Plant and microbe based pharmacophores for anti-infective
activity including the oral cavity pathogens and M.
tuberculosis, modulation of antimicrobial resistance
through inhibition of microbial efflux pumps and immunotherapeutics
are the major research areas of this group. The group
is also characterizing the M. tuberculosis efflux pump
proteins and exploring the new drug targets of M. tuberculosis
using In vivo Induced Antigen Technology (IVIAT).
 |
Search for plant based novel pharmacophores
for anti-infective activity. |
|
Modulation of antimicrobial resistance
through inhibition of microbial efflux pumps. |
|
Search for new drug targets and immunotherapeutics
for M. tuberculosis. |
|
Regulation of M. tuberculosis
gene expression. |
|
Application of plant based molecules
for non-drug use in the area of personal care, oral
care and skin care products. |
|
Evaluation of plant based/synthetic
libraries of molecules for antibacterial, antifungal
and anti TB activity. |
|
Animal models of infection for in-vivo
efficacy of molecules. |
|
Cloning and expression of microbial
genes. |
|
Differential expression of microbial
genes through q-PCR. |
| Sr. NO |
Name |
Expertise |
E-mail |
| 1. |
Inshad Ali Khan |
Clinical Microbiology |
iakhan@iiim.res.in |
| 2. |
Surrinder Kumar |
Lab maintenance |
|
|
Anti-infective research with reference
to identification of plant derived pharmacophores.
|
|
Antimicrobial resistance and microbial
efflux pumps. |
|
New drug targets and immunotherapeutics
for M.tuberculosis. |
|
Regulation of M. tuberculosis gene
expression. |
|
Oral microbiology |
Biosafety Level-3 facility : State-of-the-art
Biosafety
Level-3 (BSL-3) facility for handling and experimentation
with hazard group III pathogens. This is one of the five
such facilities created under CSIR network programme on
infectious diseases handling, storage and research facilities.
This lab fully complies with the Biosafety in Microbiological
and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) guidelines. This facility
consists of two in-vitro experimentation labs and
one animal handling (mice & guinea pigs) for in-vivo experimentations.
Tuberculosis is the major thrust area of the institute
and presently this facility is being used for handling
and experimentation with M. tuberculosis.
Antiinfective research facility is actively working
on plant based and synthetic pharmacophores with anti-infective
activity including anti TB activity and novel mechanism
of action. A large collection of bacterial, fungal and
M. tuberculosis clinical isolates is available
for extensive evaluation of compounds.
Oral Microbiology facility is well equipped with
anaerobic work system, CO2 incubators and a large collection
of oral cavity bacterial pathogens. Plant derived molecules
are evaluated on a panel of oral cavity bacterial pathogens.
The active molecules are further tested on a panel of
tests such as biofilm inhibition assay, bacterial glucosyltransferase
inhibition etc. A number of lead molecules are actively
being pursued for product development in collaboration
with global industrial partners.
Molecular Biology The facility is well equipped
with PCR machines, Real-Time PCR, Electrophoresis systems,
Gel Documentation systems gene pulsar and other such lab
equipment for molecular biology work. PCR amplification,
gene cloning, native enzyme purification and differential
gene expression are some of the experimentations routinely
performed in this facility.
 |
|
Evaluation of plant based/synthetic
libraries of molecules for antibacterial, antifungal
and anti TB activity. Identification of the active
plant derived pharmacophore to build synthetic library
around this structure. In vivo efficacy of the active
molecule in the mice model of infection and other
IND directed studies. |
|
Modulation of antimicrobial resistance
through inhibition of bacterial efflux pumps. The
work started with the identification of piperine
as bacterial efflux pump inhibitor has come a long
way from there. Presently we have a large number
of synthetic and natural molecules having broad
spectrum bacterial efflux pump inhibition activity.
Protein crystallization studies are in progress
in order to determine the 3D crystal structure of
some of the clinically important bacterial efflux
pumps. |
|
Characterization of mycobacterium
tuberculosis efflux pump proteins in the
lab generated mutants as well as clinical isolates
and the use of bacterial efflux pump inhibitors
in conjunction with anti-TB drugs. |
|
Efficacy studies of plant based immunomudulators
in conjuction with anti-TB drugs in the mice and
guinea pig models of infection. The anticipated
outcome of such combination will be the better clinical
response of antiTB therapy in immunocompromised
population of the patients and lower rate of reactivation
of tuberculosis. |
|
Identification of differentially expressed
genes associated with pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis
using In vivo Induced Antigen Technology (IVIAT)
for potential use as vaccine or therapeutic targets.
In this DST funded project, we are trying to identify
these mycobacterial genes which are overexpressed
under diseased condition. The identified genes will
be validated through knockout approach. It is expected
that some of these targets may emerge out potential
drug or vaccine candidates against tuberculosis. |
|
| Project Title |
Funding agency |
Duration |
Start date |
| Resourcing biomolecules from medicinal
plants, microflora including higher fungi)- Major
laboratory project |
CSIR |
3 yrs |
Sept 2007 |
| Synthesis and antitubercular activity
of Benzothiadiazine, Coumarin and Diarylprrole congeners |
DST |
3 yrs |
March 2009 |
| Identification of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis genes differentially expressed
in TB patients |
DST |
3 yrs |
Grant awaited |
| In-vitro evaluation of synthetic molecules
for anti-TB activity. |
TCG Lifesciences, Pune |
1 yr |
April 2009 |
| Exploitation of India’s rich biodiversity-
Network project |
CSIR |
5 yrs |
April 2007 |
|
