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 (Adnoc) 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

This 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 several 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.

 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 
  • 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 

 

Research Group:

Ather-ul-Islam

i-Ph.D 

Pursuing

Whole Time 

Falak Fayaz

i-Ph.D 

Pursuing

Whole Time 

Ifrah Manzoor

i-Ph.D 

Pursuing

Whole Time 

Kaneez Fatima

i-Ph.D 

Pursuing

Whole Time 

Suhail Anees

Ph.D 

Pursuing

Whole Time 

Jeelani Mir

i-Ph.D 

Pursuing

Whole Time 

Haamid Bashir PhD Completed Whole Time 

Roshia Ali

i-Ph.D 

Completed

Whole Time 

 

Rohina Bashir 

Ph.D 

 

Completed

Whole Time 

Ovais Zargar

 

Ph.D 

Completed

Whole Time 

Nasreen Rizvi

 

Ph.D 

Completed

Whole Time 

Rohaya Ali

 

Ph.D 

Completed

Whole Time 

Sumaya Hassan

 

Ph.D 

Completed

Whole Time 

Muzaffar A Bhat

 

PhD Completed Whole Time 

Shaista Rafiq

 

PhD

Completed

Whole Time 

Suhail Anees

MPhil

Completed

Whole Time 

 

Ovais Zargar

 

MPhil 

Completed

Whole Time 

Nowsheen Shamim

 

MPhil 

Completed

Whole Time 

Hyder Khan

 

MPhil 

Completed

Whole Time 

Misba Khan

 

MPhil 

Completed

Whole Time 

Sakina Qadir

 

MPhil 

Completed

Whole Time 

Ishfaq Ahmad Wani

 

MPhil 

Completed

Whole Time 

Shaista Rafiq

 

MPhil 

Completed

Whole Time 

 

MSc Internees (Recent)

Aubaid Shams

 

MSc Nanotechnology

Internship Programme

(Research Based)

 

Completed

Whole Time 

Bisma Anjum

MSc Nanotechnology

Internship Programme

(Research Based)

 

Completed

Whole Time 

 

 

 

 

Faculty Details

  • Citations 925
  • HIndex 18
  • i10 Index 25
  • Email rabia.hamid@uok.edu.in
  • Administrative position Held Head, Department of Nanotechnology
  • Resume View



Research Papers Published

  • "Mechanistic insights into mode of action of potent natural antagonists of BACE-1 for checking Alzheimer''s plaque pathology" Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 443(3): 1054 -1059 {ISSN: 0006-291X} Impact Factor= 2.5
  • "In vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Arnebia benthamii (Wallex.G.Don)-A critically endangered medicinal plant of Kashmir valley" Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2014(1): 1 -8 {ISSN: 1942-0900} Impact Factor= 3.39
  • "Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Cratagus songerica methanol extract" Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 33(2): 131 -143 {ISSN: 2162-6537} Impact Factor= 1.107
  • "Phytochemical Screening, Physicochemical Properties Acute Toxicity Testing and Screening of Hypoglycaemic Activity of Extracts of Eremurus Himalaicus Baker in Normoglycaemic Wistar Strain Albino Rats" Biomed Research International: Therapeutic Potential of Natural Pharmacological Agents in the Treatment of Human Diseases, 2014(1): 1 -6 {ISSN: 2314-6133} Impact Factor= 2.88
  • "(2014) Purification and partial Characterization of a Fructose-binding lectin from the leaves of Euphorbia helioscopia." Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences., 27(6): 1805 -1810 {ISSN: 1011-601X} Impact Factor= 1.103
  • "Development of dual inhibitors against Alzheimer’s disease using fragment-based QSAR and molecular docking" BioMed Research International-Integrative Genomics and Computational Systems Medicine, 2014(4): 1 -12 {ISSN: 2314-6133} Impact Factor= 2.88
  • "Polymorphism of the XRCC3 gene and risk of gastric cancer in Kashmiri population: a case control study." European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 24(3): DOI No. 10.1097/C {ISSN: 0959-8278}
  • "Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of Arnebia benthamii (Wall ex. G. Don) Johnston—a critically endangered medicinal plant of North western Himalaya" Journal of Analytical Science and Technology (Springer), 6(36): DOI No. 1-8 {ISSN: 2093-3371}
  • "(2015) Polymorphism of the XRCC3 gene and risk of gastric cancer in Kashmiri population: a case control study" European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 24(3): DOI No. 165-175 {ISSN: 1473-5709} Impact Factor= 3.031
  • "Free Radical Scavenging and Cytotoxic Activity of Seed Extracts of Podophyllum hexandrum" Phytothérapie, 15(4): DOI No. 1-9 {ISSN: 1624-8597}
  • "Evaluation of antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of active extracts of Fragaria nubicola" International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2018(2): 1 -6 {ISSN: 2320-5148} Impact Factor= 0.59
  • "Hepatoprotective Potential of Elsholtzia densa against acute and chronic models of liver damage in wistar rats" Drug Research, 68(1): 1 -6 {ISSN: 2194-9379} Impact Factor= 0.701
  • "Evaluation of Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory potential of methanolic extract of Juniperus squamata" Free Radicals and Antioxidants, 2018(8): 578 -586 {ISSN: 2231-2536} Impact Factor= 1.069
  • "Antioxidant Potential and Hepatoprotective activity of Taxus wallichiana" Asian journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 2018(3): 1- -7 {ISSN: 0974-2441} Impact Factor= 0.4
  • "Recent Trends in the Fabrication of Starch Nanofibers: Electrospinning and Non-electrospinning Routes and Their Applications in Biotechnology" Appl Biochem Biotechnol (Springer), 2018(1): DOI No. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010 {ISSN: 0273-2289} Impact Factor= 1.751
  • "The effect of Elsholtzia densa methanolic extract modulates inflammation in vitro and in vivo" Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine, 2018(1): DOI No. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596 {ISSN: 1598-2386} Impact Factor= 0.477
  • "Modern Computational Strategies for Designing Drugs to Curb Human Diseases: A Prospect" Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 2018(18): 1 -17 {ISSN: 1568-0266} Impact Factor= 3.374
  • "Interplay of antioxidants in Alzheimer’s disease" Journal of Translational Science, 5(1): 1 -11 {ISSN: 2059-268X} Impact Factor= 2.12
  • "Artemisia amygdalina Upregulates Nrf2 and Protects Neurons Against Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer Disease" Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 2019(1): 1 -13 {ISSN: 0272-4340} Impact Factor= 3.895
  • "Genotoxic effect of two commonly used food dyes metanil yellow and carmoisine using Allium cepa L. as indicator" Toxicology Reports (2020), 7(1): 370 -375 {ISSN: 2214-7500} Impact Factor= 2.63
  • "Dipsacus inermis Wall. modulates inflammation by inhibiting NF-?B pathway: An in vitro and in vivo study" Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2020), 254(2): DOI No. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep. {ISSN: 0378-8741} Impact Factor= 3.414
  • "Role of inflammatory mediators (TNF-a, IL-6, CRP), biochemical and hematological parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients of Kashmir, India" Medical Journal of Islamic Republic of Iran (MJIRI) (2020), 34(5): DOI No. https://www.researchgate.net/a {ISSN: 1016-1430}
  • "Hepatoprotective effects of Meconopsis aculeata extract against CCl4 induced oxidative damage in rats" Advances in Traditional Medicine, 2020(3): 1 -6 {ISSN: 2662-4060} Impact Factor= 0.211
  • "Recent advances in formulating electrospun nanofiber membranes: Delivering active phytoconstituents" Journal of Drug discovery Science and technology, 60(12): 1 -8 {ISSN: 1773-2247} Impact Factor= 2.73
  • "Apoptosis inducing effects of Thymus linearis methanol extract in HCT-116 cells and LC-MS chemical profiling of its active constituents" Natural Products Journal, 12(1): DOI No. 1 {ISSN: 22103163}
  • "Modeling and simulation of carbon nanotube amino-acid sensor: A first-principles study" Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, 1204(1): DOI No. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comp
  • "Jasplakinolide Attenuates Cell Migration by Impeding Alpha-1- syntrophin Protein Phosphorylation in Breast Cancer Cells" The Protein Journal, 30(1): 234 -244 {ISSN: 1572-3887} Impact Factor= 2.371
  • "The modulation of PI3K/Akt pathway by 3ß hydroxylup-12- en-28-oic acid isolated from Thymus linearis induces cell death in HCT-116 cells" Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 00(0): DOI No. 10.1111/cbdd.13957 Impact Factor= 2.817
  • "COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Scenario, Challenges and Future Perspectives" Coronaviruses, 28(8): DOI No. 10.2174/2666796701999201111200 {ISSN: 2666 7975}
  • "Actin modulation regulates the Alpha-1-Syntrophin/p66Shc mediated redox signaling contributing to the RhoA GTPase protein activation in breast cancer cells" Frontiers in Oncology: Cancer Molecular Targets and Therapeutics, 12(1): DOI No. 10.3389/fonc.2022.841303 {ISSN: 2234-943X} Impact Factor= 6.244
  • "Elucidation of early markers in Insulin resistance Diabetes patients of Kashmir Valley" Metabolism, 128(1): DOI No. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meta Impact Factor= 8.694
  • "Inter-relationship of Pro- and Anti- inflammatory Biomarkers with the development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus" Heliyon (Cell Press), 8(11): DOI No. 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11329 {ISSN: 2405-8440} Impact Factor= 3.776

Books Published

  • "Lectins: From Recognition Molecules to Anti-cancer Agents". Lenin Media Pvt. Ltd. Delhi, India. {ISBN: 978-93-859-9546-0} pp 16
  • "Textbook of Free Radicals: Concepts in Biology and Medicine". Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi. {ISBN: 978-81-269-2643-5} pp 242
  • "Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Medicinal Herbs /Lectins: From Recognition Molecules to Anti-cancer Agents". Lenin Media Pvt. Ltd. Delhi, India. {ISBN: 978-93-859-9546-0} pp 15
  • "Nanomedicines: Nano based Drug Delivery Systems Challenges and Opportunities". IntechOpen Limited 5 Princes Gate Court, London, SW7 2QJ, UNITED KINGDOM. pp 20
  • "Frontiers in Clinical Research- Anti-Cancer Agents/ Targeting Cancer stem cells: Implications in Health and Disease". Bentham Books. {ISBN: 979811478437} pp 22
  • "Diverse Applications of Nanotechnology in the Biological Sciences: An Essential Tool in Agri-Business and Health Care Systems ?(Hakeem, K.R., Kamli, M., Sabir, J.S.M., & Alharby, H.F. (Eds.)/Nanotechnology in Healthcare Management". Taylor & Francis Group (Academic Press) London. {ISBN: 9781003277255} pp 34

Research Projects Details:

Title of the ProjectFunding AgencyDatedAmount (in Rs.)
In vivo study of antioxidant and anticancer activities of Elsholtzia densaDBT, India25-07-20143,076,558.00
In vivo study of antioxidant and anticancer activities of Elsholtzia densaDBT, India01-01-20183,076,550.00
Protein and gene expressions of IL1?ß, NF ?ß1, NF ?ß2, PPAR?, NOS2, COX2, TNFa in LPS induced inflammatory response in rats and effect of Cousinia thomosoniaDST, India27-04-20173,700,000.00
Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI)-Pilot ProjectDST in collaboration with British Council31-12-2020799,000.00
Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI)DST, Govt. of India01-08-202179,900.00

Research Scholars:

NameCourseStatusNature
Ovais ZargarM.Phil Awarded Whole Time
Hamid BashirM.Phil Awarded Whole Time
Nowsheen ShameemM.Phil Awarded Whole Time
Hyder KhanM.Phil Awarded Whole Time
Sakeena QadirM.Phil Awarded Whole Time
Shaista RafiqM.Phil Awarded Whole Time
Ishfaq AhmadM.Phil Awarded Whole Time
Misha KhanM.Phil Awarded Whole Time
Waheed HamidM.Phil Awarded Whole Time
Suhail AneesM.Phil Awarded Whole Time
Nasreena SajadPh.D Awarded Whole Time
Shaista RafiqPh.D Awarded Whole Time
Ovais ZarparPh.D Awarded Whole Time
Sumaya HassanPh.D Awarded Whole Time
Rohaya AliPh.D Awarded Whole Time
Muzaffar A BhatPh.D Awarded Whole Time
Rohina BashirPh.D Awarded Whole Time
Haamid BashirPh.D Awarded Whole Time
Roshia AliPh.D Awarded Whole Time
Haamid BashirPh.D Awarded Whole Time

Teaching:

DepartmentSubjectCourse TaughtSemester
NanotechnologyMasters in NanotechnologyCell & Mol Biology1
NanotechnologyMasters in NanotechnologyHuman Physiology and Disease2
NanotechnologyMasters in NanotechnologyNanomedicine-I3
NanotechnologyMasters in NanotechnologyProject Research Based4