PD) to patient-specific human iPSCs (we were the first in India to produce human iPSC lines for PD carrying an Indian-ethnicity specific genetic mutation). We also employ a wide variety of techniques: live-cell in vitro imaging, NIR in vivo and organ imaging, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and electrophysiology using Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) are all extensively used.

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