Research
Supramolecular Gels
Supramolecular gels obtained from organic low molecular mass (LMM) compounds find potential applications in various filed including biology, medicine, and chemistry and biological of materials.
We @ CLRI develop various supramolecular gels to understand the molecular mechanism of LMM self-assembly induced gelation.
Our research interest also includes in the development supramolecular hydrogels and organogels using biomimetic LMM compounds for diverse applications especially in drug delivery, cell proliferation, Anti-microbial activity, dye removal, etc.
Not only hydrogels and organogels, we are also interested to develop "ambidextrous gelators" using LMM compounds as they provide additional advantages in the arena of supramolecular gels.
In addition to supramolecular gels, our group also interested to develop supramolecular hierarchical structures from amino acid and smaller peptide-based LMM compounds.
Protein Fibril Inhibitors
Protein fibrillation is the major cause for the amyloidosis which includes Alzherimer's disease, Parkinson Disease, Prion Diseases, etc. Inhibition of such protein fibrillation is one of the best therapeutic ways for the amyloid diseases.
We @ CLRI searching natural small molecules as protein fibril inhibitors using various biophysical techniques.
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant fibrous protein in the extracellular matrix of our body. Under normal physiological conditions, homeostasis of tissue collagen is constantly maintained. But, during a number of pathological processes, collagens are over produced and accumulated. Such excess accumulation of collagens (referred as fibrosis) is found to be the hallmark of many localized fibrotic diseases namely keloids, systemic scleroderma, atherosclerosis and hypertrophic scars.
We @ CLRI searching inhibitors of collagen fibrillation, a proposed to way to stop fibrosis, using biophysical techniques.
In addition, we also interested in understanding the interaction of various small molecules with collagen which is needed for the stabilization of collagen.
Collagen Like Proteins
Collagens, derived from animals, are often used protein in biomaterial preparations which are used in tissue engineering and other biomedical applications. However, these collagens posses inherent limitations, for example, allergic. Meanwhile, the animal source for leather making is expected to decreases in future as the live stock population decreases. In these two contexts, collagen-like protein (CLP) is believed to be the replacement of animal collagen in the area of biomaterial development as well as leather making.
We @ CLRI has started working on the biophysical characterization and material development of various CLPs which are developed by our collaborator using recombinant technology.
