IIT Roorkee researchers have identified the RNA protein Hfq as a potential drug target. Once the Hfq gene is removed, the Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria become less virulent, more susceptible to environmental stress, and survival under desiccation is compromised. Targeting the virulence of the bacteria opens up a new opportunity to develop more effective drugs. Researchers … Continue reading IIT Roorkee finds new drug target for antibiotic resistant bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii
Drug development
NCL-led team improves stability, bioavailability of FDC drug for TB
By turning to crystal engineering, the NCL-led team of researchers has improved the physical stability and bioavailability of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) drug containing four first-line anti-TB medicines. Cocrystal of isoniazid with caffeic acid showed five times better physical stability and bioavailability. The physical stability and bioavailability of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) drug containing four anti-TB … Continue reading NCL-led team improves stability, bioavailability of FDC drug for TB
IGIB researchers find ways to reduce TB’s tissue-damaging effects
IGIB researchers have for the first time discovered that necrosis in granulomas result in the development of lipid-rich foamy macrophages, thus overthrowing the general belief that TB bacteria make the host cells accumulate lipids. They also report for the first time that foamy macrophages show more inflammatory response than normal macrophages. So targeting the tissue-damaging effects … Continue reading IGIB researchers find ways to reduce TB’s tissue-damaging effects
IIT Guwahati researchers create bioartificial liver using silk
IIT Guwahati researchers have created a bioartificial liver model grown within a 3D silk scaffold. The scaffold made by mixing mulberry and non-mulberry silk fibroins showed enhanced liver-specific functions. When implanted in animals, the scaffold was found to be biocompatible. The researchers are now validating the scaffold with primary human liver cells and human stem cell-derived liver … Continue reading IIT Guwahati researchers create bioartificial liver using silk
IIT Kanpur researchers make antibodies for treating a few genetic diseases
The antibodies will prevent the trafficking of the GPCR receptors from the membrane surface to inside of the cells thus making mutant cells responsible for certain genetic diseases to function normally. Inherited genetic diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and nephrogenic diabetes may become treatable if the initial results achieved by a team of researchers led by … Continue reading IIT Kanpur researchers make antibodies for treating a few genetic diseases
Sun Pharma, NIV to jointly test drugs for Zika, chikungunya and dengue
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune signed an agreement for testing phytopharmaceutical, biologic and chemical entities developed by Sun Pharma against Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses. Sun Pharma will provide drug molecules to NIV for testing against Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses. “A couple of interesting phytopharmaceutical candidates against … Continue reading Sun Pharma, NIV to jointly test drugs for Zika, chikungunya and dengue
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