RESEARCH PROFILE

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Neurobiology

How do we feel happy? How do we feel sad? How do we respond to stress? Why do we get depressed? How do antidepressants work? The Neuroscience Lab uses multidisciplinary approaches combining molecular biology, cell biology, behavior, and computation to address these questions. All these behaviors arise from a highly choreographed collective activity of the cells in the nervous system. Our nervous system consists of several different cell types, which are broadly classified into two groups viz., neurons and glia. Neurons have remained at the forefront of basic and translational neuroscience research. On the other hand, glia have long been thought of as the silent spectators to the neuronal orchestra that produces the symphonies of behavior. However, recent work, including the work from our lab has revealed that glia, especially astrocytes, play an active, and perhaps instructive, role in the manifestation of behavior. We investigate how astrocytes affect the emergence of depressive behavior and the action of antidepressants.

Inflammation, Autophagy, and Host-Pathogen Interactions

Inflammation is the body’s action to harmful stimuli, such as damaged cells or pathogens. It triggers the immune system to remove the source of injury and initiate the process of tissue repair. Although inflammation is a protective response, prolonged or excessive inflammation can result in conditions such as autoimmune disorders and cancer. Our laboratory aims to understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate inflammation and maintain cellular homeostasis during inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Bioimaging

Driven by a passion for interdisciplinary solutions to biomedical challenges, the researchers at BSBE-IIT DHARWAD delves into realms from diagnostic tools to therapeutic monitoring. Currently, we voyages sail through the stormy seas of anti-microbial resistance, proteomics, and metabolomics. With ingenious tools like stable isotope probing and machine learning, we wield Raman spectroscopy like a scalpel, rapidly identifying and characterizing the insidious foe – antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. Their ambition? To bridge the gap between bench and bedside, a testament to their “bench to bedside” ethos.

Molecular Biology of Cancer

Cancer, that cunning and multifaceted foe, eludes us not through brute force, but through its deceptive cloak of heterogeneity. Each tumor whispers a unique story, a constellation of mutations and adaptations that defy a one-size-fits-all approach. This is where the Biosciences and Bioengineering Department (BSBE) at IIT DHARWAD steps in, armed with the tools of modern science and a resolute spirit. We harness the deluge of information gleaned from genomic sequencing, proteomics, and metabolomics, weaving together a tapestry of cancer’s intricacies. This intricate knowledge base fuels our quest for novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Our ultimate goal? To translate this knowledge into tangible tools for the clinic. New diagnostic tests, potent targeted therapies, and personalized treatment plans – these are the fruits of our labor. We envision a future where cancer’s heterogeneity, once its shield, becomes its Achilles’ heel, a chink in its armor revealed by the relentless pursuit of BSBE-IIT DHARWAD.

Faculty Expertise:

The department boasts a team of highly qualified and experienced faculty members with expertise in various areas of biosciences and bioengineering. All faculty members have published extensively in leading international journals.

Research Collaborations:

The department actively collaborates with other research groups within IIT DHARWAD, as well as with national and international research institutions and industry partners. This collaborative approach fosters the exchange of knowledge and expertise, leading to innovative research outcomes.

Overall, the BSBE department at IIT DHARWAD is a rapidly growing research powerhouse with a strong commitment to excellence in education and research. The department’s interdisciplinary approach, cutting-edge facilities, and collaborative environment make it an ideal place for students and researchers to pursue their interests in the fascinating world of biosciences and bioengineering.