Megha Kumar

Cell division is a fundamental cellular process involved in embryonic development and mitotic aberrations result in disorders such as microcephaly, aneuploidy syndromes and embryonic lethality. We study the molecular mechanisms regulating cell division to understand the basis of these developmental disorders. We use zebrafish as the model system to study cell division dynamics during embryonic development. The zebrafish embryos are amenable to live cell imaging, genetic manipulation and high throughput genetic screens. My group is also interested in ecotoxicology and embryo toxicology. In one of our projects, we aim to assess the impact of common industrial byproducts on embryonic development. Our long-term goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms which form the basis of developmental defects upon exposure to these industrial byproducts.