Udai B Pandey

Udai B Pandey serves as a Professor in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, where his research centers on molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly ALS pathogenesis. His work integrates genetic, cellular, and biochemical approaches to investigate RNA-binding protein dysfunction, nucleocytoplasmic transport defects, and proteostasis collapse in motor neuron degeneration.

His educational trajectory includes:

• PhD in Medical Genetics (1999-2004) from Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, India
• Postdoctoral fellowship (2004-2008) in Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center under J. Paul Taylor
• Postdoctoral fellowship (2008-2009) in Developmental Neurobiology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis TN

Dr. Pandey's research program explores how mutations in genes like FUS, TDP-43, and NEK1 drive ALS through disruptions in stress granule dynamics, nuclear import machinery, and microtubule function. His laboratory employs Drosophila models, mammalian cell systems, and patient-derived iPSCs to dissect disease mechanisms, with recent emphasis on phase separation biology and high-throughput drug screening for autophagy modulators. This translational focus bridges fundamental discoveries to therapeutic development for neurodegenerative conditions.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2016-2023) reveals consistent investigation into ALS-related proteinopathies, with escalating exploration of phase separation phenomena and genetic modifiers like GEMIN5. His work demonstrates methodological evolution from Drosophila genetics to human iPSC models and structural biology approaches, while maintaining core focus on nucleocytoplasmic transport defects as a unifying ALS mechanism.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Faculty of 1000 Biology 'Must Read Paper' selection (2007) for his Nature publication on HDAC6's role in neuroprotection

Dr. Pandey actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, as evidenced by trainee-first-author publications spanning molecular genetics and neurobiology. His research program is supported by NIH funding focused on ALS pathogenesis mechanisms, with recent projects examining WNK kinase signaling in cell volume regulation and GEMIN5's role in neurodevelopment. Collaborations span multiple institutions including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania.

His laboratory operates within the Rangos Research Building at UPMC, utilizing advanced imaging, molecular biology, and high-throughput screening platforms to investigate neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets for ALS and related disorders.