https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/9536 2026-05-12T17:11:56Z 2026-05-12T17:11:56Z Yadav, Kratika https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/17744 2026-01-20T11:09:44Z 2026-01-12T00:00:00Z

Title: Design, synthesis, and development of small molecule targeted bioconjugates and inhibitors for diagnosis and therapy of cancer Authors: Yadav, Kratika Abstract: Cancer is one of the primary causes of death, with 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths reported in the year 2022 globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicted over 35 million new cancer cases to be reported in the year 2035, estimating an increase of 77% from 2022. Among all cancers, prostate cancer (PCa) accounts for 1.46 million new cases and 3.96 lakh deaths worldwide, thus being the second most diagnosed cancer in men. The increase in the number of cases of prostate cancer is mainly due to a lack of diagnostic facilities to detect cancer in the early stages. The conventional diagnostic approaches, like digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in serum, cause physical discomfort and generate false positives, making them less reliable. The non-invasive methods, such as ultrasound, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT), also have disadvantages as they provide only anatomical details, less spatial and contrast resolutions, and fail to differentiate tumours from healthy tissues due to limited sensitivity and specificity. Advancements in imaging modalities and molecular targeting strategies for early diagnostic and intraoperative surgeries are crucial for precise therapy, thereby eliminating the off-target cytotoxicity and improving clinical efficacy.

2026-01-12T00:00:00Z Chaudhari, Rahul https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/17742 2026-01-20T11:02:03Z 2026-01-09T00:00:00Z

Title: Structural and functional studies of OmpA from salmonella enterica typhimurium: A novel B-cell immunomodulator and therapeutic target Authors: Chaudhari, Rahul Abstract: Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes gastrointestinal infections and is associated with rising antibiotic resistance worldwide. Increasing antibiotic resistance necessitates the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches that target the virulence mechanisms of Salmonella. Among these, outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) play a crucial role in mediating host-pathogen interaction, immune invasion, and pathogenesis. Notably, OmpA plays a significant role in these processes; however, its structure-function relationship and potential for immunomodulation are still not fully understood. To investigate the structural analysis of OmpA, we initially conducted a computational analysis that revealed a conserved β-barrel architecture of OmpA within the Enterobacteriaceae family. Furthermore, due to its β-sheet-rich structure, recombinant OmpA tends to form inclusion bodies during overexpression. To mitigate this, we used a high pH buffer for solubilization followed by refolding with LDAO. This approach effectively preserved the protein’s native structure, which was confirmed through CD spectroscopy and tryptophan fluorometry. Additionally, immunoinformatic analysis identified multiple conserved B- and T-cell epitopes, further supporting OmpA's potential as a subunit vaccine.

2026-01-09T00:00:00Z Singh, Aakriti https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/17541 2025-12-26T04:29:04Z 2025-12-12T00:00:00Z

Title: Investigation of G-quadruplex forming motifs as potential therapeutic targets in human-infecting pathogens Authors: Singh, Aakriti Abstract: G-quadruplex structures, often abbreviated as G4s, are distinctive non-canonical secondary structures. These structures form in guanine-rich nucleic acid sequences, including both DNA and RNA. G-tetrads, which are the building blocks of G4s, arise through the association of four guanines in a cyclic Hoogsteen-hydrogen bond base pairing. At least two or more planar G-tetrads are stacked on top of each other to form G4s and stabilized by monovalent cations such as potassium or sodium[1]. G4s display topological polymorphism, based on the involvement of a single strand (intramolecular) or multiple strands (intramolecular)[2]. G4s also exhibit varied topologies depending on the polarity of the strands participating in the structure formation: parallel, antiparallel, or hybrid. The distribution of G4s is non-random in the genome[3]. These structures are more prevalent in telomeres, gene promoters, replication origins, 5’ and 3’ UTRs, and introns, and therefore play significant roles in gene regulation. Based on their distribution and unique structural and functional features, G4s have garnered attention as attractive therapeutic targets in diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders. Apart from their functional relevance in the eukaryotic genome, G4s also serve as critical regulatory elements in the prokaryotic genome that influence pathogenicity, stress adaptation, and gene expression, making them important targets for therapeutic intervention[4].

2025-12-12T00:00:00Z Singh, Krishna https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/17498 2025-12-22T08:05:44Z 2025-12-05T00:00:00Z

Title: Translational drug discovery approaches for fragile x-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) Authors: Singh, Krishna Abstract: Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a multifunctional polymer that lies at the heart of any biological system. The biomolecule is typically single-stranded, which enables the formation of versatile 3D conformations that enable a diverse array of functions. A fundamental concept regarding RNA is that it serves as the intermediate biomolecule while transferring genetic information from DNA to proteins. Earlier, before the discovery of its catalytic property, RNA was recognized mainly for these three functions: a) acting as a messenger for DNA, b) serving as a bridge between amino acids and genetic codes, and c) forming a structural component of the ribosome. The discovery that RNA can also function as a catalyst has since revolutionized the field and opened new doors for scientists to explore the hidden aspects of cellular mechanisms. The effective functioning of a cell requires the precise and regulated expression of both protein-coding (mRNA) and non-coding RNA. In recent years, different types of RNA have been identified, each playing an indispensable role in governing cellular processes. RNAs are classified according to their structural features and contributions to cellular events.

2025-12-05T00:00:00Z