Murali Vijayan, Ph.D.

Education

2007- B.S. in Industrial Microbiology from Thiagarajar College (Madurai Kamaraj University), Tamil Nadu, India

2009- M.S. in Biotechnology from Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science (Bharathiar University), Coimbatore, India

2015- Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India

Research Focus

Our research aims to uncover novel therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease, ischemic stroke, and age-associated neurodegenerative disorders. These conditions are driven by complex interactions between genetic risk factors, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired RNA regulation, and metabolic stress. The brain’s high energy demands and susceptibility to oxidative damage make it particularly vulnerable to these disturbances, ultimately contributing to synaptic failure and neurodegeneration. Our research focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms that underlie neuronal vulnerability and resilience in these diseases. Specifically, we are interested in: (1) Defining the role of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in maintaining neuronal homeostasis during aging and in disease states. (2) Identifying microRNA-based regulatory networks that modulate neuronal metabolism, inflammation, and cell death pathways in Stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. (3) Discovering common microRNA signatures that are shared between ischemic stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, which may serve as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets. (4) Investigating the function of SLC13A5/NaCT citrate transporter in neuronal bioenergetics and how its dysregulation contributes to disease progression. We use genetically modified mouse models, molecular biology, biochemistry, and imaging-based approaches to explore how these molecular pathways contribute to neurodegeneration. If you are interested in joining our research team as a student or trainee in this field, please feel free to reach out with your CV.

Selected Publications

• Vijayan M, Reddy PH. Unveiling the role of novel miRNA PC-5P-12969 in alleviating Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2024;98(4):1329-1348.
• Vijayan M, Alvir R, Alvir R, Bunquin LE, Pradeepkiran JA, Reddy PH. A partial reduction of VDAC1 enhances mitophagy, autophagy, synaptic activities in a transgenic Tau mouse model. Aging Cell, 2022, e13663.
• Vijayan M, Kumar S, Yin X, Zafer D, Chanana V, Cengiz P, Reddy PH. Identification of novel circulatory microRNA signatures linked to patients with ischemic stroke. Hum Mol Genet. 2018; 27(13):2318-2329.
• Vijayan M, Rathika C, Padma Malini R, Ramgopal S, Joseph Arun Kumar Mosses, Neethi Arasu Vellaiappan, Jeyaram Illiayaraja Krishnan, Balakrishnan K. MTHFR (C677T) CT genotype and CT-apoE3/3 genotypic combination predisposes the risk of ischemic stroke. Gene. 2016; 591 (2): 465- 470.

Complete list of publications:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1V9Z9YA15wqAW/bibliography/public/