Research Highlights
The DBT Builder - Interdisciplinary Life Science Programme focuses on epigenetics and genome editing, with several projects addressing critical health issues:
1. Epigenetics in Diabetic Nephropathy
- Project Title: : Understanding the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the development of diabetic nephropathy
- Investigators: Prof. Syamantak Majumder, Prof. Anil B. Gaikwad, Prof. Rajeev Taliyan, Prof. Rajdeep Chowdhury.
- Focuses on histone post-translational modifications and endothelial cell responses to high glucose levels.
2. Epigenetics in Type 2 Diabetes-Related Neurological Disorders
- Project Title: : Exploring the role of epigenetics in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus associated neurological disorders
- Investigators: Prof. Rajeev Taliyan.
- Studies the role of HDAC, HMT, and SIRTs in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and stroke, targeting epigenetic regulation in glucose and fatty acid metabolism.
3. Tumor Cell Survival and Drug Resistance
- Project Title: : Understanding epigenetic alterations facilitating survival of tumor cells
- Investigators: Prof. Rajdeep Chowdhury.
- Aims to identify epigenetically regulated genomic regions in colorectal cancer cells under drug stress using ChIP and RNA-seq
4. Histone Methyltransferase Inhibitors for Malaria
- Project Title: : Design and synthesis of small molecules targeting P. falciparum histone methyltransferases (PfHKMTs)
- Investigators:Prof. Shilpi Garg, Prof. Sandeep Sundriyal, Prof. S. Murugesan, Prof. Vishal Saxena, Prof. Ashis K. Das
- Focuses on designing inhibitors of PfHKMTs for malaria treatment, based on the DMAQ scaffold.
5. Epigenetic Modulators in Diabetic Nephropathy
- Project Title: : Design and synthesis of small molecules targeting SET7
- Investigators:Prof. Atish T Paul, Prof. Hemant R Jadhav
- Focuses on designing histone methyltransferase inhibitors for treating diabetic nephropathy.
6. CRISPR/Cas-based Genome Editing for Diabetic Nephropathy
- Project Title: : Design and delivery of CRISPR/Cas Ribonucleoproteins using non-viral nanocarriers for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy
- Investigators: Prof. Deepak Chitkara
- Targets epigenetic alterations in diabetic nephropathy through genome editing tools.
7. Nanocarriers for miRNA-Based Therapy in Diabetic Nephropathy
- Project Title: : Development and evaluation of nano-systems for targeted delivery of mi-RNA-based epigenetic modulators
- Investigators:Prof. Anupama Mittal
- Focuses on delivering miRNA-29b via polymeric carriers to treat diabetic nephropathy.
8. Nanocarriers for Epigenetic Modulator Drugs
- Project Title: : Development and evaluation of nano-systems for targeted delivery of epigenetic modulator drugs
- Investigators: Prof. Aniruddha Roy
- Develops targeted nano-systems for delivering epigenetic drugs to manage diabetic nephropathy.
The program also conducts workshops and symposia on the role of epigenetics in health.
Patents and Research Publications:
Patent :
Anupama Mittal, and group. Lipopolymeric System for Delivery of miRNA and method of preparation thereof. Indian patent application #202311073652 (Provisional Specifications) filed on October 30, 2023
Publications :
- Dwivedi S, Chavan A, Paul AT. SET7, a lysine-specific methyl transferase: An intriguing epigenetic target to combat diabetic nephropathy. Drug Discov Today. 2023: 28(10):103754. (Impact factor: 7.4).
- Published: Akhouri V, Majumder S, Gaikwad AB. Targeting DNA methylation in diabetic kidney disease: A new perspective. Life Sci. 2023;335:122256. (Impact factor: 6.1).
- Akhouri V, Majumder S, Gaikwad AB. The emerging insight into E3 ligases as the potential therapeutic target for diabetic kidney disease. Life Sciences. 2023 May 15;321:121643. (Impact factor: 6.1).
