Research Area: Our research focuses on the multifaceted role of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) in cancer biology, particularly its involvement in DNA repair, cell death, and cancer progression. About 90% poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reaction is carried out by PARP-1 isoform, the well-studied member of PARP family protein. PARP-1 is a key enzyme that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ates it’s target proteins, influencing various cellular functions beyond its well-established role in DNA repair. Inhibitors of PARP (PARPi) are currently showing promising results in clinical trials for cancers like BRCA mutant breast and ovarian cancers, as well as pancreatic, colorectal, and prostate cancers. FDA-approved inhibitors such as Olaparib, Rucaparib, and Niraparib are already available for treatment. However, the precise mechanisms of these inhibitors in different cancer types remain poorly understood.
Our research aims to explore the functional characterization of PARP-1 in DNA repair, apoptosis, and metastasis pathways, particularly in response to high and low LET radiation. This involves investigating cluster DNA damage repair and the regulation of cell death and cancer metastasis. We are also screening synthetic compounds and natural products for their anticancer activities.
Another area of interest is the regulation of telomerase activity and telomere length maintenance in mammalian cells, which is a critical factor in cancer progression. Around 85% of cancer cells are telomerase-positive, while most normal cells are not, making telomerase a valuable target for cancer therapy. In addition, PARP-1’s involvement in both the telomerase and ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres) pathways for telomere maintenance remains unclear, and we aim to elucidate its precise role.
Our key research objectives include:
• Functional characterization of PARP-1 in DNA repair, apoptosis, and metastasis pathways in human cancer cells treated with high LET carbon ion and low LET gamma radiation, as well as synthetic and natural compounds.
• Regulation of telomerase activity and telomere length maintenance in mammalian cells and its implications for human diseases.
Research experience using high LET carbon ion:
Since 2008, our research has focused on the DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathways in various human cancer cell lines following exposure to high LET carbon ion radiation [62 MeV (5.2 MeV/u) with a LET value of 290 KeV/µM]. We utilize the 15UD Pelletron ion beam facility at the Inter-University Accelerator Center (IUAC), New Delhi, for this work.
In our studies, human cancer cells are exposed to varying doses of carbon ion (12C) radiation, both in the presence and absence of PARP-1 inhibitors, to assess DNA damage, repair processes, apoptosis, and metastasis. We have extensively studied the pathways leading to apoptosis induction and metastasis reduction in cancer cells treated with carbon ion radiation. Additionally, we have compared the radiobiological parameters of different human cancer cells exposed to high LET 12C radiation with those treated with low LET gamma radiation.
In 2017, I worked as a visiting scientist with the Radiation Biology team at LARIA, CiMAP, GANIL, Caen, France, as part of a collaborative research project (PROJECT FONDATION ARC 2015, France; Ref no: PJA 20151203177). In this project, we investigated the mechanisms of radio-sensitization by exposing human chondrosarcoma cells to high LET carbon ion and low LET X-rays, with and without PARP-1 inhibitors.
I also conducted research at the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Catania, Italy, where we compared the cellular responses of chondrosarcoma cells to both high and low LET radiations. This work has provided important insights into the differential effects of LET on cancer cell response, aiding in the development of more targeted cancer therapies.
List of Publications(Peer-Reviewed) 1. Ghosh S, SenGupta S, Halder R, Ghosh S, Biswas S, Mukherjee S, et al. Multipronged Protein Engagement by a Ruthenium(II) Sunitinib Hydrazide Complex Elicits ROS-Independent Immunogenic Cell Death. Angew Chemie Int Ed [Internet]. 2026 Jul 24 [cited 2026 Jul 26];e1497931. Available from: /doi/pdf/10.1002/anie.1497931
2. Dey P, Das R, Chatterjee S, Paul R, Ghosh U. Combined effects of carbon ion radiation and PARP inhibitor on non-small cell lung carcinoma cells : Insights into DNA repair pathways and cell death mechanisms. DNA Repair (Amst) [Internet]. 2024;144(October):103778. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dnarep.2024.103778
3. Mazumdar J, Chowdhury P, Mondal BC, Das AK, Ghosh U. Elevated Telomeric Repeat-Containing RNA ( TERRA ) Levels Linked to Telomere Dysfunction and Telomerase Inactivity in Blood Cells of Children With Aplastic Anemia. 2024;16(10).
4. Dey P, Biswas S, Das R, Chatterjee S, Ghosh U. p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 enhances anticancer activity of PARP inhibitor olaparib in a synergistic way on non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun [Internet]. 2023;670:55–62. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.116
5. Ghosh S, De D, Banerjee V, Biswas S, Ghosh U. High throughput screening of a new fluorescent G-quadruplex ligand having telomerase inhibitory activity in human A549 cells. Nucleosides Nucleotides Nucleic Acids [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 Nov 19];42(9):696–717. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36919622/
6. De D, Panda SK, Ghosh U. Induction of apoptosis by ethanolic extract of leaf of Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. in A549 cells via NF-κB pathway. Phytomedicine Plus [Internet]. 2023;3(1):100368. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2022.100368
7. De D, Chowdhury P, Panda SK, Ghosh U. Leaf Extract and Active Fractions of Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. Reduce In Vitro Human Cancer Cell Migration Via NF-κB Pathway. Integr Cancer Ther. 2022;21.
8. Sadhukhan R, Ghosh U. PARP1 modulates telomere sister chromatid exchange and telomere length homeostasis by regulating telomere localization of SLX4 in U2OS cells. Life Sci [Internet]. 2021 Jul 15 [cited 2021 May 18];277:119556. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0024320521005427
9. Chowdhury P, Dey P, De D, Ghosh U. Gamma ray-induced in vitro cell migration via EGFR/ERK/Akt/p38 activation is prevented by olaparib pretreatment. Int J Radiat Biol [Internet]. 2020 May 3 [cited 2021 Apr 9];96(5):651–60. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31914341/
10. Panja S, Mondal S, Ghosh S, Ghosh U, Ghosh K. Effect of Substitution at Amine Functionality of 2,6-Diaminopyridine-Coupled Rhodamine on Metal-Ion Interaction and Self-Assembly. ACS Omega [Internet]. 2020 Jun 16 [cited 2021 Apr 9];5(23):13984–93. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32566865/
11. Chowdhury P, Dey P, Ghosh S, Sarma A, Ghosh U. Reduction of metastatic potential by inhibiting EGFR/Akt/p38/ERK signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition after carbon ion exposure is potentiated by PARP-1 inhibition in non-small-cell lung cancer. BMC Cancer [Internet]. 2019 Aug 22 [cited 2021 Apr 9];19(1). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31438892/
12. Césaire M, Ghosh U, Austry JB, Muller E, Cammarata FP, Guillamin M, et al. Sensitization of chondrosarcoma cells with PARP inhibitor and high-LET radiation. J Bone Oncol [Internet]. 2019 Aug 1 [cited 2021 Apr 9];17. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31312595/
13. Sadhukhan R, Chowdhury P, Ghosh S, Ghosh U. Expression of Telomere-Associated Proteins is Interdependent to Stabilize Native Telomere Structure and Telomere Dysfunction by G-Quadruplex Ligand Causes TERRA Upregulation. Cell Biochem Biophys. 2018 Jun 1;76(1–2):311–9.
14. Saha MM, Mukherjee D, Ghosh U, Das SK. Application of cell-free fetal DNA for early evaluation of preeclampsia to reduce maternal mortality by low-cost method – A prospective cohort study. Indian J Biochem Biophys. 2018;55(5):334–40.
15. Ghosh U, Binz RL, Sadhukhan R, Sarma A, Dey SK, Hauer-Jensen M, et al. 12C-Beam Induces More Chromosomal Damage In Chemo-Radio-Resistant Cells Than16O-Beam. Res Rev Pharm Pharm Sci [Internet]. 2018 May 14 [cited 2023 Nov 19];7(2):9–14. Available from: https://www.rroij.com/open-access/12cbeam-induces-more-chromosomal-damage-in-chemoradioresistant-cells-than16obeam.php?aid=86951
16. Datta LP, De D, Ghosh U, Das TK. RAFT derived fatty acid based stimuli responsive fluorescent block copolymers as DNA sensor and cargo delivery agent. Polymer (Guildf). 2018 Feb 28;138:103–12.
17. Mazumdar J, Chowdhury P, Bhattacharya T, Mondal BC, Ghosh U. Patients with Congenital Limb Anomaly Show Short Telomere, Shutdown of Telomerase and Deregulated Expression of Various Telomere-Associated Proteins in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells-A Case Series. J Clin Diagn Res [Internet]. 2017 Aug [cited 2021 Apr 9];11(8):GR01–6. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28969156
18. Sadhukhan R, Ghosh U. International Journal of Biotechnology and Bioengineering Transcriptional up-regulation of TERT and TERC necessarily not mean higher telomerase activity : A report of telomerase inhibition with higher transcription. 2017;3(1):10–5.
19. Biswas S, Samui S, Chakraborty A, Biswas S, De D, Ghosh U, et al. Insight into the binding of a non-toxic, self-assembling aromatic tripeptide with ct-DNA: Spectroscopic and viscositic studies. Biochem Biophys Reports. 2017 Sep 1;11:112–8.
20. Majumdar A, Mondal S, Daniliuc CG, Sahu D, Ganguly B, Ghosh S, et al. α-Amino Acid Derived Benzimidazole-Linked Rhodamines: A Case of Substitution Effect at the Amino Acid Site toward Spiro Ring Opening for Selective Sensing of Al3+ Ions. Inorg Chem. 2017 Aug 7;56(15):8889–99.
21. Giri GC, Haldar S, Ghosh AK, Chowdhury P, Carrella L, Ghosh U, et al. New cyclic tetranuclear copper(II) complexes containing quadrilateral cores: Synthesis, structure, spectroscopy and their interactions with DNA in aqueous solution. J Mol Struct. 2017 Aug 15;1142:175–84.
22. Mazumdar J, Chowdhury P, Banerjee A, Bhattacharya T, Mondal BC, Ghosh U. Two cases of Oto palate digital syndrome type II: Clinical features and a study of telomere length maintenance pathways. Int J Med Sci Clin Invent [Internet]. 2016 Dec 15 [cited 2023 Nov 19];3(12). Available from: https://valleyinternational.net/index.php/ijmsci/article/view/657
23. Ghorai A, Sarma A, Chowdhury P, Ghosh U. PARP-1 depletion in combination with carbon ion exposure significantly reduces MMPs activity and overall increases TIMPs expression in cultured HeLa cells. Radiat Oncol [Internet]. 2016 Sep 22 [cited 2021 Apr 9];11(1):126. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27659937
24. Mandal S, Sadhukhan R, Ghosh U, Mandal S, Saha M, Butcher RJ, et al. Synthesis and characterization of two Cu(II) complexes with a new pyrazole-based Schiff base ligand: crystallography, DNA interaction and antimicrobial activity of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes. J Coord Chem [Internet]. 2016 May 18 [cited 2023 Nov 19];69(10):1618–34. Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00958972.2016.1174773
25. Ghorai A, Sarma A, Bhattacharyya NP, Ghosh U. Carbon ion beam triggers both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathway of apoptosis in HeLa and status of PARP-1 controls intensity of apoptosis. Apoptosis. 2015;20(4):562–80.
26. Roy S, Sadhukhan R, Ghosh U, Das TK. Interaction studies between biosynthesized silver nanoparticle with calf thymus DNA and cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles. Spectrochim Acta – Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2015 Apr 15;141:176–84.
27. Ghorai A, Bhattacharyya NP, Sarma A, Ghosh U. Radiosensitivity and Induction of Apoptosis by High LET Carbon Ion Beam and Low LET Gamma Radiation: A Comparative Study. Scientifica (Cairo) [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2021 Apr 9];2014:438030. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25018892
28. Ghorai A, Ghosh U. miRNA gene counts in chromosomes vary widely in a species and biogenesis of miRNA largely depends on transcription or post-transcriptional processing of coding genes. Front Genet [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2021 Apr 9];5(APR):100. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24808907
29. De S, Kundu R, Ghorai A, Mandal RP, Ghosh U. Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles for staining human cervical cancer cells and DNA binding assay. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol. 2014 Nov 1;140:130–9.
30. Majumdar KC, Ponra S, Ghosh T, Sadhukhan R, Ghosh U. Synthesis of novel pyrano[3,2-f]quinoline, phenanthroline derivatives and studies of their interactions with proteins: An application in mammalian cell imaging. Eur J Med Chem. 2014 Jan 7;71:306–15.
31. Ghosh U, Bhattacharyya NP. Induction of Apoptosis by Benzamide in K562 Cells Was Triggered by Inhibition of Poly (ADP-Ribosyl) Action of Protein(S). J Biotechnol Biomater 2013 31 [Internet]. 2013 Jan 27 [cited 2023 Nov 19];3(1):1–9. Available from: https://www.omicsonline.org/induction-of-apoptosis-by-benzamide-in-k-cells-was-triggered-by-inhibition-of-polyadpribosylation-of-proteins-2155-952X.S13-008.php?aid=13894
32. Patra A, Sen TK, Ghorai A, Musie GT, Mandal SK, Ghosh U, et al. Synthesis, structure, spectroscopic characterization, and protein binding affinity of new water-soluble hetero- and homometallic tetranuclear [Cu II2ZnII2] and [CuII4] clusters. Inorg Chem. 2013 Mar 18;52(6):2880–90.
33. Mukherjee S, Chowdhury S, Ghorai A, Ghosh U, Stoeckli-Evans H. Synthesis, structure, interaction with DNA and cytotoxicity of a luminescent copper(II) complex with a hydrazone ligand. Polyhedron. 2013 Mar 4;51(1):228–34.
34. Ghosh U, Nagalakshmi M, Sadhukhan R, Girigoswami A. Biocapped Nanoparticles are More Bioactive to HeLa Cells than its Chemical Counterpart. Adv Sci Eng Med. 2013 Apr 26;5(8):783–8.
35. Ghosh K, Sarkar AR, Ghorai A, Ghosh U. Design and synthesis of anthracene-based bispyridinium amides: anion binding, cell staining and DNA interaction studies. New J Chem [Internet]. 2012 May 1 [cited 2023 Nov 19];36(5):1231–45. Available from: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2012/nj/c2nj21024j
36. Saha NC, Biswas C, Ghorai A, Ghosh U, Seth SK, Kar T. Synthesis, structural characterisation and cytotoxicity of new iron(III) complexes with pyrazolyl thiosemicabazones. Polyhedron. 2012 Feb 28;34(1):1–12.
37. Mukherjee S, Basu C, Chowdhury S, Chattopadhyay AP, Ghorai A, Ghosh U, et al. A new blue luminescent dichlorido-bridged dinuclear copper(II) complex with DNA binding and cytotoxic activities: Synthesis, structure and DFT studies. Inorganica Chim Acta. 2010 Oct 15;363(12):2752–61.
38. Ghosh U, Giri K, Bhattacharyya NP. Interaction of aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) with four nucleic acid binding proteins DNase I, RNase A, reverse transcriptase and Taq polymerase. Spectrochim Acta – Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2021 May 22];74(5):1145–51. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19836295/
39. Ghosh U, Bhattacharyya NP. Induction of apoptosis by the inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase in HeLa cells. Mol Cell Biochem. 2009 Jan;320(1–2):15–23.
40. Pathak R, Bukhsh ARK, Dey SK, Ghosh U, Gupta B Sen, Semwal M, et al. Resistance to induction of micronuclei , chromosomal aberrations and apoptosis by 60 Co gamma-ray in a cell strain M5 , derived from Chinese hamster V79 cells. 2006;
41. Ghosh U, Das N, Bhattacharyya NP. Inhibition of telomerase activity by reduction of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of TERT and TEP1/TP1 expression in HeLa cells with knocked down poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) gene. Mutat Res – Fundam Mol Mech Mutagen. 2007 Feb 3;615(1–2):66–74.
42. Mukherjee S, Ghosh U, Bhattacharyya NP, Bhattacharya RK, Dey S, Roy M. Curcumin-induced apoptosis in human leukemia cell HL-60 is associated with inhibition of telomerase activity. Mol Cell Biochem. 2007 Mar;297(1–2):31–9.
43. Roychoudhury P, Ghosh U, Bhattacharyya NP, Chaudhuri K. Activation of mitochondrial promoter PH-binding protein in a radio-resistant Chinese hamster cell strain associated with Bcl-2. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 Nov 17;350(2):272–6.
44. Chakraborty S, Ghosh U, Bhattacharyya NP, Bhattacharya RK, Roy M. Inhibition of telomerase activity and induction of apoptosis by curcumin in K-562 cells. Mutat Res – Fundam Mol Mech Mutagen. 2006 Apr 11;596(1-2 SPEC. ISS.):81–90.
45. Ghosh U, Bhattacharyya NP. Benzamide and 4-amino 1,8 naphthalimide treatment inhibit telomerase activity by down-regulating the expression of telomerase associated protein and inhibiting the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of telomerase reverse transcriptase in cultured cells. FEBS J [Internet]. 2005 Aug [cited 2021 Apr 9];272(16):4237–48. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16098204/
46. Ghosh U, Pandit B, Dutta J, Bhattacharyya NP. Induction of apoptosis by benzamide and its inhibition by aurin tricarboxylic acid (ATA) in Chinese hamster V79 cells. Mutat Res – Fundam Mol Mech Mutagen. 2004 Oct 4;554(1–2):121–9.
47. Giri K, Ghosh U, Bhattacharyya NP, Basak S. Caspase 8 mediated apoptotic cell death induced by β-sheet forming polyalanine peptides. FEBS Lett. 2003 Dec 4;555(2):380–4.
48. Ghosh U, Das M, Dasgupta D. Association of fluorescent probes 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate and 4,4′-dianilino-1,1′-binaphthyl-5,5′-disulfonic acid with T7 RNA polymerase. Biopolym – Biospectroscopy Sect. 2003;72(4):249–55.
Invited Lecture / Session Chaired SELECTED INVITED TALK
1. International Conference on Radiation Research: Impact on Human Health and Environment (ICRR-HHE 2024) and 4th Biennial meeting of Society for Radiation of the Society for Radiation Research-India (SRR) November 22-24, 2024 Venue: AIIMS Patna-801507, Bihar; High LET carbon ion (12C) combined with PARP inhibitor olaparib could be a promising approach of cancer therapy against highly aggresive human non-small lung cancer cells
2. International Conference on Radiation Biology, 19-21, 2022, Department of Zoology, Govt. Dungar College, Bikaner. High LET carbon ion radiotherapy could be a promising approach to approach to cancer therapy against human cancer cells
3. Twin International workshop to discuss the experiments with THz ad electron beams in the field of Mat. Sc. & Biological Sc. IUAC, New Delhi, June 23-25, 2021. Terahertz radiation as DNA demethylating agent: it’s prospect and challenges in cancer research.
4. 33rd Genes and Cancer Annual Meeting 2019, Robinson College, Cambridge, 8th-10th April 2019. PARP-1 inhibition synergizes induction of apoptosis and reduction of metastasis in human cancer cells by carbon ion exposure.
5. BIT’s 10th Annual World CANCER Congress – 2017, Hesperia Tower, Barcelona, Spain, May 19-21, 2017. Combined Treatment With PARP-1 Inhibitor And High LET Carbon Ion Beam Gives Promising Outcome To Control Cancer Metastasis In Cultured Human Cell Lines”.
6. International Conference on Radiation Biology (ICRB-2016), High LET Radiation Biology and Complex Natural Products in Biology & Medicine; SRM University, TN, India November 9 – 11, 2016. Carbon ion irradiation in combination with PARP-1 depletion reduces the metastatic potential in cultured human cells by suppression of its MMP activity
7. 7th International Conference on Stem Cells and Cancer (ICSSC-2016):Proliferation, Differentiation and Apoptosis; RavindraBhawan, Madgao, Goa; 21- 23 October, 2016. Combining PARP-1 inhibition with carbon ion beam treatment: A study of apoptosis and metastatic potential in HeLa cells.
8. International Conference on Radiation Biology 2014, 11th – 13th November 2014, INMAS New Delhi & ISRB; 11th – 13th November 2014. PARP-1 is a key player in controlling apoptosis induced by high LET carbon ion beam and low LET gamma radiation in HeLa cells (Oral)
9. 5th International Conference on Stem Cells and Cancer (ICSSC-2014):Proliferation, Differentiation and Apoptosis. JNU Convention centre, New Delhi; 8th – 10th November 2014. Role of PARP-1 in induction of apoptosis by high LET carbon ion beam and low LET gamma radiation in HeLa cells
10. 4th International Conference on Stem Cells and Cancer (ICSSC-2013):Proliferation, Differentiation and Apoptosis. Haffkine Institute, Parel, Mumbai, October 19-22, 2013. PARP1 is indispensable in repair of cluster DNA damage in response to carbon ion beam and induction of apoptosis in siPARP1 cells is higher than parental control cells
11. 3rd International Conference on Stem Cells and Cancer (ICSSC-2012):Proliferation, Differentiation and Apoptosis. Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi. October 27-30, 2012. Mechanism(s) of induction of apoptosis by PARP inhibitors in K562 cells
12. 3rd World Congress on Biotechnology, 13-15 September, 2012, Hyderabad International Convention Center (HICC), Hyderabad, India OMICS publishing group, Los Angeles, USA. Induction of apoptosis by benzamide in K562 cells was triggered by inhibition of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of protein(s).
13. EMBO Molecular Medicine Meeting; Molecular Insights for Innovative Therapies
EMBL Heidelberg, Germany; 1- 3 Dec 2011. Inhibition of apoptosis and telomerase activity by Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA): a biochemical and spectroscopic approach.
14. International symposium on Translational research: Cancer & Apoptosis, 18-21 December, 2005, Mascot Hotel, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Poster on “Role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in induction of apoptosis in cultured mammalian cells”.
15. 22nd Annual convention and international symposium on recent advances in cancer causes and control, 10-12 January, 2003, RCC, Kerala, India. Poster on “Modulation of telomerase activity and apoptosis induction by PKC inhibitors in cell cull culture”.
16. MCB-INCYTE GENOMICS workshop on DNA microarray technology, 19-20 February 2001, Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.