Dr Nidhi Saggu ( Nidhi Rana)

With extensive research experience in fluorosis, epidemiology, skeletal muscle physiology, molecular biology, gene expression analysis, electrophoretic techniques, contractile protein estimation and identification, toxicology, collagen gene analysis, densitometric analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, I bring a wealth of knowledge to any project. Skilled in conducting both laboratory and field experiments, I offer guidance to new hires on research methods and data collection procedures. Dedication to research excellence is evident in my integrity and meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of complex research. Exceptional organizational and analytical skills further contribute to my ability to excel in the field.

• Graduation with Distinction, 1st position in B.Sc Medical, in the Panjab University Examination, held at DAV college Chandigarh, during the session 2010- 2011.
• Recipient of best poster award at 19th Punjab Science Congress on Influence of Science and Technology On Environment and Human health , organised by SUS group of Instituitions, Tangori, Mohali from Feb 07 – 09, 2016
• Recipient of best poster award for poster entitled "The toxic effect of sodium fluoride on hydroxyproline content in rat skeletal muscle" presented in “International Conference in Zoological Sciences’’ organized by Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala from October 26-28 , 2017

             Fluorosis is a serious public health problem in many parts of the world. Drinking water is the major source of daily intake of fluoride. Effluent containing high concentration of fluoride is discharged from industries and forms the major source of external contamination to water bodies. Due to its strong electronegativity, fluoride is attracted to positively charged calcium in teeth and bones which causes dental fluorosis. With prolonged exposure to higher fluoride concentrations, dental fluorosis progressive to skeletal fluorosis (Shashi and Bhardwaj, 2010).

             Skeletal muscle fibres are multinucleated cells, composed of large number of parallel running myofibrils. The myofibrils, in turn, consist of overlapping and parallel actin and myosin filaments. Myosin is a major structural component of skeletal muscle and is considered to be the molecular motor that converts free energy derived from the hydrolysis of ATP into mechanical work. The approximate expression of myosin in skeletal muscle is critical to motor cell function (Baldo et al., 2010).

            Numerous studies have shown that fluorosis may induce nucleotide damage, inhibition of protein synthesis and alters mitochondrial functions resulting in energy deficient state of cell (Bouaziz et al., 2006).

           Collagen is a major component of bone and cartilage and is present in all connective tissue that require strength and flexibility. Skeletal muscle tissue contains four main collagen types viz; I, III , IV and V.Many experimental studies have shown that fluoride can cause structural changes in collagen fibers and directly damage thequantity/quality of the collagen of the connective tissues (Yan et al., 2011).

                          OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

• The effect of fluoride on the expression of Type 1 collagen gene in the muscle tissue of rat was evaluated by using RT-PCR technique.
• The effect of excessive fluoride ingestion on contractile proteins: Actin and Myosin was determined by using SDS - PAGE analysis.
• The biochemical markers of muscular damage such as Lactate dehydrogenase, Creatinine phosphokinase, Aspartate and Alanine aminotransferase, were assessed by following various protocols and using Colorimeter and UV/Visible Spectrophotometer.
• The anomalies in the ultrastructure of skeletal muscle, prior to fluoride toxicity was examined by using Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopic techniques.
• The effect of fluoride on metabolic enzymes: alkaline phosphatase, acetylcholinesterase, and ATPases.
• The morphological lesions were identified by using histopathological studies followed by specific stains for pathological studies

• Passed Ph.D. Course Work with “A Grade.”
• Qualified Punjabi University Patiala Ph.D. Entrance Test 2013.
• Delievered an oral presentation at "One day National Seminar on higher education for development and role of teachers" on July 16, 2017.
• Presented a poster in the Niloufer Chinoy Award Session during the XXXIII Conference of the International Society for Fluoride Research held at National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR), Hyderabad, India from November 9-11, 2016.
• Received Certificate of Publication from International Journal of Current Medical Sciences.
• Received Certificate of Publication from European Academic Research .

• Scanning electron microscopic examination of surface lesion in fluorosed muscle of rat, International Journal of Current Medical Sciences, 6(4), 81-86, 2413—7014, 2016. ( ISSN 2413—7014)
• Effect of fluoride on the expression of type I collagen gene (COL1A1) in skeletal muscle of rats, Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, 5(1), 62-65, 2278-5957, 2016. ( ISSN 2278-5957)
• Ultrastructural study of muscle fibers in experimental fluorosis, Journal of Basic and Applied Research, 2(3), 266-271, 2356—9812, 2016. ( ISSN 2356—9812) SJIF 2022 = 6.09
• Changes in electrophoretic protein profiles of skeletal muscle of rats exposed to fluoride, European Academic Research, 5(5), 2489-04, 2286—4822, 2017. ( ISSN 2286—4822) UIF = 3.456
• SDS-PAGE and densitometric analysis of myofibrillary Proteins: Actin and Myosin in skeletal muscle of fluoride intoxicated rats, International Journal of Tropical disease and Health, 27(2), 1-8, 2278—1005, 2017. ( ISSN 2278—1005) Impact factor = ICV= 75.25

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• Molecular and PCR techniques, Allele Life Sciences, Noida (UP)- March 05- April 11, 2015.
• Quantification of Contractile proteins through Electrophoresis, Allele Life Sciences, Noida (UP)- Sep 04-10, 2015.
• RNA isolation and amplification through RT-PCR, Allele Life Sciences, Noida (UP)-Oct 03-16, 2015.
• Chromatographic Techniques in Life Sciences Research , organised by Sophisticated Instruments Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala , from Jan 27 – 28, 2016

• 1. Participated in International Conference on Entomology at Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi university, Patiala from Feb 21-23, 2014.
• 2. Participated in 7th National Conference on Recent Advances in Chemical , Biological and Environmental Sciences (RACES- 2015) , organised by Multani Mal Modi college, Patiala from Jan 30-31 , 2015.
• 3. Presented a poster entitled “Scanning electron microscopic examination of skeletal muscle in experimental fluorosis” at 19th Punjab Science Congress on Influence of Science and Technology On Environment and Human health , organised by SUS group of Instituitions, Tangori, Mohali from Feb 07 – 09, 2016.
• 4. Presented a poster entitled “Effect of fluoride on expression of type I Collagen gene ( COL1A1) in skeletal muscle of rats” at 8th National Conference on Recent Advances in Chemical , Biological and Environmental Sciences (RACES- 2016) , organised by Multani Mal Modi college, Patiala from Feb 19 – 20 , 2016.
• 5. Presented a paper entiltled “Ultrastructural study of muscle fibers in experimental fluorosis” at 8th National Conference on Recent Advances in Chemical , Biological and Environmental Sciences (RACES- 2016) , organised by Multani Mal Modi college, Patiala from Feb 19 – 20 , 2016. ( ORAL)
• 6. Presented a poster entitled “India as a Mega Diversity Nation” at one day National Conference to celebrate International day for Biological Diversity, organised by Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala on May 22, 2016.
• 7. Presented a poster entiltled “POTENTIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF FLUORIDE CONTENT IN SKELETAL MUSCLES OF FLUOROSED RATS BY USING ION – SELECTIVE ELECTRODE” at 33rd International Conference of Fluoride Research held at National institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad from November 09-11 , 2016.
• 8. Attended two day National conference on “ Man and Environment’’, Punjabi University, Patiala from March 10-11, 2017
• 9. Presented a poster entitled “The toxic effect of sodium fluoride on hydroxyproline content in rat skeletal muscle” at International Conference in Zoological Sciences organised by Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala from October 26-28, 2017
• 10. Presented a poster entiltled “ Impact of fluoride exposure on enzyme activities in skeletal muscle of rat “ at 9th National Conference on Recent Advances in Chemical , Biological and Environmental Sciences (RACES- 2018) , organised by Multani Mal Modi college, Patiala from February 09 – 10 , 2018.

• Published an Abstract entitled “Effect of fluoride on expression of type I Collagen gene ( COL1A1) in skeletal muscle of rats” at 8th National Conference on Recent Advances in Chemical , Biological and Environmental Sciences (RACES- 2016) ( Abstract no- 46).
• Published an Abstract entitled “Ultrastructural study of muscle fibers in experimental fluorosis” at 8th National Conference on Recent Advances in Chemical , Biological and Environmental Sciences (RACES- 2016) . ( Abstract no - 274)
• Published an abstract entitled “Scanning electron microscopic examination of skeletal muscle in experimental fluorosis” at 19th Punjab Science Congress on Influence of Science and Technology On Environment and Human health.
• Published an abstract entiltled “POTENTIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF FLUORIDE CONTENT IN SKELETAL MUSCLES OF FLUOROSED RATS BY USING ION – SELECTIVE ELECTRODE” at 33rd International Conference of Fluoride Research held at National institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad ( Abstract no- MP 21)
• Published an Abstract entitled “The toxic effect of sodium fluoride on hydroxyproline content in rat skeletal muscle” at International Conference in Zoological Sciences ( Page no-197)
• Published an Abstract entitled “Impact of fluoride exposure on enzyme activities in skeletal muscle of rat” at at 9th National Conference on Recent Advances in Chemical , Biological and Environmental Sciences (RACES- 2018). ( abstract no-167)

ONLINE COURSES OFFERED BY HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

1. Participated in the enduring material entitled " Ethics and epidemic, caring in the time of COVID-19", June 09, 2020

2. Participated in the enduring material entitled " Mental health effects of COVID-19 pandemic", June 09,2020.

ONLINE COURSES OFFERED BY WHO ( WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION)

1. Successfully completed and recieved a passing grade in "Decontamination and sterlization of medical devices" , a course offered on OpenWHO.org., an online learning initiative of WHO Health Emergencies Programme on June 12, 2020.

2. Successfully completed and recieved a passing grade in "Standard precautions: Environmental cleaning and disinfection" , a course offered on OpenWHO.org., an online learning initiative of WHO Health Emergencies Programme on June 12, 2020.

3.Successfully completed "Introduction to COVID-19: methods for detection, prevention, response and control" , a course offered on OpenWHO.org., an online learning initiative of WHO Health Emergencies Programme on June 12, 2020 

4. Successfully completed "Infection, prevention and control ( IPC)  in context of  COVID-19",  a course offered on OpenWHO.org., an online learning initiative of WHO Health Emergencies Programme on June 12, 2020.

ONLINE COURSE OFFERED BY LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE AND TROPICAL MEDICINE AND UK PULIC HEALTH RAPID SUPPORT TEAM

 1. Successfully completed 3 weeK course ( 3 hours per weeK), course entitled "COVID-19: TacKling the novel coronavirus"

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