Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Prospective developments of fungal bioluminescence for improved bioassays and bioimaging application |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Focus area : | Biotechnology and Bioluminescence Research |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Abhijit De, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra (410210) |
Contact info : | ade@actrec.gov.in;
pray@actrec.gov.in;
rkhadilkar@actrec.gov.in;
sarandkar@actrec.gov.in; |
Details
Executive Summary : | Bioluminescence is the ability of living organisms to emit light through enzymatic utilization of a substrate. Despite its high sensitivity and wide dynamic range, bioluminescent technologies are underdeveloped compared to fluorescence-based approaches. A proposed research project aims to optimize fungal bioluminescent system components for molecular sensing, in vivo imaging, data analysis, and high-throughput screening applications. The project aims to synthesize new fungal luciferin analogs, test caffeic acid analogs, and demonstrate the optimized fungal bioluminescence system's utility in imaging technologies.
The study aims to create fungal luciferin analogs with improved spectral characteristics by modifying a luciferin aryl moiety. The strategy involves rational design and chemical synthesis of several series of fungal luciferin analogs, with the goal of generating brighter luciferins with red-shifted bioluminescence. The study will also develop fungal luciferase inhibitors by modifying the conserved fragment of a natural luciferin molecule. Modern methods of fine organic synthesis will be used to confirm the structure of derived compounds. The primary role of the group is to develop functional assessments of fungal luciferase-luciferin synthesized for molecular imaging applications. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Pritha Ray, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra (410210), Dr. Rohan Jayant Khadilkar, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra (410210), Dr. Sharath Chandra Arandkar, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra (410210) |
Total Budget (INR): | 62,55,422 |
Organizations involved