SUMMARY
Dr. Kandasamy is a systems biologist whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of inflammatory signaling, cancer, and the crosstalk between cancer and the immune system. He uses cutting-edge multi-omics technologies and integrative data science to discover clinically actionable findings. Dr. Kandasamy has applied these tools to understand how viruses manipulate the human immune system, which has led to finding new uses for existing medicines and developing new host-directed therapies. His current research takes an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to developing new diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer and inflammatory diseases.
Focus areas
- Characterizing plasma cell dyscrasias. Plasma cell dyscrasias are a group of conditions characterized by the proliferation of plasma cells that leads to diseases such as multiple myeloma. Dr. Kandasamy applies a multi-omics approach to perform deep molecular characterization of multiple myeloma. This approach involves using CRISPR-based genome editing, long-read whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics. His research aims to identify intrinsic and extrinsic tumor mechanisms that could be therapeutically targeted or could guide personalized treatment. He also uses proteomics-centered approaches, such as Olink and mass spectrometry-based glycoproteomics, to characterize tumor microenvironments that could be translated into diagnostic and prognostic assays.
- Early detection of cancer. Multiple myeloma is preceded by two benign conditions called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smoldering multiple myeloma. Dr. Kandasamy aims to develop a multimodal omics-driven artificial intelligence and machine learning model to predict the risk of progression from smoldering multiple myeloma to multiple myeloma. This could profoundly impact how healthcare professionals manage the care of patients with smoldering multiple myeloma. Dr. Kandasamy's vision is to develop peripheral blood plasma-based pancancer or cancer-specific early cancer detection markers.
- Spatial biology and tissue mass spectrometry. Understanding the molecular events in the context of space within a tissue is crucial, as cell-to-cell communication plays a major role in disease progression. Dr. Kandasamy applies spatial biology platforms such as laser capture microdissection paired with mass spectrometry-based proteomics. This allows him to investigate the molecular alterations in colorectal cancer cells and the interplay of the tumor microenvironment in disease progression.
- Proteometabolic landscape of inflammation. Metabolism plays a crucial role in inflammatory signaling, and inflammation is a common underlying factor for almost all diseases. Dr. Kandasamy studies the context-dependent functions of metabolites such as succinate and lactate. He also investigates the crosstalk between cellular metabolism and posttranslational modifications. Both of these affect the activation and regulation of inflammatory signaling in one of the major immune cells — the macrophages.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Kandasamy's research helps patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. He uses new technologies to study cells and genes to understand the causes of multiple myeloma, a type of cancer. His work could lead to customized treatments and tests for each patient. He also builds artificial intelligence tools to help detect cancer early. These tools may be able to predict which patients are most likely to get cancer so doctors can start treatment sooner.
Dr. Kandasamy studies how cancer cells interact with their surroundings, which could help find new ways to treat colorectal and other cancers. He also researches how the body's metabolism affects immune responses, which could lead to new treatments for inflammation. His work aims to make diagnoses more accurate, treatments more personalized and patient care more effective.
Professional highlights
- Scholarly Clinician Program Award, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 2023.
- Member, Multidisciplinary Research Team, Center for Genomic Discovery, Mohammed Bin Rashid University, Dubai, 2022.
- Government of India:
- Adjunct Faculty Award, Indian Council of Medical Research, 2020.
- Student Fellowship, Department of Biotechnology 2003.
- Research Council of Norway:
- Personal Overseas Research Fellowship, 2018.
- Young Research Talent Award, 2016.
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology:
- Outstanding Academic Fellow, 2017.
- Onsager Fellowship, 2016.
- Young Associate Investigator Award, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Nordic European Molecular Biology Laboratory Partnership, University of Oslo, 2017.
- Marie Curie Fellowship, European Molecular Biology Organization and European Commission FP7, 2012.
- Member, Ph.D. Program Search Committee, Center for Molecular Medicine, Vienna, Austria, 2011-2022.
- Member, Recruitment Committee, Institute of Bioinformatics, Bangalore, India, 2006-2010.