Jayakrishnan Nandakumar

Dr. Jayakrishnan Nandakumar is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. His research focuses on telomeres and telomerase, examining their roles in cancer, stem cells, aging, and meiosis through structural, biochemical, and cell biological approaches.

• Specializes in telomere biogenesis and protection mechanisms
• Investigates telomerase's catalytic activity and recruitment
• Explores meiotic chromosome dynamics and LINC complex assembly
• Utilizes X-ray crystallography, enzymology, and human cell biology

Recent publications highlight his work on telomerase recruitment in C. elegans, POT1's structural role in DNA junction protection, and meiotic telomere movement via LINC-dynein coordination. His lab has secured multiple NIH grants including an NICHD R01 for meiotic LINC complex studies and an NIGMS R01 for TPP1 research.

Students in his lab have received prestigious awards such as:

• Cassie Zuckerman (Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion)
• Shilpa Padmanaban (Okkelberg Ph.D. Fellowship)
• Ritvija Agrawal (American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship)
• Devon Pendlebury (Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship)
• Jackie Graniel (SACNAS Best Oral Presentation)

Dr. Nandakumar's lab provides hands-on training in advanced techniques while fostering mentorship and communication skills development. He actively recruits motivated graduate and undergraduate researchers.