NeuroGen LAb

The nervous system is among the most complex and vital biological machinery that mammals have evolved so far. However, it is also one of the most vulnerable to trauma, injury, or autoimmune disorders. For example, neurodegenerative diseases encompass neuronal damage and/or death at accelerated rates and severely impact the central (CNS) as well as the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Since neurons cannot multiply owing to their terminally differentiated state, the sensory-, motor-, cognition-, memory- and behavioral circuitry take a serious hit. Existing treatment options only provide symptomatic relief and are far from curing the underlying disease. 

To address these problems, our lab is focused on developing novel and more effective approaches that may contribute significantly to neuro-regenerative therapeutics. The following works are going on currently.

• Mesenchymal Stem cell differentiation into functional and mature neuronal cells.

• Sustained/controlled release of neurotrophins via nanocarrier in stem cell niche to augment neuronal differentiation. It ensures the growth factors' bioavailability in the system and cell niche environment for a longer duration, which plays a crucial role in deciding the fate of stem cells during differentiation.

• Mesenchymal Stem cell differentiation into oligodendrocytes. The supporting cells of the nervous system, termed glial cells, are as relevant to a subset of neurodegenerative diseases as the neurons since they keep the neurons in a functional state.

• Exploring the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals as nootropics against neurodegenerative disease targets.