Venkatachalam P, Professor AND Head

Bio

Professor in Human Genetics is keen in understating on inheritance of disease traits and its etiology and dissipating it to the students and affected/caregivers. His research interest is to relate chromosome aberrations and mutations in the human genome into radiation biodosimetry and clinical genetic diagnosis. His determined contribution along with national laboratories resulted in the sustenance of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board accreditation to the Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research. His trustworthy expertise and networking proficiency among national /international laboratories certainly would be of great assistance to manage exposed population in the event of a radiation emergency.  Besides, he is enthusiastic to investigate (i) non-DNA targeted effects of ionizing radiation, and (ii) low-dose medical radiation exposure: both are highly vital areas to understand the health impact of exposure to the double edged sword “radiation”. He is striving to excel in those areas where expertise and knowledge gained during his post-doctoral training at New Jersey Medical School, USA.

Educations

D.Sc –  April, 2017: Sri Ramachadnra University

Ph.D – Dec 1999: University of Madras

M.Phil – Sep 1992: University of Madras

M.Sc – Amy 1988: Presidency College, University of Madras

Research Interest

Radiation Biology, Biodosimetry, Clinical Genetics

Projects

A Tiered Biodosimetry Approach for the Management of Large Scale Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies (PI)

Duration: 2 years from July 2023, 64.45 lakhs, Funded from SPARC, INDIA, Ongoing

Chromosomal sensitivity in directly irradiated and bystander normal and cancer cells after low and high LET irradiation (PI)

Duration: 3 years from April 2023, 30.5 lakhs, Funded from BRNS, INDIA, Ongoing

Establishment and capacity building for rapid radiation triage and dose estimation using gene expression biomarker (PI)

Duration: 2 years from Feb 2021, 35 lakhs, Funded from AERB, INDIA, Completed

Standardization and testing of Premature Chromosome Condensation (PCC) assay for radiation triage and dose estimation (PI)

Duration 3 years from October 2017, 24.98 lakhs, Funded from IGCAR. DAE, INDIA, Completed

Biological effects of low dose alpha particle radiation exposure to blood lymphocytes for biodosimetry (PI)

Duration: 3 years from October 2014, 50.85 lakhs Funded from AERB, INDIA, Completed

Biological effects of low dose ionizing radiations received during diagnostic radiological procedures (PI)

Duration: 3 years from February 2013, 46.23 lakhs, Funded from SERB, DST, Govt. of India, Completed

Standardization and establishment of g-H2AX assay for triage biodosimetry (PI)

Duration: 2 years from February 2013, 24.9 lakhs, Funded from LSRB, DRDO, Govt. of India, Completed

Inter laboratory comparison of radiation dose response calibration curve using dicentric assay (PI)

Duration: 2 years from January 2011, 14.9 lakhs, Funded by Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Science, DRDO, Govt. of India, Completed

Cytogenetics of idiopathic mental retardation (Co-PI)

Duration: 3 years from January 2010, 20.9 lakhs, Funded from ICMR, India, Completed

Genomic instability in Bystander Human Cells and their Progeny exposed to Ionizing Radiation using 3-D cultures (PI)

Duration: 3 years from January 2007, 22 lakhs, Funded from DST, India Completed

Study on the genetic variation of HLA-G alleles in couples with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion in south India (PI)

Duration 3 years from February 2006, 10 lakhs, Funded from DST, INDIA Completed

Biological Dosimetry Preparedness - Validation on the measurement of translocation frequency by chromosome painting and G-banding for dosimetry (PI)

Duration: 3 years from December 2002, 18.5 lakhs, Funded from AERB, INDIA, Completed

Awards & Recognitions

Research Excellence Award

Received SRIHER Senior Research Excellence Award 2023 During the Founders day celebration 2024.

News

Indo USA workshop on new techniques in screening Nuclear Radiation

Membership

Society for Radiation Research

Vice President & Life member

Indian Society for Radiation Biology

Life member

Indian Association for Radiation Protection

Life member

Indian Society for Human Genetics

Life member