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Dr. Dileep Vijayan Group Leader email : [email protected] |
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I perform chemical biology research to propose novel lead molecules majorly for the drug targets in neurodegenerative disorders, uterine fibroids, epigenetics, cancer, and inflammatory-related diseases. I do multiscale computational approaches with x-ray crystallography, and other biophysical methods. |
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Dr. Saritha Francis Staff-Scientist email : [email protected] |
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Uterine fibroids (UF) are the benign muscular tumors that grows on the walls of the uterus during the reproductive age of women and represents a major health burden worldwide. Although UF can be surgically removed through invasive procedures, the recurrence rate is often high. Hence to counter the unmet medical need of noninvasive treatment of UF, we strive to identify, design, and optimize 'specific progesterone receptor modulators' (SPRMs) using distinct multi-layered self-organizing maps, computational and structural biology approaches. |
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Dr. Remya Chandran Nava Kerala Postdoctoral Fellow email : [email protected] |
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Being one of the most common types of dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD) imposes a tremendous social and economic burden on society. AD is irreversibly debilitating and ultimately fatal, and one of the leading causes of death. Due to the scarcity of drugs for the treatment of AD, novel therapeutic agents are highly demanding. In our research we are trying to identify/design novel poly-pharmacological ligands that can inhibit two drug targets in AD namely Acetylcholinesterase and secretory glutaminyl cyclase. |
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Dr. Vidya R Nair Postodoctoral Fellow-Ayush email : [email protected] |
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Antibiotic resistance represents one of the most critical global health threats of our time. Conventional antibiotics are increasingly ineffective against multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains and are often inadequate for comprehensive treatment. In contrast, traditional medicinal knowledge has demonstrated longstanding efficacy against a range of bacterial pathogens. My research seeks to investigate the mechanisms by which traditional remedies act against MDR bacterial strains, both as standalone treatments and in conjunction with existing antibiotics. By elucidating these interactions, we aim to harness their potential synergistic effects, with the ultimate goal of developing more effective and sustainable therapeutic strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. . |
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Ms. Aiswarya PhD Scholar email : [email protected]
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Psychological and physiological consequences of Alzheimer's disease (AD) impart a high socio-economic burden. While diet can have a positive impact on AD pathogenesis, the benefits of spices and their components remain less explored against the AD. We are striving to isolate and characterize active chemical entities from the essential oils of from spices, and establish their binding potential towards drug targets involved AD. We are also investigating the pharmacodynamics of various known active chemical entities from spices using mouse models. |
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Ms. Himasree PhD Scholar email : [email protected] |
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A swift aggregation of proteins into meticulously structured amyloid fibrils, along with the ensuing deposition of these fibrils into tissues, induces inflammation, eventually leading to dysfunction of organs. The formation and deposition of amyloid fibrils is a defining characteristic of numerous neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and others. Amyloid deposits can either be localized or systemic in nature. The systemic fibrils resulting from the protein lysozyme cause a rare form of autosomal dominant hereditary amyloidosis, which commonly manifests as renal impairment, gastrointestinal symptoms, Sicca syndrome, and other related issues. Currently, there are no drugs available to treat lysozyme-induced systemic hereditary amyloidosis. Thus, our objective is to use rational and computational techniques to design or identify small molecule inhibitors against this type of hereditary amyloidosis. |
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Ms. Chaithanya Mani PhD Scholar email : [email protected]
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Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) is a promising therapeutic target in the context of Alzheimer’s disease, owing to its central role in tau phosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and neuronal apoptosis. While most existing approaches focus on targeting the ATP-binding site of GSK3β, these strategies often suffer from limited selectivity and potential off-target effects due to the conserved nature of the ATP-binding domain across kinases. My research explores a novel approach by aiming to modulate GSK3β activity through allosteric inhibition. Targeting the allosteric site offers the potential to achieve higher specificity, reduced toxicity, and a more refined control over enzymatic activity. This strategy could pave the way for the development of safer and more effective therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease, with the added advantage of preserving physiological functions of GSK3β that are essential for normal cellular processes. |
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Ms. Angel Davis PhD Scholar email : [email protected]
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Systemic hereditary amyloidosis, resulting from the pathological aggregation of lysozyme in the human body, is a rare yet severe condition for which there is currently no approved treatment. The misfolding and subsequent accumulation of lysozyme into insoluble amyloid fibrils disrupts normal tissue function, leading to progressive organ damage. My research seeks to address this unmet medical need by employing both computational and experimental methodologies to identify and propose novel small molecules capable of inhibiting lysozyme aggregation. By integrating molecular modelling, in silico screening, and in vitro validation, the goal is to discover promising lead compounds that may ultimately contribute to the development of disease-modifying therapies for lysozyme-related amyloidosis. |
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Alumni Ms. Devananda R, Manipal University |
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Ms. Nivedita James
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Ms. Preethika Mohandas
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Ms. Taniya, University of Glasgow
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Ms. Girija Shenoy
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