Faculty

Nisha Garg, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
nigarg@utmb.edu
MRB, Route 1070
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Phone: (409)747-6865
Fax: (409)747-6869

Education:	Ph.D. | 1988 | Haryana Agricultural University, India
	M.S. | 1982 | Haryana Agriculture University, India
	B.S. | 1980 | Kurukshetra University, India

Overview

Host pathomechanisms and mitochondrial abnormalities in progression of chagasic myocarditis; identi?cation and testing of T. cruzi genes as vaccine candidates.

Research Interests

Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is a major public health threat in Latin America and Mexico, and recognized as an emerging infectious disease in the U.S. Dr. Garg’s research program focuses upon two major areas dealing with CCM pathogenesis and vaccine development. The studies in the ?rst program are aimed at understanding a) the parasite-induced changes in gene regulation and the signaling cascade that contribute to myocardial cytoskeletal rearrangement and mitochondrial dysfunction; and b) the role of free radicals in initiation and/or sustenance of the pathological processes, i.e. in?ammation, oxidative damage, and clinical severity of cardiac disease. A second program focuses on screening the T. cruzi genome and identifying of vaccine candidates. The goal of these studies is to develop an optimal vaccine cocktail that provides maximal protective immunity to T. cruzi in a variety of host strains. Collaborators are at UTMB and several laboratories in Argentina and Mexico.

Recent Publications

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