1) Title: “Evaluation of anticancer and antioxidant potential of different Lichens available in North Bengal” PI: Santanu Paul Agency: Department of Science and Technology; Govt. of West Bengal. Duration: 2018-2021
Research Funding (Ongoing)
Dr. Santanu Paul, Founder of SP LAB
LAB Members
Dr. Priya K GopalDr. Priya K Gopal Mrs. PriyaK Gopal received her Ph.D. in Biotechnology in 2018 from the University of Calcutta. She joined my laboratory as a Research Fellow on 2008 in an UGC sponsored project. During her Ph.D. She worked towards biological evaluation of novel curcumin analogues as anti-leukemic agents and elucidating its molecular mechanisms leading to apoptosis. Leukemia being one of the major causes of death globally particularly in the age-group of 5yrs to 18yrs, continues to drive concerns because the current therapeutic regiment seem to hold very little impact on the 5 year survival span of the patients. Curcumin …
Dr. Swadesh SarkarSwadesh received his Ph.D. in Botany in 2020 from the University of Calcutta. He joined as JRF in my laboratory in DST. Governmnet of Wesbengal funded project. He has isolated, characterized and determined the structures of different biomolecules from the active extracts ofboth from Andrographispaniculata and Azadirachtaindica. One of his main work is isolation of 14-deoxy-11, 12-didehydroandrographolide: a novel compound isolated from AndrographispaniculataNees. Which induces robust apoptosis in leukemic cells. He isolated a novel compound β-sitosterol-3-O- β –D-glucoside from Azadirachtaindicawhich effectively induces apoptosis in leukemic cells by targeting G0/G1 populations. H has published many research articles. Currently he is an …
Amrita Pal BasakAmrita did her Masters in Microbiology from Jiwaji University. She works towards bio-prospecting of some wild edible mushrooms of West Bengal for anti-cancer potential. The initial phase of her work involved screening of different wild mushroom species collected from various districts of West Bengal for their anti-oxidative and anti-proliferative effects on different human cancer cells. Her work further aims at bioactivity guided isolation of the active biomoleculesfrom these potent extracts followed by deciphering the induced mechanism of apoptosis. Isolated active novel biomolecules will help in future for the treatment of cancer.
Ankita MridhaAnkita Mridha Ankita Mridha did her Masters in Zoology from University of Calcutta. Her work is focused on screening of the freshwater as well as marine algae from different lentic and lotic zones of West Bengal. Screening includes for both antioxidant profiling and anti-proliferativeactivity of the algal extracts using various bioassays. Post screening, Ankita is further investigating the molecular mechanisms leading to apoptosis of cancer cells, in an effort to fish out the most potent algal species possessing anti-cancer potential.
Anirban ChouniAnirban Chouni did his Masters in Botany from University of Burdwan. He is engaged in study of plant-derived natural compounds having anti-cancer properties and elucidating the molecular mechanism involved in apoptosis. He focuses on different medicinal plants endemic to the North-East region of India. Primarily he is involved in bioactivity screening of the crude extracts in various human cancer cells as well as in normal cells to select out non-toxic anti-cancer property-rich bioactive extract(s). This screening process is further pursued for bioactivity guided isolation, identification, and characterization of the biomolecules from the active extracts.
Debrupa HazraDebrupa Hazra Debarupa is working towards determining the anti-diabetic potential of the various indigenous medicinal plants of India and study there underlining molecular mechanisms. She is also looking at the glucose uptake potential of the potent medicinal plant species of India to tap the untap for the cure of Diabetes Mellitus. The drugs currently in use do more harm than good in the long run, as the chemical drugs such as Glipizide, Rosiglitazone, Pioglitazone, etc cause severe side effects ranging from increased cardiovascular diseases to bladder cancer. Her work aims to look for safer traditional medicine in combating diabetes.
- Ribhu Ray
Ribhu did his Masters in Botany from Barasat State University. He is working in the field of cell biology, focusing on the exploration of the anti-proliferative and anti-cancer activity of wild and edible mushrooms of West Bengal. Exploration of the metabolomic profiling of the effective phytochemical extract of different mushroom is also one of his prime areas of the research. His investigation is constructed towards the exploration of the unreported anti-cancer activity of mushroom followed by the identification of the active phytochemical molecules and eventually dissect out the possible pathway manifesting the anti-cancer property.
- Nibedita Pyne
Nibedita Pyne Nibedita did her Masters in Botany from University of Calcutta. She is engaged in thorough screening of medicinal plants from various parts of India for anti-leismanial activity. With the prevailing cases of Leishmaniasis orkala-azar as in common terms, there has always been a significant need of effective treatment especially in the rural areas of India. The high cost, moderately effective medications till date have caused severe side effects worsening the situation. Alongside inflammation is a prominent complimentary issue that needs to be resolved. As India harbours the treasure of diverse plant species which in turns stores miraculous compounds …
Moumita DandapatMoumita Dandapat Moumita Dandapat did her Masters in Botany from Vidyasagar University.She is involved in the screening lichens of West Bengal for anti-cancer efficacies. She is also involved in metabolomics profiling of the lead lichen extracts.