https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/3638 Wed, 06 May 2026 07:52:22 GMT 2026-05-06T07:52:22Z https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/18031 Title: The Tale of the Guanosine Tract in Repeat Expansion Disorders Authors: Karati, Smita; Rawat, Saurabh; Kumari, Aditi Pramod; Das, Soumalya; Shukla, Sakshi; Kumar, Amit Abstract: Repeat expansion disorders (REDs) constitute a major class of neurological and neuromuscular pathologies that affect millions worldwide. Guanosine (G)–rich sequences are often implicated in these disorders due to their ability to adopt highly stable, non-canonical secondary structures that trigger genomic instability. These include but are not limited to conformations such as G-quadruplexes (G4s), hairpins and R-loops that can critically alter the cell’s molecular events. Herein, we focused on how guanosine governs the formation of diverse secondary structures and discussed the array of G-rich tracts that are known to trigger various REDs. We pinpoint the key molecular mechanisms through which these G-tracts contribute to disease onset and progression. Emphasis has been laid on the interconnected nature of these mechanisms that ultimately converge and reinforce one another to drive various cellular dysfunctions. Targeting these shared molecular nodes through small-molecule disruptors, R-loop resolving approaches, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)–based genome editing holds significant translational potential across a multitude of REDs. Lastly, we highlight the potential of integrative multi-omics and structural approaches to understand the equilibrium orchestrated by cellular processes that ultimately dictates whether G-tracts function as genome regulators or evolve into pathological hotspots. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2026. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/18031 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/18021 Title: Role of colorectal cancer-derived exosomes in modulating macrophage phenotype during tumor development Authors: Wadhonkar, Khandu; Baig, Mirza Saqib Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the deadliest malignancies and is characterized by a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) comprising cancer and immune cells engaged in extensive signaling crosstalk. The composition of the TME changes with disease stage and contributes to tumor aggressiveness and resistance to therapy. Although tumor associated immune cells are known to promote cancer progression, the mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. In this study, we show that communication between CRC cells and immune cells, particularly tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), is mediated by soluble factors and extracellular vesicles, including exosomes. We find that the phenotypic transition of CRC associated TAMs is initially driven by activation of the nuclear factor kappa B transcription factor. With time, exosomal cargo promotes anti-inflammatory signaling, leading to the development of a tumor supportive microenvironment that favors tumor growth. Together, these findings highlight exosome mediated modulation of TAM function as an important mechanism in CRC progression and suggest that targeting this pathway to delay the shift of TAMs from pro-inflammatory to tumor supportive states may attenuate CRC aggressiveness. © The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/18021 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/17996 Title: Polydopamine-Coated Polyphenol-Based Nanoparticles for Synergistic Chemotherapy and Photothermal Therapy Authors: Payal, Priyanka; Gupta, Sharad Abstract: Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) in cancerous cells and tissues provides an opportunity for designing nanomaterials-based drug delivery systems (NanoDDS) for anticancer applications. Chemotherapy (CT) and photothermal therapy (PTT)─two modes of treating cancers─can be employed synergistically by designing suitable NanoDDS to enhance their efficacy. Herein, we engineered an effective multilayered NanoDDS for combination cancer therapy by employing a suitably designed amino acid amphiphile, amenable to reaction by the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Coating the precursor particles with polydopamine (PDA) imparted PTT capabilities to these nanoparticles (NPs), and entrapping doxorubicin (Dox) provided CT capabilities. An additional layering of spontaneously formed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on these NPs further augmented their PTT capabilities. The resulting PDA_Dox_Au@NPs achieved a solution temperature increase of > + 19 °C upon NIR illumination at 1 W/cm2 for 4 minutes, with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 14%. Moreover, the NIR illumination unraveled these NPs and released the Dox entrapped within, resulting 44% cumulative Dox release. These NPs were efficiently internalized into cancer cells and induced strong anticancer effects. This work highlights the utility of enzyme reactions in engineering multilayered NanoDDS for potential synergistic anticancer therapy. © 2026 American Chemical Society Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/17996 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/17984 Title: Encapsulation of patterned carbon nanotube in PVA-SbQ hydrogels via embedded printing for advanced biocompatible organ patches Authors: Kumar, Hitendra Abstract: The integration of electrically conductive materials into hydrogel matrices holds significant promise for biomedical applications. However, conventional methods often involve blending conductive materials directly into the hydrogel matrix, which can compromise both functionality and biocompatibility. Drawing inspiration from the principles of the Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH) printing technique, this study introduces a novel approach that encapsulates patterned conductive material within high-water content hydrogels by embedded printing. This method aims to address the limitations of traditional approaches by offering enhanced functionality while maintaining biocompatibility. Through a meticulous formulation process, a conductive ink comprising Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) and Pluronic is suspended and printed in a carefully selected polyvinyl alcohol bearing styrylpyridinium group (PVA-SbQ) hydrogel precursor, resulting in a composite material with electrical conductivity, flexibility, and adhesion. By encapsulating the printed conductive pattern internally, direct contact between the conductive material and human body is circumvented, making it suitable for applications such as organ patches. This study not only demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed approach but also highlights its potential to revolutionize the fabrication of biomedical device. © 2026 The Authors. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://dspace.iiti.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/17984 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z