Dr. Kapil Ramachandran

Biography

Kapil Ramachandran conducts curiosity-driven research at the intersection of proteostasis and nervous system function. His laboratory emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of fundamental and novel mechanisms underlying neuronal protein homeostasis, particularly focusing on how these mechanisms are leveraged for a new form of neuromodulation. His notable discoveries include a neuronal-specific mechanism for protein degradation involving the neuronal plasma membrane proteasome complex, which facilitates the release of extracellular peptides that signal to cells in the brain. Specializing in biochemistry, cell biology, state-of-the-art microscopy, chemical biology, genetics, and neurobiology, his work interrogates the novel systems of neuronal proteostasis and signaling. Ramachandran's research is supported by prominent institutions including the Taub Institute at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NIH Director’s Early Independence Award, Fidelity Biomedical Research Initiative, Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship, Alzheimer’s Association, and Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. He is affiliated with the Department of Neurology and the Department of Neuroscience at Columbia University and actively recruits at various levels for his research projects.

Research Interests