I am working in the research team of Dr. Fridolin Sulser. I have received a Young Investigator Award from National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) with a funding for two years.

In recent years I have received extensive research training in behavioral pharmacology and molecular biology. In last two and a half years I have set and run the CMS model of depression for rats for several times and gathered sufficient primary information to use it as an essential routine tool for my immediate and future studies. Initially I started the model under the guidance of Dr. Onaivi. and Dr. Sulser and now I am capable of running it myself. While working on this model I have also continued my basic post doctoral research training as a molecular biologist. I have achieved the expertise in hybridization, cPCR, DDPCR, molecular cloning etc. towards attaining the level of an independent researcher.

My goal is to get the answers to the fundamental question of how we can live in this stressful world without loosing our primary capacities to enjoy life. It is very pertinent to get this answer because of the increasing amount of stress of daily life and thereby increasing number of peoples suffering from major depression. Like entropy, stress will go on increasing. The only remedy is therefore to understand the underlying principles of depression and thereby avail its therapeutic solutions. Recent developments in molecular biology and animal models with appropriate behavioral paradigms have brought the long waited opportunity to pursue this goal. I think I have now reached the right turning point of my research carrier to pursue this journey and advance my research carrier as an independent scientist.

Curriculum Vitae

Amitabha Chakrabarti

Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University
A2112A, Medical Center North, 21st Avenue South, Nashville TN 37232.
Work (615) 343-8799, Home (615) 673-9833
E-mail: amitabha.chakrabarti @mcmail.vanderbilt.edu


Objective

To obtain a job so that I can apply my scientific and other expertise in the benifit of public health and better environment.


AWARD

National Research Service Award Fellowship 1996, 1997

NARSAD Young Investigator Award 1999



Personal Data

Citizenship:Permanent Resident of USA.
Nationality:Indian.


Present Study

  1. Finding the molecular correlates of depression and the effects of different antidepressants on it using an anhedonia-module for rats and human fibroblasts and other tissues.

  2. Determination of the role of the central nervous system in the cardiovascular effects of cocaine and to investigate its mechanism of action.

  3. Study the effect of anandamide on mouse brain.


Professional Experience and Responsibilities

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN,37232,USA.
From July 1, 1999 till dateResearch Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry
From September '98 till Jun '99Research Associate in the Department of Psychiatry
From September '96 to August '98Post Doctoral Research Trainee in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology
  • Engaged in studies of the molecular biology of depression.

  • Establishing a chronic mild stress (CMS) induced anhedonia model.

  • Engaged in studies involving the role of the central nervous system in the cardiovascular effects of cocaine.

  • Studying the effect of anandamide on mouse brain.
Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, 37208, USA.
From '93 to August '96Post Doctoral Research Associate and Research Specialist in the Department of Pharmacology
From March '91 to '93Post Doctoral Research Associate in the Department of Biochemistry
  • Engaged in the structural and functional characterization of cannabinoid receotor genes.
  • Worked in a project involving the study of the molecular mechanism of wound healing.
  • Received training in molecular biology in relation with gene therapy of hemoglobinopathies.
Government of West. Bengal, Calcutta, West. Bengal, India.
From '82 to '90Assistant in Public Service Commission, West Bengal.
  • Administrative and clerical duties for recruitment of state government employees.



Education

DegreeMajorUniversityYear
Ph.D.BiochemostryCalcutta University1990
M.Sc.BiochemostryCalcutta University1980
B.Sc.ChemostryCalcutta University1978

Ph.D. Thesis : Biochemical Studies on the in vitro Effect of Sodium Valproate on Human Fetal Brain.



Research and Other Technical Experience

  • Techniques of genetic engineering including library screening, molecular cloning, DDPCR, CPCR etc.
  • Behavioral studies of rats and mice.
  • Cell culture techniques.
  • Assays and kinetic studies with enzymes like GAD, GABA-T, ChE, MAO etc.
  • of human fetal and adult brain.
  • Biochemical mode of action studies with drugs like sodium valproate, diazepam, paracetamol etc.
  • Experienc in both Mac & PC.
  • Web Page Design by HTML, JavaScript etc.
  • Administrative and clerical work.


List of Publication

  1. Chirwa SS, Chakrabarti A, Motley E, and Onaivi ES (1998) Effects of chronic methamphetamine in hippocampus. Communicated.

  2. Onaivi ES, Ali SF and Chakrabarti A (1998) In vivo ibogaine blockade and in vitro PKC action of cocaine. Ann N Y Acad Sci 844, 227-244.

  3. Chakrabarti A, Ekuta JE, and Onaivi ES (1998) Neurobehavioral effects of anandamide and cannabinoid receptor gene expression in mice. Brain Research Bulletin 45(1), 67-74.

  4. Onaivi ES, Bishop-Robinson C, Chakrabarti A, Motley ED and Chirwa SS (1996) Neurobiological actions of cocaine in the hippocampus. Ann N Y Acad Sci 801, 76-86.

  5. Onaivi ES, Chakrabarti A and Chaudhuri G (1996) Cannabinoid receptor genes. Prog Neurobiol 48, 275-305.

  6. Stubbs L, Chittenden L, Chakrabarti A and Onaivi ES (1996) The mouse cannabinoid receptor gene is located in proximal chromosome 4. Mammalian Genome 7,165-166.

  7. Onaivi ES, Chakrabarti A, Gwebu ET and Chaudhuri G (1995) Neurobehavioral specificity of cannabinoid receptor gene expression in mice. Behav Brain Res 72, 115-125.

  8. Chakrabarti A, Onaivi ES and Chaudhuri G (1995) Structural characterization of cannabinoid receptor genes.NIDA Research Monograph 153, 301.

  9. Chakrabarti A, Onaivi ES and Chaudhuri G (1995) Cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding the mouse brain-type cannabinoid receptor protein. DNA Sequence 5, 385-388.

  10. Chakrabarti A, Sitaric S and Ohi S (1992) A procedure for large-scale plasmid isolation without using ultracentrifugation. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry 16, 211-215.

  11. Sarkar AK, Chakrabarti A, Saha UK and Sengupta D (1989) Effects of aspirin and paracetamol on ATPases of human fetal brain: An in vitro study. Ind. J. Exp. BioL 27, 802-804.

  12. Chakrabarti A, Sarkar A, De S and Sengupta D (1987) Possibility of impairement of human fetal brain development due to sodium valproate intake during pregnancy: In vitro effect on fetal brain cholinesterase activity. Applied Nutrition 12, 37-40.

  13. Chakrabarti A, Sarkar A, De S and Sengupta D (1986) In vitro effect of haloperidol (haldol) on cholinestrase activity of fetal brain. IRCS Med. Sci 14, 461-466.

  14. Chakrabarti A, De S and Sengupta D (1984) Effect of sodium valproate on magnesium and sodium + potassium adenosine triphosphatases of human fetal brain. Ind. J. Exp. Biol 22, 343-344.
Selected List of Abstracts

  • Onaivi ES, Akinshola BE, and Chakrabarti A (1998) Cannabinoid (CB1) receptor antagonism induces anxiolysis. 1998 Symposium on the Cannabinoids, Burlington, Vermont, International Cannabinoid Research Society, 132.

  • Onaivi ES, Chakrabarti A, Stubbs L, Chittenden L, Hurst DP, Akinshola BE, Shire D, Parker M, Hubberd JR and Reggio PH (1998) Cannabinoid receptor genetics and behavior. 1998 Symposium on the Cannabinoids, Burlington, Vermont, International Cannabinoid Research Society, 28.

  • Hubberd J, Onaivi ES, Chakrabarti A, Ansah TA and Martin PR (1997) The influence of marijuana use on human cannabinoid receptoir gene expression. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 23(2):726.5.

  • Chakrabarti A, Onaivi ES, Sulser F and Akinshola BE (1997) Interaction of cannabinoids with NMDA and non-NMDA glutamate receptors. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 23(1):376.11.

  • Chakrabarti A, Rossby SP, Manier DH, Perin C, Onaivi ES, Sulser F (1996) Molecular correlates of a chronic mild stress model of depression. Soc. Neurosc. Absts. 22(3), 809.15.

  • Onaivi ES, Parker KA, Bishop-Robinson C, Chakrabarti A, Chaudhuri G, Motley ED and Chirwa SS (1995) Neurobiology of the action of cocaine in the hippocampus. FASEB J. 9(3), 2320.

  • Onaivi ES, Parker KA, Chakrabarti A, Chaudhuri G, Motley ED and Chirwa SS (1994) Neurobiological bases of the metamphetamine action in the hippocampus. Soc. Neurosc. Absts. 20(2), 529.2.
Reference

  1. Fridolin Sulser, MD. Professor Department of Psychiatry Vanderbilt University Medical Center North 21st Avenue South, Nashville TN 37232.

  2. Gautam Chaudhuri, Ph.D. Associate Professor Division of Biomedical Sciences Meharry Medical College 1005 D. B. Todd Jr. Blvd., Nashville TN 37208.

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