NEWS ARCHIVE 2005-2019!
Infosys Prize for G. Mugesh - News Item in Angewandte Chemie
The Infosys Science Foundation has announced its prize winners for 2019 in six categories. The Infosys Prize for Physical Sciences is awarded to Govindasamy Mugesh (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore) in recognition of his work on the synthesis of small molecules and nanomaterials for biomedical applications....
Namrata Singh receives the IIT Bombay Metrohm Young Chemist Award
Namrata Singh has been awarded the IIT Bombay Metrohm Young Chemist Award 2019 for "Innovation in Research" at an award ceremony held at IIT Bombay on September 17, 2019. The award was given for her research on uncovering the role of an antioxidant nanozyme that provides cytoprotection in Parkinson’s Disease model.
Highlight on the Cover Page of Chemistry - A European Journal
Our paper published in collaboration with Dr Kenta Arai and Prof. Michio Iwaoka on "Modeling Thioredoxin Reductase‐Like Activity with Cyclic Selenenyl Sulfides: Participation of an NH⋅⋅⋅Se Hydrogen Bond through Stabilization of the Mixed Se−S Intermediate" is highlighted on the Cover of Chemistry - An European Journal.
“Reviews Showcase” in Chemistry - A European Journal
Our recent concept article on Directing Traffic: Halogen-Bond-Mediated Membrane Transport has been selected by the Editorial Office for the Showcase of outstanding Review-type articles in Chemistry - A European Journal. In this article, we describe a novel strategy involving halogen bonding for increasing the cellular uptake of small molecules and proteins.
“Hot Paper” in Chemistry - A European Journal
Our new paper on modelling the inhibition of selenoproteins by small molecules using cysteine and selenocysteine derivatives has been selected as a "Hot Paper" in Chemistry - A European Journal. We demonstrate, for the first time, that the arylselenium species eliminated from the selenocysteine derivatives exhibit significant redox activity, which may have a significant effect on the cellular redox state during the inhibition of selenoproteins.
“Hot Paper” in Angewandte Chemie
Our new paper on membrane transport of green fluorescent protein in mammalian cells has been selected as a "Hot Paper" in Angewandte Chemie. We show that the introduction of an iodine atom to one of the tyrosine residues facilitates the cellular entry of green fluorescent proteins, providing a strategy for the delivery of macromolecules into mammalian cells.
In a first, IISc team directly delivers protein into cells - The Hindu
In a breakthrough that might have huge medical implications, researchers at Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have used a novel strategy to directly deliver proteins into mammalian cells. Proteins are big molecules and so cannot enter the cells on their own. So a team from IISc substituted a hydrogen atom of the protein with an iodine atom to achieve a nearly sixfold increase in protein uptake by cells.
ChemistryViews: Halogen-Mediated Transport through Cell Membranes
Our work on Halogen-Mediated Membrane Transport, published in Chemistry - A European Journal has been featured on ChemistryViews, Wiley-VCH's chemistry portal. We found that the introduction of iodine atoms into a series of fluorescent molecules (example pictured) remarkably enhances the cellular uptake. Using two iodine atoms, the cellular uptake can be increased to more than 95 % in mammalian cells.
Namrata Singh has been awarded an ACS Poster Prize at the CRSI-NSC-24
Namrata Singh has been awarded an ACS poster prize for her work titled "A manganese-based nanozyme for cellular redox regulation", at the 24th CRSI National Symposium in Chemistry (NSC-24), at CLRI, Chennai, during February 8 - 10, 2019.
“Very Important Paper (VIP)” in Chemistry - A European Journal
According to the evaluation of referees, our paper titled "Halogen-Mediated Membrane Transport: An Efficient Strategy for the Enhancement of Cellular Uptake of Synthetic Molecules", has been designated as Very Important Paper (VIP). Less than 5% of the manuscripts accepted for publication in the journal receive such a positive review.
Punarbasu Roy has been awarded a Poster Prize at the I-DEC-2018
Punarbasu Roy has been awarded a poster prize (RSC-Chem.Comm.) for his work titled "Mechanistic investigation of GPx-like activity of V2O5 nanozyme", at the Inter-Disciplinary Explorations in Chemistry (I-DEC-2018) at IISER Bhopal, during December 6 - 8, 2018.
Author Profile in Angewandte Chemie
“When I was eighteen I wanted to be a farmer. The natural talent I would like to be gifted with is the ability to learn new languages quickly …” Find out more about Govindasamy Mugesh in his Author Profile.
ACS Chemical Biology - Introducing Our Authors
ACS Chemical Biology showcases the graduate students who contributed significantly to their first paper in the "Introducing Our Authors" section of the journal. The profiles of NaveenKumar, S. K. and SharathBabu, B. N., have been featured in the August 2018 issue of ACS Chemical Biology.
Making cellular probes more effective - BusinessLine
Scientists at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru have found a way to enhance uptake of fluorescent probes into cells. They have found that by replacing hydrogen atoms at crucial places of napthalimide with iodine or bromide atoms makes it easier to break into cells.
Iodine Magic - A highlight of our recent work in The Hindu
Studying the uptake of thyroid hormone may become easier - Fluorescent probes are routinely used for studying drug delivery, membrane activity and cellular functions. By substituting two hydrogen atoms of a commonly used fluorescent probe (naphthalimide) with iodine, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have been able to increase the cellular uptake of the probe molecule from 5-8% to 98%.
Sourav Ghosh has been awarded a Poster Prize at the CRSI-NSC-23
Sourav Ghosh has been awarded a poster prize for his work titled "Nanoisozymes: Crystal-Facet-Dependent Enzyme-Mimetic Activity of V2O5 Nanomaterials," at the 23rd CRSI National Symposium in Chemistry (NSC-23) at IISER Bhopal, during July 13 - 15, 2018.
Namrata Singh Wins a Poster Prize at Gordon Research Conference
Namrata Singh has been awarded a poster prize for her work on "An antioxidant nanozyme providing cytoprotection in Parkinson’s Disease Model," at the Gordon Research Conference “Metals in Medicine” organized in Proctor Academy, New Hampshire, USA, during June 24 - 29, 2018. The poster has also been selected for a Poster Slam.
IISc team synthesizes artificial enzyme
Nanozyme mimics the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase - Nanomaterials that can behave like human enzymes have now been successfully synthesized by a team of researchers from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. They produced the new nanozyme — nanomaterial with enzyme-like activity — by using vanadium pentoxide nanocrystals of just 150-200 nm size.
Prof. R.C. Mehrotra Commemoration Lecture Award of ISCA
Mugesh has been selected for Prof. R.C. Mehrotra Commemoration Lecture Gold Medal of the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) for the year 2018-19. He has been invited to deliver the Award Lecture at the 106th Indian Science Congress to be held during January 3-7, 2019.
Highlight of our work on Mn3O4 nanozyme in "The Hindu" Newspaper
A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru has fabricated a metal oxide nanomaterial that is capable of mimicking all three major cellular antioxidant enzymes, thereby controlling the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside cells. Based on in vitro test results, the nanomaterial appears a promising candidate for therapeutic applications against oxidative stress-induced neurological disorders, particularly Parkinson’s.
“Hot Paper” in Angewandte Chemie
Our new paper on redox modulatory Mn3O4 nanozyme with multi-enzyme activity has been selected as a "Hot Paper" in Angewandte Chemie. The nanozyme functionally mimics three major antioxidant enzymes - superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) - and the activity is size as well as morphology-dependent. The nanomaterial provides efficient cytoprotection to human cells in Parkinson's disease model.
Mugesh has been elected as the President of ACES
Mugesh has been elected as the President of the Asian Chemical Editorial Society (ACES) for a four-year term starting from 2018. ACES is an organization of 13 major chemical societies in the Asia-Pacific region, which publishes three international research journals: Chemistry – An Asian Journal, Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry (AsianJOC), and ChemNanoMat.
National Prize for Research on Interfaces of Chemistry and Biology
Mugesh has been selected for the National Prize for Research on Interfaces of Chemistry and Biology, awarded by C. N. R. Rao Education Foundation and JNCASR, Bangalore. The award is supported by the AVRA Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad. The award was conferred on him at an award ceremony held on June 5, 2017 at JNCASR, Bangalore.
Mugesh has been selected for the Bhagyatara Award 2016
Mugesh has been selected for the Bhagyatara Award for the year 2016. The award was conferred on him at an award ceremony at Panjab University on April 21, 2017. The award is given annually to an Indian scientist, who has made significant contributions in Applied Science and is actively engaged in research in the University or a research institute in India in the area of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry or Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
Mugesh has been selected for the Rajib Goyal Prize
Mugesh has been selected for the Rajib Goyal Prize in Chemical Sciences by Kurukshetra University for the year 2014-15. The award was conferred on him at an award ceremony on April 11, 2017 at Kurukshetra University. These prizes are instituted to honour Indian scientists who are engaged in advanced research in basic and applied sciences.
Mugesh has been invited to join the Asian Chemical Biology Initiative
Mugesh has joined the Asian Chemical Biology Initiative (ACBI) as a member. This iniative is supported by the JSPS Core-to-Core Program, Japan and around 90 chemical biology professors from Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, UAE, India, New Zealand and emerging countries serve as the members.
Mugesh joins the Editorial Board of Biological Chemistry
G. Mugesh has joined the Editorial Board of Biological Chemistry, published by De Gruyter, Germany. The journal was established by Felix Hoppe-Seyler, a pioneer of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, in 1877 and was edited by him until 1895. The journal was subsequently edited by the Nobel laureate, Albrecht Kossel, until 1927.
Amit A. Vernekar wins ASDF Best Scientific Researcher Award
Amit A. Vernekar has been selected for the "ASDF Best Scientific Research Award" for the year 2016 by the Association of Scientists, Developers and Faculties (ASDF International). The results of 6th ASDF Global Awards 2016 have been declared in a press conference held on December 09, 2016 at Michigan, USA. The winners were selected from 9877 nominations.
Highlight on the Cover Page of Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
Mammalian selenoenzymes, iodothyronine deiodinases (DIOs), catalyze the tyrosyl and phenolic ring deiodination of thyroid hormones (THs) and play an important role in maintaining the TH concentration throughout the body. These enzymes also accept the decarboxylated thyroid hormone metabolites, iodothyronamines (TAMs), as substrates for deiodination.
Mugesh receives the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for the year 2012
Mugesh received the S. S. Bhatnagar Prize for the year 2012 from Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology on the CSIR Foundation Day Platinum Jubilee Function held on 26th September 2016 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The award function was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
IISc’s war on India’s killers: Cancer, CVD
A major research in the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) will target destroying the very heart of the leading cause of mortality in India – cardiovascular diseases (CVD). IISc researchers are looking at developing an oral medication to be taken by CVD patients at the very onset of the condition, not only to prevent any further damage, but cure the patient completely.
Highlight of our Review on the Cover Page in Angewandte Chemie
Our recent review on "Chemistry and Biology in the Biosynthesis and Action of Thyroid Hormones" in Angewandte Chemie has been featured on the front Cover Page. This review describes the biosynthesis, transport, metabolism, and mechanism of action of thyroid hormones, as well as thyroid-related disorders.
Mugesh joins the Editorial Advisory Board of ACS Omega
Mugesh has been invited to join the inaugural Editorial Advisory Board of ACS Omega, published by the American Chemical Society. ACS Omega is a new open-access publication for chemists, materials scientists, biologists, physicists, engineers and other researchers, that focuses on research with connections to chemistry.
Mugesh joins the Editorial Board of Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
Mugesh has been invited to join the Editorial Board of Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry (London). This is a weekly journal for the publication of highly significant original research and reviews in all areas of organic chemistry, including organic synthesis, physical organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and bioorganic chemistry.
Santanu Mondal Wins the Chemistry Letters Best Poster Prize
Santanu Mondal has been awarded the Chemistry Letters (Chemical Society of Japan) best poster prize at the 13th International Conference on the Chemistry of Selenium and Tellurium (ICCST-13), organized by Gifu University, Gifu, Japan during May 24-27, 2016. He received this prize for his poster titled "Selenium-mediated dehalogenation of thyroid hormones and halogenated nucleosides".
Amit A. Vernekar wins the Best Thesis Award
Amit A. Vernekar has been awarded Prof. S. Soundararajan Medal (best thesis award) for the academic year 2015-16. His thesis work describes the application of nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Amit has developed a V2O5-nanozyme that can protect human cells from oxidative damage.
Santanu Mondal Wins the ACS Chemical Biology Best Poster Prize
Santanu Mondal, a Ph.D. student working in Mugesh's laborotory, has been awarded the ACS Chemical Biology best poster prize at the International Symposium on Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (ISCBDD-2016), organized by the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Kolkata, Bose Institute, Kolkata, and Chemical Biology Society (CBS), India during March 1-3, 2016.
Tandrila Das Wins the RSC Best Poster Prize at ICMG-2016
Tandrila Das, an undergraduate student working in Mugesh's laborotory, has been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) best poster prize for her poster titled "Vacancy-Engineered Nanoceria: Enzyme Mimetic Hotspots for the degradation of Nerve Agents" at the 6th International Conference on Metals in Genetics, Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (ICMG-2016), held at IISc Bangalore, during February 17-20, 2016.
A nanomaterial that can help in degrading nerve damaging chemicals
A team from IISc has found a material which can be used to degrade the toxic chemicals that inhibit the function of an enzyme, Acetylcholinesterase, which is involved in the breakdown of the nerve transmitter acetylcholine. This in turn can lead to nerve damage, paralysis and even death. Antidotes are available for nerve agent poisoning, but they do not act on the nerve agent itself – they act either on Acetylcholinesterase enzyme or its receptor.
Most Active Nanozyme
Nanozymes – enzyme mimetics based on nanomaterials – have potential applications in imaging, diagnostics, and therapeutics, although tuning their activity for specific applications by tailoring their chemical and physical properties remains a challenge. Govindasamy Mugesh and co-workers at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, used a simple co-precipitation method in the presence of base to synthesize a MnFe2O4 nanomaterial.
Mugesh has been elected as Vice President of ACES
Mugesh has been elected as Vice President of the Asian Chemical Editorial Society (ACES), an organization of 13 major chemical societies in the Asia-Pacific region. ACES publishes three international research journals: Chemistry – An Asian Journal, Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry (AsianJOC), and ChemNanoMat.
Highlight of our recent research in the IISc magazine CONNECT
G Mugesh’s laboratory works on developing new therapeutic agents to battle diverse diseases like cancer, renal disease, and neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These disorders are associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) - chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that are important in cell signaling - and oxidative stress......