Antimicrobial resistance represents a global health problem of escalating intensity. In order to develop new therapeutic strategies, it is important to understand- in fine molecular detail- how antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics achieve function. In the past few years, it has been suggested that antibiotics function through induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage the bacterial genome.

Bacterial attachment to the host surfaces is the first and key step in colonization, which may harm or benefit the host based on the natureof host-microbial relationship. Bacteria often assemble and use hair-like organelles known as pili or fimbriae on their cell surface to quickly and effectively mediate attachment. This initial recognition between the bacteria and host through surface molecules determines the tissue tropism and defines host range.

Dr. Prasenjit Guchhait’s lab explains the mechanism of developing pro-inflammatory pathophysiology of monocytes in hemolytic diseases such as PNH and SCD . In these hemolytic disorders, lysis of red blood cells releases huge amounts of free hemoglobin (Hb) into the plasma, which further activates platelets as shown earlier by the same group. The present study shows that once monocytes engulf activated-platelets from circulation, they become pro-inflammatory as well as pro-coagulative, secreting cytokines and other factors that further instigate systemic inflammations in these patients.

A recent study from the Disease Biology Lab led by Dr. Prasenjit Guchhait’s uncovered the mechanism of platelet activation by free-hemoglobin in circulation in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The group had already described the mechanism of activation of circulating platelets by free-Hb in PNH patients. This study further shows that sickle hemoglobin Hb (HbS) also activates platelets potently in patients with SCD in manner similar to HbA (Hb of normal individuals).

The ability to perceive a stimulus and respond appropriately is the hallmark of any living organism. Bacteria respond to environment stimulus by translocating to a more favorable milieu. Bacterial motility is mediated by the action of flagella that are complex dynamic structures composed of numerous proteins.

A new finding from the Disease Biology Laboratory describes the mechanism of thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts) in dengue patients. Study explains – how dengue virus (DENV) infects and activates platelets. The higher degree of platelet activation is associated with more clearance of platelets from circulations in dengue patients. Several pathways are involved by which the DENV-activated platelets are cleared from circulations.

Dr. C. V. Srikanth’s group at Laboratory of Gut Infection and Inflammation Biology (LGIIB) of Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad have embarked studies using a multipronged approach on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is an intestinal autoimmune disorder involving recurrent and abnormal immune activation resulting in a major healthcare challenge. In this work Salman Mustfa, Mukesh Singh and others from LGIIB have revealed a crucial role for a post-translational pathway called SUMOylation, a modification that can alter the fate of a protein.

Dr. Bajaj’s group at RCB in collaboration with Dr. Aasheesh Srivastava from IISER Bhopal are making continuous efforts towards exploring novel antibacterial molecules that could evade the problem of antimicrobial resistance by targeting bacterial membrane. For targeting an even challenging mycobacterial membrane, they are developing amphiphiles to act brilliantly against the hydrophobic lipid rich membranes by modulating their charge and hydrophobicity.

Aryl azides are described as “green reagents as, on heating or on exposure to light, these lead to only a benign loss of nitrogen. In a series of papers on aryl azides Prof. Eswaran’s group have shown their use in “Click” reaction, Solar cells, photomicrolithography & as chemical crosslinkers for studies on protein-protein interactions. Thermolysis of ‘azido- m-hemipinate’ led to “Viswamayene”-named after late Prof M. A. Viswamitra, IISc, Bangalore Two new products are identified via thermolysis of ‘azido dimethylsuccinylosuccinate’, the para- analog of ’azido-m- hemipinate’.