Unique protein domains, concentration gradients, and asymmetric protein distributions or polarities are the Principal factors establishing the identity of gametes and the fate of individual cells during early embryonic development. Our lab, basically strives to identify markers associated with the above mentioned regulatory factors. Their identification and characterization will help to gain significant insights into the process of gamete maturation and early embryonic development in mammals. It is also known that if some of these gonad specific markers start expressing in the normal cells, they can become cancerous. Based on this background, we are attempting to identify novel cancer biomarkers in our lab and this research study has possible implications in early diagnostics of various cancers as well as developing novel cancer therapies.

Major focus of my lab is reproductive biology, which includes mainly the processes of gametogenesis and embryogenesis, wherein we are attempting to gain a better understanding of germ cell maturation as well as early embryonic development in various mammalian species. Quite a few important gametogenesis markers involved in germ cell development have been identified and characterized in the lab; at the same time, comprehensive miRNA regulators expressed specifically during folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation process have been

identified in mouse model. Number of pure compounds/natural extracts are also being screened for their contraceptive efficacy. Modified Animal Oocytes (MAOs) & Embryos (MAEs) have been commercialized from the lab for the purpose of Embryology training.

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) of mice is being used as a tool to characterize fertility markers as well as for the high-throughput screening of bio-molecules to validate their contraceptive potential.

Anti-implantation screening is also being done in SD rats to identify non-steroidal contraceptives with better outcome and lower side effects. Our team has also established a rodent model to study the breach of blood-brain barrier, blood-testes barrier as well as placental barrier through the recombinant HIV protein Nef.

Another focus of my lab is in the direction of regenerative therapy; where we have developed rodent models with dysfunctional gonads to assess the therapeutic effect of isolated adult stem cell transplants in the gonads of infertile rodents and validate the efficacy of the strategy in restoration of gonadal functions and overall fertility levels. Established rodent models are also used for the in-depth studies related to gonadal dysfunction as well as for the screening of pro-fertility compounds/natural extracts, which can restore the gonadal function.

In the area of cancer research, our lab has excellent expertise for in-vitro screening of anti-cancerous compounds, particularly with respect to cervical cancer. In addition, our lab has developed novel cancer biomarkers; these cancer biomarkers are also known as Cancer-Germline Antigens (CGA); as in the normal condition, expression of such proteins are restricted only to gonads, but start expressing in the cancerous cells/tissues. Presently, we are working on five major CGAs; where the expression of these markers has been confirmed in various cancerous cell lines and couple of them also has been validated in the squamous cell carcinoma of patient samples. Towards characterization of these cancer biomarkers, we have also taken up the task to characterize novel fluorophore tagged lipid binding dyes in the cancerous cells. Protein biomarkers are increasingly used in clinical research to identify protein signatures that can predict outcomes and responses. Also effectively stratify patient populations and provide insights into the biology of disease. Identifying early diagnostic markers of disease may also advance our understanding of disease biology and potentially identify novel drug targets. In addition, protein biomarkers may serve as essential tools to monitor the effects of therapeutic interventions, even in the advancement of clinical endpoint observations. Patent has been filed to explore these novel cancer bio-markers (NCB) for the further clinical applications and accordingly on-going major aims of the lab are

➤Clinico-pathological validation of Novel Cancer Biomarkers.

➤Prepare antibodies, specific to the cancer biomarker.

➤Body fluids of cancer patients are tested for the shedding of this cancer antigen.

➤Pap smear assessment to diagnose HPV infection and correlate with cancer biomarker expression.

➤Structural modeling of the marker protein to find their inhibitors.

Based on these newly identified biomarkers in the body fluid of cancer patients, now our lab is working in the close collaboration with IIT-Guwahati to develop point-of-care-testing (POCT) devices specific to these cancer biomarkers.

In this research area, my lab has also developed rodent model of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) and number of compounds/natural extracts have been screened for the management of BPH and a product has been developed successfully to control this disease; which had been transferred to the industry for further marketing. My lab is also venturing in the area of Prostate cancer screening in-vitro as well as in-vivo studies in animal models.