Pallob Barai, a Cell & Developmental Biology PhD student in Dr. Jie Chen’s lab, is the 2024 recipient of the Tom and Cynthia Cycyota Research Fellowship. The School of MCB spoke with him for a feature in the 2024 Department of Cell & Developmental Biology newsletter.

How did your upbringing and early experiences shape your educational path?

Growing up in Bangladesh, I came from a family with limited financial resources. My parents always emphasized the importance of helping others, even if we didn’t have much. This mindset motivated me to pursue a career where I could contribute, even if indirectly, to improving people’s lives. I decided early on that I wanted to pursue science because it could have a significant impact on society. Being a first-generation college student, I was determined to make the most of my education and focus on research that could benefit others.

What motivated you to pursue a PhD at Illinois?

I received offers from several programs, but I chose Illinois for several reasons. The stipend offered here, combined with the relatively affordable cost of living in Urbana-Champaign, made it a practical choice compared to schools on the East and West Coasts, where living expenses are much higher. Additionally, the MCB program here is highly collaborative, and I really appreciated that about the program. I believe that collaboration is key to advancing scientific research, and the atmosphere at Illinois seemed perfect for me to thrive.

Can you tell us about the mentorship you have received?

Joining Dr. Chen’s lab was the best decision I made. She is an exceptional PI—supportive, knowledgeable, and always encouraging. I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of her lab, as I truly believe I couldn’t have found a better mentor.

What research projects you are currently working on?

My current research focuses on two key areas: muscle regeneration and the role of a protein called threonyl-tRNA synthetase (TARS) in cancer. The first area involves studying muscle regeneration, specifically how different cell types interact during injury-induced muscle regeneration. The second part of my research involves TARS, which is critical for protein synthesis. While it’s known for its canonical role in translation, TARS has other functions that we’re studying. We’ve found that TARS protein expression is elevated in certain cancers, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and its overexpression is linked to poor patient survival. We are exploring the mechanism of how TARS promotes NSCLC cell proliferation and tumor formation in vivo. We have discovered that, in certain patient-derived cell lines, when overexpressed, TARS modulates the activity of STAT3 and induces cell proliferation through a non-translational mechanism.

Our research is exploring how TARS interacts with proteins like JAK and STAT3 to promote tumor growth and proliferation. We’re investigating whether inhibiting the interaction between TARS and STAT3 could be a potential therapeutic target.

What impact can your research have on biology outside of the classroom? What advances can we expect to see in the next couple of years?

Our research has the potential to make a significant impact on cancer biology. We discovered that TARS interacts with STAT3, and this interaction may be essential for TARS-mediated STAT3 activation. By understanding how TARS interacts with STAT3, we could potentially develop targeted therapies for cancers like non-small cell lung cancer, where TARS is overexpressed. The typical JAK/STAT pathway is essential for many cellular processes, and inhibiting it globally could have severe side effects. However, by specifically targeting the interaction between TARS and STAT3, we may be able to develop a more precise therapy that reduces tumor growth without affecting normal immune function. Over the next couple of years, I hope to continue advancing this research and perhaps identify a specific inhibitor of this interaction that could be tested as a new cancer treatment.

Amid your busy schedule, how do you prioritize self-care and unwind during your free time?

I’m an avid runner, and that’s my main form of self-care. I run almost every morning to start my day, and it really helps me stay focused and energized. Recently, I ran my second marathon in Indianapolis, and I did my first marathon here in Champaign this past April. Running gives me a sense of accomplishment and clears my mind, so it’s really crucial for my overall well-being. On days I don’t run, I definitely feel off, and I find it hard to stay motivated. [Running is] my way of staying balanced in a very busy schedule.