Akshara Kulkarni

PhD thesis:

Metabolic control of macrophage cell cycle re-entry in inflammation and infection

Macrophages are immune cells that play a key role in protecting the body from infection and coordinating inflammatory responses in the body. Although they have long been considered terminally differentiated, recent research suggests that they can re-enter the cell cycle under certain conditions. My PhD project investigates the metabolic mechanisms involved in the re-entry of differentiated macrophages and its consequences for inflammation and infection. In particular, we aim to study how viral dysregulation of cellular metabolism may be coordinating overall inflammatory responses in a cell cycle-dependent manner. By studying processes at the intersection of cell cycle, metabolism and immunity, this research aims to reveal novel mechanisms governing cellular response to viral infection. This research can find applications in the identification of novel anti-inflammatory and anti-viral targets.

Who or what inspired you to pursue your research interests?

The emergence of specialised fields, including immunology and metabolism, has greatly improved our understanding of biological processes underlying disease. A challenge remains in integrating mechanistic insights across these disciplines to understand how they interact to drive cellular behaviour. I am motivated by questions that lie at the intersection of these disciplines, and my PhD thus investigates the interplay between metabolism and immunity to reveal mechanisms regulating immune responses during infection.