Rohit Joshi obtained his Ph.D. in Life Sciences from NCBS, Bangalore in 2004, where he worked with Gaiti Hasan and studied the role of calcium signaling in Drosophila larval development. In mid 2005, he moved to laboratory of Richard Mann at Columbia University, NY for his postdoctoral research, where he studied the molecular basis of Hox specificity. Hox genes are a family of homeodomain containing transcription factors that play role in Anterior-Posterior axis (AP axis) determination in bilaterian body plan. His work gave insights into the long standing problem of Hox target gene selection and regulation. He and colleagues showed that Hox proteins select their specific target genes in vivo by reading the minor groove shape of relevant DNA binding site. The second part of his work addressed the molecular basis of the activity regulation by Hox proteins. The work showed that interaction between Hox protein and its DNA binding site determines the architecture of Hox-cofactor-DNA complex, which essentially determines whether the complex recruits a co-activator or co-repressor. This was the first in vivo proof of DNA allostery model of transcriptional regulation. Rohit Joined CDFD in July 2010 as a Group Leader and studies the role of Hox genes in AP axis determination during Drosophila central nervous system patterning and development.