CURRENT RESEARCH

Research Interests

BBB Nanostructures: Delivery-imaging of Neural disorders

Nanophotonics which is emerging field for cancer research and treatment within, owing to its capacity to manipulate light at the nanoscale. One
significant focus of our group lies in Photothermal Therapy (PTT), where peptide- based nanoparticles absorb light, converting it into heat to induce localized hyperthermia and destroy tumor cells with precision, thus minimizing harm to healthy tissues. Additionally, the group has utilized peptide-based nanophotonics for advancing Photoacoustic Imaging techniques, enabling non-invasive visualization of tumors with high sensitivity and resolution.

Antiamyloidogenic Nanoformulations for Alzheimer’s

We have successfully developed self-fluorescent tryptophan nanoparticles loaded with dopamine and several polyphenol drugs for their application as theranostics in Alzheimer's Disease. Additionally, we also explored a modified dipeptide based nanoparticles arginine-dehydrophenylalanine nanoparticles conjugated with selenium for AD therapy. Furthermore, an acoustic stimuli-responsive nano system was
developed in our lab for treating AD effectively.

Self-assembled Peptide/Amino acid Nanostructures as glioma Theranostics

Using peptide-based skeleton, we try to develop a multimeric system for achieving targeted therapeutic outcomes. Harnessing the amino-acid transporters present in the brain, our peptide-
based nanosystems could effectively be taken up across the blood-brain barrier, thereby breaking through the semi-permeable limiting membranes. Furthermore, tailoring the peptides in such a manner to induce self-fluorescence in the peptide nanostructures could enable diagnosis.

Peptide-metal hybrid NPS As Theranostic Systems

Nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, and quantum dots, can be integrated into various types of biosensors, including electrochemical, optical, and instrumental biosensors, to improve their performance. These nanomaterials offer unique physical, chemical, and mechanical properties that can enhance the sensitivity and specificity of biosensors, enabling the detection of low levels of biomolecules and reducing the risk of false positives or negatives.

Nanoformulations As Anti-aggregating Agents In Cataract

Our work is also directed towards developing nanoformulations capable of treating ocular disorders like cataract non-invasively.
Our anti-cataract formulation work is very well accepted by the community and got high social recognition.

Self-assembled Peptide/Amino acid Nanostructures In Neural Therapy

A novel strategy for engineering peptide based nanofibrous
scaffolds with varying dimensions, orientation, surface morphology, ligand functionality, mechanical properties as well as biochemical cues for the restoration of brain and spinal cord damage/injury. We hypothesize that such scaffolds will promote
stem cell differentiation into neurons as well as drive neural cell maturation (neuritogenesis) by providing structural and biochemical guidance while maintaining inherent biocompatibility.

pH Responsive Nanobowls

Redox Responsive Nanoparticles

Photoresponsive Nanotructures

pH Responsive Nanovesicles

Target specific and stimuli responsive nanostructures as drug glioma delivery vehicles

One of our group’s interests involves the development of biocompatible nanostructures particularly peptide and peptide-
oligonucleotide based hybrid nanostructures for enabling successful therapeutic delivery across various physiological barriers such as the blood brain and blood ocular barriers. We have explored the self-assembled amino acid mimetics based
nanocarriers and their light responsive behaviour for targeted drug delivery in cancer and drug delivery towards ocular diseases and manuscripts have been published covering this aspect of my research area.

Bone tissue Engineering

Our pioneering work has resulted in the successful development of a peptide nanocarrier system encapsulating bone growth factors, synthesized through nanobowl fabrication techniques. Through rigorous testing in both in vitro cellular models and in vivo animal models, our nano systems have demonstrated remarkable efficacy. Moving forward, our objective is to transition these promising nano systems into clinical stages, thereby advancing healthcare interventions for the treatment of tibial fractures and contributing to the vitality, economic prosperity, and health of our communities.

Adv Coll and Interface 2023; Nanoscale 2023; Biomat Sci. 2023, Pharmaceutics 2023, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 2022, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology 2022, Nanoscale 2022, ACS Biomat Science and Engineering 2021; Bioconjugate Chemistry 2022, 2021; Nanomedicine, 2021 Colloid and Interface Science Communications 2021; Advanced therapeutics 2021; Nanomedicine, 2021; ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 2020; Biomaterials Science, 2021; ACS Appl Nanomaterials. 2019; ACS Chemical Neuroscience, 2017 ; Int J Biol Macromol. 2020 ; J Mater Chem B. 2019 ; Pharm Res. 2018