As part of the ‘MAHE Year of Research Excellence’ activities, the Research Funding and Grants Vertical at KMC, Manipal, in collaboration with the Office of International Affairs and Collaborations (OIAC), orchestrated a guest lecture at MCOPS on 25 July 2024. The lecture, “Understanding and Treating Brain Disorders,” featured Prof. Santhosh D’Mello, a Professor of Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University, Shreveport. Dr. Srinivas Mutalik, Principal of Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, greeted him and warmly welcomed the organizing team and the gathering. Dr. Somasish Ghosh, Assistant Professor, KMC, Manipal, coordinated the event.

Prof. D’Mello elaborated on the critical role of histone deacetylase-3 (HDAC3) in neurodevelopment and its potential involvement in neurodegeneration. He detailed his research on HDAC3 as a key contributor to neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Huntington's disease, supported by extensive laboratory findings. He highlighted the crucial interaction between HDAC3 and HDAC1 in mediating neurotoxicity and their combined impact on neurodegeneration. Prof. D’Mello also explained the strategic approaches to creating various transgenic conditional knockout mice to investigate the specific role of HDAC3.

The seminar concluded with a scientific discussion benefiting the faculty, research scholars, and PG students. Around 100 participants attended and benefited from the lecture. Following the talk, a 20-minute discussion session was held, where like-minded individuals at MAHE working in the area of HDAC and neurodegeneration brainstormed and identified potential areas for collaboration. Dr. S.S. Mutalik thanked the speaker, audience, and organizing team, and presented Prof. D’Mello with a memento as a token of appreciation on behalf of MCOPS.