Krishna Rajarathnam, Ph.D.,
Associate Professor
- Affiliations: Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Tel: (409) 772-2238
- krraja@utmb.edu
- Route: 1055 MRB 5.142
- Dr. Rajarathnam's Publications
- Rajarathnam Lab Webpage
Krishna Rajarathnam, Ph.D.
About the Lab
Our laboratory is interested in exploiting the structural elements of proteins for rational drug design. Chemokines, a large family of cytokines, have gained tremendous attention in recent years for their role in immune and inflammation related processes, HIV infection, metastasis, and organogenesis.They mediate their function by binding to G-protein coupled 7-TM receptors on leukocytes. We are interested in understanding the molecular basis of ligand-receptor interaction. Knowledge of the structure, dynamics, and thermodynamics of the ligand in the free and the receptor-bound form is essential to accomplish this goal.It is now possible to determine structures of proteins and protein-receptor complexes beyond 20 to 30 kDa due to advances in NMR methodology and availability of high field spectrometers. We will use a variety of multinuclear and multidimensional NMR techniques in conjunction with protein engineering and molecular modeling.These studies will form the foundation for designing lead compounds that could function as drugs for diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, and AIDS.
Interview with Dr. Rajarathnam
– by Austin Elam, 2nd year BSCB Student
From his Ph.D. research in chemistry at the University of California-Davis, Dr. Krishna Rajarathnam has been interested in applying chemical and physical knowledge to ask quantitative questions in biochemistry. His thesis research focused on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy studies of myoglobin and aimed to elucidate a structural basis for its function and preferential binding of oxygen. During his post doctoral studies at the University of Alberta-Edmonton in the lab of Dr. Brian Sykes, he began his work on chemokines and drug development using NMR spectroscopy.
“The theory of evolution has changed science forever, and it makes you feel very humble.”
–Dr. Rajarathnam, on evolution.
Dr. Rajarathnam, or Krishna, as he is referred to by students and colleagues alike, came to the University of Texas-Medical Branch (UTMB) to bring NMR expertise to the biophysical, computational, and structural biology (BSCB) program. “In the BSCB program, students with diverse backgrounds are taught structural biology and solution biophysics in a medical school setting. This provides them with a large perspective and makes for a solid education.” Krishna said, “This perspective is definitely unique, and being unique is where things happen.”
When asked who he admires as a scientist, Dr. Rajarathnam indicated that he idolizes many famous scientists such as Einstein or Darwin because they were people who changed how we perceive the universe. “The theory of evolution has changed science forever, and it makes you feel very humble.” he said. Smiling, he also added that his mentors from his early years in the field were excellent examples for him because they showed him how to balance all elements of his life and become a successful scientist.
Krishna enthusiastically commented that his main motivation to do research is, “… the desire to learn and understand what is happening in nature.” Throughout his career Dr. Rajarathnam has made several scientific observations that have contributed to his development as a scientist. Starting from his master’s research, where he studied ubiquinone in the electron transport chain, to his heme pocket structure studies of myoglobin during his Ph.D. research, Dr. Rajarathnam has been successful in probing structure/function relationships in many significant proteins. Currently, Dr. Rajarathnam’s interests are focused on understanding monomers/dimers in receptor binding (with chemokines as a model system) using NMR dynamic techniques. In the near future, he hopes to take what they learn from these structural studies and test their findings using animal models. His ideal goal for the future of his laboratory is to acquire a level of understanding to “…be able to design medical applications from first principles.”
Dr. Rajarathnam believes that the two qualities most important for graduate students are intrinsic curiosity and persistence. He commented that is it crucial for students to want to talk about their work, share ideas, and drive the need for collaborations. As a message to future students Krishna advised, “Focus on getting good scientific training. Your Ph.D. is a major stepping stone, and the training you get stays with you for your entire career.”
As a final question, Krishna was asked “If you were not a scientist, what job would you want to have?” His answer was immediate- a film critic.