Sreekumar Raghavakaimal and His Quest for Solutions for Genomic Challenges
Sreekumar Raghavakaimal and his journey into genomic programming and cancer research is marked by a personal commitment to understanding the complexities of genetic diseases. Hailing from India and raised in a family of six, he confronted the impact of diabetes firsthand and experienced the heartbreaking loss of his father and a brother to cancer. These poignant moments became the catalyst for Raghavakaimal's future pursuits, steering him toward a path where scientific inquiry and personal determination intersected.
Commencing his academic journey with a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, Raghavakaimal's insatiable curiosity and quest for a profound understanding of bioorganic chemistry and physiology led him to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, for post-doctoral training. It was within this academic environment that his fascination with genomic programs, particularly those linked to diabetes and cancer, found fertile ground. The intricate challenges presented by these diseases became the central focus of his scientific endeavors, posing a substantial puzzle for the research community.
We had the opportunity to speak to Sreekumar Raghavakaimal where he shared his thoughts and insights about the future of genomic programming and cancer research.
Could you describe your upbringing and how it evolved into your current role in genomic programming?
I am originally from India and one of the six children in my family.
What inspired you to pursue a career in genomic programming, particularly in cancer research?
Many of my family members are diabetic and or at high risk for diabetes. My father and a brother died of cancer. That really inspired me to focus on these areas. Both diabetes and Cancer are genetic diseases.
How did your educational background prepare you for your career in this field?
I got my Ph.D. in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, India. Came to the University of Wisconsin, Madison to complete my post-doctoral training in Bioorganic Chemistry & Physiology. I started enjoying the Genomic programs related to diabetes and Cancer to find a cure.
Can you share a defining moment early in your career that shaped your path in genomic programming?
Scientists used low throughput assays to understand the molecular causes of these diseases. Then, Human genomes were sequenced in 2001. That presented an unprecedented opportunity for clinicians and scientists to understand the molecular basis for many diseases, including diabetes and cancer. I was lucky enough to apply the microarray-based approach, where one can simultaneously study the changes in the entire human genome using a small amount of RNA, to learn about genetic alteration in diabetes and cancer.
What were the initial challenges you faced when you started working in genomic programming?
Before the discovery of the Human Genome, we were limited to low throughput assays such as the RT-PCR approach to study the molecular basis of any disease. Both diabetes and cancer are very complex genetic diseases and need to use a whole genome approach to find the root cause of development, progress, and finding sure.
How has the field of genomic programming evolved since the beginning of your career?
The discovery of the Human genome sequence in 2001 and the development of high throughput genetic testing such as microarray and proteomic approach really helped to advance this field.
Can you describe a significant breakthrough in your career related to cancer research?
I have published over 50 peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals.
How do you stay updated with the latest developments in genomic programming and cancer research?
I regularly read scientific journals in these areas and attend scientific conferences.
In your opinion, what has been the most significant advancement in genomic programming in recent years?
Throughput genomic assays such as microarray and proteomic approaches helped to identify several biomarkers for early detection of these diseases.
How does genomic programming specifically contribute to cancer research and treatment?
The field of cancer genomics is constantly growing and changing, fueled by the development of new laboratory and computational technologies for interrogating the molecular and cellular details of cancer. As well as helping doctors understand what causes each person’s cancer, genomics provides insights into how an individual’s cancer might progress and its likely response to treatment.
What is a common misconception about genomic programming that you often encounter?
Two misconceptions about genomics are 1) Genomics is about rare diseases that have a small impact on public health and 2) Genetic factors are less important than environmental, behavioral, and social determinants of health.
How do you approach ethical considerations in your research, especially related to genetic data?
The main goals of human research often include understanding real-life phenomena, studying effective treatments, and improving lives in other ways. What you decide to research and how you conduct that research involve key ethical considerations such as protecting the rights of research participants, enhancing research validity, maintaining scientific or academic integrity, etc.
How do you envision the role of genomic programming in the future of cancer treatment?
Genomics offers potential solutions to conditions that before could only be managed by medication. And the way we treat cancer is changing, too. Genomics can be used to detect, identify, and treat cancers more quickly and effectively with far less stress and recovery time for the patient.
What are the current limitations of genomic programming in cancer research, and how might these be overcome?
Quantitative and qualitative profiling of gene expression changes also represents a challenge for the cancer field. Both RT-PCR and microarrays are efficient approaches but are limited to the genes present on the array or being assayed. This leaves vast swaths of the transcriptome, including non-coding RNAs and other features, unexplored.
What advice would you give to young scientists interested in pursuing a career in genomic programming?
Choose "a place where one feels motivated, where one knows that some fascinating things are being done”. Also important is to choose a good supervisor, one who won't treat you like "cheap labor at the service of a great project”. Use the early years of your career to learn as many techniques as you can and also make sure that you learn the basic concepts in relevant disciplines with a critical mind.
What collaborations with other fields do you find most valuable in your work?
Microarray and proteomic experiments generate a lot of data and collaborations with bioinformatics and clinicians are very important in terms of finding novel biomarkers.
How has technology impacted your work in genomic programming over the years?
High throughput analysis like microarray or proteomic technology, along with advancements in bioinformatics helped my research to identify key genetic networks in many diseases.
What role do you believe artificial intelligence will play in the future of genomic programming and cancer research?
Ongoing research to support the application of AI to cancer genomics is anticipated to enable multi-cancer early detection and determination of tumor site of origin. This can transform cancer screening, particularly for less prevalent and rare cancers, and it may enhance surveillance strategies for cancer survivors.
What are the ethical implications of advancements in genomic programming, especially in cancer therapy?
Besides issues on privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent, other issues in genomic research include withdrawal from research, return of research results, public data release, commercialization, patenting, benefit sharing, and the possibility of genetic discrimination.
What is one area of genomic programming that you think is currently under-researched or under-funded?
Bioinformatics and Gene Therapy.
Finally, what is a message you would like to share with the public about the importance and potential of genomic programming in battling cancer?
The role of human genomics research and related biotechnologies has the potential to achieve a number of public health goals, such as reducing global health inequalities by providing developing countries with efficient, cost-effective, and robust means of preventing, diagnosing, and treating major diseases that burden their populations