Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology - Major Facilities

Blood Biochemistry Analyser

Broad field of Medical Genetics and Epigenetic Laboratory is Phyto-therapeutics and our group has been in practice for several years. In this particular field we are focusing on the use of medicinal plants and its clinical importance through the biochemistry approaches. In which, the beneficiary aspects of clinical biochemistry have paved ways in the development of Pharmacognosy. Further, we have put efforts to combine the examination of biochemical compounds, isolated from Phyto-therapeutic plants, towards the genetic aspects with the help of in vivo approaches. Herein, it is able to elucidate the impact of the isolated biochemical compounds on the subjects at a molecular genetics level in terms of epigenetics studies and also to perceive new insights over the analytical studies.

Molecular Genetics and Cancer Biology laboratory

The Molecular Genetics and Cancer Biology laboratory under the supervision of      Dr. R. Sivasamy in the Department of Human genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore- 46 is actively working on exploring the genetics, proteomics, various molecular and treatment aspects of major diseases prevalent in Indian population. The diseases currently being researched are Breast cancer, Head & Neck Squamous cell carcinoma, Migraine, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Works on neuronal animal model systems is currently in progress for developing efficient target drugs. We are also developing nano-based drugs to target the cancer cells using various metal and carbon compounds. Dr. Sivasamy also received the International travel grant from ICMR to present his work on the Anti-cancer potential of metal oxide Nano Particle on Breast Cancer Cell Line in the International conference on Cancer at San Diego, USA. An interesting study on understanding the neuroprotective role of niacin in neurodegenerative diseases is studied using C.elegans animal model system. Currently a project funded by RUSA 2.0 (BEICH) to develop supplements for SCD is under progress. Apart from research, we are also involved in spreading the knowledge to other streams of science through various platforms like organizing conferences, performing workshops for budding students in lifesciences to understand the basic functioning of genetic research etc. Also, we are involved in creating awareness to the general public about various health issues and cancers faced today. Dr. Sivasamy has many collaborations and MoU with various researchers and institutions like the University of Michigan-USA, Erode cancer centre-India and many good hospitals in and around Coimbatore.  The students in our laboratory are gaining more exposure by attending National and International programmes with full scholarships. We are tirelessly working towards achieving better outcomes and encouraging budding researchers to take up the right path in attaining great heights.

Biomaterial and Nanomedicine laboratory 

The Biomaterial and Nanomedicine laboratory focus on novel materials for targeted drug delivery to effectively treat different types of cancers. This lab is also involved in identifying the mutations which are causative factors of neurological disorder, infertility and cancer. Besides, Drosophila melanogaster is also reared for using them as an in vivo model for various diseases including Alzheimer’s, Infertility and leukemia.

Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory

Dr. V. Balachandar have been doing research in the field of human genetic diseases for the past 15 years where his core interest includes Stem Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics, cancer biology, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. To his credit, he has been selected as one of the candidates from South India to undertake an Indo-Japan Collaborative STEM CELL project under the Nobel Laureate - Father of Stem Cell Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, CiRA – Kyoto Japan which has been funded by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Fund, India. During this course period he has undergone training on how to create the cells and maintain the iPSCs. Recently, he has also received an Indo – Denmark Collaborative project from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Government of India to work in the Neurobiology field in Southern University of Denmark for a period of Six months. During this period, he worked on PD derived hiPSCs where the main aim of the study was to characterize and differentiate the hiPSCs for pluripotency. For his research contributions he has been awarded “Tamil Nadu Young Scientist Award” by Science City, Department of Higher Education,  Government of Tamil Nadu, 2017. Recently in 2019, he had attended a course on Cytogenetics in Portugal organized by European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG). His proficiency, training, novelty and motivation create a pioneer research work in genetic diseases. For the past few years, he has initiated the genetic studies with specific training and expertise in examining the clinical characteristics, behavior analysis and genetic influence in various neurological and cancer diseases. Furthermore, he has initiated stem cell research using hiPSC (human induced pluripotent stem cells) and nanoparticle based therapeutic strategy to treat neurological and other disorders. These kinds of studies might help in creating awareness and prediction of genetic diseases which aids in prevention and treatment options.