ABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Ruturaj is first author on ‘ Regulation of the apico-basolateral trafficking polarity of the homologous copper-ATPases ATP7A and ATP7B’, published in JCS. Ruturaj is a PhD student in the lab of Arnab Gupta at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, investigating the trafficking mechanisms of ATPases in polarized epithelia.
Ruturaj
How would you explain the main findings of your paper in lay terms?
Think of station masters at railway junctions, who direct the incoming trains along the right path, or think of traffic police, who regulate the traffic in the proper direction. This study is similar, but from a cell's perspective: we have studied the trafficking route of copper (Cu)-ATPases and their regulators, where we found that AP-1, a clathrin adaptor, acts as a traffic police for Cu-ATPases in the Golgi network. In the absence of AP-1, the ATPases are mis-sorted or end up in different destinations. In addition, we have also mapped the trafficking sub-stations ATPases travel through en route to their destination. Just like we have assigned places for different types of work, a cell needs to send its proteins to appropriate places to carry out specific functions.
Were there any specific challenges associated with this project? If so, how did you overcome them?
Being in a developing country like India, things are a bit slow. Mass spectrometry analysis was a hurdle; it took more time than we thought, which delayed the work. Eventually we got some interesting hits, which broadened prospects of the study. We focused on the role of the clathrin adaptor AP-1 in regulating polarized trafficking of copper-ATPases.
Why did you choose Journal of Cell Science for your paper?
Journal of Cell Science is one of the oldest and highly reputed peer reviewed journals in field of cell biology. Journal of Cell Science publishes fundamental work on cellular processes and holds one of the best editorial boards. Our work on polarized trafficking of copper transporters ATP7A and ATP7B answers a fundamental aspect of cellular trafficking in polarized epithelial cells, and the Special Issue on cell and tissue polarity made us choose Journal of Cell Science.
What motivated you to pursue a career in science, and what have been the most interesting moments on the path that led you to where you are now?
When I was completing high school, there was an article in the local newspaper about the potential of biotechnology that caught my eye. I found that the way living systems work fascinating and it appealed to me. My parents were very supportive from the beginning, and they motivated me to do science. They said “Science can answer every phenomenon in nature”; this sentence kept my interest and motivation towards science.
What's next for you?
I am looking for postdoctoral opportunities in an advanced cell biology lab where I can explore new areas of cell biology with highly motivated like-minded people.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that wouldn't be on your CV
Besides spending time in the lab and doing experiments, I enjoy watching movies and trying different cuisines. When experiments don't go as planned, I take breaks and travel, exploring new areas and new food. I enjoy computer games to relax my mind. I love to cook new recipes and invite my lab mates to try them out.
Ruturaj's contact details: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India.
E-mail: [email protected]
