Sridevi Duggirala

Academics & Training

• PhD – School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad (2004 -2009) (CSIR-JRF),

• Post Doc- from University Medical Centre Groningen, The Netherlands.

• Women Scientist B & Institute PDF – Department of Biotechnology, IIT-Madras

• M.Sc – Andhra University

Research Interest

>Elucidate the thriving mechanistic action of cancer cells in the tumour microenvironment.

>Development of preclinical models such as Spheroids/organoids and explants from patient-derived tissues/cell line models that can serve as aids during drug discovery.

>Elucidate the role of P21 activated kinase (PAK1) during EGFR mutation for lung cancer.

>Design and characterisation of novel Pak1 / PROTAC inhibitors that can be used as combinatorial leads during therapeutic regimens.

>Development of point-of-care technology/devices that can be used as bench-to-bedside tools for disease diagnosis in low-resource settings.

Overview

Core area of research: Tumour microenvironment, 3D models, spheroids, tumour immunology.

My primary research interest is centered on utilizing various 3D cell culture models, such as organoids and spheroids derived from patient tumour samples or cancer cell lines. The 3D structures generated from patient tumours closely resemble the original tumor, and these organoids generated from patient tissue can be cryopreserved in a biobank. These organoids have significant potential for predicting individual patient responses to chemotherapy. A key focus of my research involves examining the interactions between PAK1 (p21-activated kinase) inhibitors and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) in lung cancer cell lines and spheroid models, to clarify the mechanisms by which these inhibitors impact essential signalling pathways.

Resistance mechanisms to gefitinib and combination approaches with new therapies for lung cancer

Gefitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for lung cancer, targets EGFR but often faces resistance due to compensatory pathways like PAK1 activation. This project evaluates novel PAK1 inhibitors for their ability to counter gefitinib resistance, with animal studies underway for validation. We are also systematically investigating the synergy between PAK1 inhibitors and gefitinib. These inhibitors may enhance the effectiveness of TKIs in lung cancer by overcoming resistance. To understand this effect, we use EGFR mutant and wild-type lung cancer cell line models.

Exploring 3D spheroids/organoids as pre-clinical tools in Cancer Research

My research is centered on generating spheroids from cell lines – sophisticated three-dimensional models developed in the laboratory to replicate natural 3D architecture. These models serve as robust platforms for preclinical testing and facilitate the study of cell-cell interactions.

A key component of my work involves the development and application of organoids derived from patient tumour samples. These organoids are particularly valuable because they closely emulate the native tumour microenvironment, offering an accurate depiction of complex tissue architecture observed in vivo. This high level of fidelity to original tumour structures underpins my commitment to advancing organoid systems as preclinical models, which prove crucial for drug screening and for deepening our understanding of tumour microenvironment dynamics.

To address technical limitations often encountered in organoid research—including challenges related to light scattering and restricted imaging depth—we utilise state-of-the-art technologies such as the Leica 3D Thunder live cell imaging system. This enables enhanced visualization and monitoring of organoid structures, thereby supporting precise evaluation of their progression and interactions.

Ongoing Projects

Patient-derived xenografts for combinatorial therapy of PAK1 and TKI inhibitors as a preclinical platform for EGFR-positive NSCLC patients

Funding agency: SERB–TARE Role: PI

A paper-based micro-fluidic chip for detection of HR-HPV during cervical cancer screening

Funding agency: DSIR–PRISM Role: PI

Development of a POC device for detection of cervical cancer and co-relation of protein markers

Funding agency: DST–Women Scientist B Role: PI

Cloning, purification and characterization of FtsZ from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and validating it as a drug target

Development of Pak1 inhibitors as therapeutics during treatment of triple-negative breast cancer

Funding agency: ICMR–RA Role: PI

• Duggirala, Sridevi; B, Vaishnavi; M, Sowmiya; Roy, Joydeep; Hassan, Sameer; RAJESWARI, DEVI; Venkatraman, Ganesh; Rayala, Suresh Kumar. Transcriptome analysis of human pancreatic stellate cells co-cultured with Pak1 modulated cells revealed the role of cytokine pathway in tumour microenvironment. Pancreas 54(5):p e414-e422, May 2025. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPA.0000000000002450

• Patent filed – IDF 231 22 / 4 /22 Patent App. no.: 202241024598 – IDF 233. A system for detecting nucleic acids using a paper-based substrate, and a method thereof Dr Sridevi Duggirala et al.,

• Duggirala, S. (2025). CAR-T-Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors. In: Mishra, A.K., Malonia, S.K. (eds) Cell-based Immunotherapies for Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-88695-9_6

• Sridevi D, Sudhakar KU, Ananthathatmula R, Nankar RP, Doble M. Mutation at G103 of MtbFtsZ Altered their Sensitivity to Coumarins. Front Microbiol 2017;8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00578

• Sridevi Duggirala, John Victor Napoleon, Rakesh P. Nankar, Senu Adeeba V., Muraleedharan K. Manheri, Mukesh Doble. FtsZ inhibition and Redox modulation with one chemical scaffold: Potential use of Dihydroquinolines against Mycobacteria Eur J Med Chem. 2016 10;123:557-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.07.058

• Duggirala S, Nankar RP, Rajendran S, Doble M. Phytochemicals as inhibitors of bacterial cell division protein FtsZ: coumarins are promisingcandidates. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2014 Sep;174(1):283-96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-014-1056-2

• de Zeeuw J, Duggirala S, Nienhuis WA, Abass KM, Tuah W, Omansen TF, van der Werf TS, Stienstra Y. Serum levels of neopterin during antimicrobial treatment for Mycobacterium ulcerans infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013 Sep89(3):498-500. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.12-0599

• Duggirala S, Venu K, Subhakar K, Sritharan M. T-cell recognition of iron- regulated culture filtrate proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in tuberculosis patients and endemic normal controls. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2012 Jul-Sep30(3):323-3 https://doi.org/10.4103/0255-0857.99495

• van Altena R, Duggirala S, Gröschel MI, van der Werf TS. Immunology in Tuberculosis: Challenges in Monitoring of Disease Activity and identifying Correlates of Protection. Curr Pharm Des. 2011;17(27):2853-62 https://doi.org/10.2174/138161211797470228

• Veena C Yeruva, Sridevi Duggirala, Lakshmi V, Daniel Kolarich, Friedrich Altmann and Manjula Sritharan. Identification and characterization of a major cell wall-associated iron-regulated envelope protein (Irep-28) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Clinical and Vaccine Immunology). 2006 Oct; 13(10):1137-42). https://doi.org/10.1128/cvi.00125-06

• Veena C Yeruva, C A S Sivagami Sundaram, Sridevi D and Manjula Sritharan. Iron enhances the susceptibility of pathogenic mycobacteria to isoniazid, an anti-tubercular drug isoniazid. (World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology). 2006. Dec; 22 (12): 1357-1364

• Umadevi K, N Nageswara Rao Reddy, D Sridevi, V Sridevi and C Murali Mohan. Esterase-mediated tolerance to a formulation of the organophosphate insecticide monocrotophos in the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria basiana (Balsamo) Vuill: a promising biopesticide. Pest Management Science (60) 2003: 408-412

Ananya Kanade

Intern

N. Shruthi

I am looking for committed PhD students to work alongside my research objectives. Students should be passionate about science and have an open mind to learn. Engaging with our team not only advances our understanding of tumour-immune dynamics but also provides students with hands-on experience in innovative laboratory techniques and experimental design. Students with independent fellowships are especially encouraged to apply.

To apply visit /career

Contact: PI/Lab email

s.duggirala@cancerinstitutewia.org