The Ranbaxy Science Scholarships - 2007 were presented on January 14, 2008 by Prof. David Battimore (Nobel Laureate), President Emeritus, Robert Andrews Millikan, Professor of Biology, California Institute of Technology, USA at a special function organised at National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi.
Dr. Karishma S Kaushik
The first award in this category was presented to Mr. S.R. Rao, Municipal Commissioner of Surat for cleaning the city, following the plague epidemic. This was organized at India International Centre, New Delhi on March 13, 1997. Mr. Rao delivered the public address entitled "Cleaning up our cities – The Surat experience".
Mr. Sundaram Acharya
Mr. Sundaram Acharya has been selected Sun Pharma Science Foundation Science Scholar Award - 2021 for the Young Scientists in the field of Biomedical Sciences. His award-winning work is entitled as ‘Rational design of an enhanced genome editing protein for therapeutic gene correction and diagnostics’. His research work focuses on the characterization of an intrinsicallyspecific Cas9 protein from Francisella novicida (FnCas9) which has been used for proof-ofconcept therapeutic gene correction and diagnostics. Moreover, he has used protein engineering approach for rational design of FnCas9 which has resulted into enhanced FnCas9 variants (enFnCas9s) with superior cellular editing efficiency and specificity coupled with broad genomic targeting range. This development has paved the way to preclinical studies for correcting sickle cell anemia mutation with a goal to translate it to a therapeutic platform. Broadly, his work has the potential to be the game changer in the field of gene therapy and diagnostics.
Mr. Shubham Singh
Mr. Shubham Singh has been selected for The Sun Pharma Science Foundation Science Scholar Award - 2021 for Young Scientists in the field of Biological Sciences. His award-winning work is in the field of lipid metabolism and neurodegeneration. His research was focused on broadly on two aspects: 1) to map lysophosphatidylserine (lyso-PS) lipid metabolism and signaling in the mammalian central nervous system 2) identify molecular mechanisms through which deregulated lyso-PS levels cause neuro-immune diseases like PHARC Syndrome and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. His work expanded our understanding about the physiological relevance of lyso-PS lipids in mammals, and identified crucial druggable targets that can alleviate lyso-PS lipid associated neuro pathological conditions.
Mr. Arihant Kumar Singh
Mr. Arihant Kumar Singh has been selected for Sun Pharma Science Foundation Science Scholar Award – 2021 for young scientist in field of pharmaceutical science. His award-winning work is entitled by “Drug-fatty acids conjugates in diabetes treatment: Role of chain length and degree of unsaturation of fatty acids”. His research work comprised synthesis of different hydrophobic prodrugs by conjugating fatty acids of various chain length and degree of unsaturation with an anti-diabetic drug- Lisofylline & study of their self-assembling nature. Prodrugs has proven their anti-inflammatory effect in MIN6 cells in the presence of cytokines and shown sustained release in rat plasma. The enhancement of chain length significantly increases prodrugs’ t1/2 and steady fasting glucose level with increased insulin level after 35 days of treatment in type 1 diabetic animal model & maintains the beta cells intactness in IHC study. Further, nanoparticulate polymeric tablet dosage form of prodrug makes it better candidate for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
Ms. Madhu Chaturvedi
Ms. Madhu Chaturvedi has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2020 for Young Scientists in the field of Bio-Medical Sciences. Her award winning research work is focused on understanding the functional and conformational dynamics of G-protein coupled receptors. GPCRs regulate almost every aspect of behavior and physiology and this makes them the most pursued drug targets the most pursued drug targets. Signaling through GPCRs is regulated by βarrestin proteins. Madhu's work unravels that the spatial positioning of phosphorylation sites in GPCRs is crucial in governing the recruitment, trafficking and signaling outcomes mediated by β-arrestins. The findings of her work also contribute to and extend the current framework of biased signaling for development of novel therapeutics with minimized side-effects.
Ms. Praachi Tiwari
Ms. Praachi Tiwari has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2020 for Young Scientists in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences for her research work entitled "Chemogenetic excitation and inhibition of forebrain excitatory neurons: Impact on mood behaviors across life span". Praachi's work shows that increased Gi-coupled signaling in forebrain excitatory neurons in different developmental epochs does not affect mood-related behavioral responses in adulthood. In contrast, as previously seen, enhanced Gq-coupled signaling in early life programs persistent schizo-affective behavioral response. Given that the G-protein coupled monoamine neurotransmitters are harnessed for potential therapeutics against mood-related disorders, this study helps in understanding the broad role of Gq/Gi signaling in programming mood states. Her work raises a possibility for a potential therapeutic target against such disorders, especially for pregnant and lactating mothers suffering from mood-related disorders, without having long term behavioral consequences on the child.
Ms. Dhanashree Hemant Surve
Ms. Dhanashree Hemant Surve has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award2020 for young Indian researcher in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences for her research work entitled "Long-Acting Nanoformulations for Targeted Delivery of Anti-Infective Agents". Her research work encompassed development, optimization, characterization, in vivo pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies of long-acting (LA) nanoformulations to deliver the drugs exhibiting varied physicochemical properties including Efavirenz (poorly soluble small molecule)+Enfuvirtide (highly soluble peptide) and Isometamidium chloride (cationic hydrophilic small molecule). The LA nanoformulations can be utilized for the treatment and prophylaxis of chronic/acute infectious diseases including HIV and trypanosomiasis. The developed LA nanoformulations elicited enhanced cellular uptake in T-cells and macrophage (secondary depots) and biodistributed to the desired RES organs via lymphatic-circulatory conjoint. It was observed that subcutaneous route significantly enhanced the LA potential of developed nanoformulations. Briefly, the developed LA nanoformulations embodies wider pre-clinical and clinical application due to their scalability, increased safety, decreased toxicity and protracted drug delivery.
Mr. Nitesh Mishra
Mr. Nitesh Mishra has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award - 2020 for Young Scientists in the field of Biological Sciences. His award-winning work is in the field of HIV vaccine design. Nitesh’s work is focused on identifying HIV-1 infected infants with potent anti-HIV-1 plasma broadly neutralizing antibodies (plasma bnAbs) and understand the viral features that are responsible for generation of such potent plasma bnAbs. In that direction, using several complementary approaches, he has shown that plasma bnAbs targeting the top of the viral spike (V2-apex region) are common in infants of Indian origin. Furthermore, he showed that infants that generated these potent antibodies were infected with more than one strain of HIV-1. His work has the potential to be an important step in the field of HIV-1 vaccine for assessing polyvalent vaccine candidates targeting this region of the virus.
Ms. Parej Nath
Title: Understanding the role IRGM in innate immunity
This study uncovers that under homeostatic conditions, IRGM is a master suppressor of type I IFN response. The mRNA sequencing whole transcriptome analysis in human cells and mice shows that IRGM controls the expression of almost all major Interferon Stimulated Gene's. Mechanistically, it has been shown that IRGM suppresses IFN signaling by mediating p62-dependent autophagic degradation of cGAS, RIG-I, and TLR3. Further, it is shown that IRGM is critical for the removal of damaged mitochondria by macroautophagy. Thus, IRGM deficiency results in defective mitophagy, accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, and enhanced mitochondrial DAMPs that stimulate cGAS-STING and RIG-IMAVS axis to drive robust activation of type I IFN response leading to autoimmunity. This study also defines IRGM as a strong potential target for new therapeutic interventions against autoimmune diseases and viral diseases.
Mr. Santosh Kumar Kuncha
Mr. Santosh Kumar Kuncha has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2019 for Young Scientists in the field of Bio-Medical Sciences. His award winning research work entitled “DTD-like fold for Translation Quality Control†has unraveled a hidden tRNA code essential for proofreading and also discovered an Animalia-specific variant of D-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase (DTD). His work showed that the chiral proofreading module, DTD, operates via an important base (N73) in the tRNA called discriminator base. The Discriminator-code based surveillance of DTD is crucial to avoid Ala-to-Gly mistranslation and also depletion of Gly-tRNA(Gly). He has also discovered a new variant of DTD named as Animalia-specific tRNA deacylase (ATD), which is essential to avert the cellular proteome imbalance caused due to confluence of tRNA expansion and oxidative stress in kingdom Animalia. Overall the work assumes significance in understanding the basic quality control mechanisms to maintain the fidelity during protein biosynthesis.
Mr. Vipul Bhatia
Mr. Vipul Bhatia has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2019 for Young Scientists in the field of Bio-Medical Sciences. His award winning research work entitled “Exploration of genetic drivers regulating the etiology of ETS-fusion negative prostate cancer†investigated the regulatory model involving the functional interplay between SPINK1, miRNA-338-5p/miRNA-421, and EZH2, thereby revealing hitherto unknown mechanism of SPINK1 upregulation in prostate cancer. Wherein, miRNA-338-5p/421 posttranscriptionally down-regulate SPINK1 expression in SPINK1-positive malignancies. EZH2 along with repressive H3K27me3 and DNA-methylation marks epigenetically suppresses miR-338-5p/-421 in SPINK1- positive subtype. Further, the use of epigenetic inhibitors downregulate SPINK1 expression. Owing to the pleiotropic anti-cancer effects exhibited by miRNA-338-5p/-421, we show miRNA-replacement therapy as one of the potential therapeutic approaches for SPINK1-positive cancers. Alternatively, the study potentiates the use of epigenetic inhibitors for SPINK1+ PCa subtype. Therefore, stratification of patients based on SPINK1-positive and miRNA-338-5p/-421 low criteria could further improve therapeutic modalities and overall management-strategies for SPINK1-positive malignancies.
Mr. Salman Sadullah Usmani
Mr. Salman Sadullah Usmani has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award2019 for Young Scientists in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences for his research work entitled “Computer-aided designing of antitubercular peptidesâ€. He has developed a knowledgebase, AntiTbPdb and an in silico tool, AntiTbPred, to predict and design antitubercular peptides. Implementing these tools, predicted the antitubercular activity of a peptide named as IMT-P8 and then validated it’s in vitro as well as intracellular antimycobacterial activity. He also demonstrated its synergism with several anti-TB drugs as well as repositioning of an antimalarial drug, a quite significant approach in combating drug resistance. On a broader prospective, the project demonstrated the significance of peptide based therapy.
Ms. Ankita Desai
Ms. Ankita Desai has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2019 for Young Scientists in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her award-winning research work entitled “Multiple drug delivery from the drug-implants-laden silicone contact lens†investigated the potential of contact lenses as a multiple drug delivery tool. Her work emphasized the development of drug-implants which were sandwiched inside a contact lens and showed a sustained release of the drugs over a period of time. In this arena, she also explored the possibility of adding a comfort enhancer and make a single contact lens wearable for more than a week giving varied treatment options for diseases like glaucoma, dry eye, conjunctivitis, and other anterior eye diseases. On a larger perspective, these results assume significance in unleashing the hidden potential of contact lenses for drug delivery to the eyes.
Mr. Parijat Sarkar
Mr. Parijat Sarkar has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2018 for Young Scientists in the field of Bio-Medical Sciences. His award winning research work entitled “Actin Cytoskeleton and Cholesterol: A Dual Mechanism of Regulation†investigated the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton and its implications in membrane protein dynamics and function, upon modulation of membrane cholesterol by statins. His work showed that F-actin content significantly increases in response to membrane cholesterol depletion, which could be due to a synergistic effect of multiple pathways. In this context, he explored the role of actin cytoskeleton in regulating the dynamics of the serotonin1A receptor, a crucial neurotransmitter G protein-couple receptor (GPCR) that plays a crucial role in the generation and modulation of cognitive and behavioral functions. On a broader perspective, these results assume significance in understanding the modulatory role of the membrane environment on the organization and function of GPCRs.
Mr. Sanjeev Kumar
Mr. Sanjeev Kumar has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2018 for Young Scientists in the field of Bio-Medical Sciences. His award winning research work entitled “CD4-Binding Site Directed Cross-Neutralizing scFv Monoclonals from HIV-1 Subtype C Infected Indian Childrenâ€. The CD4 binding site (CD4bs) is an important epitope and is one of the current HIV-1 vaccine targets. Disease progression is faster in children infected at birth by mother-to-child transmission than adults. Further, infected children in the absence of antiretroviral therapy mostly progress to AIDS within two years of age. Characterization of the cross-neutralizing scFvs isolated herein and future identification of scFvs from the anti-HIV-1 recombinant phage library constructed using the PBMCs of antiretroviral chronically HIV-1 infected children, targeting diverse epiotopes on viruses of pediatric origin, will help in understanding the co-evolution of virus and the protective antibody response in the infected children who are non-progressors even in the absence of antiretroviral therapy.
Mr. Pronay Das
Mr Pronay Das has been selected for the prestigious “Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award 2018†under the category of Pharmaceutical sciences. His research entitled “Specific Stereoisomeric Conformations Determine the Drug Potency of Cladosporin Scaffold against Malarial Parasite†has elegantly demonstrated in a molecular level, the role of absolute stereochemical conformation in bio-potency. This project is a collaborative work between three research groups from NCL Pune and ICGEB New Delhi. In this work he has synthesized all the possible stereoisomers of a potent anti-malarial natural product Cladosporin and classified the stereoisomeric set in the order of their anti-malarial potency through in-depth biological screening. Besides co-crystals of the isomers with the target enzyme was also obtained and thoroughly scrutinized to decipher the structural bases of enzymatic binding. The research work conducted by Mr Das also paves the way towards the development of new promising anti-malarial drugs which could be of societal importance in the upcoming times.
Mr. Himesh Venkata Subba Rao Makala
Mr. Himesh Makala has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2018 for Young Scientists in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. In his award-winning research work entitled “Biophysical & biochemical characterization of inhibitors against human mitotic kinesin Eg5â€, he has screened diverse databases for inhibitors using in-silico methods that target the second allosteric binding site of Eg5. The top hits were validated using different in vitro experiments like ATPase assay, ITC, DSF, MST and in HeLa, A549, K562 cell lines. He investigated their binding mode and specific interactions that causes the conformational changes using extensive molecular dynamic simulations. Of the two best compounds, one binds selectively to the second allosteric binding site while the other binds to both the allosteric sites of Eg5. This will be validated by structural studies and the outcome will be useful in designing more potent inhibitors that could act as anticancer agents.
Ms. Punita Kumari
Ms. Punita Kumari has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award 2017 in the field of Bio-Medical Sciences. Her research work has developed a better understanding of the signaling and regulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest class of drug targets in the human body. Her research has revealed a novel paradigm in GPCR biology where distinct conformations of GPCR signaling complexes mediate different downstream functional outcomes. Her findings have elucidated a key aspect of spatio-temporal regulation of GPCR signaling and they have direct implications for designing novel GPCR therapeutics with minimized side-effects.
Ms Aditi Jain
Ms. Aditi Jain has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2017 for Young Scientists in the field of Bio-Medical Sciences. Her award winning research work entitled ' Understanding cardiac failure using engineered materials' provides a suitable laboratory substitute to conduct research on cardiac cells for developing better therapies to treat heart diseases. This research work highlights the biocompatibility, suitability and ease of using keratin coated surfaces for supporting spontaneously contracting cardiomyocytes. Keratin can be easily extracted from discarded human hair which is available in abundance. Moreover, an organotypic cardiac model was designed using engineered micro-ridges to investigate the importance of topography in assessing cardiac function. These engineered cardiomyocytes show strikingly directional flow of calcium currents similar to what is seen in native heart. This system was validated to serve as model for studying cardiac hypertrophy at transcriptional as well as translational level. These engineered biomaterials are a promising in vitro platform for research related to understanding pathophysiology of the heart.
Mr. Gaurav Joshi
Mr. Gaurav Joshi has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2017 for Young Scientists in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Mr. Gaurav is pursuing his Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr. Raj Kumar and co-supervision of Dr. Sandeep Singh. His award-winning research work entitled "Targeting chromatin coupled enzymes by small molecules in cancer cells" explored the design strategies, synthesis and biological evaluation of the novel heterocycles as the multifunctional inhibitors of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFR), Histone Deacetylases(HDAC) and Human Topoisomerases (hTopo) as anticancer agents. The overall aim of the work was to understand the epigenetic mechanism as well as design novel compound(s) to either (a) inhibit kinase-chromatin mediated cross-talks, and or (b) develop safe and efficacious drugs for cancer. The present work seeks exchange and imparts the knowledge to applied medical sciences for the treatment of cancer which requires multidisciplinary research skills needed to carry out bench to bedside research.
Mr. Shasank Sekhar Swain
Mr. Shasank Sekhar Swain has been selected for the 'Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2017 for Young Scientists', in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences for his innovative research work, “Conjugation of a phytochemical with an obsolete drug as a novel strategy towards antimicrobial drug discovery: a case study with sulfonamide-monoterpene phenols against MRSAâ€. The chemical conjugation of a phytochemical with a sulfa drug through azo-dye coupling reaction is a novel idea for reuse of sulfa drugs against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Moreover, bioinformatic tools for the validation of drug likeness properties before synthesis was an ideal approach during the development of effective antibacterials with minimum time and resources. The conjugation process is not tedious; eventually the mass production of the conjugated chemicals could be possible. The used conjugation method could be extended for the reuse of other obsolete drugs with a suitable phytochemical against any disease.
Mr. Venkateswara Rao Amara
Mr. Venkateswara Rao Amara, student of Prof. Kulbhushan Tikoo, has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Awards-2016 in the field of Bio-Medical Sciences. His research work, “Study of the effect of High Salt Diet on Cardiovascular and Renal systems in Uninephrectomized rats†investigated dysregulation of renin angiotensin system-both local and systemic, L-type calcium channel signaling in cardiac dysfunction and remodeling of high salt diet-fed uninephrectomized rats. Epigenetic and molecular players altered were increased cardiac miRNA-25, -451, -155 and decreased miR-99b and alteration in their corresponding target proteins – decreased SERCA, p-AMPK and increased p-AKT. Uninephrectomized rats fed with high salt diet (UNX+HSD) exhibited vascular and renal dysfunction and remodeling worse than the normal rats fed with high salt diet (HSD). In contrast to prevailing notion, high salt diet feeding did not induce hypertension but induced pressure-independent end organ damage. These epigenetic marks can have potential diagnostic and therapeutic significance for early detection and treatment of cardiac dysfunction.
Ms. Rashi Arora
Ms. Rashi Arora is a final year Ph.D. student working on improving cancer diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. She has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2016 in the field of Bio-Medical Sciences. In her award winning research work entitled “Esculetin induces antiproliferative and apoptotic response in pancreatic cancer cells by directly binding to KEAP1â€, she has explored the anticancer potential of a naturally occurring coumarin derivative, esculetin in pancreatic cancer cells. The study involved elucidation of mechanism of action and direct binding target of esculetin. Her work reported a loss of interaction between Nrf2 and KEAP1 on exposure to esculetin apparently due to direct binding between esculetin and KEAP1, that ultimately depletes ROS and abrogate NF-κB activity (Arora et al., Mol Cancer, 2016 Oct 18;15(1):64).
Ms. Supriya V. Vartak
Ms. Supriya V. Vartak has been selected for the Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award-2016 in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her award winning research work entitled "Antiapoptotic protein BCL2 and DNA Repair protein LIGASE IV: Novel strategies for Targeted Cancer Therapy" investigated two aspects for improved chemotherapeutic modalities. The first part of the study identified a novel BCL2 inhibitor, specifically targeting BCL2 'high' cancer cells, sparing normal ones. Disarib activated the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, by disrupting BCL2-BAK interaction. It exhibited an excellent tumor regression property in three mouse models, without side effects, and showed promising potential for clinical trials. The second aspect described encapsulation of SCR7 (previously identified DNA Ligase IV inhibitor) using nanopolymers, making it water soluble and rendering it 5 times potent in comparison with the parental molecule. Studies demonstrated that SCR7 brought down the effective dose of radiation, aiding radiotherapy for cancer treatment.