Ashutosh Kumar, PhD 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and joint destruction. The lab aims to use RNA interference to target synovial macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), testing siRNA candidates against receptors like folate, CD44, and scavenger Receptor. The focus of the lab is to develop a combinational therapy of MTX and siRNA delivered via different nanostructures such as (liposomes, DNA nanocages, hydrogels) to repolarize macrophages, intending to reduce inflammation and prevent joint damage, offering a novel approach for RA treatment.

Breast cancer, a major cause of female mortality globally, poses significant challenges including poor prognosis and chemotherapy resistance, especially in HER2-positive cases. The lab is innovating a delivery system for HER2-positive breast cancer treatment, coupling microRNAs with chemotherapy drugs to sensitize resistant cells and enhance cancer cell death. This approach aims to overcome challenges like drug resistance and recurrence, potentially revolutionizing HER2-positive breast cancer therapy. 

The Indian plastics industry is rapidly expanding, with 25,000 companies and 3 million employees, primarily centered in Gujarat, which houses over 5,000 plastics manufacturers. This poses a risk of microplastic bioaccumulation and potential inhalation, ingestion, etc.  The lab's objectives include identifying, quantifying, mitigating microplastic contamination in water bodies and, assessing risks from novel chemical entities (NCEs), and developing mitigation strategies.