Biochemistry

Dr.Cletus J M D’Souza
Designation: Professor & Chairman
Email id:  cletus@biochemistry.uni-mysore.ac.in
Phone No: +91 821 2419621

Brief History of Department:

  • 1952 - Biochemistry subject was started as a branch of Chemistry.
  • 1954 - Biochemistry along with other science subjects was moved to Bangalore PG Centre.
  • 1962 - Restarted at Manasagangotri. Degrees were awarded in the subject Chemistry.
  • 1968 - Degrees were awarded in Chemistry (Biochemistry).
  • 1974 - Degrees were awarded in the subject Biochemistry.
  • 1975 - Semester system was introduced.
  • 1980 - Shifted to its own building.

Departmental research activities

GLIMPSES OF ONGOING RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Prof. Cletus J.M.D’ Souza

  • Current research activity involves work on Lipids and lipoproteins
  • Among lipoproteins, HDL and its modification in vitro and in vivo is studied with reference to cardiovascular diseases.
  • HDL is modified among south Indians and it appears to have lost its functionality
    and one of the enzymes associated with HDL, namely Paraoxonase (PON) is isolated and characterized specifically for various natural and synthetic substrates.
  • PON in snake Venom has been detected and its implication in envenomation strategy is being studied.
  • ]Gene polymorphism of PON gene is under study in a single community in Mysore.
  • Other research interests include effect of diesel exhaust on PON activity, life style on PON and HDL, and quantitative assay for modified PON are in progress.

Prof.  M. Karuna Kumar

Dr. M. Karuna Kumar is involved in two research programmes.
Role of plant glycosidase in seed germination:
Although the metabolism of reserves from the storage tissue is well known to occur on seed germination, the regulatory mechanism has not been well elucidated. It was established that both cytosolic and cell bound forms of D-Galactosidases were involved in seed germination. A systematic and comprehensive study is undertaken to elucidate the overall metabolism including the molecular basis of seed germination.

Molecular mechanism of metastasis:
Another project is in collaboration with a foreign scientist on the technique and methodology for the early cancer diagnosis. This work presented a definitive relationship between hyaluronan receptor and metastasis. This work showed the presence of a common antigen in all human cancer tissues. Mechanism of invasion by looking at the differential expression of Matrix Metallo Proteaeses and the common antigen Hyaluronic acid binding protein (HABP) interrelationship using monoclonal antibody against HABP during invasive stages and on the early diagnosis in cancer is the ongoing research programme. Currently purification and characterization of the antigen and its relation with other known cancer antigens is under progress.

Prof. B.S. Vishwanath
Presently working on the following research areas.
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors as anti-inflammatory molecules.
The key enzyme involved in acute and chronic inflammatory reaction is PLA2. The powerful anti-inflammatory drug glucocortisosteroid has many side effects. The interest is in finding alternative specific PLA2 inhibitor(s) from various medicinal plants. In addition synthesis and derivatization of potent PLA2 molecules with anti-inflammatory activity is in progress.

Biochemical and pharmacological actions of plant latex proteases:
Blood coagulation and wound healing processes are strictly regulated by proteolytic events. Plant latex is known to control bleeding and is extensively used in folk medicine. Proteases from these plant latex were isolated and characterized for their involvement in blood coagulation and wound healing processes
Clinical significance of hyaluronan degrading enzymes in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions.
Myxedema is the main characteristic feature of hypothyroid condition where the content of hyaluronic acid is elevated. This condition is effectively treated by thyroid hormones. The effect of thyroid hormones on the regulation of hyaluronic acid content by enzymes is currently being investigated.

  • New Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and their importance in therapeutics:
    Angiotensin Converting Enzyme is involved in the elevation of Blood Pressure (Hypertension). In the treatment of High Blood Pressure, the existing ACE inhibitors have side effects and hence, we are attempting to synthesize safe and effective ACE-inhibitory peptides as well as to isolate and characterize ACE inhibitory bioactive molecules from medicinal plant extracts.
  • Also working on the venom components of Trimeresurus malabaricus an endemic snake which occur in Western Ghats of India.

Dr. K. Kemparaju

Working on the pharmacology of venoms from snakes and spiders.
Anti-venom therapy fails to control the local toxicity of envenomation. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are in demand for the efficient management of the condition. Further, as venoms are known as the depot of molecules that exhibit high target specificity, there is a greater scope for isolation, characterization and understanding the molecular mechanisms of toxins that may serve as prototypes for designing therapeutic molecules. Therefore, the focus is on:

  • Isolation and characterization of toxins responsible for local toxicity of venoms.
  • Isolation, characterization and understanding the molecular mechanisms of venom  
              Components that interfere in homeostasis.
  • Inhibition of hydrolytic enzymes especially, the hyaluronidases and matrix  
              degrading metalloproteases by plant components and their role in the management
             of local toxicity.

Dr. Gopal Marathe

Dr. Marathe has extensively worked on biologically active phospholipids for the past several years and recently joined the faculty in 2007. Platelet activating factor (PAF) and related lipid molecules are implicated in variety of inflammatory disorders.  Although the mechanism of their synthesis is currently not clear, an alternative pathway by which PAF analogues are made by oxidative fragmentation of phospholipids has been identified.  Such a pathway is employed extensively during LDL oxidation.  The current project involves the identification of such mediators in a variety of inflammatory disorders such as asthma and sepsis.
In another project in collaboration with scientists from Cleveland Clinic Foundation, mechanisms underlying aspirin resistance are currently being investigated.

Dr. K.S. Girish

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are the two most common joint disorders, causing pain and disability to a significant proportion of the human population due to the destruction of articular cartilage. This destruction is largely due to the elevated activities of proteolytic enzymes and hyaluronidases that degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules in the cartilage. The regulation of these enzymes by plant components is therapeutically important.
The drugs commonly in use for the treatment of arthritis include glucocorticoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying anti-arthritic drugs and biological response modifiers. The prolonged use of many of these drugs is associated with severe adverse reactions and toxicity. In this context, we are making an effort to identify and characterize the therapeutic values of common inhibitor(s) for ECM degrading enzymes especially from medicinal plants.

Status of the Department (FIST/SAP/DRS)

Sl. No. Status Phase Thrust Area
1 FIST completed

 
2 SAP Applied

 

Best Practices  

  • Our M.Sc., programme is up to date
  • Our course is designed for teaching, research and industry
  • We give special attention to our students
  • We provide free and open atmosphere
  • Our evaluation is fair and impartial
  • We train students in taking up competitive exam
  • We follow the democratic principles even in preparing the exam time table.

Awards/Honors received by individual Teachers:

Sl. No. Name Name of the Award When Awarded Awarding Agency/Institution
1. Prof.Cletus JMD’Souza Visiting Professor IUB Travel award PDF (USA; 1998) (1985) (Canada; 1982)  
2. Prof.B.S.Vishwanath PDF PDF (USA; 1987) (Switzerland;1990)  
3. Dr.K.Kemparaju PDF (USA; 2003)  
4. Dr.Gopal K Marathe PDF Visiting faculty (USA; 1992 -2007) (USA; 2008)  
5. Dr.K.S.Girish PDF (USA; 2004-2008)  

Individual teachers on-going research projects:

Sl. No. Name Research Project Title Funding Agency Amount sanctioned Date of commencement Expected date of completion
1. Prof.Cletus JMD’Souza Cardioprotective role of HDL associated paraxonase Effect of modifications of paraxonase on its fiunctions DST Rs.14,28,000-00 2005  
2 Prof.Cletus JMD’Souza Glycated HDL as an atherosclerotic risk index ICMR Rs.7,00,000-00 1-4-2009  
3. Dr.K.Kemparaju Studies on the molecular mechanism of antiplatelet and anti-coagulant properties of fibrinogenase from Indian cobra venom DST Rs. 22,15,000    
4 Dr.K.Kemparaju Preparation ofn Antivenin and cross-reactivity of commercial antivenin against Indian king cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah) venom UGC Major Reasearch grant Rs. 11,30,000 May 2009 April 2012
5 Dr.K.S.Girish Guggul protein: Exploring the role in Hemostasis UGC Major Reasearch grant Rs.11,70,000 May 2009 April 2012

Individual teachers on-going research projects:

Sl. No. Name Research Project Title Funding Agency Amount sanctioned Date of commencement Expected date of completion
1. Prof.Cletus JMD’Souza Cardioprotective role of HDL associated paraxonase Effect of modifications of paraxonase on its fiunctions DST Rs.14,28,000-00 2005  
2 Prof.Cletus JMD’Souza Glycated HDL as an atherosclerotic risk index ICMR Rs.7,00,000-00 1-4-2009  
3. Dr.K.Kemparaju Studies on the molecular mechanism of antiplatelet and anti-coagulant properties of fibrinogenase from Indian cobra venom DST Rs. 22,15,000    
4 Dr.K.Kemparaju Preparation ofn Antivenin and cross-reactivity of commercial antivenin against Indian king cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah) venom UGC Major Reasearch grant Rs. 11,30,000 May 2009 April 2012
5 Dr.K.S.Girish Guggul protein: Exploring the role in Hemostasis UGC Major Reasearch grant Rs.11,70,000 May 2009 April 2012