Quantitative Chemical Imaging in Living Systems
Our lab has generated a highly versatile functional imaging platform that utilizes DNA nanotechnology to chemically map sub-cellular structures known as organelles. We seek to answer fundamental questions such as how the chemical composition of an organelle, which has been optimized over evolutionary timescales, impacts its function at the sub-cellular level. How do these changes alter cell function, tissue function, and organism physiology? We utilize bionanotechnology to investigate these questions by exploiting our understanding of cellular machinery to develop solutions to problems in science and engineering. Our research takes advantage of nucleic acid structure and dynamics to create DNA-based nanodevices for quantitative chemical imaging of living systems.
Implementation of Ion Sensors in Organelles
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| Lysosome |
Lysosomes are organelles responsible for the breakdown of biological material within cellular environments. Our work has led to the characterization of lysosomal lumenal pH and chloride, as well as reactive species such as hypochlorous acid (HOCL). Recently, we have uncovered sodium and calcium levels, as well as elucidated a mechanism for calcium entry. |
Yamuna Krishnan
Email: yamuna@uchicago.edu 2014 - Professor, University of Chicago
2014: Assoc Professor, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS)
2009-13: Reader, NCBS, Bangalore
2005-9: Fellow, NCBS, Bangalore
2001-05: 1851 Research Fellowship, University of Cambridge, UK
2002: Ph. D., Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore,
1997: M.S., IISc, Bangalore,
1993: B. Sc. Madras University