Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics (CBCMT)
Drug Discovery Unit (DDU)
The Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) was established in 2020 and is a part of the Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular, and Molecular Theranostics (CBCMT), VIT, Vellore. The core aim of DDU is to find innovative basic science findings and initiate preclinical drug discovery and development, translating them into the bedside. Currently, DDU is actively involved in research on developing small molecule drug design and discovery, fluorescent imaging agents for assisting cancer surgery, developing proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) for cancer therapy, finding small molecules for cancer immunotherapy, developing dual-targeting agents to selectively target cancer cells, developing photosensitizers for cancer therapy, therapeutics agents for various disease such as diabetes, antimicrobial resistance, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, and fibrosis, etc. and developing biotherapeutics such as miRNA, siRNA and protein-based therapeutics.
Lab In-charge: Dr. Loganathan Rangasamy
Email: loganathan.r@vit.ac.in
Biomaterials Processing and Characterization Facility
Key challenges in the field of implantology are stress shielding, low fatigue strength, poor bone bonding and formation of biofilm on implants. This laboratory has all the basic equipment’s needed for the development of materials with tailored mechanical properties. Materials with grain size ranging from micron and to nano are being investigated to have optimum modulus closer to bone and high fatigue and mechanical strength. Two high temperature furnaces with controlled environment is available to facilitate this work. In addition, novel coatings to improve the osseointegration and prevent bacterial formation are developed using simple cost-effective techniques such as Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and micro arc oxidation (MAO). In addition, this laboratory also involves activities related to replacement and reconstruction of diseased or damaged parts of the musculo-skeletal/dental systems by near net shape manufacturing of implants using different material and biological characterizations. Further, this lab focuses on development of new generation of ceramic, ceramic- polymeric/metallic composites for different biomedical applications. A substantial portion of this lab is involved in colloidal process of ceramics, bio-ceramics, protein coagulation casting, sol-gel and implant designing (dental and maxillofacial prosthesis) for bio-medical applications.
Lab In-charge: Dr. Loganathan Rangasamy
Email: loganathan.r@vit.ac.in
HOME Lab (3D Bioprinting and Imaging Facility)
3D bioprinting facilities are a recent addition to our centre. The advanced 3D bioprinting facility is called HOME (Human Organ Manufacturing and Engineering) Lab, equipped with two high-end Cellink Bio X bioprinter as well as few basic bioprinters. With this addition, the centre is better positioned to fabricate 3D organoids and tissue mimics, which will be also be one of the key focus areas in coming years.
Lab In-charge: Dr. Anjaneyulu U
Email: anjaneyulu.u@vit.ac.in
1. Olympus FLUOVIEW FV3000, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope
2. Olympus Inverted Microscope Model CKX53e
3. EVOS M5000
4. Lumen- X Gen 3 DLP Bioprinter
5. BIO X 3D Bioprinter
6. DLAB SafeVac Vacuum Aspiration System
Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Laboratory
Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Laboratory (CMTL) is a laboratory focusing on developing creative approaches uniting diagnosis and therapy for various diseases, particularly those with significant unmet medical needs. This lab is used to perform cell-based studies like cytotoxicity, biocompatibility and various molecular and cellular assays for identifying the unique characteristics of a disease and help bridge the gap between identification of disease and application of therapy.
Lab In-charge Prof. Amit Kumar Jaiswal
Email: amitj@vit.ac.in
Tissue Engineering Lab
This facility has all the basic equipment’s needed to fabricate polymeric scaffolds, hydrogels and nanomaterials which are crucial for tissue engineering lab.
Lab In-charge Dr. Joseph Nathanael A
Email: joseph.nathanael@vit.ac.in
Precision Nano Medicine Lab (PNML) & Micro Fluidics and Fabrication Facility
Lab In-charge: Dr. Arunkumar Pitchaimani
Email: arunkumar.pitchaimani@vit.ac.in
Bio translational Medicine Laboratory
Lab In-charge: Dr. Sushma Kumari and Dr. U. Anjaneyulu
Email: sushma.kumari@vit.ac.in , Anjaneyulu.u@vit.ac.in
Bio-Mechanics Lab Facility
Lab In-charge: Dr. D S Mohan Varma
Email: mohanvarma@vit.ac.in
