Nanotechnology

University of Kashmir

Professor

Positions held:

Head, Department of Nanotechnology (2020-present)

Professor, Department of Nanotechnology, University of Kashmir (2019-Present)

Nodal Officer, Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI), Universty of Kashmir (DST-British Council Programme)-2020-Present

Coordinator, Department of Nanotechnology, University of Kashmir (2017-2020)

Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry University of Kashmir (2016-2019)

Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry University of Kashmir (2001-2016)

Lecturer (Adhoc) Department of Biochemistry University of Kashmir (1995-2001)

Research focus: Nanomedicine/Medicinal Plants Research

Nanomedicine presents new opportunities to improve the safety and efficacy of conventional therapeutics. Nanoparticles increase bioavailability, dissolution rate and increase intracellular uptake and improve in vivo performance. Such nanoparticles after being characterized by different techniques and combining encapsulation, release modalities and surface modification to improve therapeutic targeting or bioavailability, are known to improve the efficacy of the formulations several-fold compared with bulk counterparts. The research group works on discovery of new/novel molecules from plants. The work is focused in the areas of free radical biology, cancer biology, cancer pharmacology, diabetes, atherosclerosis, wound healing, inflammatory and microbial diseases. The lab is engaged in the development of anticancer, anti-diabetic, wound healing, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-tubercular nanoformulation-based therapeutics from medicinal plants of Himalayan range/other phytocompounds.

Current Research Themes:

a)   Cancer research and drug discovery

Research of this group is dedicated to the discovery of anticancer therapeutics from plants. The work is focused in the areas of cancer biology and cancer pharmacology, in particular the identification and validation of new molecularly targeted agents. We are engaged particularly in the development of anticancer therapeutics from medicinal plants by providing scientific based evidence and mechanism of action. The lab is engaged in carrying out the evaluation of the molecular mechanisms of bioactive components from plants for their anticancer action. Together with nanformulation strategies including characterization of nanoparticles and drug release study using standard protocols, the research group is working to identify/ develop plant based nanomedicines for cancer therapeutics. This group is also working blocking stem cell driven colon carcinogenesis with isolated compounds of active seed extracts from plants.

b) Metabolic profile analysis in diabetes 

 The lab is also engaged in evaluation of antidiabetic activities of various phytochemicals from medicinal plants of Kashmir. Currently we are evaluating few plants with good leads (from previous lab work) for antidiabetic activity and looking at expression status of different proteins. Nanoformulation/Nanoencapsulation is being done using standard techniques for polymeric nanoparticle formation of active molecules, followed by characterization and drug release study and evaluation of probable increased efficacy in animal models and checking expression status of major proteins involved.

c) Isolation of potential protein kinase-C inhibitors from plants for their therapeutic role in atherosclerosis

In diabetes, oxidative stress plays an important role in modifying Protein Kinase C (PKC), with its autoinhibitory function being compromised. This leads to dysfunction of endothelium-dependent vasodilation that characterizes a proatherosclerotic state, a predisposing factor for atherosclerosis. The concerned research group is currently evaluating anti-atherogenic activity of plants through isolation by chromatography, nanoformulation of active plant isolates and characterization, and screening for in vitro PKC inhibition using kit method. Active fractions/nanoformulations are used in atherosclerosis induced animal models, and checked against the disease by PKC quantification, ELISA, nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation, etc. Fractions with significant activities are characterized using LCMS and NMR.

d) Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of phytocompond-loaded nanoformulations for wound healing applications

Drug delivery system composed of phytocompounds encapsulated micelles and thermosensitive hydrogel are being developed for cutaneous wound healing. This collaborative research group is engaged in evaluating wound healing properties of phytocompoud nanoformulations through synthesis by one-step solid dispersion method, hydrothermal reactions, characterization of nanoparticles by particles followed by in vitro evaluation of nanohydrogel based phytocompounds through blood clotting and platelet activation, cell viability study, cell attachment and infiltration studies. Finally in vivo studies of active nanoformulations in animal models (diabetic) are undertaken to assess the wound healing effect.

e) Molecular mechanism of immunomodulation / Immunology of arthritis 

Our research in this area is dedicated to development of new anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and immunomodulatory therapeutics that addresses inflammation and is devoid of any side effects. We have identified several bioactive crude and purified leads from different plants and are in the process of developing plant based nanoscale immunomodulatory therapeutic agents and to establish their mode of action at the molecular level. The group engages in bioassay guided purification and isolation, in vivo screening of lead molecules on pro-inflammatory cytokines and generation of data validating new and novel biological activities (immunomodulators in disease/drug induced immune suppression, anti-arthritic, hepatoprotective, etc) of bioactive lead molecules.  This is followed by evaluation of anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic properties of lead molecules and their mechanism vis a vis:

• Immunological activities of immunomodulating leads in arthritis (in vitro and in vivo).

• Assessment on T cells and their intracellular and extracellular content of cytokines 

• Elucidating on the molecular mechanism of action based on inhibitory effects on NF-kB and associated signalling proteins in arthritis and inflammation 
• Toxicity study: acute, sub-acute, sub-chronic and chronic toxicity

Nanoformulation/nanoencapsulation using standard techniques for polymeric nanoparticle formation of active molecules and their characterization using standard characterization techniques and evaluating the probable increase in efficacy is a future goal of this group.

f) Exploring plants as a potential source of new generation of anti-tuberculosis drugs: Standardizing nano-encapsulation of potential bioactives

Treatment for the susceptible Tuberculosis has been a challenge and with the advent of drug resistance new drugs and regimes are required.  Nanoformulation of anti-tubercular plant bioactives (collaborative study) is being carried out. From the preliminary data using crude extracts, fractions exhibiting appreciable anti-tubercular activity against pathogenic isolates are being evaluated. This collaborative research group proposes to move further in this through screening of plant bioactives, evaluation against pathogenic, nonpathogenic and surrogate strains of Tuberculosis before potentiating them as anti-tuberculosis agents.  This will be followed by nanoencapsulation of active molecules, and establishing characterization parameters using various techniques. Nanoencapsulated plant bioactive derivatives showing promising anti-tuberculosis activity against the pathogenic strains of Mycobacteria will be further evaluated for their modes of action.

Students/scholars interested in these areas of research are welcome to apply for various positions that are available from time to time. Female students/scholars are especially encouraged to reach out at rabia.hamid@uok.edu.in to discuss and enquire about possible research positions.

 Other Research Themes (Completed):

1) Molecular basis of diseases (Collaborative)

Main focus of this group has been:

• Role of promoter hypermethylation status of mgmt Gene and h-mlh1 gene in stomach and colorectal cancer to establish it as a potential biomarker 
Polymorphism studies on XRCC3 gene and risk of gastric cancer in Kashmiri population ?
• Implications of α-1 Syntrophin and P66Shc interaction on cytoskeletal dynamics in Breast Carcinoma Cells 
• Role of low grade inflammation and gene expression of pro and anti-inflammatory genes IL-10, IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome 

2) Effect of plant products on progression and management of Alzheimers’disease (Collaborative)

This group has been engaged in:

• Neuroprotection of plant extracts against H₂O₂ insult and amyloid beta in N2A cells 
• Upregulation of antioxidant genes like Nrf-2, heme oxygenase and Keap

Research collaborations 

• School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi for computational studies in evaluation of medicinal properties of purified bioactive plant molecules 
• IIIM, Jammu- Evaluation of anticancer activity of lectins and bioactive molecules from medicinal plants of Kashmir 
• IIIM, Srinagar- in anticancer drug development, anti-microbial nanoformulations 
• Department of Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, SKIMS, Soura- gene mutated cancers
• Clinical Research Lab, Department of Endocrinology SKIMS Soura- Serum Ghrelin, PCOD & Insulin resistance
• Govt. Medical College, Srinagar 

              -  Hypermethylation studies / gene polymorphisms in colorectal and stomach cancers 

              -  Role of low grade inflammation and gene expression of pro- and antiinflammatory genes in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome 

• Department of Clinical Biochemistry University of Kashmir, for aniticancer, antidiabetic and anti-atherogenic plant bioactives
• Department of Chemistry University of Kashmir, for Synthesis of Nanoformulations for wound healing applications
• Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir for signaling studies, and oxidative stress in Breast cancer progression 
• Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kashmir- Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant ?activities of Medicinal plants 
• Centre for Research and Development University of Kashmir, for effect of plant molecules on Alzhiemer’s disease 
• SKUAST, Srinagar for immunomodulatory activity of plant molecules 

Current Lab members:

Gh Jeelani Mir

Kaneez Fatima

Ifrah Manzoor

Ather-ul-Islam

Sumera Ayoub

Research Group Details:

PhD/i-PhD/MPhil

MSc Internees (2018-2024)