Research Projects
As Principal Investigator
| Title | Funding agency | Period |
|---|---|---|
| PCR for the Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis Developed an in-house PCR kit for the diagnosis of antenatal and acquired Toxoplasmosis. The protocol and primers are being routinely used in diagnostic laboratory. |
DBT, India | 1991-1993 |
| TNF-alpha in Malaria High levels of TNF- were found in patients with fulminant and cerebral falciparum malaria, as compared to benign malaria. The results are published in peer reviewed journals. |
AIIMS | 1992-1993 |
| Developing Indigenous ELISA, DAT & Latex agglutination test kits for the diagnosis of Acute Toxoplasmosis. Developed an in-house modified direct agglutination test kit. The kit is patented in India for the diagnosis of human and animal toxoplasmosis. |
DBT, India | 1996-1999 |
| Are Visceral and post Kala-azar dermal leishmaniases caused by same stain of L. donovani? This study revealed that VL and PKDL isolates of Leishmania donovani have significant genetic heterogeneity. These isolates also have significant difference in their drug susceptibility patter to standard drugs. Several papers have been published from the project. |
DBT, India | 1996-2000 |
| Identification of Drug Resistant strain (s) of clinically relevant Mycobacteria specially M. tuberculosis and genes associated with resistance. A data base was prepared for the first time from North India and several new species and strains of M. tuberculosis were identified. These strains were used as resource by other scientists of the country. |
DBT, India | 1996-2000 |
| Isolation of free living amoeba from AIIMS water supply. Acanthamoebae were isolated in majority of drinking water samples collected from households. The isolation was significantly higher from the pre-filter collection and overhead tanks. The findings are published. |
AIIMS | 1996-1999 |
| PCR and Cytokine assays in the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. This pilot project revealed possibility of animal reservoirs of Indian VL. This hypothesis leads us to plan a bigger study to screen various domestic and wild animals using molecular methods of screening. |
ICMR, India | 1999-2001 |
| Collection of well-characterized clinical samples for the purpose of evaluation of tests developed by various groups for early detection of M.tuberculosis. As evident from the title, a repository of Mycobacterial isolates and clinical samples was established. The well characterized isolates and clinical material was/is being sourced out to various other scientists working on TB diagnosis. Several daughter projects were planned out from this resource. |
DBT, India | 1996-2000 |
| Collection of well-characterized clinical samples and strains of M.tuberculosis and development of molecular techniques for the detection of drug resistant strains. As an offshoot of the previous study, several molecular methods were developed by our laboratory and others. The samples and isolates in our repository were used for evaluation and validation of various tests developed in-house by Indian scientists and also commercially for the diagnosis and detection of drug resistant M. tuberculosis. |
DBT, India | 2000-2003 |
| Base line Database collection and documentation of Good manufacturing and supply practices adopted by the manufacturers of TORCH- ELISA kits and quality control assessment at the user level of these kits. The study revealed that quality control and Human Resource standards adopted by majority of small and middle-level private laboratories are dismal in India. The recommendations were submitted to Government of India, which in-turn formulated important guidelines and accreditation of these laboratories. |
DST, India | 2003-2005 |
| Expression, Characterization & purification of recombinant kinesin like protein of VL & PKDL and developing test methods using the above antigen. A novel recombinant kinesin-like antigen was prepared from an Indian isolate of Leishmania donovani (Ld-rKE16). Invention is patented globally. The technology was transferred to a commercial firm. Using this novel antigen, ELISA and rapid diagnostic test kits are prepared. The kit has 99% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Several national Governments are using this kit. The kit has also been endorsed by WHO. |
DBT, India | 2003-2006 |
| Screening of marine products for in-vitro anti-Mycobacterial activity. A natural product was found to have anti-mycobacterial activity. The molecule was transferred to a pharmaceutical company for further evaluation. |
CSIR, Delhi | 2003-2005 |
| Comparative Evaluation of various in-vitro methods for diagnosing pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Various microbiological and serological methods were compared for the accurate diagnosis of PTB and EPTB. The results are published in reputed journals. These results helped Government of India to ban the serology. |
BioMerieux, India | 2004-2007 |
| Rapid and accurate diagnosis of Tuberculosis using a novel set of primers directly from clinical samples. Various monoplex and a novel multiplex PCR system was developed. The multiplex PCR detects M. tuberculosis, M avium and other NTM in a single tube. The results of validation and cross evaluation are published in reputed journals. |
ICMR, India | 2004-2007 |
| Evaluation of toxicity of Kalsome in Mouse model. Kalsome is a new form of liposomal amphotericin B being used for the treatment of Leishmaniasis and fungal infections. It uses ergosterol as lipid capsule. A real-time PCR was developed to evaluate the efficacy of this drug. In mice model |
DST, India | 2005-2007 |
| The role of TNF-α in the success of anti-tubercular therapy in Immune Restoration Disease in HIV/MTB co-infected patients responding to ART. | Aust-Ind Council | 2007-2009 |
| Transmission of Drug Resistant Hepatitis B Virus in Close Family Contacts of HBV-Related Chronic Liver Disease Patients. High rate of transmission was demonstrated in household contacts of Hepatitis B infected source patients. Close contact and clothes were incriminated in the transmission of this virus to contacts. |
DST, India | 2006-2009 |
| Proteomic analysis of the M. tuberculosis during the stage of acquisition of resistance to the Isoniazid and Rifampicin. Four Novel proteins are identified which are overexpressed during the acquisition of drug resistance. The results are published in peer reviewed journal. A patent has also been filed. |
DST, India | 2006-2011 |
| Genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Delhi & determining their Transmission Dynamics using Mol. methods. This community based study showed that a significant number of asymptomatic household contacts of index patients can be diagnosed well before they clinically manifest, using molecular and modern diagnostic tools. The study concluded that contact tracing was most useful of treating and controlling tuberculosis. |
ICMR New Delhi | 2007-2009 |
| A novel multiplexes PCR for simultaneous identification and discrimination of M. tuberculosis complex, M. avium complex and other NTM ….clinical specimens. This was in continuation of previous study. The novel multiplex PCR developed for the diagnosis and differentiation of M. tuberculosis (novel Esat-6 primers), 16SrRNA and hsp60 was evaluated across the country on various types of clinical samples andard strains. The PCR was found to be 98% sensitive and 97% specific. The invention is patented in several countries and ready for commercialization. |
DBT, India | 2007-2010 |
| Detection of Hepatitis A, E, Salmonella, E. histolytica and Giardia lamblia from drinking water samples using novel multiplex PCR. A pentaplex PCR was developed and evaluated for the simultaneous diagnosis of Hepatitis A, E, Salmonella typhi, E. histolytica and Giardia lamblia from drinking water and stool samples. The technology is ready for commercialization. |
DBT, India | 2007-2010 |
| Isolation and purification of active compounds with anti-leishmanial activity from Unani Medicinal Plants | CCRUM, India | 2007-2010 |
| Role of Micronutrient Supplementation in Childhood Tuberculosis. This comprehensive study revealed several new findings that included efficacy of Gene-Xpert in archived gastric aspirate and new biomarkers for childhood tuberculosis. Six papers in high impact journals have been published and many more are in pipeline. |
University of Bergen, Norway | 2008-2012 |
| Doctor’s Office Diagnostic Instrument for detection of M. tuberculosis This grant was primarily coordinated by Prof. VK Chaudhary from Delhi University. The innovations are in developmental stage. |
Indo-Sweden collaboration | 2009-2011 |
| Animal studies on Chimeric Vaccine for the Prophylaxis of Leishmaniasis and Tuberculosis. A new chimeric vaccine against TB and Leishmania (both) has been developed and the innovation has been patented globally through PCT route. Two papers in high impact journals have been published. |
ICMR, India | 2010-2014 |
| Cloning Expression purification and evaluation of recombinant antigens for the diagnosis prognosis and prediction of MDR/XDR tuberculosis. Five novel antigens have been identified and patent has been filed and technology is being considered for transfer for commercialization. Three publications in reputed journals have been published. |
ICMR, India | 2010-2014 |
| A novel loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid detection and differentiation of mycobacterium tuberculosis M. avium complex and other mycobacterium species directly from clinical samples. A novel set of 6 primers and probes has been developed. One publication in reputed journals has been published. |
DBT, India | 2011-2014 |
| Leishmania kinesisn Motor Domain with BCG as a vaccine formulation against experimental visceral Leishmaniasis. | ICMR, India | 2007 |
| Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Characterization of M. tuberculosis from HIV seronegative and HIV seropositive patients. No major difference was found in the genotypes of MTB isolated from HIV-TB co-infected patients vis-à-vis HIV uninfected patients. |
ICMR, India | 2012-2014 |
| Sero-epidemiology of Toxoplasmosis in women of Child bearing Age in India. One publication in a highly reputed journal has been published. On the basis of this publication which shows several new observations, PI has been invited to deliver talks on Toxoplasmosis within and outside India as guest speaker. |
Abbott Health Care, India | 2011-2012 |
| A side by side comparison of current gold standard methods for diagnosing tuberculosis from sputum with DNA Genotek chemistries | Genotek/ Imperial Life Sciences, India | 2013-2014 |
| Kinetoplastid Drug Development: Strengthening the preclinical pipeline- KINDReD. Two publications in reputed journals have been published. At least two compounds have been identified as potential drugs against VL and one compound against CL. |
European Commission, Belgium | 2013-2016 |
| Molecular Epidemiology & drug resistance pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from North-East region of India | DBT | 2014-2017 |
| Medicinal Orchids of Arunachal Pradesh: Micropropagation, phytochemical characterization and biological activity | DBT | 2013-2017 |
| Batch Efficacy Testing for Infectious Diseases markers on Advia Centaur system | Siemens India | 2014-2017 |
| Evaluation of Adhesive Sensors for the detection of Tuberculosis specific volatile organic compounds | Bill & Melinda Gates foundation with Technion R&D foundation Ltd. Israel | 2015-2017 |
| Development of Rapid Biosensor Based Diagnostic Test For Tuberculosis Prospective outcome: Development of biosensor based rapid diagnostic test for tuberculosis including extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Four antigens (SS1, SS3, SS4 and SS5) will be selected for the development of Graphene/ CNTs electrode based amperometric sensor-based device for point of care diagnosis of tuberculosis. It will help to explore the commercial utility of these antigens in India or worldwide. |
DHR, India | 2017- Ongoing |
| Development of platform technologies for high affinity antibodies for in vitro diagnostics. Prospective outcome: The prime focus of the project would be to establish basic platform technologies for production of high affinity antibodies using conventional hybridoma techniques with high-throughput approaches, and involving phage display based technology for producing high affinity recombinant antibodies from immunized mice and rabbits. The work employing rabbit will be the first of its kind in the country. For establishing these technologies, we have aimed at producing immuno-reagents for developing antigen-detection diagnostic tests for Tuberculosis, as model system. The project is expected to deliver rapid tests for the detection of TB. In addition, we propose to develop a strategy to identify antigen-antibody cognate pairs at genome scale again using M. tuberculosis genome as a model system. |
DBT, India | 2017- Ongoing |
| Study of the Relative Contributions of Genotypic/Phenotypic Means of Stress Tolerance: Investigation of the Physiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Populations of Patient Origin(Project 4 of the COE on- Mechanisms of stress tolerance in M. tuberculosis and its physiological relevance) Prospective outcome: In the present study, we showed a dominant role of phagosomal acidification in facilitating heterogeneity in the redox physiology of Mtb to generate an actively replicating, drug-tolerant population exhibiting higher antioxidant capacity (EMSH-reduced) during infection. Our study constitutes an important foundation linking the macrophage environment with the core redox physiology of Mtb to promote drug tolerance in replicating Mtb, a population not typically associated with tolerance. |
DBT, India | 2017- Ongoing |
| New Multiplex Blood Based Assay for Diagnosis of Mycobacterium Prospective outcome: To determine diagnostic utility of multiplex microbeads immunoassay in TB diagnosis. This assay (RU-1) will be developed using 11 recombinant antigens against M.Tb. The sensitivity and specificity of the RU-1 test will be calculated from plasma samples and DBS (Dried Blood Spot) from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis patients, other respiratory diseases and healthy controls. |
NextGen Invitro Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. | 2007-Ongoing |
| Development of Novel Molecular test for rapid diagnosis of XDR-TB Prospective outcome: Development of the test may prove to be more specific than Phenotypic DST/Available molecular test and will be helpful in treatment management of drug resistant tuberculosis by decreasing diagnostic delay. |
ICMR, India | 2018- Ongoing |
| Blood test for all forms of active tuberculosis (TB) for commercialization in India Prospective outcome: The completion of a validation trial of a novel multiplex serological antibody detection test (RU-1) under the approved directions of Indian Council on Medical Research (ICMR). Upon the completion of the studies in three years this test will seek approval for commercialization in India. It is expected that the necessary approvals will be obtained within six months to begin the commercialization and marketing process. The test contains 11 M.tb. antigens (RU-1) for the detection of all forms of TB including EPTB (Extra-Pulmonary TB)and PED-TB (Paediatric-TB) accurately, efficiently and economically with high sensitivity/specificity. A public/private partnership will be developed between the Indian PI’s (Dr. Sarman Singh) clinical laboratory and NextGen In Vitro Diagnostics (NGIVD), New Delhi, a private company, for commercialization of the TB diagnostic product. RU-1 test is low cost, priced at INR500. It has high sensitivity (91%; 96% specificity), which is a major improvement over the front-line test, sputum smear microscopy recommended by WHO, that suffers from low sensitivity (~50%). |
DST, India | 24.11.2018 to 23.11.2021- Ongoing |
| A Multi-drug Combination (MDC) formulated on the basis of ancient old Science of Ayurveda Outcome: The project is designed to evaluate the sensitivity of a multidrug combination Fifatrol (Aimil Pharmaceuticals) and it’s constitutes against various gram positive and gram negative bacteria and also the antimicrobial spectrum for other microbes. Fifatrol is an ancient medicine for modern time which has anti-bacterial activity for various infectious micro-organisms with the combination of five poly phyto mineral and eight active herbal extracts providing the fast relief in fever, nasal congestion, sore throat and body ache. It has also antipyretic, analgesic, anti-infective, anti-oxidant, decongestant, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties and is an immunomodulator. This study will help to find out a new promising drug for many infectious diseases with no side effects and reduced the possibilities of microbes to become resistant for naturally synthesized antibiotics. |
AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, India | 2018- Waiting for extension |
| Evaluation of Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay (LAMP) for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from clinical samples Prospective outcome: Developed a isothermal based assay for diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis |
DBT, India | 2018- Waiting for extension |
| Centre of Learning and Excellence in Advance Nursing (CLEAN) funded by NHM, Directorate of Health Services Prospective outcome To train the staff nurse/staff in the various speciality/areas: Trauma Emergency, Operation theatre, Intensive care ICU, Haemo-dialysis and Cancer care |
NHM, MP Govt. | 12.12.2018 to 11.12.2021 |
| Comprehensive OMICS studies to underst and the biology of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates from Arunachal Pradesh Prospective outcome: The study at genome, proteome and lipidome scale of the drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Arunachal Pradesh will open new vistas to drive biological discovery in the TB research field by providing scaffolding for the interpretation of “omic” scale datasets, directing hypothesis that presence of some novel/unique genes or pathways in different geno-lineages such as Beijing make them more virulent and resistant to anti-tubercular drugs and also assisting in the identification of novel drug and diagnostic targets. Evolutionary relationship among drug resistant and sensitive strains will help in development of potential candidates for vaccine/diagnostics for TB. |
DBT, India | 2019- Ongoing |
| Toxoplasma gondii: Seroprevalence, associated risk factors, genotyping and Pregnancy outcome in tea tribe population of Assam funded by DBT Prospective outcome:It will detect the sero-prevalence of the Toxoplasmagondii infection in female of tea tribe population of the North East (Assam). And associated risk factors, genotyping and pregnancy outcome in the selected population. |
DBT, India | 11.01.2019 to 10.01.2022 |
| Intensified Pulmonary Tuberculosis case finding among selected high risk clinical groups attending secondary level public health care facilities (Yet to start) |
ICMR, India | 2020- Due to COVID- 19, Recruitment process is pending |
As Principal Co-Investigator
| Title | PI | Funding Agency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proteomics of human body fluids: Structural characterization of proteins and target identification for diagnosis and drug discovery. | Prof. TP Singh AIIMS | DBT, Government of India | 2005-2008 |
| Purification, Biochemical and functional characterization of heparin binding proteins in human seminal fluid | Dr. Savita Yadav,AIIMS | AIIMS | 2007 |
Research projects directed with main outcomes as Co-Investigator investigator
| SL. No | Title | Funding Agency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genetic Diversity of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Central India: Rapid Identification and Differentiation of Mycobacterium species by PCR-restrictionenzyme analysis -hsp65 gene and 16S-23S ITS region of rDNA | SERB-SRG | Joining of project staff is pending |
| 2 | Systematic TB case findings among children with SAM at Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (Data Collection is on process) | ICMR, India | 2019- Ongoing |
| 3 | Establishment of a sample and cost-effective method for molecular surveillance of influenza using Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing technology | DHR, India | Fund not received |
| 4 | Evaluation of inherited defects in leukocyte function by combined clinical, haematological, flowcytometric and genetic analysis | ICMR, India | 1. Fund not received 2. Due to COVID- 19, Recruitment process is pending |