Research
Research
Title: To study epigenetic changes that mediate long-term maintenance of the maternal adaptations.
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Background: The period immediately after birth of a child until about 6 weeks is the postpartum period when the mother’s body including hormones and uterus return to non-pregnant state. However, studies in rats have shown that this reproductive experience enhances long-term spatial memory (Macbeth, A. H et al. Brain Research, 19, 136–147, 2008) while alleviating anxiety response (Byrnes, E. M., & Bridges, R. S. Hormones and Behavior 50, 70–76, 2006) in comparison to virgin females. When mothers fail to achieve these proper long term adaptive changes they may succumb to postpartum anxiety or depression (Kinsley, C.H., & Meyer, E.A. Behavioral Neuroscience124, 5, 2010) and further affecting the health and well being of the offspring. We are using Wistar rats to study the long term adaptations occurring in the mothers long after the end of pregnancy.
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We are using an array of behavioral tests to assess anxiety-like behavior, social preference and maternal response testing in these animals. To understand the molecular underpinnings of these behaviors we also use several molecular genetic techniques to study changes in DNA, RNA and protein. Some of these techniques are DNA sequencing, quantitative PCR for mRNA quantification, Western blot, bisulfite sequencing to assess DNA methylation, luciferase etc.
Profile
Profile
Since 11/2013
Postdoctoral researcher
University of Regensburg, Germany
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04/2013-09/2013
Postdoctoral researcher
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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04/2010-03/2013
PhD student
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
Topic: Cross-talk of genetically and environmentally modulated epigenetic factors in the development of anxiety-related behavior: in-depth analyses of candidate genes.
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09/2008-03/2010
Master of Science in Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience
University of Regensburg, Germany
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04/2004-05/2006
Master of Science in Marine biotechnology
Goa University, India
Publications
Publications
Chekmareva NY, Sotnikov SV, Diepold RP, Naik RR, Landgraf R, Czibere L. Environmental manipulations generate bidirectional shifts in both behavior and gene regulation in a crossbred mouse model of extremes in trait anxiety. Front Behav Neurosci. 2014 Mar 18;8:87.
Sotnikov SV, Markt PO, Malik V, Chekmareva NY, Naik RR, Sah A, Singewald N, Holsboer F, Czibere L, Landgraf R. Bidirectional rescue of extreme genetic predispositions to anxiety: impact of CRH receptor 1 as epigenetic plasticity gene in the amygdala. Transl Psychiatry. 2014 Feb 11;4:e359.
