Research Interest and Funded Projects

Dr. Selvambigai Manivannan is a molecular and cellular biologist investigating the molecular mechanisms governing cancer cell migration, metastasis, and membrane-associated signaling pathways. Her research focuses on how plasma membrane lipid organization—particularly sphingomyelin-rich membrane nanodomains—coordinates the biophysical and biochemical signals required for cancer progression. Beyond cell-autonomous pathways, Dr. Manivannan’s research explores how SMS2-mediated signaling modulates multicellular interactions within the microenvironment, including macrophage polarization, immunometabolic pathways, and extracellular vesicle communication. Ultimately, her work aims to leverage this interconnected membrane and microenvironmental pathways to identify novel therapeutic targets against metastatic disease. These projects are funded by society for endocrinology (SfE BES 2025; UoB Research Development Fund 2024-2025).

Expertise

Cancer Cell Biology; Endocrine Cancer; Tumor Microenvironment; Cell Migration and Metastasis; Membrane Mechanotransduction; Integrin and Focal Adhesion Signaling; Tumor–Immune Interactions; Extracellular Vesicles and Migrasomes; Actin Cytoskeletal Dynamics; Membrane and Vesicle Trafficking; Lipid Raft Signaling; Autophagy; Peroxisome Dynamics.

Technical Expertise

CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Engineering; Mammalian Cell Culture; 3D Organotypic Co-culture Models; Super-Resolution Microscopy and Live-Cell Imaging; Migration and Invasion Assays; Flow Cytometry; Quantitative Image Analysis; LC-MS/MS and Proteomics; Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA); Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM); G-LISA Signaling Assays; Multiplex Cytokine Profiling (Luminex); qPCR and Molecular Cell Biology Techniques.