Anumantha Kathasamy, PhD, and her research team has been at the forefront in unraveling the cell signaling mechanisms underlying key pathophysiological processes of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and in identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. His research program has been funded by NIH and DOD funded programs over past 20 years. His team recently developed a highly sensitive RT-QuIC protein seeding assay to detect ultralow levels of pathologic αSyn aggregates in biofluids and submandibular and skin tissues of PD patients. This recent RT-QuIC assay based biomarker discovery efforts resulted in collaborative grants funded by NIH, DOD and MJFF grant programs to evaluate misfolded αSyn as biomarker for PD in various biometrics. This also resulted in publications in Science Signaling, Neuroimmune Pharmacology, and Movement Disorders Journals. Kanthasamy has authored over 200 peer-reviewed research papers and nurtured several multidisciplinary research collaborations, and mentored over 30 PhD students. He served on many NIH review panels and editorial boards. Kanthasamy is a AAAS and ATS fellow and currently the John H. “Johnny” Isakson Chair and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Parkinson’s Research.
Associated Grants
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RT-QuIC Testing of Misfolded α-Synuclein in Stage 4 Study; Submandibular Gland Biopsies and CSF Samples
2022
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Targeting Colony-stimulating Factor 1 Receptor (CSF1R) to Modify Disease Progression in Preclinical Experimental Models of Parkinson’s Disease
2022
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Comparison and Cross-Validation of Alpha-synuclein Seed Aggregation Assays in Samples of Skin, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Saliva and Tears
2022
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Pharmacological Targeting of Inflammation to Modify Disease Progression in Pre-clinical Models of Parkinson’s Disease
2021