Genetics and Neurobiology of Down Syndrome

The author is a Geneticist by education and profession, and has accumulated over 36 years of experience in research and diagnosis. Her main areas of research revolved around Human Genetics, including in vitro testing of industrial chemicals, hazard assessment of accidental and environmental exposures, radiation bio-dosimetry, genetic counseling and diagnosis of heritable and acquired genetic diseases. Her involvement in the screening of chromosomal alterations in methyl isocyanate gas (MIC) exposed population of Bhopal, India shortly after the disaster and 30 years later has earned wide recognition through publications, awards and felicitations. She has established India's first CAP accredited Genetic Diagnostic Laboratory to cater the service across India and neighboring countries. The diagnostic service also included testing of Inteferon-a and Dasatinib trials on CML patients. Her research work has been reflected through her publications in peer-reviewed journals. She has been an assessor for accreditation of medical laboratories for ISO 17025 and ISO 15189 standards. Her current interest is to produce an atlas of chromosome aberrations causing birth defects, pubertal delay and reproductive failure, and another one on chromosomal rearrangements in hematologic malignancies. She has been actively involved in teaching and training to pass on the knowledge acquired in the field of Genetics. She is a proud mother of two children (one is Robotics Scientist, California; other is Assistant Professor of Dentistry, India) and lives with her husband Prodosh in CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, India.