RESEARCH INTERESTS INCLUDE - BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DISEASE MECHANISMS AND THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES IN THE AREAS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AND COMPLICATIONS (OBESITY, NAFLD), CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS AND CANCER, APPLIED NUTRITION, BIOCHEMICAL / BIOPROCESS ENGINEERING, AND GREEN CHEMISTRY.
The on-going research efforts are directed towards developing in vitro cell culture based (2D/3D) models of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with improvizations, to better understand disease mechanisms, and for testing nutraceutical and drug candidates. We complement our investigations with suitable in silico tools. We are evaluating animal-free model systems and experimental protocols.
These ongoing efforts are significantly encouraged by the recent development that superceded the mandatory drug testing on animals, with the US Senate passing the "FDA Modernization Act 2.0", S.5002 (29th Sept, 2022) - this would allow alternative suitable methods to drug testing that includes in vitro cell culture systems (cell-based assays, microphysiological systems, or bioprinted models) and in silico computational techniques. This is a landmark move that not only reduces the needless animal suffering and lives, but will also promote technical innovations in animal-free testing systems and protocols that may yield more accurate results.
OUR RECENT PUBLICATION:
In silico and in vitro analysis of PPAR–α/γ dual agonists: Comparative evaluation of potential phytochemicals with anti-obesity drug orlistat. Computers in Biology and Medicine. 2022 Jun 28:105796
Research on Glycosaminoglycans in CVDs and cytoprotective role (during 2000 to 2005)
During doctoral research [titled "Biochemical Evaluation of a Low-Molecular Weight Heparin (certoparin sodium) in Experimental Atherogenic and Cytotoxic Conditions"], the biochemical potential of a low molecular weight derivative of heparin was explored beyond its traditional use as an anti-coagulant. Two disease models were used: (i) diet-induced atherosclerosis and (ii) chemotherapeutic drug induced cytotoxicity, studied in Wistar rats. This research brought out the antioxidant properties of the anionic heparin derivative, along with its anti-lipemic, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties.
Earlier research efforts on Targeting Lipid Metabolism for Anti-Cancer Biomarkers and Pharmacological lead-molecule development (during 2005 to 2019)
There has been growing interest in understanding the role of lipid metabolism in cancer progression and control. Since 2005, our research group has been investigating lipid metabolism in an ocular cancer, retinoblastoma (RB). We have been targeting fatty acid synthase FASN (EC 2.3.1.85), a multi-enzyme dimer complex that plays a critical role in lipogenesis, and has earned importance beyond its physiological role due to its implications in several clinical conditions – cancers, obesity, and diabetes. This has made FASN an attractive pharmacological and clinical target. The complex structure-function relationships of each FASN catalytic domain with its substrate and inhibitors are also being explored by bioinformatics approach. Apart from FASN, other molecular targets in ocular cancers have also been investigated.