Handheld Raman Spectrometer

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for material identification, chemical analysis and sensing applications. The unique advantages of portability, native non-destructive and rapid analysis qualify them best devices for onsite analysis including authentication and detection of adulteration.

We have the expertise in fabrication of highly customized handheld Raman spectrometer, tailored for specific applications and equipping it with the software for automated analysis such that the instrument can be carried anywhere and is operable by anyone. We also have the know-how for producing of SERS substrates (nanostructured plasmonic materials), which can be used for trace level detection.

Ultrafast Spectroscopy – Excited State Properties

The chemical bonds break, form, or geometrically change with surprising rapidity during the transformation of reactants to products. This ultrafast transformation is a dynamic process involving the mechanical motion of electrons and atomic nuclei. As the speed of atomic motion is ~1 km/second, the average time required to experiment atomic-scale dynamics over a distance of an angstrom is ~100 femtoseconds. Hence the advantage of using ultrashort pulses is that they open the door to investigate the dynamics of the system directly, i.e., the movement of individual particles such as electrons or atoms.

We investigate the ultrafast excited state relaxation dynamics involved in the photofunctional materials and protein-lipids interaction dynamics upon ultrafast laser excitation.

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Natural Product Chemistry

Harnessing the natural wealth (plant/herbal/microbial) of the region to obtain novel biologically active compounds or leads for drug synthesis, exploring traditional systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Siddha and tribal medicine for lead structures and correlating/corroborating this wealth of knowledge with modern diagnostic chemical and biological testing methods. The natural products isolated from plants/microbial cultures are screened against several biological targets for antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory activities. This is done through interdisciplinary collaborations within the institute and also with several national laboratories and universities. In addition, we have a very good facility for in vivo screening of molecules with biological potential. The abundant natural products are synthetically modified for enhancement of biological activity. By utilizing the rich repository of phytomolecules, we are supporting the quality control/standardization of herbal raw materials and finished products for Ayurveda and herbal industry. The scientific validation of herbal formulations, both classical and proprietary products are taken up in the institute. We have established a facility for herbal formulations with special focus on making galenical formulations of traditional medicines.

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Development of sustainable and green methods for chemical synthesis

The quest for sustainable development in chemistry has tempted both organic chemists and environmental chemists to search for green and environmentally friendly methodologies. For sustainable development, the methodologies should address three main factors: 1) reduced consumption of raw materials and energy, 2) maximum use of renewable resources and 3) minimal use of harmful chemicals. These new methods must be environment friendly with minimum of waste, with high efficiency and by utilizing processes with 100 % atom economy. There is an increasing demands for product safety and efficacy in the chemical industry and allied branches and this trend is evident in other branches of industry as well, due to increasing concerns for biodegradability of the products. The development of efficient methods to access complex molecules with multiple stereogenic centers has become a substantial challenge in both academicresearch and industrial applications. The growing importance of the chemical industry and other branches as part of Make in India initiatives of Government of India and the growing needs of effective, environmentally sound production methods, we are focusing developing sustainable methods by developing novel and efficient green routes for chemical synthesis.

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Diagnostics and Nanotheranostics for Biomedical Applications

Chronological development of common methods used in molecular biology, biochemistry, cytopathology, and genetics are based on various manipulation of analysis of proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. These techniques are broadly covered in diagnostic pathology viz., neoplastic disorders, infectious diseases, inherited conditions and identity determination. Modern techniques such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has evolved as a potential ultrasensitive diagnostic tool for wide range of disease detection. In biomedical applications, we explore nanoparticles (NPs) for drug delivery and imaging. Carefully fabricated NPs with cell targeting ligands are loaded with suitable cargo to assemble ‘nanotheranostics’ which enable to monitor therapy in a real-time manner so as to improve the safety and drug efficacy for personalized medicine.

Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Medicinal plants have demonstrated their potential as a repository of bio-active molecules with promising therapeutic potential and represent an important pool for the identification of novel drug leads. In an attempt to investigate new phytochemical entities (NPCEs), naturally occurring phytomolecules are subjected to semi-synthetic modification which transform to pharmacologically active NPCEs as a lead candidate for clinical translation. In-depth investigations underlying molecular mechanisms were ruled out using detailed in vitro and in silico approach. In the area of chemical biology, an interdisciplinary team is investigating the intrinsic complexities of cell-surface glycans that impede to track the metabolic changes in cells. Metabolic glycan labelling (MGL) on the cell surfaces plays a pivotal role in cellular recognition like cell–cell communication and host–pathogen interactions etc. Moreover, fundamental structural changes have been observed in the course of many physiological processes which leads to the development of disease (e.g., cancer) progression.

Process Development Towards Chemical Entities

The team working on process development has successfully established different technologies for synthesizing active pharmaceutical ingredients (Nitazoxanide, Galidesivir, Molnupiravir and EIDD 1931), fluorescent dyes (red, blue, green and yellow) for security applications and agrochemicals (Flonicamid and spirotetramat). We focus on developing processes that utilize indigenous raw materials that are readily available. Another important factor that we take care of is the reduction in number of process steps and also avoiding purification by column chromatography thereby decreasing the cost of production.

Structural Chemistry and Crystal Engineering

Our research focuses on crystal engineering methods to develop solid forms (polymorphs, cocrystals, salts, solid solutions, and eutectics) of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with superior physicochemical properties and optimal mechanical properties to attain better tabletability. On the material research front, we work on developing flexible crystalline materials with unique nanomechanical response and emission characteristics.

Allopathic and Herbal Drug Formulations

Pharmaceutical formulation development connects the discovery of a new drug substance to the successful development of final commercial drug product. Formulation is the process in which active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are combined in precious propositions with excipients to create a specific product to achieve the desired characteristics in the final products e.g. Taste, color, shelf-life, performance or effectiveness and patient compliances. We focus on developing various galenical formulations of both allopathic and herbal drugs.

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