Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies science image
Torrey Pines Institute for
Molecular Studies
3550 General Atomics Court, 2-129
San Diego, CA 92121-1122
USA
Scientists
Prasad Koka
Associate Member
Stem Cell Biology

858.597.3886 - phone
858.597.3804 - fax
contact by email

Current Research Interests

Myeloproliferative disorders: role of c-mpl and JAK2 in the context of STAT5. Stem cell therapies in HIV infection through stem cell and immune reconstitution using human hematopoietic progenitor stem cells in the humanized systemic and conjoint hematopoietic organ NOD/SCID-hu Thy/Liv system: Cytopenias including thrombocytopenia in diseases such as HIV infection, heart conditions and cancers; human hematopoietic stem cell differentiation in chimeric mouse-human SCID-hu model; role of proto-oncogene and thrombopoietin receptor, c-mpl, in stem cell differentiation, and its relationship to telomerase, apoptosis and signal transduction of c-mpl and STAT5 including thrombopoietin and other cytokine-receptor interactions in SCID-hu model; STAT5 transcription factors in self-renewal of CD34+ cells; reversal of HIV induced hematopoietic inhibition and rescue of multilineage hematopoiesis; stem cell reconstitution and gene therapeutic strategies with tightly controlled gene expression for containment of cytopenias and prevention of gene therapy induced malignancies, through preclinical translational research in vivo using SCID-hu model; mechanisms of resistance of progenitor stem cells to HIV infection; cancer stem cells; embryonic stem cells to derive hepatocytes.

Education

  • 1967 - B.Sc. Chemistry Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
  • 1973 - A.M. Physical Chemistry University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
  • 1977 - Ph.D. Biochemistry Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Professional Experience

  • 1978 - 1980 - Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
  • 1980 - 1982 - Research Associate, Department of Biology, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
  • 1982 - 1984 - Postdoctoral Fellow, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY
  • 1984 - 1985 - Postdoctoral Associate, Center for Cancer Research, Department of Biology, MassachusettsInstitute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
  • 1985 - 1988 - Research Fellow in Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Divisions of Immunogenetics and Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
  • 1988 - 1989 - Instructor in Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Division of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
  • 1989 - 1992 - Assistant Research Immunologist, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1992 - 1995 - Assistant Research Neurologist, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1995 - 1999 - Assistant Research Biologist, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1999 - 2002 - Assistant Research Virologist, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2002 - 2005 - Assistant Researcher, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology,
    David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2005 - 2005 - Associate Researcher, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology,
    David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2005 - Present - Associate Member, Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology,
    Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, San Diego, CA

Invited Seminar Presentations

  • 1989 - University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
  • 1989 - Hoffman-LaRoche, Nutley, NJ
  • 1989 - National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
  • 1989 - Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
  • 1992 - Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
  • 1992 - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
  • 1992 - National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
  • 1992 - Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA
  • 1999 - Center for Blood Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  • 2001 - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
  • 2002 - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
  • 2004 - International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
  • 2004 - University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL
  • 2005 - Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
  • 2005 - University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Ca

Awards / Fellowships

  • 1974 - 1977 - Robert A. Welch Foundation Predoctoral Fellow
  • 1985 - 1987 - Leukemia Society of America Special Fellow
  • 1992 - 1995 - National Institute of Mental Health Postdoctoral Fellow
  • 1997 - 1999 - Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Scholar Award

Honors / Committees / Journals

  • 1979 - Presided the session on Bioluminescence & Chronobiology, 9th Annual Meeting,
    American Society for Photobiology, Asilomar, CA
  • 1996 - Plenary Session Speaker at the Annual UCLA AIDS Symposium
  • 2003 - Present  Honorary Member, International Advisory Council, VYOMA (Deemed University),
    Bangalore, India
  • 2005 - Present   Editor, Journal of Stem Cells - Journal Website: www.novapublishers.com/JOSC
  • 2005 - 2006   Reviewer, Scottish Executive Health Department, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • 2006   Reviewer, AIDS Vaccines and Immunology Special Emphasis Panel, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health
  • 2006 - 2007  Inclusion in the 9th Edition of Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering
  • 2006 - Present  My more recent work is included in the newly formed stem cell research lab registry that includes scientists studying stem cell research www.stemcellscience.org/labs.php
  • 2006   Reviewed for The Journal of Clinical Investigation
  • 2006 - 2010  Peer Review Committee, American Heart Association, Western Review Consortium
  • 2008   Inclusion in the 62nd Edition of Marquis Who's Who in America
  • 2008  Inclusion in the 25th Edition of Marquis Who's Who in the World

Memberships in Professional Societies

  • 1978 - 1982 - American Society for Photobiology
  • 1991 - 1996 - American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • 2004 - Present - American Society for Microbiology
  • 2004 - Present - International Society for Stem Cell Research

Publications

  1. Zhang, M, Evans, S, Yuan, J, Ratner, L, Koka, PS. HIV-1 determinants of thrombocytopenia at the stage of CD34+ progenitor cell differentiation in vivo lie in the viral envelope gp120 V3 loop region. Virology. Epub Mar 23, 2010. [Epub ahead of print]
  2. Koka, PS, Khanna, A. Foreword: A Compendium on Latest Developments in Stem Cell Research and Cell Therapy Applications. J Stem Cells. 4(2):81-3, 2009.
  3. Zhang, M, Poh, TY, Louache, F, Sundell, IB, Yuan, J, Evans, S, Koka, PS. Rescue of Multi-lineage Hematopoiesis during HIV-1 Infection by Human c-mpl Gene Transfer and Reconstitution of CD34+ Progenitor Cells In Vivo. J Stem Cells. 4(3):161-77, 2009.
  4. Yunis, E.J., Romer, V., Diaz-Giffero, F., Zuniga, J. and Koka, P.S. Natural killer cell receptor NKG2A/HLA-E interaction dependent differential thymopoiesis of hematopoietic progenitor cells influences the outcome of HIV infection. J. Stem Cells 2(4): 237-248, 2007.
  5. Koka, P.S. Foreword: Stem Cells. J. Stem Cells 1: p. iii, 2006.
  6. Sundell, I.B., Koka, P.S. Thrombocytopenia in HIV infection: impairment of platelet formation and loss correlates with increased c-Mpl and ligand thrombopoietin expression. Curr. HIV Res. 4:106-117, 2006.
  7. Yunis, E.J., Zuniga, J., Koka, P.S., Husain, Z., Romero, V., Stern, J.N.H., Fridkis-Hareli, M. Stem cells in aging: Influence of ontogenic, genetic and environmental factors. J. Stem Cells 1(2): 125-147, 2006.
  8. Brooks, D.G., Cohen, M.D., Jamieson, B.D., Poon, B., Kitchen, S.G., Chow, S.A., Chen, I.S., Zack, J.A., Koka, P.S. Rapid size dependent deletion of foreign gene sequences inserted into attenuated HIV-1 upon infection in vivo: implications for vaccine development. Curr. HIV Res. 3:337-392, 2005.
  9. Koka, P.S., Kitchen, C.M., Reddy, S.T. Targeting c-Mpl for revival of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-induced hematopoietic inhibition when CD34+ progenitor cells are re-engrafted into a fresh stromal microenvironment in vivo. J. Virol. 78:11385-11392, 2004.
  10. Koka, P.S., Reddy, S.T. Cytopenias in HIV infection: mechanisms and alleviation of hematopoietic inhibition. Curr. HIV Res. 2: 275-282, 2004.
  11. Koka, P.S., Brooks, D.G., Razai, A., Kitchen, C.M., Zack, J.A. HIV type 1 infection alters cytokine mRNA expression in thymus. AIDS Res. Hum. Retroviruses 19:1-12, 2003.
  12. Uittenbogaart, C.H., Boscardin, W.J., Anisman-Posner, D.J., Koka, P.S., Bristol, G., Zack, J.A. Effect of cytokines on HIV-induced depletion of thymocytes in vivo. AIDS 14:1317-1325, 2000.
  13. Koka, P.S., Jamieson, B.D., Brooks, D.G., Zack, J.A. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1-induced hematopoietic inhibition is independent of productive infection of progenitor cells in vivo. J. Virol. 73:9089-9097, 1999.
  14. Amado, R.G., Koka, P., Zack, J.A. Modeling precursor cell gene therapy and HIV pathogenesis in the SCID-hu mouse. Cancer Res. Ther. Cont. 7: 43-47, 1998.
  15. Koka, P.S., Fraser, J.K., Bryson, Y., Bristol, G.C., Aldrovandi, G.M., Daar, E.S., Zack, J.A. Human immunodeficiency virus inhibits multilineage hematopoiesis in vivo. J. Virol. 72:5121-5127, 1998.
  16. Withers-Ward, E.S., Amado, R.G., Koka, P.S., Jamieson, B.D., Kaplan, A.H., Chen, I.S., Zack, J.A. Transient renewal of thymopoiesis in HIV-infected human thymic implants following antiviral therapy. Nature Med. 3:1102-1109, 1997.
  17. Koka, P., Merrill, J.E. The putative role of HIV-1 envelope proteins in the neuroimmunology and neuropathology of CNS AIDS. In Immunology of HIV Infection. Gupta, S. (Ed.), Plenum Press, New York, pp. 417-435, 1996.
  18. Koka, P., He, K., Camerini, D., Tran, T., Yashar, S.S., Merrill, J.E. The mapping of HIV-1 gp160 epitopes required for interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha production in glial cells. J. Neuroimmunol. 57:179-191, 1995.
  19. Koka, P., He, K., Zack, J.A., Kitchen, S., Peacock, W., Fried, I., Tran, T., Yashar, S.S., Merrill, J.E. Human immunodeficiency virus 1 envelope proteins induce interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and nitric oxide in glial cultures derived from fetal, neonatal, and adult human brain. J. Exp. Med. 182:941-952, 1995.
  20. Koka, P. Anti-HLA antibodies: detection and effect on renal transplant function. Transplant Proc. 25:243-244, 1993.
  21. Koka, P., Chia, D., Terasaki, P.I., Chan, H., Chia, J., Ozawa, M., Lim, E. The role of IgA anti-HLA Class I antibodies in kidney transplant survival. Transplantation 56:207-211, 1993.
  22. Lim, E.C., Chia, D., Gjertson, D.W., Koka, P., Terasaki, P.I. In vitro studies to explain high renal allograft survival in IgA nephropathy patients. Transplantation 55:996-999, 1993.
  23. Koka, P., van de Mark, K., Faller, D.V. Trans-activation of genes encoding activation-association human T-lymphocyte surface proteins by murine retroviral sequences. J. Immunol. 146:2417-2425, 1991.
  24. Koka, P., Cecka, J.M. Sex and age effects in renal transplantation. Clin. Transpl. 437-446, 1990.
  25. Koka, P., Cecka, J.M. Sensitization and crossmatching in renal transplantation. Clin. Transpl. 379-390, 1989.
  26. Koka, P., Yunis, J., Passarelli, A.L., Dubey, D.P., Faller, D.V., Yunis, E.J. Increased expression of CD4 molecules on Jurkat cells mediated by human immunodeficiency virus tat protein. J. Virol. 62:4353-4357, 1988.
  27. Koka, P. Stimulation of Escherichia coli DNA photoreactivating enzyme activity by adenosine 5'-triphosphate. Biochemistry 23:2914-2922, 1984.
  28. Lee, J., Carreira, L.A., Gast, R., Irwin, R.M., Koka, P., Small, E.D., Visser, A.J.W.G. Properties of a lumazine protein from the bioluminescent bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum. In Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence, pp. 103-112, Academic Press, NY, 1981.
  29. Small, E.D., Koka, P., Lee, J. Lumazine protein from the bioluminescent bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum. Purification and characterization. J. Biol. Chem. 255:8804-8810, 1980.
  30. Koka, P., Lee, J. Separation and structure of the prosthetic group of the blue fluorescence protein from the bioluminescent bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76:3068-3072, 1979.
  31. Koka, P., Song, P.S. Protection of chlorophyll a by carotenoid from photodynamic decomposition. Photochem. Photobiol. 28:509-515, 1978.
  32. Lee, J., Koka, P. Purification of blue fluorescence protein from the bioluminescent bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum. Methods in Enzymology 57:226-234, 1978.
  33. Koka, P., Song, P.S. The chromophore topography and binding environment of peridinin-chlorophyll a-protein from marine dinoflagellate algae. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 495:220-231, 1977.
  34. Song, P.S., Koka, P., Prezelin, B.B., Haxo, F.T. Molecular topology of the photosynthetic light-harvesting pigment complex, peridinin-chlorophyll a-protein from marine dinoflagellates. Biochemistry 15:4422-4427, 1976.

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