DrUma Anand

Gap43 positive cultured DRG neuron 

I am interested in neuronal plasticity, investigating ion channel/receptor expression, function and neurodegeneration. I use immunostaining techniques in transfected cells, and rat or human sensory neurons in models of neuronal hypersensitivity. For functional studies I use calcium imaging, to identify novel drug targets and their mechanism of action, in pharmacological assays of potential drug molecules, for treating chronic pain. I am currently involved in studying the analgesic effects of cannabinoids using calcium imaging, in the Medical Cannabis Research Group.

I use cell based assays for morphological studies of substances such as chemotherapy agents and toxins such as mycolactone in DRG neurons, especially useful for neurotoxicology. I am also involved in live cell nano imaging of neuronal growth cones using Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy in collaboration with Prof. Yuri Korchev.

This work has led to the identification of modulators of novel targets including the TrkA inhibitor CT327 for treating pruritis associated with psoriasis, and the Angiotensin II subtype 2 receptor (AT2R) antagonist, EMA401.

My current work is focussed on investigating the modulatory effects of cannabinoids in models of chronic pain.  

I followed my Masters in Life Sciences from the University of Bombay, with a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospitals, University of London, U.K.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/department-surgery-cancer/research/surgery/groups/medical-cannabis-research-group/