MEMBER PROFILE
| First Name | Shakti |
| Last Name | Dahiya |
| University/Institution | University of Pittsburgh |
| Email ID | [email protected] |
| City | Pittsburgh |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Zip code | 15260 |
| Department | |
| Area of Research | Pancreatic cancer, Nano drug delivery |
| Area of Expertise |
Brief Description of Research Interest :
My research interests are centered at the intersection of cancer biology, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery systems, with a particular emphasis on pancreatic biology. I am dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of pancreatic cancer and developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This includes analyzing blood and drain fluid samples from pancreatic surgery patients to detect ctDNA and identify KRAS mutations. Additionally, I am working to address pancreatic leaks post-surgery by using rat models for in vivo experiments. My investigations into pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression involve studying blood and lymphatic fluid in a mouse model, employing techniques like flow cytometry, FACS, and ddPCR. Beyond cancer research, my work extends to regenerative medicine, focusing on cellular reprogramming—specifically the conversion of acinar cells into insulin-producing β-like cells for potential diabetes treatments. I am also exploring the regenerative capacity of pancreatic cells after injury, with an emphasis on cell plasticity and lineage tracing. Additionally, I am investigating novel nanoformulations to improve the bioavailability and therapeutic potential of herbal bioactive compounds, particularly for treating diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. By integrating molecular biology, regenerative medicine, and nanomedicine, I aim to tackle critical challenges in both cancer treatment and metabolic disease therapies.
Representative Publications:
Dahiya, S*., Saleh, M*., Rodriguez, U.A*., Rajasundaram, D., R. Arbujas, J., Hajihassani, A., Yang, K., Sehrawat, A., Kalsi, R., Yoshida, S.,
Prasadan, K., Lickert H., Hu. J., Piganelli J.D., Gittes. G.K. & Esni., F (2024). Acinar to β-like cell conversion through inhibition of focal adhesion
kinase. Nature Communications, 15(1), p.3740. (*shared first authorship).
Verma, J., & Dahiya, S. (2024). Nanomaterials for diabetes: diagnosis, detection and delivery. Nanotechnology, 35(39), 392001.
Dahiya, S., Rani, R., Dilbaghi, N., Dhingra, D., Lal, S. and Verma, J., 2024. Evaluation of the anti-depressant potential of EGCG-loaded
nanoparticles in unstressed and stressed mice. RSC Pharmaceutics.
Rodriguez, U.A., Dahiya, S., Raymond, M.L., Gao, C., Martins-Cargill, C.P., Piganelli, J.D., Gittes, G.K., Hu, J. and Esni, F., 2022. Focal adhesion
kinase-mediated signaling controls the onset of pancreatic cell differentiation. Development, 149(17), p. dev200761.
Dahiya, S., Rani, R., Dhingra, D., Kumar, S. and Dilbaghi, N., 2018. Conjugation of epigallocatechin gallate and piperine into a zein nanocarrier:
Implication on antioxidant and anticancer potential. Advances in natural sciences: nanoscience and nanotechnology, 9(3), p.035011.
Dahiya, S., Rani, R., Dhingra, D., Kumar, S. and Dilbaghi, N., 2018. Potentiation of nootropic activity of EGCG loaded nanosuspension by piperine
in swiss male albino mice. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 4(2), pp.296-302.
Dahiya, S., Rani, R., Kumar, S., Dhingra, D. and Dilbaghi, N., 2017. Chitosan-gellan gum bipolymeric nanohydrogels—a potential nanocarrier for
the delivery of epigallocatechin gallate. BioNanoScience, 7, pp.508-520. (Part of Springer Nature).
Rani, R., Dahiya, S., Dhingra, D., Dilbaghi, N., Kaushik, A., Kim, K.H. and Kumar, S., 2019. Antidiabetic activity enhancement in streptozotocin+
nicotinamide–induced diabetic rats through combinational polymeric nanoformulation. International journal of nanomedicine, pp.4383-4395.
Rani, R., Dahiya, S., Dhingra, D., Dilbaghi, N., Kim, K.H. and Kumar, S., 2018. Improvement of antihyperglycemic activity of nano-thymoquinone
in rat model of type-2 diabetes. Chemico-biological interactions, 295, pp.119-132.
Rani, R., Dahiya, S., Dhingra, D., Dilbaghi, N., Kim, K.H. and Kumar, S., 2017. Evaluation of anti-diabetic activity of glycyrrhizin-loaded nanoparticles
in nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 106, pp.220-230.