Profile
Dr. Nikhil Ghate is a Scientist at the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, India, specializing in cancer epigenetics, epigenetic drug targeting, and natural product research. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Bose Institute, University of Calcutta (2016), and holds an M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Biotechnology from the University of Pune. His career includes roles as Scientist-C at NCCS, Associate Editor at Springer Nature Group, and Visiting Faculty at Savitribai Phule Pune University. Dr. Ghate's laboratory focuses on Cancer Epigenetics and Natural Product Research, aiming to understand gene regulation and develop effective cancer therapies. His work in epigenetics investigates post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histones and chromatin remodeling, while his natural product research explores plant-derived compounds for safer cancer treatments. He has also been recognized as an M K Bhan Young Researcher Fellow, a prestigious fellowship from Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
Current Focus Areas
Cancer Epigenetics: Our research examines how PTMs influence chromatin structure and gene expression in cancer. We study histone modifications and tumorigenesis, emphasizing the "histone code" hypothesis. Using biochemical and cellular methods, we aim to develop targeted epigenetic therapies by modulating chromatin accessibility, transcriptional regulation, and gene activation or repression.
Natural Product Research: We investigate plant-derived bioactive compounds for cancer therapy, focusing on their epigenetic regulatory potential. Natural products known to influence DNA methylation and histone modifications. Our goal is to identify novel compounds, elucidate their mechanisms, and optimize their efficacy to develop safer, more effective cancer treatments.
Selected Publications
Ghate, N.B.*, Nadkarni, K.S., Barik, G.K., Tat, S.S., Sahay, O., Santra, M.K.* (2024) Histone ubiquitination: Role in genome integrity and chromatin organization. BBA-Gene Regulatory Mechanisms, 1867(3): 195044. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195044. *corresponding author
Ghate, N.B., Kim, S., Shin, Y., Kim, J., Doche, M., Valena, S., Situ, A., Kim, S., Rhie, S.K., Lenz, H.J., Ulmer, T.S., Mumenthaler, S.M., An, W. (2023) Phosphorylation and stabilization of EZH2 by DCAF1/VprBP trigger aberrant gene silencing in colon cancer. Nature Communications, 14: 2140. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37883-1
Ghate, N.B., Kim, S., Shin, Y., Kim, K., An, W. (2023) VprBP/DCAF1 regulates p53 function and stability through site-specific phosphorylation. Oncogene, 42: 1405–1416. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-023-02685-8
Ghate, N.B., Kim, S., Spiller, E., Kim, S., Shin, Y., Rhie, S.K., Smbatyan, G., Lenz, H.J., Mumenthaler, S.M., An, W. (2021) VprBP directs epigenetic gene silencing through histone H2A phosphorylation in colon cancer. Molecular Oncology, 15(10): 2801-2817. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.13068
Ghate, N.B., Kim, J., Shin, Y., Situ, A., Ulmer, T.S., An, W. (2019) p32 is a negative regulator of p53 tetramerization and transactivation. Molecular Oncology, 13(9): 1976-1992. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.12543