Kargil, June 12: Dr. Manzoor Ali, son of Akhoon Mohd Jafar and from Barsoo resided at Tanmoosa, Kargil, has successfully completed his Ph.D. in Functional Genomics from the prestigious CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) under the supervision of Dr. Aastha Mishra.
Dr. Manzoor’s doctoral research focused on understanding the structural characteristics and biological origins of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) patients, Ladakhi highlanders of Indo-Tibetan ancestry, and healthy lowlanders ascending to high-altitude regions in Leh.
His research explored the effects of hypoxic stress on circulating cfDNA dynamics, including cfDNA concentration, fragment size distribution, integrity, mitochondrial DNA copy number, cellular activity, mechanisms of cell death, and whole-genome sequencing. The study aimed to uncover molecular responses associated with hypoxia-induced tissue injury in HAPE patients and individuals exposed to high-altitude environments.
Notably, Dr. Manzoor Ali and his research team became the first in the world to comprehensively characterize cfDNA fragmentation signatures in a clinically well-defined high-altitude cohort. Through the analysis of plasma samples from HAPE patients, healthy Ladakhi highlanders, and acclimatizing lowlanders, the team investigated cfDNA fragmentation patterns, mitochondrial DNA dynamics, and tissue-specific contributions using advanced whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics approaches.
During his doctoral tenure, Dr. Manzoor published 14 research articles in internationally reputed journals, including the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Clinical Science, Briefings in Functional Genomics, and International Journal of Biometeorology. He also authored two review articles published in Bioscience Reports and Sleep Science, besides contributing a book chapter titled Genomic Surveillance and Pandemic Preparedness, published by Elsevier.
His academic achievements extend beyond publications. Dr. Manzoor presented his research at international conferences in London, United Kingdom, and Canada, as well as at conferences in Ladakh and Kashmir. He was awarded the First Prize for Oral Presentation at the 7th International Leh Symposium in 2024 for his presentation titled “Hypoxic Fingerprints: Unveiling the Structural Features and Diverse Origins of Circulating Cell-Free DNA in High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema.”
In addition to his doctoral work, Dr. Manzoor contributed to several multi-omics research projects, including the CSIR Phenome India Project, where he was involved in whole-genome sequencing library preparation, quality control, and high-throughput sequencing using advanced genomic platforms.
He also served as a mentor under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative during 2024-25 and 2025-26, providing hands-on training to students and researchers in genomics, molecular biology techniques, next-generation sequencing workflows, data quality control, and bioinformatics analysis.
