PROFILE

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Karim is a Professor of department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka. Dr. Karim completed his Masters from department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. He then moved to Japan for the completion of Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience. After training in Japan, he moved to USA as a Postdoctoral Fellow and then moved back to Japan and continued his postdoctoral fellowship until he joined as a faculty member in 2014 in the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering of Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. His research interests includes: a) To understand the epidemiology and molecular biologic basis of primary liver cancer. b) To develop and validate genetic and epigenetic approach to early diagnosis of cancer, cancer risk assessment and prognosis and c) To identify molecular changes triggered by environmental pollutants, diet habit, and pattern of life style.

CARRER AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

2023- till now    Professor, Dept. of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342

2018-2023         Associate Professor, Dept. of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342

2015-2017       JSPS research fellow at Kyoto University, Japan.

Research Title: Studies on neuronal circuits sensing exogenous neuromodulatory peptides.

2014-2018   Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342

2012-2014      Postdoctoral research fellow at Doshisha University, Japan

Research Title: The antioxidant response and longevity-promoting transcription factor, NRF/CNCC, regulates lipid storage in Drosophila fat body Cells

2012               Postdoctoral research fellow at The Johns Hopkins University, USA

Research Title: Developing a FRET-based reporter assay system for high-throughput screening of AMPK modulators.  

2006-2007   Technical Staff, Disease Mechanism Research Core RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan

2006-2012     Ph.D. RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako-shi, Saitama. (Candidacy of April 2007- September 2011) Affiliated University (Saitama University, Japan, Graduate School of Science and Engineering.

Ph.D. thesis title: Morphological analysis of Drosophila larval peripheral sensory neuron    dendrites and axons using genetic mosaics. Supervisor: Dr. Adrian W. Moore

2003-2005     M. Sc. (thesis group) Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Result- First class (position 2^nd)

M. Sc. thesis title: Characterization of insulin secretion in type 2 diabetic subjects. Biomedical Research Group, BIRDEM, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Supervisor: Liaquat Ali, MBBS, Ph.D.             

1998-2003      B. Sc. Honours (Biochemistry), University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Result: First class (position 2^nd)

GRANTS AND AWARDS

2020                Awarded Jahangirnagar University research grant for FY 2020-2021.

2020              Awarded National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship for FY2020-2021 from Ministry of Education, Bangladesh.

2019                Awarded National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship for FY2019-2020 from Ministry of Education, Bangladesh.

2019                Awarded University Grant Commission (UGC) fellowship for FY2019-2020.

2018                Awarded Jahangirnagar University research grant for FY 2019-2020.

2018                Awarded University Grant Commission (UGC) fellowship for FY2018-2019.

2018              Awarded Grant for Advanced Research in Education (GARE) for FY 2018-2021 from Ministry of Education, Bangladesh.

2015               Awarded JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for FY 2015-2017.

2015              Awarded National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship for FY2015-2016 from Ministry of Education, Bangladesh.

2015              Awarded University Grant Commission (UGC) fellowship for FY2015-2016.

2014            Awarded research grant for Young Scientists Group B for FY 2014-2016 from JSPS, Japan.

2013        The Kato Memorial Bioscience Grant for International Travel Fellowship, Doshisha University, Japan       

2003              Fellowship Award, Dutch Bangla Bank Foundation Scholarship, Bangladesh.

2000              Merit Scholarship (Honours), University of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

1995           Junior School Merit scholarship (5^th Grade), People’s Republic of Bangladesh Govt. Scholarship.

LISTS OF PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

1. Shawon MAA, Ahmed S, & Karim MR. Impact of Irrigation with Polluted River Water on the Accumulation of Toxic Metals in Soil and Crops in the Region of Dhaka, Bangladesh and Potential Effects on Health. Environ. Process (IF 1.65). (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-020-00485-w

 2. Hoque MR, Haque E, Karim MR. Cervical cancer in low-income countries: A Bangladeshi perspective. Int J Gynaecol Obstet (IF 2.2). 2020 Sep 28. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.

 3. Haque E, Karim MR, Teeli AS, Smiech M, Leszczynski P, Winiarczyk D, Parvanov ED, Atanasov AG, Taniguchi H. Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induction by Aberrant NRF2 Activation-Mediated Transcription Networks: Interaction of NRF2-KEAP1 Controls the Fate of Hepatocarcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci. (IF 4.5). 2020 Jul 29;21(15):5378. doi: 10.3390/ijms21155378.

 4. Shawon MAA, Yousuf MAK, Raheem E, Ahmed S, Dipti TT, Hoque MR, Taniguchi H, Karim MR. Epidemiology, clinical features, and impact of food habits on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: A case-control study in Bangladesh. Plos One (IF 2.7). 27;15(4):e0232121. Apr 2020. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232121.

 5. Karim MR, Yanagawa A, Ohinata K. Soy undecapeptide induces Drosophila hind leg grooming via dopamine receptor. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (IF 2.9). 499(3):454-458, May 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.03.162.

 6. Haque E, Taniguchi H, Hassan MM, Bhowmik P, Karim MR, Smiech M, Zhao K, Rahman M, Islam T. Application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology for the improvement of crops cultivated in tropical climates: recent progress, prospects, and challenges. Frontiers in Plant Science (IF 4.4). 9:617. May 2018. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00617.

 7. Tsuchiya M, Karim MR, Matsumoto T, Ogawa H, Taniguchi H. A Protein Preparation Method for the High-throughput Identification of Proteins Interacting with a Nuclear Cofactor Using LC-MS/MS Analysis. J. Vis. Exp. (IF 1.3). 119, Jan 24, 2017. doi: 10.3791/55077.

 8. Karim MR, Haruta T, Oda H, Taniguchi H. Imaging of cell movement in Drosophila gastrulation using E-cadherin reporter transgenic flies. J. Vis. Exp. (IF 1.3). 118, Dec 29, 2016. doi: 10.3791/54764.

9. Karim MR, Taniguchi H, Kobayashi A. Constitutive activation of Drosophila CncC transcription factor reduces lipid formation in the fat body. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (IF 2.9). 463(4):693-8, June 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.05.126.

10. Karim MR, Endo K, Moore AW, and Taniguchi H. Whole mount immunolabeling of olfactory receptor neurons in the Drosophila antenna. J. Vis. Exp. (IF 1.3) 87, May 4, 2014. doi: 10.3791/51245.

11. Tsuchiya Y, Taniguchi H, Ito Y, Morita T, Karim MR, Ohtake N, Fukagai K, Ito T, Okamuro S, Iemura S, Natsume T, Nishida E, and Kobayashi A. The CK2-Nrf1 axis controls the clearance of ubiquitinated proteins by regulating proteasome gene expression. Mol. Cell. Biol. (IF 3.7). 33, 17, pp.3461-72, Sep 2013. doi: 10.1128/MCB.01271-12.

12. Karim MR and Moore AW. Convergent local identity and topographic projection of sensory neurons. J Neurosci (5.6). 23;31(47):17017-27, Nov 2011. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2815-11.2011.

 13. Endo K, Karim MR, Taniguchi H, Alena K, Emi K, Matthias S, Ito K, Bray SJ, Moore AW. Chromatin modification of Notch targets in olfactory receptor neuron diversification. Nat Neurosci. (20.07). 25;15(2):224-33, Dec 2011. doi: 10.1038/nn.2998.

14. Karim MR and Moore AW. Morphological analysis of Drosophila larval peripheral sensory neuron dendrites and axons using genetic mosaics. J Vis Exp. (IF 1.3). 7;(57):e3111, Nov 2011. doi: 10.3791/3111.

15. Yalgin C, Karim MR, Moore AW. Immunohistological labelling of microtubules in sensory neuron dendrites, tracheae, and muscles in the Drosophila larva body wall. J Vis Exp. (IF 1.3) 10;(57). Pii:3662, Nov 2011. doi: 10.3791/3662.

16. Karim MR, Zinnat R, Akter S, Islam S, Biswas KB, Rahman MH, Ali L. Characterization of Insulin Secretion in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects. Bang J Med Biochem; 02(1):21-25, 2009.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Cancer Biology

My Ph.D. researches have been focused studying on neuronal development, particularly using the model of Drosophila melanogaster. I studied the genetic networks that regulate the neurogenesis in Drosophila Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). I also studied how Notch pathway regulates cell fate decision, using both flies’ genetic and cellular approaches. I have learned to use the powerful Drosophila genetics as a tool for developmental studies. On the other hand, I also used cell culture and molecular biology methods in my experiments to examine the molecular mechanisms of Notch pathway. The insights into the role of Notch signalling in cell fate regulation, have led to development of my interest in further understanding molecular signalling pathways. For example, Notch pathway is conserved throughout the animal kingdom; Notch is not only important in regulating development, but it is also involved in various human cancers. In future, I would like to focus on studying small molecules signalling pathways related to human cancer disease.

Cancer prevention is much more important than cure. The main focus of my laboratory is to understand the epidemiological and molecular mechanisms of different cancers, and helping to create social awareness. The results of my research can improve the quality of medical care and of life in my country and elsewhere.

Projects that are currently undergoing -

1  1. Mouth-oropharynx cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in Bangladesh. Approximately 200,000 new cancer patients are diagnosed per year in Bangladesh, of which 20% represents oral cancer. The incidence of known etiological risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption etc. are associated with this cancer is declining while the incidence of HPV associated OSCC, with no smoking or drinking history, is rising rapidly both in USA and some European countries. In Bangladesh there is no data yet with HPV related oral cancer. Thus the goal of my study is to identify the HPV-positive OSCC patients in Bangladesh and explore the TERT mutations as a potential cause of OSCC among Bangladeshi patients.

   2. Bangladesh is one of the countries facing a considerable burden of HCC. HCC is the third most common cancer in the country, and it is just behind lung cancer and stomach cancer. We are investigating the multiple risk factors including food habit, lifestyle, and clinical implications of HCC patients in Bangladesh. We are also trying to reveal the gene mutations involved in high incidence of HCC among Bangladeshi patients.

   3. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex disorder creates significant global health problem and increased economic burden. It has high global prevalence between 11 to 13% which is the third among top 25 leading causes of death worldwide. A significant number of studies have reported increased expression of ACE gene in CKD patients. In addition studies with both human and animal model have shown Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) and vitamin D analogue have renoprotective role. We therefore want to investigate the impact of Stevia and vitamin D on CKD mice by analyzing ACE and ACE 2 gene expressions.

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