Scientist at CARON | NIH Funded PI | UGA 40u40 | STEM Educator & TEDx Speaker
Research
Beta Cell Implant harvested from a Diabetic Mouse
Beta Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
The current T1D treatment focuses on managing blood sugar levels with insulin, diet, and lifestyle to prevent complications. Glucose monitoring and insulin administration can control acute glycemia, but the inability of 50-60% of T1D patients to consistently maintain normoglycemia leads to vascular complications in most patients. The transient reversal of diabetes by intra-hepatic infusion of allogeneic islets established β-cell replacement as a promising therapy. However, a shortage of donor islets, the need for long-term immunosuppression, and the high risk of tissue rejection have motivated two major strategies – the use of (i) immunoisolation materials and (ii) human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). We aim to overcome translational hurdles of beta-cell therapy by engineer a single retrievable graft with immunoisolated microencapsulated human pancreatic progenitor organoids (PPOs) containing β-cells embedded within a surrounding angiogenic bulk hydrogel that recruits host vasculature..
Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical, water-soluble, ubiquitous gas, which influences various biological functions. It is a cellular signaling molecule naturally secreted by vascular endothelial cells and is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. In 1992, the free radical NO received approbation as “molecule of the year” by the journal Science and was the subject of a Nobel Prize a few years later. Due to the fact that NO is highly reactive under physiological conditions, many molecules with functional groups that can store and release NO have been studied. Through 20+ articles and 7 patents, I have demonstrated the biomedical applications of NO in wound healing, bone repair, antibacterial & antithrombic device coatings, drug delivery, and vascular catheters & grafts. Further addressing issues related to leaching of NO donors, NO shelf life, and sustaining the release of NO will help improve the potential for clinical applications of these materials and greatly improve patient outcomes. Additionally, exploration of other gasotransmitters (CO and H2S) is underway.
Saying Yes to (N)itric (O)xide for Biomedical & Tissue Engineering Applications
Microfluidic Aided Immunosiolation
The practical interest in microfluidic technologies has been motivated by the simultaneous progression in the areas of drug delivery, proteomics, high-throughput screening, diagnostics. This is spurred by the required necessity to perform efficient and timely experiments on miniature-sample volumes. Droplet microfluidics generates and manipulates discrete droplets through immiscible multiphase flows inside microchannels. Due to its remarkable advantages, droplet microfluidics bears a significant value in an extremely wide range of areas. My research aims to utilize the application of droplet microfluidics in single-cell encapsulation, organoid & spheroid immunoisolation, and drug delivery. I further combine the microfluidic-based approaches approach with 3D culture, stem cells, and organ-on-a-chip technology for regenerative therapy and issue engineering applications.
Immunotherapeutics (mAbs & fusion protein)
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off disease conditions such as cancer and viral attacks. Along with my colleagues at Biocon Research Ltd (in collaboration with Mylan, US), I had the opportunity to contribute to the upstream process development of the world’s first anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody for Psoriasis treatment (ALZUMAB/ITOLIZUMAB) and the world’s first biosimilar for Herceptin (CANMAB) for breast cancer treatment both of which are now FDA approved. Itolizumab is current used in India for treating COVID-19 complications. I am committed to continuing in this fascinating area of research.
Nitric oxide-induced Angionesis demonstrated through Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay