Our Team > Cancer Research

Cancer Research

Cancer Research MANDATE Human Resource

1. Faculties - Five
2. Technical staff - Five
3. Office staff - One
4. Animal House Keepers - One
5. Cleaner - One
Faculty Academic Programs CLINICAL AND PATIENT SERVICE RESEARCH PROGRAMS RESEARCH OUTPUT
Projects undertaken
Extramural projects are undertaken by national and international funding agencies like DST, DBT, CSIR, ICMR, DHR, DRDO, DAE, AYUSH, KSCSTE, WHO, IARC, Inst. Cancer Research, UK, Dr. Gregory Schultz Institute of Wound Research, Florida, USA, etc.

MAJOR RESEARCH FACILITIES

Flow cytometer-Cell Sorter

Genetic Analyzer

Automated Metaphase Finder

Multicolour Karyotype (SKY) Workstation

FISH workstation

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Gel Documentation System

FT-IR Spectrometer

Real-Time PCRs

Thermal Cyclers

Dynamic Light Scatter (DLS)

Electrospun Apparatus

Lyophilizers

Fluorescence Research Microscopes

Experion Capillary Electrophoresis System

In vitro cell culture Facility

Animal House Facility

Research Groups

Faculty Details

Faculty Profile
Name: Dr. S. Kannan, MSc., PhD
Designation:Professor
Research Expertise:Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation and Molecular Oncology
Contact:

Email:kannans@rcctvm.gov.in/kannan.rcc@gmail.com

Office Phone:+91 471 2522524

Fax:+91 471 2447454

ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS

Recognized Supervising Teacher for Ph. D. degree of University of Kerala in Zoology (Faculty of Science) and Biotechnology (Faculty of Applied Science)

Member, PG Board of Studies ‐ Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Kerala (2009-12)

Chairman, Institute Animal Ethics Committee, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram

Member, Institutional Review Board, Scientific Review Committee, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram

Life Member, Indian Association Cancer Research

Research Areas

The Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation and Molecular Oncology is focusing on the molecular mechanisms involved in cancer development and progression as well as identifying molecular signatures capable of predicting disease prognosis in order to aid the personalized and the risk adjusted therapy for cancer. This lab is mainly concentrating on research studies in cancers of head & Neck and uterine cervix. Our studies on the elucidation of the role of EGFR-NF?B/STAT3 signalling pathways in oral cancer progression revealed that the synergetic use of inhibitors for EGFR with inhibitors of NF?B or STAT3 is more effective than the EGFR inhibitors alone. Studies on expression profiles of miRNA resulted in the formulation of a miRNA signature for oral cancer and found that the ratio of miR196a/miR204 expression is a potential prognostic marker for oral cancer. In continuation, the functional role of two downregulated miRNAs, miR-144-3p and miR-1237-3p, have been elucidated and found that both have a significant tumor suppressive role in oral carcinoma and their potential targets have also been identified. In addition to studies on oral cancer, we have also formulated microRNA signatures for uterine cervical cancer in relation to HPV infection status. We also compared salivary metabolome of oral cancer and normal person and formulated salivary metabolomic signature for oral cancer and its validation is currently progressing.

Patient Service

1. Qualitative RT-PCR analysis of BCR-ABL and PML-RARa fusion trancripts in leukemia patients.

2. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of BCR-ABL fusion trancripts in leukemia patients.

Extramurally Funded Projects (Last Five Years):

1. MicroRNA Expression Pattern in Carcinoma of the Cervix in Relation to HPV Infection Status, BRNS, BARC, Govt. of India, 2013-16, (Principal Investigator)

2. Biology of NFkB and STAT3 transcription factors in oral carcinogenesis, KCSTE, Govt. of Kerala, 2015-18, (Principal Investigator)

3. Delineate the Biological Significance of miRNAs Altered in Oral Carcinoma, DBT, Govt. of India, 2017-20, (Principal Investigator)

4. Utilization of Salivary Metabolites as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers in Oral Tongue Cancer, ICMR, Govt. of India, 2019-22, (Principal Investigator)

Publications in Indexed Journals (Last Five Years):

1. Manasa VG, Kannan S. Impact of MicroRNA Dynamics on Cancer Hallmarks; An Oral Cancer Scenario. Tumor Biology 39: DOI:10.1177/1010428317695920, 2017

2. Nair VB, Manasa VG, Sinto MS, Jayasree K, James FV, Kannan S. Differential Expression of MicroRNAs in Uterine Cervical Cancer and Its Implications in Carcinogenesis; An Integrative Approach. Int J Gynecol Can 28:553-562, 2018

3. Deepak Roshan VG, Sinto MS, Thomas S, Kannan S. Cyclin D1 overexpression associated with activation of STAT3 in oral carcinoma patients from South India. J Can Res Ther 14:403-408, 2018

4. Deepak Roshan VG, Sinto MS, Vargees BT, Kannan S. Loss of CDKN2A and CDKN2B expression is associated with disease recurrence in oral cancer. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 23:82-89, 2019

5. Baby NT, Abdullah A, Kannan S. 'The scope of liquid biopsy in the clinical management of oral cancer& Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021 Aug 27: S0901-5027(21)00292-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2021.08.017

6. Sinto Ms, Thomas S, Kannan S. 'Combinatorial treatment with Gefitinib and Bay11-7085 sensitizes primary Gefitinib-resistant OSCC cells by influencing the EGFR- NF?B signaling axis'. Med Oncol. 2021 Aug 6;38(9):110. doi: 10.1007/s12032-021-01557-z

7. Manasa VG, Thomas S, Kannan S. 'MiR-144/451a cluster synergistically modulates growth and metastasis of Oral Carcinoma'. Oral Dis. 2021 Aug 1. doi: 10.1111/odi.13984

Awards Received by Faculty/Students (Last Five Years):

1. Iris Himal Received Second prize for Best Poster Award at International Conference on HPV & Cancer- Recent Advances 2019, Thalassery - 2019

Doctoral Program:

Ongoing :

1. Joseph Vimal: Biology of metabolic reprogramming in metastatic oral cancer, University of Kerala

2. Iris Himal: Functional validation of miRNA signature identified for uterine cervical cancer, University of Kerala

3. Noble T Baby: Formulation of circulating cell free DNA-RNA signature (CFNAS) and validating the potential of liquid biopsy in diagnosis, University of Kerala

4. Dhanya VG: Biology of BRAF and TERT mutations in thyroid carcinoma, University of Kerala

Alumni:

1. R. Jayasurya: Studies on cell cycle regulatory proteins in oral carcinoma - (2004)

2. KM Sathyan: Characterization of molecular alterations in Cyclin D1 gene in oral carcinomas ‐ (2007)

3. Geo Francis: Characterization of molecular alterations in p53 Gene in oral carcinoma ‐(2009)

4. A. Abilash: Characterization of molecular alterations in the INK4A/MTS1/p16 gene loci in oral carcinoma ‐ (2009)

5. R. Sailasree: Molecular studies on involvement of p14/ARF gene in oral carcinomas ‐(2009)

6. Abitha Murali: Characterization of molecular alterations in the Retinoblastoma (Rb) gene in Oral Carcinoma - (2013)

7. Deepak Roshan V.G: Study on the identification of factor/s involved in overexpression of Cyclin D1 in Oral Carcinoma - (2013)

8. Sivadas V.P ‐ Molecular dissection of TGF/β Smad pathway in Oral Carcinoma - (2014)

9. Christo Rajan - Study of the significance of miRNA expression pattern in Oral Carcinoma - (2018)

10. Sinto MS: Biology of NF?B and STAT3 Transcription Factors in Oral Carcinogenesis, University of Kerala

11. Manasa VG: Biological Significance of miRNAs Altered in Oral Carcinoma, University of Kerala

Faculty Profile
Name: Dr. Lakshmi S, MSc, PhD
Designation:Additional Professor
Research Expertise:Cancer Research, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology

Contact details :

Email:rcc.lakshmi@gmail.com

Office Phone:+91 471 2522280(O); 9995080455(M)

Fax:+91 471 2447454

ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS

Recognized Supervising Teacher for Ph. D. degree of University of Kerala in Zoology (Faculty of Science) and Biotechnology (Faculty of Applied Science)

External Examiner for Oral and Practical examination for M.Sc Biotechnology, University of Kerala

Member Doctoral Advisory Committee, for Ph.D. students of SCTIMST and RGCB

Member, Institutional Review Board, Scientific Review Committee, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram

Member, Institute Animal Ethics Committee, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram

Life Member, Indian Association for Cancer Research (IACR)

Life Member Society for Biotechnologists India (SBTI)

Research Areas

The Laboratory of Molecular Medicine has been undertaking studies on the elucidation of cellular and molecular mechanisms in the development of cancer. Studies are ongoing and focused on developing primary cell lines of breast cancers and studying the effect of plant products in the development and progression of tumors. Multidisciplinary approaches are being employed including cell culture and molecular biology techniques in the development of primary cell lines from breast tumors, knockdown studies using siRNA and small molecule inhibitors, mutational and polymorphism studies and multidrug-resistant cancers. Extramural funded projects are ongoing, supported by ICMR, DBT, and KSCTSE, on the genetic and epidemiological factors involved in breast cancer and translational research on Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Post-doctoral studies funded by DBT under the Women Scientist scheme and KSCSTE under back to lab scheme are ongoing which analyzes the therapeutic potential of natural plant products. Studies on circulating DNA in breast and ovarian cancer patients, microbiome studies of colon and cervical cancer, and the significance of PDL1 expression in breast cancer is being also carried out part of clinical PG curriculam. This division permits students from various academic institutions at the MSc level to carry out dissertation and project work in disciplines involving biotechnology and molecular biology.
Extramurally Funded Projects (Last Five Years):

1. Comparative study of Genetic, Clinical and Epidemiological risk factors of breast cancer in Indian population, ICMR, Govt. of India, Task Force Project, 2017-2022, (Co-Principal Investigator)

2. Programme Support on Translational Research on Triple Negative Breast Cancer, DBT, Govt. of India, Centre for excellence program, 2017-22, (Co-Principal Investigator)

3. Mutation Analysis of EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF genes in non-small cell lung cancer in Indian population KSCSTE, 2017-2019, (Principal Investigator)

4. Analysis of therapeutic potential of a- mangostin and Garcinone E from Mangosteen against oral cancer metastasis DBT, Govt. of India, 2016-2019, Mentor

5. In vitro assessment of the anti-cancer property of Amalaki Rasayanam in triple negative breast cancer and delineation of its molecular mechanism of action. KSCSTE, Govt. of Kerala Back to Lab program for Post-Doctoral Fellowship, 2017-2020, Mentor

6. Role of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) on metastasis and angiogenesis of human melanoma. DST‐WOS A, Govt. of India, 2016-2019, Mentor

7. Molecular and Genetic Analysis Of Sub-Type Specific Alterations In Human Liposarcomas, KSCSTE, Govt. of Kerala, 2022-2025(Co-Principal Investigator)

Institutional studies (Last Five years) :

1. Prevalence of Androgen Receptor positivity in breast cancer patients and its prognostic implications

2. A prospective study to evaluate the role of ctDNA and DNA integrity index in assessing the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with carcinoma breast

3. Significance of TGF beta signalling pathway alterations in endometrial cancer

4. Clinicopathological correlation of diversity and quantity of rectal microbiota in rectal cancer patients-a metagenome analysis

5. A prospective study to evaluate the role of ctDNA and DNA integrity index in assessing the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with carcinoma breast

6. Significance of TGF beta signalling pathway alterations in endometrial cancer

7. Clinicopathological correlation of diversity and quantity of rectal microbiota in rectal cancer patients-a metagenome analysis

8. Cervico-vaginal microbiota in patients with precancerours and cancerous lesions of cervix

9. A study to assess Androgen receptor expression in newly diagnosed advanced high grade serous ovarian carcinoma and its response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Publications in Indexed Journals (Last Five Years):

1. Saifudeen I, Lakshmi S, Remani K, Nair RR. Metabolic Modulation by Medium-Chain Triglycerides Reduces Oxidative Stress and Ameliorates CD36-Mediated Cardiac Remodeling in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat in the Initial and Established Stages of Hypertrophy. J Cardiac Failure 23(3):240-251, 2017

2. Prabha Pillai, Lakshmi S. Significance of ki-67 protein expression in breast cancer. Indian J.Sci.Res. 18(2): 18-21, 2018

3. Iype EM, Balakrishna R, Lakshmi S, Thulaseedharan JV Singh R, Jayasree K. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in squamous cell carcinoma of larynx: association with clinico-pathological factors and treatment outcomes. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg 4(4):970-976, 2018

4. Majumder A, Dharan AT, Baral I, Varghese PC, Mukherjee A, Lakshmi S, Geetha N, Dutta D. Histone chaperone HIRA dictate proliferation vs differentiation of chronic myeloid leukemia cells. FASEB BioAdvances 1:525‐ 537, 2019

5. Sheeja K, Lakshmi S.Nod-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome in head-and-neck cancer.. J Cancer Res Ther. 2020 Apr-Jun;16(3):405-409. doi: 10.4103/jcrt.JCRT_849_18. PMID: 32719244 Review

6. Kumar AA, Anusree VR, Satheesh G, Vijayakumar G, Chandran M, Simon L, Lakshmi S, Pillai MR, Jaleel A. Hyperhomocysteinemia-related serum metabolome alterations not normalized by short-term folic acid treatment. Metabolomics. 2021 May 9;17(5):47. doi: 10.1007/s11306-021-01798-z. PMID: 33966131

7. Aryakrishna S. Lathika, S, Lakshmi S, Preethi T. Ramdas, Aswin Kumar, Susan Mathews, John Joseph, Aleyamma Mathew & Francis V. James. Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Expression in Cervical Cancer. Indian J Gynecol Oncolog 19, 86 (2021).DOI: 10.1007/s40944-021-00584-y

8. Antony GR, Augustine P, Parambil ST, Littleflower AB, Kattoor J, Krishna KMJ, Lakshmi S. Immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 and MDR1 in breast tumors: association with clinico-pathological parameters and treatment outcome. Clin Exp Med. 2022 Jul 9. doi: 10.1007/s10238-022-00852-x. Online ahead of print. PMID: 35810258

9. Antony GR, Augustine P, Parambil ST, Littleflower AB, Kattoor J, Krishna KMJ, Lakshmi S. Immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 and MDR1 in breast tumors: association with clinico-pathological parameters and treatment outcome. Clinical and Experimental Medicine 2022, Jul 9: 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-022-00852-x

10. Littleflower AB, Antony GR, Parambil ST, Lakshmi S. Metabolic Phenotype Intricacies on Altered Glucose Metabolism of Breast Cancer Cells upon Glut-1 Inhibition and Mimic Hypoxia in Vitro. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2023 Jan 28. doi: 10.1007/s12010-023-04373-5. Online ahead of print. PMID: 36708494

11. Antony GR, Littleflower AB, Parambil ST, Lakshmi S. PD-1/PD-L1 blockade inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and improves chemotherapeutic response in breast cancer. Med Oncol. 2023 Feb 26;40(4):108. doi: 10.1007/s12032-023-01965-3. PMID: 36842157

12. Gisha Rose Antony, Ajeesh Babu Littleflower, Sulfath Thottungal Parambil, Lakshmi S. PD-1/PD-L1 blockade inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and improves chemotherapeutic response in breast cancer. Medical Oncology 2023:40;(4): 108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-023-01965-3

Awards Received by Faculty/Students (Last Five Years):

1. Dr. Sheeja K: Best Paper Award (Oral Presentation) at the 40th Annual Conference of Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists (IABMS) on “Biomedical research and innovation to enhance quality of life” held from 31st October to 2nd November 2019 at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai. “Protective effect of a-mangostin on oral cancer cell invasion and molecular mechanism of action”

2. Ajeesh B L: Best paper award (oral Presentation) at the 8th International Translational Cancer Research Conference on Role of inflammation and immune system for cancer prevention and treatment”, held on 13th -16th February 2020 at Varanasi, UP organized by Society for translational Cancer Research and Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-India. “Role of Glucose transporter (Glut-1) as a potential target for breast cancer therapy”

3. Sulfath TP: SITARAM JOGLEKAR AWARD memorial award 2020 for best oral presentation by young scientist in the 39th annual conference of Indian Association for Cancer Research”, held on 5th -7th February 2020 at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala organized by Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-India. “Hippo pathway effector yes associated protein (YAP) mediates tumor aggressiveness in breast cancer cells”

4. Sulfath TP: Best paper award (poster presentation) at the “8th International Translational Cancer Research Conference on Role of inflammation and immune system for cancer prevention and treatment”, held on 13th -16th February 2020 at Varanasi, UP organized by Society for translational Cancer Research and Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-India. “Verteporfin inhibits proliferation and metastasis in breast cancer cells via regulating YAP activation”

Doctoral Program :

Ongoing :

1. Sulfath T.P - Exploring eccentric roles of hippo pathway in the progression and survival of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) to ascertain molecular therapeutic target, University of Kerala
2. Ajeesh B.L - Characterization of Glucose Metabolism in Breast Cancer and its therapeutic implications, University of Kerala
3. Gisha Rose Antony - Exploring the key regulators of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in breast cancer and its clinical relevance as therapeutic targets for immunotherapy, University of Kerala.
Post-Doctoral Program :

1. Dr. Sheeja K - Role of Nod-Like Receptor Protein 3 (Nlrp3) On Metastasis and Angiogenesis of Human Melanoma Cells, DST WOS-A, 2019-22
2. Dr. Sreeja Purushothaman. In vitro assessment of the anti-cancer property of Amalaki Rasayanam in triple negative breast cancer and delineation of its molecular mechanism of action. KSCSTE, Govt. of Kerala, 2017-2020

Alumni :

1. Binu K.A - Role of estrogen receptor co-regulators in breast cancer, Kerala University- 2014
2. Prabha Pillai - Role of signal transducers and activators of transcription in breast carcinogenesis, Kerala University-2015.

Faculty Profile
Name: : Dr. Hariharan S, MSc, PhD
Designation:Additional Professor
Research Expertise:Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology

Contact Details:

Email:shhrcc@gmail.com/shhrcc@rediffmail.com/hariharan@rcctvm.gov.in

Office Phone:+91 471 2522343/9496750040

Fax:+91 471 2447454

ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS

1. Recognized Supervising Teacher for Ph.D degree of University of Kerala in Zoology (Faculty of Science) and Biotechnology (Faculty of Applied Science)
2. Recognized Supervising Teacher for Ph.D degree of MG University in Life Sciences.
3. Member, Indian Association of Cancer Research and Indian Society of Human Genetics.

Research Areas:

The Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnosis is mainly concentrating on cytogenetic and molecular studies in hematological malignancies. Primarily for the Identification of chromosomal and Molecular abnormalities and of risk groups in leukemias, mechanism of drug resistance and identification of molecular prognostic markers for these cancers. Besides, cytogenetic and molecular studies in inhabitants of high natural background radiation areas of Karunagappally, Kerala, are also being carried out. Developed indigenous software for karyotyping in collaboration with the College of Engineering, Karunagappally. The ongoing projects are “Digitally connected tribal colonies: Validation of automated screening system for cervical and oral cancer using computerized image analysis and AI-Driven Large-scale Screening for Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer (AIDOScan).

Patient Service:

1. Karyotyping for Leukemia patients
2. Karyotyping for patients suspected with genetic diseases infertility etc.
3. Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization test for Leukemia patients

Extramurally Funded Projects (Last Five Years):

1. Identification of prognostic markers to alleviate the therapeutic challenges in advanced phases of CML; a cytogenetic and molecular approach, ICMR (2017-19) PI Dr.Hariharan S
2. Development of an indigenous software for karyotyping and chromosome abnormality detection. ( In collaboration with College of Engineering, Karunagappally) (KSCSTE) (2018-2021)Co-PI Dr Hariharan S
3. Clinical relevance of molecular and gene expression signatures in AML patients with Normal cytogenetics for a prognostically prioritized molecular classification. (KSCSTE). (2018-2021)PI Dr.Hariharan S
4. Cytogenetic and molecular studies in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia- (KBT) (2019-21)PI. Dr. Hariharan S
5. Micro RNA profiling in different cytogenetic sub types of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients. Chief Ministers Nava Kerala Post-Doctoral Fellowship project. (2022-2024) Mentor. Dr.Hariharan S
6. Digitally connected Tribal Colonies ‐ Validation of Automated screening system for cervical and oral cancer using computerised image analysis. ( MeitY-Govt of India) (2021-2024)Co-PI.Dr.Hariharan S
7. Nrf2 and p53: Potential biomarkers to augur progression, prognosis and therapy response of abnormal cervical lesions ‐ A Promising Approach to fortify early-stage detection of cervical cancer. (DHR Young Scientist Project) (2022-2024). Mentor. Dr.Hariharan S.
8. Al-Driven Large-scale Screening for Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer (AIDOScan) DBT(2022-2025). Co.I. Dr.Hariharan S

Publications in Indexed Journals (Last Five Years):

1. Santhi S, Sangeetha Vijay, Sureshkumar R, Sreeja L, Preethi Sara George, Geetha N & Hariharan S. Risk effects of XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XPD Lys751Gln gene polymorphismsin de novo acute myeloid leukemia ‐ A study from India. Indian ournal of Biotechnology Vol 16, July 2017, pp 287-295.
2. Krishna C Ramachandran, Geetha Narayanan, Sreejith G Nair, Sugeeth M Thambi, Lekshmi H Kambala, Preethi G Nath, Hariharan S. Isodicentric Philadelphia chromosome: A rare chromosomal aberration in IM resistant CML- case report with review of the literature. Cytogenetcis and Genome research. March 3 2017/1-8.
3. Aswathy Chandran G, Hariharan S, Jayalekshmy P, Krishna ChandranR, Reghuram K Nair. SULT1A1 Gene Polymorphism in High Background Radiation areas (HBRAs) of Kerala, India. International Journal of Life Science Scientific Research 2017/ 3(4): 1262-1266.
4. Sakthivel KM, Hariharan S. Regulatory players of DNA damage repair mechanisms: Role cancer chemoresistance. Science Direct .2017/93.1238-1245.
5. Krishnachandran R, Geetha N, Sakthivel KM, Aswathy CG, Preethi G, Jagathnath Krishna KM, Hariharan S. Prognostic Implications of Derivative Chromosome 9 Deletions in Patients with Advanced ‐ stage Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Journal of environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology. 2018/37. (2) 117-126.
6. Ramachandran Krishnachandran, Narayanan Geetha, KM Sakthivel, Suresh Kumar R, Jagathnath Krishna KM, Hariharan S. Impact of additional chromosomal aberrations on the disease progression of CML. Frontiers in Oncology.2019/9-88.
7. Krishnachandran R, Geetha N, Sakthivel KM, Aswathy CG, Preethy G Nath, Akhila Raj TV, Priya G, Jagathnath Krishna KM, Hariharan S. Genomic Amplification of BCR-ABL1 fusion gene and its impact on the disease progression mechanism in patients with CML. Gene.2018/ 686, 85-91.
8. Krishna Chandran R, Geetha N, Sakthivel KM, Suresh Kumar R, Jagathnath Krishna KM, Hariharan S. Differential gene expression changes and their implication on the disease progression in patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Blood Cells, Molecules and Diseases 77 .2019. 51‐60.
9. Preethi G Nath, Priyakumari T, Jagathnath Krishna KM, Krishnachandran R, Hariharan S. Clinical significance of c-KIT mutations in children with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: An Indian study. International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences. 2019, 9 (1) 930-937.
10. Krishna Chandran R, Geetha N, Sakthivel KM, Suresh Kumar R, Jagathnath Krishna KM, Hariharan S. Differential gene expression changes and their implication on the disease progression in patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Blood Cells, Molecules and Diseases 2019(77) 51‐60
11. Krisha chandran R, Geetha N, Sakthivel KM, Suresh Kumar R. Jagannath Krishna KM and Hariharan S. 'Impact of Additional Aberrations on the Disease Progression of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia’. Frontiers in Oncology. 2019 (9),1-12.
12. Remya RS, Hariharan S, Keerthi V, Gopakumar C. Preprocessing G-banded metaphase: towards the design of automated karyotyping. Springer Nature. 2019(1):1710.
13. Vineetha RC, Hariharan S, Abdul Jaleel, Mahesh Chandran R Nair RH. L- Ascorbic acid and alpha-Tocophenol synergistically triggers apoptosis inducing antileukemic effects of arsenic trioxide via oxidative stress in human acute Promyelocytic leukemia cells. Frontiers in Oncology. 2020(10) 65.1-13
14. Gigi Thomas, Santhoshkumar TR, Preethi George S, Thara Somanathan, Santhi Sarojam, Nandakumar Krishnankutti, Hariharan S, Ravindran Ankathil. Prognostic Implications of DNA Repair, Ploidy and Telomerase in the Malignant Transformation Risk Assessment of Leukoplakia. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2020 (21) 309-316.
15. Remya RS, Hariharan S, Sooraj M, Keerthi V, Raj AS, Gopakumar C. Deepnet for Detecting Analyzable Metaphases, ” 2020 Advanced Computing and Communication Technologies for High Performance Applications (ACCTHPA), 2020, pp.1-7, doi:.
16. Remya RS, Hariharan S, Vinod V, Fernandez DJW, Ajmal NM, Gopakumar C. A Comprehensive Study on Convolutional Neural Networks for Chromosome Classification. Advanced Computing and Communication Technologies for High Performance Applications (ACCTHPA), 2020, pp. 287-292
17. Sakthivel KM, Geetha N, Akhila Raj TV, Krishnachandran R, Jagathnath Krishna KM, Hariharan S. Whole exome sequencing identifies Cohesin component STAG1 mutation in denovo Acute myeloid Leukemia (FAB M2): A pilot study with Cytogenetics, clinical and prognostic implications. Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology. 2021/40(1):51-64.
18. Jero Mathu Albert, Neethu Hari, Hariharan S, Ananthakrishnan Jayakumaran Nair. Examination of various antibiotics on mycoplasma bacterial contamination in the human K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cell line culture. Archives of Clinical Microbiology ISSN 1989-8436 2021 Vol. 12 No. S5:175.
19. Padmakumar D, Chandraprabha VR, Gopinath P, Devi AR, Anitha GR, Sreeletha MM, Padmakumar A, Hariharan S. A concise review on the molecular genetics of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Leukemia Research. 2021, 1;111:106727.
20. Remya Remani Sathyan, Gopakumar Chandrasekhara Menon, Hariharan S, Rakhi Thampi, Jude Hemanth Duraisamy. Traditional and deep-based techniques for end-to-end automated karyotyping: A review, Expert Systems. 2022;39:e12799. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/exsy https://doi.org/10.1111/exsy.12799.
21. Devipriya Padmakumar, Vineetha Radhakrishnan Chandraprabha, Preethi G Nath, Akhila Raj TV, Geetha Raj John John Anitha, Mahitha Mohanan Sreelatha, Amritha Padmakumar, Hariharan S. A concise review on the molecular genetics of Acute myeloid Leukemia. Leukemia Research. 2021 111. 106727.
22. Akhila Raj TV, Preethi G Nath, Getha Raj JA, Geetha N, Sreejith G Nair, Deepa Susan Joy Philip, Suresh Raveendran, Priya Geetha, Hariharan S. Acute myeloid leukemia patients with variant or unusual translocations involving chromosomes 8 and 21- A comprehensive cytogenetic profiling of three cases with review of literature. Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics. 2022. IP 250.70.54.91. DOI. 104103jcrt.190.21.

Book chapter:

Hariharan Sreedharan. Chromosome Abnormalities in Hematological Malignancies and Its Clinical Significance. in the Book ‘Down Syndrome and Other Chromosome Abnormalities’ Edited by Subrata Dey. 1st edition- London. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.101078. 2022.

Awards Received by Faculty/Students (Last Five Years):

1. Krishnachandran R: Received the Best Poster Award (Life Sciences) at the 30th Kerala Science Congress, Kannur. 2018
2. Best Paper presentation Award in Health Science Section ‐ Scientist Category to Akhila TV 35th Kerala Science Congress, Idukki. 2023

Doctoral Program:

On-Going:

1. Geetha Raj- Clnical relevance of molecular and gene expression signatures in AML patients with normal cytogenetics for a prognostically prioritized molecular classification. University of Kerala
2. Mahitha MS- Clinical significance of Advanced stages of CML patients. University of Kerala
3. Amritha P Kumar- A study of Cytogenetic and Molecular abnormalities in children with ALL and its clinical significance. University of Kerala
4. Devipriya P. Prognostic significance of cytarabine metabolic pathway genes in different cytogenetic subtypes of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients

Post-Doctoral Program: ongoing :

1. Dr. Asha Lekshmi. DHR- Young Scientist. Nrf2 and p53: Potential biomarkers to foretell progression, prognosis and therapy response of abnormal cervical lesions ‐ A Promising Approach to fortify early-stage detection of cervical cancer detection. (2022-2024)
2. Dr. Vineetha RC. Chief Ministers Nava Kerala Post-Doctoral Fellowship. Micro RNA profiling in different cytogenetic sub types of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients. (2022-2024)

Alumni :

1. Dr.Vani S. Post Doc. Cytogenetic and Molecular studies in CML (KBC-2009-2011)
2. Dr. Sreeja L. Post Doc. Molecular studies on Acute Myeloid Leukemia. (ICMR.2010-2012)
3. Santhi S ‐ PhD. Clinical relevance of Cytogenetics and Molecular studies in patients with AML. University of Kerala. (2007-2015)
4. Sangeetha Vijay ‐ PhD. Molecular genetic basis of resistance to Imatinib mesylate treatment in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients. University of Kerala. (2009-2015)
5. Suresh Kumar R- Prognostic relevance of Nucleophosmin 1 and Methylation associated gene mutations in AML patients. University of Kerala. (2010-2016)
6. Aswathy CG-PhD. Cytogenetic studies and DNA repair gene polymorphism status in inhabitants of high background radiation areas(HBRAs) of Karunagappally, Kerala. MG university (2012-2018).
7. Krishnachandran R ‐ PhD. “Blastic Transformation of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: Cytogenetic and Molecular Mechanisms Orchestrating the Disease Progression. University of Kerala (2013-2019).
8. Dr. Sakthivel (Post-doctoral fellow) Analysis of STAG1(SA1) cohesion mutations in De novo AML patients from India and a comparative study of in vitro culture of AML native blasts and cell lines. Post Doc student / DST (2017-2019).
9. Priya G. Research Assistant. (2015-2020)
10. Preethi G Nath. PhD. Identification of novel prognostic markers in pediatric leukemia University of Kerala. (2015-2021)
11. Akhila Raj TV. PhD. Molecular studies on genes responsible for drug resistance: A study on de novo and relapsed AML patients. University of Kerala (2016-2022)

Faculty Profile

Name: : Dr. Sreelekha T T, MSc, PhD
Designation:Associate Professor
Research Expertise:Biopharmaceuticals, Cancer Biology, Nanomedicine

Contact Details:

Email:ttsreelekha@gmail.com/sreelekhatt@rcctvm.gov.in

Office Phone:+91 471 2522378(O) / 9446142255 (M)

Fax:+91 471 2447454

ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS

1. Recognized Supervising Teacher for Ph. D. degree of the University of Kerala in Chemistry (Faculty of Science) and Biotechnology (Faculty of Applied Science)
2. Life member of the National Society of Ethno Pharmacology, India
3. Life member of the Society of Biological Chemists, India
4. Life member of the Indian Association of Cancer Research, India
5. Associate Member, Royal Society of Cancer, UK
6. Member of the American Chemical Society (ACS), USA

Research Areas

The Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals & Nanomedicine is mostly focusing on the theranostic applications of polysaccharides Nano constructs in cancer management. The gold, silver, iron, and copper nanoparticles capped with polysaccharides and conjugated to chemotherapeutic agents are deliberated for theranostic applications such as targeted drug delivery, tumor reduction, gene and drug carrier, cancer vaccine, photothermal therapy, antimicrobial properties, in vivo imaging, SERS and as a contrasting agent for MRI. Polysaccharide-coated silver nanoparticles (SNP@PSP) doped cream and scaffolds were found to have excellent in vitro and in vivo wound healing potential. Polysaccharide selenium nanoparticles loaded with chemotherapeutic Paclitaxel were found to be competent for oral and intravenous delivery of drugs to treat colon cancer. Studies on the delivery of siRNA and chemotherapeutic agents alone or in combination using polysaccharide-based gold nanoparticles so as to achieve a multi-targeted anticancer therapeutic effect are also being done in the laboratory. Studies on cellular imaging and image-guided surgery using polysaccharide-based quantum dots for precise detection of tumor margins are progressing. The development of a whole-cell cancer vaccine, which is the most cost-effective and reliable approach to a cancer vaccine, without using common immunomodulators or genetic manipulations is yet another area of research in the laboratory.

Extramurally Funded Projects (Last Five Years):

1. Multiplex profiling of chromosomal translocations, mutations and MDR in pediatric leukemia cells and development of biomarkers for targeted personalized medicine. KSCSTE, Govt. of Kerala, 2014‐2017 (Co-Investigator)
2. Chemotherapeutics loaded polysaccharide-nanoparticles to overcome drug resistance in cancer cells and to cross blood brain barrier. CSIR, Govt. of India, 2016-2019 (Principal Investigator)
3. Preparation and biological evaluation of Galactoxyloglucan-based scaffolds for stem cell differentiation and tumor reduction. KSCSTE, Govt. of Kerala, 2017‐2020 (Principal Investigator)
4. Development of antimicrobial porous polymeric bandage for skin tissue regeneration. BRNS, DAE, Govt. of India, 2018‐2021 (Principal Investigator)
5. Engineering intelligent theranostic nanocarrier for targeted therapy and diagnosis of cancer. SERB, Govt. of India, 2018‐2021 (Principal Investigator)
6. Paclitaxel loaded polysaccharide-nanoconjugates to overcome drug resistance in cancer cells. KBC, KSCSTE, Govt. of Kerala, 2016-18 (Mentor)
7. Antitumor and Antimicrobial Properties of Polysaccharide-Silver Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications. SERB, Govt. of India, 2018‐2020 (Mentor)
8. Polysaccharide silver nanoparticle doped materials: In-vitro and in-vivo investigations for wound healing applications. Young Scientist project, DHR, Govt. of India (mentor)
9. Polysaccharide-selenium nanoparticle loaded with paclitaxel for oral administration in gastrointestinal cancer. Young Scientist project, DHR, Govt. of India (mentor)
10. The scope of an injectable galactoxyloglucan/PEG oxime click hydrogel in whole-cell cancer vaccine: an approach to expedite clinical translation. SERB-POWER Grant, Govt. of India, 2022-2025 (Principal Investigator)

Publications in Indexed Journals (Last Five Years):

1. James AR, Unnikrishnan BS, Priya R, Joseph MM, Manojkumar TK, Pillai KR, Shiji R, Preethi GU, Kusumakumary P, Sreelekha TT. Computational and mechanistic studies on the effect of galactoxyloglucan - imatinib nanoconjugate in imatinib-resistant K562 cells. Tumor Biology, 39(3), 1-15, 2017
2. Unnikrishnan BS, Joseph MM, Preethi GU, Shiji R, Sreelekha TT. Green Chemistry Approach as a Versatile Platform for Nanoparticles with Biomedical Applications. Nanoscience & Nanotechnology-Asia, 7(1), 26-40, 2017
3. Joseph MM, Nair JB, Ramya AN, Hari N, Pillai KR, Nair AJ, Maiti KK, Sreelekha TT. Exploration of Biogenic Nano-Chemobiotics Fabricated by Sliver Nanoparticle and Galactoxyloglucan with an Efficient Bio distribution in Solid Tumor Investigated by SERS Fingerprinting. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 9, 19578-19590, 2017
4. Varghese S, Joseph MM, Aravind SR, Unnikrishnan BS, Sreelekha TT. The inhibitory effect of anti-tumor polysaccharide from Punica granatum on metastasis. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 103, 1000-1010, 2017
5. Ramya AN, Joseph MM, Maniganda S, Varsha K, Sreelekha TT, Maiti KK. Emergence of Gold-Mesoporous Silica Hybrid Nano-Theranostic: Dox-Encoded, Folate Targeted Chemotherapy with Modulation of SERS Finger printing for Apoptosis towards Tumor Eradication. Small, 13 (31), 1700819, 2017
6. Joseph MM, Nair JB, Maiti KK, Sreelekha TT. Plasmonically Enhanced Galactoxyloglucan Endowed Gold Nanoparticles Exposed Tumor Targeting Biodistribution Envisaged in a Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Platform. ACS Biomacromolecules, 18, 4041-4053, 2017
7. Himabindu P, Joseph MM, Unnikrishnan BS, Preethi GU, Shiji R, Archana MG, Maya S, Syama HP, Sreelekha TT. Galactomannan Endowed Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Exposed Enhanced Cancer Cytotoxicity with Excellent Biocompatibility. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 118, 1174-1182, 2018
8. Preethi GU, Unnikrishnan BS, Joseph MM, Shiji R, Sreelekha TT. Biogenic silver nanoparticles adorned polyvinyl alcohol nanofibrous scaffolds avert tumor and bacterial growth. Current Science, 116 (10), 1735-1741, 2019
9. Varghese S, Joseph MM, Aravind SR, Unnikrishnan BS, Pillai KR, Sreelekha TT. Immunostimulatory plant polysaccharides impede cancer progression and metastasis by avoiding off-target effects. International Immunopharmacology, 73, 280-292, 2019
10. UnnikrishnanBS. Preethia GU, Maya S, Syama HP, Archana MG, Sreelekha TT. Fabrication of fluorescein-labeled galactoxyloglucan polysaccharide for tumor and macrophage tagging. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 52, 863‐869, 2019
11. Reshma PL, Unnikrishnan BS, Preethi GU, Syama HP, Archana MG, Remya K, Shiji R, Sreekutty J, Sreelekha TT. Overcoming drug-resistance in lung cancer cells by paclitaxel loaded galactoxyloglucan nanoparticles. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 136, 266-274, 2019
12. Remya K, Maya S, Unnikrishnan BS, Sreekutty J, Preethi GU, Maiti KK, Sreelekha TT. Galactoxyloglucan-Modified Gold Nanocarrier of Doxorubicin for Treating Drug-Resistant Brain Tumors. ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 2(10), 6287-6299, 2019
13. Unnikrishnan BS, Preethi GU, Syama HP, Archana MG, Sreelekha TT; Advances in polysaccharide metal nanoconstructs and its impact in cancer theranostics: SMC Bulletin (Review Article), 10, 2-16, 2019 (Cover Page)
14. Preethi GU, Sreekutty J, Unnikrishnan BS, Archana MG, Syama HP, Deepa Mohan, Shiji R, Anusree KS, Sreelekha TT. Doxorubicin eluting microporous polysaccharide scaffolds: An implantable device to expunge tumour. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 107, 110332, 2020
15. Preethi GU, Unnikrishnan BS, Sreekutty J, Archana MG, Anupama MS, Shiji R, Raveendran Pillai K, Joseph MM, Syama HP, Sreelekha TT. Semi-interpenetrating Nanosilver Doped Polysaccharide Hydrogel Scaffolds for Cutaneous Wound Healing. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 142, 712‐723, 2020
16. Joseph MM, Hari N, Pillai RK, Nair AJ, Sreelekha TT. Galactoxyloglucan Endowed Biogenic Nanoimmunobiotics Arrests Microbial Growth and Elicits Antitumor Immunity. ACS Appl. Bio Mater. 3, 801-814, 2020
17. Shiji R, Joseph MM, Pillai RK, Himabindu P, Preethi GU, Sreelekha TT. Polysaccharide-enabled biogenic fabrication of pH-sensing fluorescent gold nanoclusters as a biocompatible tumor imaging probe. Microchimica Acta 187:246, 2020
18. Unnikrishnan BS, Maya S, Preethi GU, Anusree KS, Reshma PL, Archana MG, Maiti KK, Sreelekha TT. Self-assembled drug loaded glycosyl-protein metal nanoconstruct: Detailed synthetic procedure and therapeutic effect in solid tumor treatment. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 193, 111082, 2020
19. Joseph MM, Ramya AN, Vijayan VM, Nair JB, Bastian BT, Pillai RK, Sreelekha TT, Maiti KK. Targeted Theranostic Nano Vehicle Endorsed with Self-Destruction and Immunostimulatory Features to Circumvent Drug Resistance and Wipe-out Tumor Reinitiating Cancer Stem Cells" Small, 16, 2003309, 2020
20. Shiji, Joseph MM, Pillai KR, Preethi GU, Sreelekha TT. A biocompatible glycol-capped nano-delivery system with stimuli-responsive drug release kinetics abrogates cancer cell survival. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 165, 568‐581, 2020
21. Unnikrishnan BS, Anitha Sen, Preethi GU, Joseph MM, Maya S, R. Shiji, Anusree KS, Sreelekha TT. Folic acid-appended galactoxyloglucan-capped iron oxide nanoparticles as a biocompatible nanotheranostic agent for tumor-targeted delivery of doxorubicin. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 168,130-142, 2021
22. Unnikrishnan BS, Preethi GU, Anitha Senb, Shiji R, Archana MG, Sreekutty J, Anusree KS, Syama HP, Deepa Mohan, Prahladhan A, Sreelekha TT. Impact of galactoxyloglucan coated iron oxide nanoparticles on reactive oxygen species generation and magnetic resonance imaging for tumor management. Journal of Cluster Science, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10876-020-01971-9
23. Unnikrishnan BS, Preethi GU, Sreelekha TT. A comprehensive study on 2D, 3D and solid tumor environment to explore a multifunctional biogenic nanoconjugate. Scientific Reports, 11:8721, 2021
24. Preethi GU, Sreekutty J, Unnikrishnan BS, Deepa Mohan, Catherine Berry, Anuj Tripathi, Sreelekha TT. Engineering Cartilage Graft Using Mesenchymal Stem Cell Laden Polyacrylamide-Galactoxyloglucan Hydrogel for Transplantation. J Biomater Appl. 36(3) 541‐551, 2021
25. Preethi GU, Unnikrishnan BS, Sreekutty J, Archana MG, Deepa Mohan, Raveendran Pillai K, Sreelekha TT. Electrospun polysaccharide scaffolds: wound healing and stem cell differentiation, Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 33 (7), 858-877, 2022
26. Preethi GU, Sreekutty J, Unnikrishnan BS, Deepa Mohan, Archana MG, Maya S, Raveendran Pillai K, Catherine Berry, Maiti KK, Sreelekha TT. Porous polysaccharide scaffolds: Proof of concept study on wound healing and stem cell differentiation. Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers. 37(2) 115‐133, 2022
27. Shiji R, Manu M Joseph, Anitha Sen, Raveendran Pillai K, Unnikrishnan BS, Sreelekha TT. Galactomannan armed superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as a folate receptor targeted multi-functional theranostic agent in the management of cancer. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 219,740-753, 2022
28. Preethi GU, Sreekutty J, Unnikrishnan BS, Archana MG, Sreelekha TT. Polysaccharide nanofibers and hydrogel: A comparative evaluation on 3D cell culture and tumor reduction. J Appl Polym Sci., e53044, 2022
29. Syama HP, Unnikrishnan BS, Sreekutty J, Archana MG, Manu M Joseph, Preethi GU, Anusree KS, Reshma PL, Shiji R, Sreelekha TT. Bio fabrication of galactomannan capped silver nanoparticles to apprehend Ehrlich ascites carcinoma solid tumor in mice. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 76, 103649, 2022
30. Archana MG, Sreekutty J, Syama HP, Manu M Joseph, Anusree KS, Unnikrishnan BS, Preethi GU, Reshma PL, Sreelekha TT. Polysaccharide guided tumor delivery of therapeutics: A bio-fabricated galactomannan-gold nanosystem for augmented cancer therapy. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 80, 104172, 2023

Chapters in Book :

1. Shiji R, Manu M Joseph, Unnikrishnan BS, Preethi GU, Sreelekha TT. ‘Fluorescent gold nanoclusters as a powerful tool in cancer management’. In Advances in Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications-Advanced Structural Materials. Edited by Anuj Tripathy and Jose Savio Melo.-Vol 66 Springer Nature Singapore, p385‐428, 2017
2. Preethi GU, Maya S, Unnikrishnan BS, Sreelekha TT. Electrospun Nanofibrous Scaffolds: A Versatile Therapeutic Tool for Cancer Management. In book: Handbook of Nanofibers. Edited by Ahmed Barhoum, Mikhael Bechelany and Abdel Salam Hamdy Makhlouf. Woodhead Publishing is an imprint of Elsevier, United Kingdom pp.1-28, 2018
3. Reshma PL, Unnikrishnan BS, Syam HP, Sreelekha TT. Insights into the Theranostic Potential of Core-Shell Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Approach towards Cancer. In book: Chemical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology New Materials and Modern Techniques. Editors: Francisco Torrens, Haghi AK, and Tanmoy Chakraborty. Apple Academic Press, Taylor & Francis Group, pp257-289, 2020
4. Remya Komeri, Syama HP, Preethi GU, Unnikrishnan BS, Shiji R, Archana MG, Deepa Mohan, Anuj Tripathi, Sreelekha TT. Prospects of cell immobilization in cancer research and immunotherapy. In book: Immobilization Strategies: Biomedical, Bioengineering and Environmental Applications. Editor(s): Anuj Tripathi and Jose Savio Melo. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. pp165-193, 2020
5. Unnikrishnan BS, Preethi GU, Manu M Joseph, Jose Savio Melo, Sreelekha TT, Anuj Tripathi; 3D-Printing in Dental Implants: In book: 3D Printing in Medicine and Surgery: Editor(s): Daniel J. Thomas and Deepti Singh. Elsevier: pp 93-104, 2020
6. Maya S, Unnikrishnan BS, Preethi GU, Sreelekha TT. Panoramic View on Biological Barricades and their Influence on Polysaccharide Nanoparticle Transport: An Updated Status in Cancer. In book: Natural Products Chemistry Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Phytochemistry. Editor(s): Tatiana G. Volova, Debarshi Kar Mahapatra, Sonia Khanna and A. K. Haghi. Apple Academic Press, Inc.Exclusive co-publishing with CRC Press, a Taylor & Francis Group, pp 191-222, 2021
7. Archana MG, Joseph MM, Sreelekha TT. Punica granatum Polysaccharide Aided Nanoparticles: A Versatile Approach for Combating Cancer Complexities. In book: Punica granatum: Cultivation, Properties and Health Benefits: Editor: Dr. Rupesh K. Gautam. Nova Science Publishers, Inc., New York, pp 63-88, 2021

Awards/Patents Received by Faculty/Students (Last Five Years):

1. Archana MG: Received First prize for the best oral presentation. Polysaccharide-gold nanosystem guided combinatorial delivery of HER2 siRNA and doxorubicin: A promising in vivo therapeutic strategy for augmented breast cancer therapy. Indo-US Seminar - Recent Biochemical Approaches in Therapeutics (RBAT-IX), Department of Biochemistry, Kerala University held on 1st -3rd February 2023
2. Sreekutty J: Received Best Poster Award. Doxorubicin loaded polysaccharide based ZnO quantum dots for targeted drug delivery. National Seminar on Recent Trends in Disease Prevention and Health Management (NS-DPHM-2022): Jointly organized by CSIR-NIIST and Kerala Academy of Sciences (KAS), CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram 14th -15th December, 2022
3. Archana MG: Awarded first prize for best oral presentation in Health Sciences. siRNA and anti-neoplastic agent tethered gold nanosystem: A promising in vivo co-delivery system for breast cancer management. 34th Kerala Science Congress held on February 10-12, 2022, Thiruvananthapuram
4. Archana MG: Received Second Prize for best oral presentation. Combinatorial delivery of EGFR siRNA and doxorubicin: A dual-targeting in vivo therapeutic approach for lung tumor management: 3rd National Biomedical Research Competition (NBRCOM 2021), Society of Young Biomedical Scientists, India held on 6th -10th December, 2021
5. Archana MG: Received Second Prize for best oral presentation. Bio fabricated metallic nanosystem conjugated with siRNA - A promising gene delivery system for tumor management: Paper Presentation competition as a part of International Biotechnology conclave “SymBiot - Celebrating Biotech” at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram on 14th to 15th December 2021
6. Unnikrishnan BS awarded Dr. Divya Ravindran Memorial Award 2020 for the best research paper for the year 2020-2021: Folic acid-appended galactoxyloglucan-capped iron oxide nanoparticles as a biocompatible nanotheranostic agent for tumor-targeted delivery of doxorubicin. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 168,130-142, 2021. Received on 16th October 2021
7. Archana MG: Received First prize in the best poster presentation. Bio-fabricated metallic nanosystem conjugated with doxorubicin-A promising drug delivery system for tumor management. International Seminar on Recent Biochemical Approaches in Therapeutics (RBAT-VII), Department of Biochemistry, Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram, February 9-11, 2021
8. Unnikrishnan BS awarded Shri K.N. Narasimhaiah Award for the best original paper presentation on Cancer Biology. Theranostic Nano probe for the laser mediated tumor ablation coupled with Raman spectroscopic analysis: National Virtual Conference on Recent Breakthroughs in Biotechnology and Annual Meet of Society for Biotechnologists (India) 2021, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore January 22-23, 2021
9. Preethi GU awarded Dr. Divya Ravindran Memorial Award 2020 for the best research paper for the year 2019-2020: Doxorubicin eluting microporous polysaccharide scaffolds: An implantable device to expunge tumour. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 107, 110332, 2020. Received on 16th October 2020
10. Unnikrishnan BS: Received First prize in best poster presentation. Folic acid conjugated polysaccharide iron oxide nanoparticles: a new platform for magnetic field mediated liquid biopsy: Indo-UK Virtual conference, CBCMT, VIT, Vellore, India, Swansea University, United Kingdom and NIPER, Kolkata, India, June 1-3, 2020
11. Unnikrishnan BS: Received First prize in the best poster presentation. Targeted polysaccharide coated iron oxide nanoparticles: a smart nanovector for cancer theranostics: 32nd Kerala Science Congress 2020, Yuvakshetra Institute of Management Studies, Mundoor, Palakkad, January 25-27, 2020
12. Unnikrishnan BS: Received First prize for the best poster presentation. Polysaccharide coated iron oxide nanoparticle-mediated macrophage activation as a strategic anti-tumor mechanism: RBAT VI 2019, Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, December 9-11, 2019
13. Unnikrishnan BS: Received First prize for the Best Oral Presentation. Investigation of sub-cellular responses for the evaluation of the laser-mediated tumor ablation via Raman spectroscopic platform using green synthesized gold nanostars: in the one-day Symposium on Targeting Metabolism in Non-Communicable Diseases, SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram, 02 August 2019
14. Unnikrishnan BS: Received Second prize in the best oral presentation. Doxorubicin loaded folic acid-galactoxyloglucan iron oxide nanoparticles: a platform with high potential for targeted drug delivery: 38th Annual Conference of Indian Association for Cancer Research, Chandigarh, March 1-3, p 2019
15. Preethi GU: Received Second prize in the best oral presentation. pH sensitive hydrogel for tumor specific drug delivery. Vth National Seminar on Recent Biochemical approaches in Therapeutics, Trivandrum, January 23-25, 2019
16. Unnikrishnan BS: Received Appreciation Prize in the Best Poster Presentation. Doxorubicin loaded glycosylated metal nanosystem: A promising in vivo drug delivery system for solid tumor management. 1st National Biomedical Research Competition-2018, conducted by AIIMS, Rishikesh, October 15, 2018
17. Joseph MM: Received Dr. Divya Ravindran Memorial Award 2018 for the best research paper for the year 2017-2018: Exploration of Biogenic Nano-Chemobiotics Fabricated by Sliver Nanoparticle and Galactoxyloglucan with an Efficient Bio-distribution in Solid Tumor Investigated by SERS Fingerprinting. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 9, 19578-19590, 2017. Received on 16th October 2018

Patents:

1. Indian Patent Application No. 201941018435 Filed on May 08, 2019
Title: Plant Polysaccharide-Based Nanofibrous Scaffolds
2. Indian Patent Application No. 202041021251 Filed on May 20, 2020
Title: Topical Composition for wound healing
Doctoral Program:

Ongoing:

1. Archana MG - Polysaccharide based nanoconstructs facilitated co-delivery of drug and gene for effective cancer therapy, University of Kerala
2. Sreekutty J - Polysaccharide based Quantum Dots for targeted drug delivery and Cellular Imaging, University of Kerala

Post-Doctoral Program:

1. Dr. Syama HP - DHR Young Scientist: Antitumor and Antimicrobial Properties of Polysaccharide-Silver Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications
2. Dr. Reshma PL -DHR Young Scientist: Polysaccharide-selenium nanoparticle loaded with paclitaxel for oral administration in Gastrointestinal cancer
Alumni:

Research Scholars:

1. Aravind SR Immunomodulatory and anticancerous properties of Tamarind seed polysaccharides ‐ (2014)
2. Manu M Joseph Studies on Tamarindus indica Polysaccharide nanoparticle as immunomodulatory/anticancer agent and as a potent drug carrier ‐ (2015)
3. Alphy Rose James Evaluation of molecular basis of drug response in lung cancer by gene profiling for targeted personalized medicine ‐ (2018)
4. Sheeja Varghese Studies on the molecular mechanisms of antitumor /immunomodulatory polysaccharide from Mangifera indica ‐ (2018)
5. Preethi GU - Chemotherapeutics loaded polysaccharide scaffold as novel tool to fight against cancer - 2021
6. Unnikrishnan BS - Application of polysaccharide metal nanoconjugates in cancer detection and therapy - 2021
7. Shiji R - Galactomannan polysaccharide nano-conjugates for imaging and targeted cancer therapy, University of Kerala

Project Staff:

1. Shri. Rajesh M Nair, Research Fellow
2. Smt. Himabindu Padinjarathi, Project Fellow
3. Dr. Maya S, Research Associate
4. Dr. Remya Komeri, Research Associate
5. Mrs. Anusree KS, Project Fellow
6. Ms. Deepa Mohan, Junior Research Fellow

Faculty Profile

Name: : Dr. Guruvayoorappan, MSc, PhD
Designation:Associate Professor
Research Expertise:Tumour Immunology; Inflammatory Bowel disease and cancer; in vitro and in vivo experimental cancer models; Cancer Drug delivery

Contact Details:

Email:gururcctvm@gmail.com/guruvayoorappan@rcctvm.gov.in

Office Phone:+91 471 2522337(O)/9894337418(M)

Fax:+91 471 2447454

ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS

1. Recognized Supervising Teacher for Ph. D. degree of University of Kerala in Biotechnology (Faculty of Applied Science); Manipal University (Faculty of Life Science) and Kerala University of Health Sciences (Faculty of Allied and Paramedical Health Sciences)
2. Life Member of Kerala Academy of Science (KAS); Indian Science Congress Association(ISCA), Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy, Biotechnology Research Society of India (BRSI)
3. CPCSEA Nominee for Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) of Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), University of Kerala, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER, TVM), HLL Life care limited, TVM; Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), TVM
4. Tea and Health Consortium Group of Research Advisory Committee (RAC) ‐ Review Committee, Tea Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India
5. Reviewer of extramural projects; start-up research grant and task force projects ‐ DST-SERB, Government of India; KSCSTE projects

Research Areas

The Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics is devoted in the development of novel, targeted therapeutic agents for cancer drug delivery. The research work in this laboratory is focused on three research domains. The first domain works on inflammatory bowel disease and its relation with cancer progression. The second domain works on mitigation of radiation esophagitis using novel molecules with an objective to improve the quality of life of cancer patients receiving thoracic radiation. The third domain works novel drug delivery system and drug candidates for the management of cancer.

Extramurally Funded Projects (Last Five Years):

1. Investigation of the ameliorative effect of 1,2 Diazole on radiation induced lung injury and understanding its possible mechanism of action. KSCSTE-KBC, Govt. of Kerala, 2016-2018. (Completed)
2. Significant use of foldscope as a potential bench side research tool for in vitro cytotoxicity and cell morphology studies during tumour cell apoptosis and its large scale application in cancer research. DBT, Govt. of India, 2018-2019. (Completed)
3. Mitigation of radiation induced esophagitis by Pyrazole (1,2 Diazole) from Rhizophora apiculata and its potential application as an effective radioprotector. DST-SERB, Govt. of India, 2018-2020. (Completed)
4. Targetting inflammatory mediators at the transcriptional level and protection of colonintegrity during ulcerative colitis by umbelliferone. KSCSTE-KBC, Govt. of Kerala, 2019-2021. (Completed)
5. Deciphering the mechanism behind the action of black tea and its theaflavins (Theaflavin, Theaflavin‐3‐gallate, Theaflavin‐3’‐gallate and Theaflavin-3‘3’digallate) on thyroid carcinoma cell lines and mice models. ICMR, 2021‐2022. (Completed)

Publications in Indexed Journals (Last Five Years):

1. Menon SS, Guruvayoorappan C, Sakthivel KM, Rasmi RR. Ki-67 protein as a tumour proliferation marker. Clin Chim Acta. 2019; 491: 39-45
2. Abeesh P, Rasmi RR, Guruvayoorappan C. Edible Sword Bean Extract Induces Apoptosis in Cancer Cells In Vitro and Inhibits Ascites and Solid Tumor Development In Vivo. Nutr Cancer. 2021;73(6):1015-1025.
3. Drishya S, Dhanisha SS, Guruvayoorappan C. Anti-Inflammatory Potential Exhibited by Amomum subulatum Fruits Mitigates Experimentally Induced Acute and Chronic Inflammation in Mice: Evaluation of Antioxidant Parameters, Pro-Inflammatory Mediators and HO-1 Pathway. J Am Coll Nutr. 2021; 40(6): 551-561
4. Vishnu WK, Abeesh P, Guruvayoorappan C. Pyrazole (1, 2-diazole) induce apoptosis in lymphoma cells by targeting BCL-2 and BCL-XL genes and mitigate murine solid tumour development by regulating cyclin-D1 and Ki-67 expression. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2021 May 1;418:115491
5. Dhanisha SS, Drishya S, Gangaraj KP, Rajesh MK, Guruvayoorappan C. Molecular Docking Studies of Naringenin and its Protective Efficacy against Methotrexate Induced Oxidative Tissue Injury. Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2022;22(1):169-180
6. Drishya S, Dhanisha SS, Guruvayoorappan C. Antioxidant-rich fraction of Amomum subulatum fruits mitigates experimental methotrexate-induced oxidative stress by regulating TNF-a, IL-1β, and IL-6 proinflammatory cytokines. J Food Biochem. 2022; 46(4): e13855
7. Abeesh P, Vishnu WK, Guruvayoorappan C. Preparation and characterization of withaferin A loaded pegylated nanoliposomal formulation with high loading efficacy: In vitro and in vivo anti-tumour study. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2021; 128: 112335
8. Dhanisha SS, Drishya S, Guruvayoorappan C. Pithecellobium dulce induces apoptosis and reduce tumor burden in experimental animals via regulating pro- inflammatory cytokines and anti-apoptotic gene expression. Food Chem Toxicol. 2022; 161: 112816
9. Drishya S, Dhanisha SS, Raghukumar P, Guruvayoorappan C. Amomum subulatum mitigates total body irradiation-induced oxidative stress and its associated inflammatory response by enhancing the antioxidant status and regulating the pro-inflammatory cytokines. J Nutr Biochem. 2022;107:109064
10. Dhanisha SS, Guruvayoorappan C. Potential role of cGAS/STING pathway in regulating cancer progression. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2022 Oct;178:103780
11. Dhanisha SS, Drishya S, Guruvayoorappan C. Pithecellobium dulce inhibits pulmonary metastasis induced by B16F10 melanoma cells in C57BL/6 via regulating EGFR/STAT/ NF?B /AKT signaling axis. J Food Biochem. 2022; 46(12): e14466
12. Drishya S, Dhanisha SS, Raghukumar P, Guruvayoorappan C. Amomum subulatum mitigates experimental thoracic radiation-induced lung injury by regulating antioxidant status and inflammatory responses. Food Funct. 2023 Feb 6;14(3):1545-1559

Awards Received by Faculty/Students (Last Five Years):

1. Dr. Guruvayoorappan C: Elected as Fellow of National Society of Ethnopharmacology ‐ 2017
2. Dr. Guruvayoorappan C: Received Early Career Research Award conferred by DST-SERB ‐ 2017
3. Dr. Guruvayoorappan C. Received K.N. Narasimhiah Award (Cancer Biology) conferred by Society of Biotechnologists (India) ‐ 2022
4. Mr. Prathapan Abeesh: Received Raman Charpak Fellowship conferred by Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR, or CEFIPRA) ‐ 2018
5. Mr. Prathapan Abeesh received the prestigious Divya Memorial Award ‐ Confered by Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram - 2022

Doctoral Program:

Completed:

1. Dr. Dhanisha SS - University of Kerala (2023)

On-Going:

1. Mr. Prathapan Abeesh ‐ Enhancement of therapeutic efficacy of Withaferin A using nanoliposomal drug delivery systems for cancer treatment. University of Kerala
2. Ms. Drishya Sudarsanan: Antitumor and radioprotective effect of medicinal plants and its possible therapeutic application to mitigate detrimental effect of radiotherapy, University of Kerala
3. Mr. Vishnu Walsan K - Investigation of Radioprotective effect of mangroves and its potential application in mitigating radiation-induced esophagitis, University of Kerala
4. Ms. Arya RS ‐ Effect of mangrove phytochemicals in inducing apoptosis in thyroid carcinoma cells and their role in regulating intracellular signaling pathways, University of Kerala

Alumni

1. Dr. Rashmi (KBC-PDF) Investigation of the ameliorative effect of 1,2 Diazole on radiation induced lung injury and understanding its possible mechanism of action - (2018).

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