Anand ANDIAPPAN

Biography

Anand Kumar Andiappan obtained his undergraduate degree from St. Peters Engineering College, Anna University in 2006 where he studied Industrial Biotechnology. He started his research career in the department of  Biological Sciences in NUS, specialising in genetics of atopy and allergies in Singapore. He then moved to A*STAR in 2012 where he started as a post-doc at Olaf Rotzschke laboratory where he published the comprehensive study on atopic sensitisation and allergies in Singapore. Together with NUH, they also characterised multiple functional candidates for allergic diseases like BDNF, ORMDL3, CTLA-4, FCER1A. 

He then started his laboratory in SIgN in July 2018 on receiving the NMRC Young Investigator award (OF-YIRG). Currently his lab focuses on molecular profiling of biomarkers for allergies, infection and respiratory disorders (AIR biomarkers). He recently was also awarded a career development award (CDA) from A*STAR for “Novel Treatment Directions for Atopic Dermatitis in Asia: From Clinical Phenotypes to Molecular Endotypes”.  

Research Focus

Currently his lab focuses on molecular profiling of biomarkers for allergies, infection and respiratory disorders (AIR biomarkers). Understanding the underlying pathophysiology of complex diseases is essential to strategize targeted therapy and effective treatment. Here we use gene expression and protein characterisation at the specific cell-type level to come up with immunopathophysiology of these allergic and respiratory phenotypes.  

Research Study

Validation of molecular targets for novel treatment directions in allergic rhinitis. 
Allergic rhinitis results from a dysregulated immune response associated to allergen exposure. This response is characterized by an inflammatory immune profile and an altered nasal epithelial barrier. The dysregulated immune response further results in an altered gene expression profile in AR cases compared to healthy controls. In my recent study, I have identified significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs)in the whole blood of AR patients. Thus, characterization and validation of DEGs in blood and specific immune subsets complemented with nasal cells and epithelia will provide potential targets for novel treatment directions in AR. 

Publications