Cellular & Molecular Biology ::

This department focuses on rDNA techniques in E.Coli systems including gene manipulation, RTPCR, DNA sequencing, cell-cultures and other immunological tests like antibody purification, immunoblotting, ELISA etc.

With the advancements in the field of recombinant DNA, molecular and cell biology techniques, several biological and disease states can now be explained at the molecular level. This has resulted not only in a better understanding of these conditions, but has also offered us tools to modulate them at the cellular or molecular level. Cell and Molecular Biology Dept at TRC is primarily interested in three main developments in this area.

• A wealth of information is now available with the completion of human genome project. It is now quite evident that regulation of gene expression plays a crucial role in progression or regression of a disease state.
• The identification of biological processes and biomolecules that are involved in a disease state, or prevention of it, has helped to identify highly specific molecular drug targets (such as receptors, enzymes, etc.), which can be blocked or activated.

Such an understanding has also led to the development of a new class of therapeutic agents, which are collectively called as biotherapeutics.

The department has broadly two activities:

• Cell Culture
• Molecular Biology

Cell & Molecular Biology Department has developed varied techniques involved with the biological systems and is capable of handling diverse tasks with its state-of-the-art set up.

• Medium throughput screening of NCEs, based on spectrophotometric, flurimetric and luminescence end-points.
• Cell proliferation/cell death assays.
• Primary cell culture for specialized applications.
• Genetic manipulations using techniques viz. PCR, RT-PCR, in-vitro mutagenesis, construction of genomic and cDNA libraries etc. leading to recombinant molecules for therapeutics and/or research purposes.
• Over expression of these recombinant proteins in E.coli.
• Acclimatization of mammalian cells with standard serum free media / parasite culture.

Activities ::

• Department has also developed sensitive assays for screening of new molecules for in-house drug discovery programs.
• The department is engaged in the development of recombinant clones for production of therapeutic proteins.
• In a short span, it has achieved hyper expression of two commercially important cytokines in E.coli.
• Cell-based bioassays have been standardized and are routinely used for estimation of bioactivity of these cytokines.

Plans ::

• Use of gene expression as a tool of drug discovery.
• Novel approaches for the treatment of parasitic diseases.
• Expression of therapeutic proteins in mammalian cells.

Collaborative Interests ::

• Development of new therapeutic approaches and targets for various diseases with special interest to metabolic disorders.
• Licensing in a technology for gene expression monitoring.
• Development of recombinant therapeutic proteins (either in bacterial or eukaryotic expression system)