Dr Sulagna Banerjee

Email sulagna.banerjee@otago.ac.nz

Google Scholar
ORCID
Beck Lab

About me

I’m a Medical Geneticist with a deep-rooted passion for uncovering insights that can make a real difference for people living with severe genetic conditions. With an MSc in Medical Genetics from the University of Glasgow and a PhD from the University of Otago, my journey has taken me across the globe, blending my love for travel with a dedication to research. I believe in the power of giving back—through my work and in life—and I’m committed to helping piece together the genetic puzzles that impact so many lives.

Research interests

As a Medical Geneticist, my interests lie in the genetic events behind severe neurological conditions like early-onset epilepsy, Alzheimer’s Disease, multiple sclerosis and the associated molecular events that lead to disease progression. I am very interested in pathogenic gene variants and the associated underlying molecular events resulting in disease development and progression. I have previous experience in cloning and gene editing in E. coli using Zinc finger recombinases for my masters’ dissertation. My PhD research focused on creating a Xenopus laevis tadpole model of severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technique. Through the project I have developed skills necessary for creating functional animal models, gene manipulation, animal behavioural analysis and electrophysiology.

Additionally, as a current Postdoctoral Fellow, I am working on a research project aimed at investigating how pathogenic DEE variants contribute to the development of severe seizure phenotypes and brain malfunction. My current research focus is on neuroinflammation (NI) and how it affects the epileptic brain and seizure severity in DEE patients. Using the X.laevis tadpole model of DEE, I am looking into the link between NI and DEE seizure severity and if targeting NI using repurposed anti-inflammatory drugs (AIDs) can be an effective alternative therapy for DEE patients, majority of whom suffer from drug resistant seizures.