Anand Ganesan
Professor, Dermatology, School of Medicine
Professor, Biological Chemistry
Dr. Ganesan received his B.A from the University of California, Berkeley where he conducted research in the laboratory of Hiroshi Nikaido, studying maltose transport in E. coli. After graduation, Dr. Ganesan entered the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed his Ph.D. with his research work in Joseph T. Barbieri’s laboratory focused on characterizing the mechanism by which bacterial exotoxins modulate eukaryotic cellular signal transduction.
After earning his M.D. and completing a medical internship, Dr. Ganesan entered the dermatology residency and physician scientist training program at UT Soutwestern Medical Center. During his clinical rotations, he became interested in hyperpigmentary disorders and melanoma. During his residency and postdoctoral fellowship, he pursued these research interests in the laboratory of Dr. Michael A. White, where he gained expertise in RNAi-based functional genomics.
Dr. Ganesan’s work focuses on utilizing RNAi-based functional genomics to define novel pathways that regulate melanin production and melanoma chemoresistance. His research focuses on: 1) understanding how melanocytes respond to environmental cues (UV irradiation, inflammation) in order to maintain normal homeostasis; and 2) determining how this homeostasis is disrupted in disease (melanoma, vitiligo).
Dr. Ganesan’s research utilizes a combination of advanced functional genomic technology (si/shRNA, CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Engineering, bulk and single cell RNA sequencing, DNA sequencing), cell biology methods, and rational drug design strategies to develop novel diagnostics and treatments for disease.
The ultimate goal of Dr. Ganesan’s research is to develop new therapies to treat melanoma and pigmentary disorders. He maintains an active clinical practice focusing on patients with pigmentary disorders and skin cancer.
Research Interests
Melanogenesis
Melanoma
vitiligo
