Research Biologist — Division of Neurotoxicology

Jyotshna Kanungo, M.S., M. Phil., Ph.D.
(870) 543-7121
NCTRResearch@fda.hhs.gov  

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About  |  Publications  |  Lab Members

Background

Dr. Jyotshna Kanungo obtained her M.S., M. Phil, and Ph.D. in zoology (specializing in biochemistry and developmental biology) from Utkal University, India. Since 2009, she has led the zebrafish research at NCTR. After a short stint as a faculty member at the Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology (India), Dr. Kanungo conducted her postdoctoral work in 1988 at the Whitney Marine Laboratory, University of Florida, on the biochemical aspects of vitellogenesis in xenopus and killifish. Before joining NCTR, she worked at the National Institutes of Health from 2000-2009 in the areas of corneal biology (NEI), neuroscience (NINDS), and cancer biology (NHGRI). She has been an invited speaker at a multitude of events including the CHI World Pharma Congress, the 2nd International Meeting on Advanced Studies on cell signaling network (CeSiN), and the 2015 Gordon Research Conference. She was awarded the Faculty Conference Travel Award (Zebrafish Disease Model [ZDM]) Society Meeting in Singapore in 2016. A reviewer of many biomedical research journals, Dr. Kanungo serves as an editorial board member for several journals including PLOS One and Scientific Reports.  In 2012, she received the “FDA Outstanding Service Award.” 

Research Interests

Her research interests include cellular and molecular aspects of neuronal development/degeneration (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease), cell signaling, stem-cell differentiation, and developmental toxicology.

Professional Societies/National and International Groups

4th Asia-Pacific Society for Alcohol Addiction Research/5th International Drug Abuse Research Society
Co-Chair
2015

9th Zebrafish Disease Model Meeting, Toxicology Plenary Session
Chair
2016

International Drug Abuse Research Society International Meeting, Session “Zebrafish and Addiction”
Chair
2013

National Toxicology Program (NIEHS/NTP) Workshop
“Aquatic models and toxicology: Small aquarium fish and the molecular mechanisms of environmentally based human disorders and diseases”
Organizing Committee Member
2014

Selected Publications

N-acetylcysteine Prevents Verapamil-Induced Cardiotoxicity with No Effect on the Noradrenergic Arch-Associated Neurons in Zebrafish.
Gu Q., Rodgers J., Robinson B., and Kanungo J.  
Food Chem Toxicol. 2020, 111559. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111559.

Cyclosporine Exacerbates Ketamine Toxicity in Zebrafish: Mechanistic Studies on Drug-Drug Interaction.
Robinson B.L., Dumas M., Ali S.F., Paule M.G., Gu Q., and Kanungo J.
J Appl Toxicol. 2017, 37(12):1438-1447.

Puromycin-Resistant Lentiviral Control ShRNA Vector, pLKO.1 Induces Unexpected Cellular Differentiation of P19 Embryonic Stem Cells.
Kanungo J.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2017, 486(2):481-485.

DNA-PK Deficiency in Alzheimer's Disease.
Kanungo J.
J Neurol Neuromedicine. 2016, 1(3): 17-22.

Advancing Toxicology Research Using In Vivo High Throughput Toxicology with Small Fish Models.
Planchart A., Mattingly C.J., Allen D., Ceger P., Casey W., Hinton D., Kanungo J., Kullman S.W., Tal T., Bondesson M., Burgess S.M., Sullivan C., Kim C., Behl M., Padilla S., Reif D.M., Tanguay R.L., and Hamm J.
ALTEX. 2016, doi: 10.14573/altex.1601281.

Retinoic Acid Signaling in P19 Stem Cell Differentiation.
Kanungo J.
Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2016.

Acetyl L-Carnitine Targets Adenosine Triphosphate Synthase in Protecting Zebrafish Embryos From Toxicities Induced by Verapamil and Ketamine: An In Vivo Assessment.
Guo X., Dumas M., Robinson B.L., Ali S.F., Paule M.G., Gu Q., and Kanungo J.
J Appl Toxicol. 2016. doi: 10.1002/jat.3340.

Distinct Effects of Ketamine and Acetyl L-Carnitine on the Dopamine System in Zebrafish.
Robinson B.L., Dumas M., Cuevas E., Gu Q., Paule M.G., Ali S.F., and Kanungo J.
Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2016, 54: 52-60.

Tumor Suppressors and Endodermal Differentiation of P19 Embryonic Stem Cells.
Kanungo J.
Cell Dev Biol. 2015, 4(3) pii: e138.

Developmental Toxicity Assay Using High Content Screening of Zebrafish Embryos.
Lantz-McPeak S., Guo X., Cuevas E., Dumas M., Newport G.D., Ali S.F., Paule M.G., and Kanungo J.
J Appl Toxicol. 2015, 35(3): 261-72.

Zebrafish Model in Drug Safety Assessment.
Kanungo J., Cuevas E., Ali S.F., and Paule M.G.
Curr Pharm Des. 2014, 20(34): 5416-29.

Ketamine Attenuates Cytochrome P450 Aromatase Gene Expression and Estradiol-17β Levels in Zebrafish Early Life Stages.
Trickler W.J., Guo X., Cuevas E., Ali S.F., Paule M.G., and Kanungo J.
J Appl Toxicol. 2014, 34(5): 480-8.

Acetyl L-Carnitine Protects Motor Neurons and Rohon-Beard Sensory Neurons against Ketamine-Induced Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish Embryos.
Cuevas E., Trickler W.J., Guo X., Ali S.F., Paule M.G., and Kanungo J.
Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2013, 39: 69-76.

Ketamine induces Motor Neuron Toxicity and Alters Neurogenic and Proneural Gene Expression in Zebrafish.
Kanungo J., Cuevas E., Ali S.F., and Paule M.G.
J Appl Toxicol. 2013, 33(6): 410-7.

DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase and DNA Repair: Relevance to Alzheimer's Disease.
Kanungo J.
Alzheimers Res Ther. 2013, 5(2): 13.

L-Carnitine Rescues Ketamine-Induced Attenuated Heart Rate and MAPK (ERK) Activity in Zebrafish Embryos.
Kanungo J., Cuevas E., Ali S.F., and Paule M.G.
Reprod Toxicol. 2012, 33(2): 205-12.

In Vivo Imaging and Quantitative Analysis of Changes in Axon Length using Transgenic Zebrafish Embryos.
Kanungo J., Lantz S., and Paule M.G.
Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2011, 33(6): 618-23.

Specific Inhibition of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 Activity induces Motor Neuron Development In Vivo.
Kanungo J., Zheng Y.L., Amin N.D., Kaur S., Ramchandran R., and Pant H.C.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009, 386(1): 263-7.

The Notch Signaling Inhibitor DAPT Down-Regulates Cdk5 Activity and Modulates the Distribution of Neuronal Cytoskeletal Proteins.
Kanungo J., Zheng Y.L., Amin N.D., and Pant H.C.
J Neurochem. 2008, 106(5): 2236-48.

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 Influences Rohon-Beard Neuron Survival in Zebrafish.
Kanungo J., Li B.S., Zheng Y., and Pant H.C.
J Neurochem. 2006, 99(1): 251-9.

Gelsolin is a Dorsalizing Factor in Zebrafish.
Kanungo J., Kozmik Z., Swamynathan S.K., and Piatigorsky J.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2003, 100(6): 3287-92.

Lab Members

Contact information for all lab members:
(870) 543-7121
NCTRResearch@fda.hhs.gov  

Melanie Dumas, LATG (Priority One)
Supervisor
Aquatic, Rodent & Swine Specialist

Bonnie Robinson
Lab Tech