Avudai Maran, Ph.D.

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SUMMARY

Avudaiappan (Avudai) Maran, Ph.D., conducts research in the field of bone biology and musculoskeletal oncology and has many years of experience in molecular biology of cancer and cytokines. Dr. Maran's research focuses on understanding biological mechanisms and controlled delivery of therapeutic drugs and growth factors. His current cellular and molecular studies focus on various regulatory mechanisms (autophagy, apoptosis and transcription) that control osteosarcoma tumor progression and metastasis.

As co-principal investigator of Mayo Clinic's Tissue Engineering and Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Dr. Maran works to investigate the functions of interferons and Wnt signaling pathways in normal and cancer bone cells. This approach includes systems biology strategies to define gene expression and signaling pathways. Current studies involve in vitro and in vivo model systems, and a number of cutting-edge approaches and experimental strategies that include genomics and proteomics analyses as well as high-resolution imaging and microscopy analyses.

Focus areas

• Molecular basis of musculoskeletal tumors
• Interferon signaling and control of osteosarcoma
• Autophagy and targeted therapy for bone cancers
• Micellar polymer nanoassemblies for controlled drug delivery
• Detection of biomarkers through molecular and spectroscopical analysis

Significance to patient care

Dr. Maran's work could extensively impact osteosarcoma care. His research focuses on molecular pathogenesis and the therapeutic effects of promising candidate drugs for the control of osteosarcoma. Dr. Maran has identified diagnostic and therapeutic markers that could help effectively target and treat musculoskeletal sarcomas.