23230-Datta, Dibyadyuti

Dibyadyuti Datta, PhD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Microbiology & Immunology

Phone
(317) 274-4103
Address
1044 W. Walnut Street
R4 402D
Indianapolis, IN 46202
PubMed:

Bio

Dr. Datta's research focuses on two key areas: (1) identifying biomarkers that predict long-term neurodisability in cerebral and non-cerebral severe malaria, as well as other childhood CNS disorders relevant to malaria-endemic regions, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and (2) investigating the mechanisms of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in cerebral malaria. Using clinical samples from prospective pediatric cohorts of children alongside a pluripotent stem cell-derived in vitro model of the neurovascular unit (NVU), ongoing studies aim to uncover mechanisms of NVU damage that may lead to lasting neurological consequences in childhood survivors of cerebral malaria. 

Current projects in the lab are focused on mapping metabolic alterations in the CNS using clinical samples and characterizing the cellular metabolic profile of the NVU in vitro following exposure to malaria-infected red blood cells. These studies seek to identify host metabolic pathways contributing to parasite-mediated BBB disruption and NVU damage, intending to discover potential therapeutic targets.

A recently completed pilot pediatric TBI study in Uganda assessed critical healthcare gaps, fostered key collaborations, and helped recruit and train personnel to establish the infrastructure for sustained pediatric TBI research. Ongoing analysis from this study will inform future multidisciplinary collaborations aimed at improving standards of care and rehabilitation strategies for children with TBI, ultimately working to prevent or mitigate long-term neurodisability.

Visit the Datta lab page to learn more.

Key Publications

For a full list of Dr. Datta's publications, view her PubMed page.

Elevated Cerebrospinal Fluid Tau Protein Concentrations on Admission Are Associated With Long-term Neurologic and Cognitive Impairment in Ugandan Children With Cerebral Malaria.  Datta D, Conroy AL, Castelluccio PF, Ssenkusu JM, Park GS, Opoka RO, Bangirana P, Idro R, Saykin AJ, John CC. Clin Infect Dis. 2020 Mar 3;70(6):1161-1168.

What causes severe malaria and its complications in children? Lessons learned over the past 15 years. Conroy AL, Datta D, John CC. BMC medicine. 2019; 17(1):52.

Zinc for Infection Prevention in Sickle Cell Anemia (ZIPS): study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial in Ugandan children with sickle cell anemia. Datta D, Namazzi R, Conroy AL, Cusick SE, Hume HA, Tagoola A, Ware RE, Opoka RO, John CC. Trials. 2019; 20(1):460.

HIV infection drives IgM and IgG3 subclass bias in Plasmodium falciparum-specific and total immunoglobulin concentration in Western Kenya. Odhiambo EO, Datta D, Guyah B, Ayodo G, Ondigo BN, Abong'o BO, John CC, Frosch AEPMalar J. 2019 Aug 30;18(1):297. 

Prevalence of Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children and Adults in Marion County, Indiana. Wood J, Datta D, Hudson BL, Co K, Tepner S, Hardwick E, John CC.  Cureus. 2020 Aug 16;12(8):e9794. 

Comparative functional potency of DNA vaccines encoding Plasmodium falciparum transmission blocking target antigens Pfs48/45 and Pfs25 administered alone or in combination by in vivo electroporation in rhesus macaques. Datta D, Bansal GP, Grasperge B, Martin DS, Philipp M, Gerloff D, Ellefsen B, Hannaman D, Kumar N. Vaccine. 2017 Nov 10.

 

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