The New Student Orientation Program is designed to support new students as they begin their journey at NIPER – Ahmedabad. This Orientation Program is mandatory for all students entering NIPER-Ahmedabad. During this program, the coordinators gradually introduce new students to life at the NIPER – Ahmedabad, from academics and community norms to resources and support services. The orientation program for the year 2020 entrant students of NIPER – Ahmedabad was held between 5th November 2020 to 6th November 2020. The program included a series of extended events that provide an introduction to the stimulating intellectual and social environment at NIPER – Ahmedabad, as well as the abundant resources available in the institute.

New students accompanied by their family members arrived on 4th Noovember 2020 to check in the hostel. Additional details about this program have been shared with the students in-hand by the coordinators of the Orientation Program

The New Student Orientation Program was designed to:

Help students navigate the environment of a research tuned academic institute and meet fellow incoming students.

Familiarize students with the standards of the Institutes and principles of its academic community

Help students navigate the campus and identify the many resources available

Present tips and critical information that will make students' first days, and their transition to NIPER – Ahmedabad, go smoothly!

Introduce students to faculty, staff and existing students of the Institute

Acquaint students with the history and traditions of NIPER – Ahmedabad within the context of the history of NIPER’s.

Share a portrait of the incoming class in all its diversity and richness as new students are welcomed into the vibrant community

On the first day of the Student Orientation Program, the new students, were introduced to the campus. The Dean, Dr. Pallab Bhattacharya, gave the words of confidence to all parents that their students are in a safe and responsible umbrella; and that whole NIPER team will take parental care of their wards.

Followed by this inspiration session, the Director “ Prof. Kiran Kalia”, Director NIPER - Ahmedabad welcomed the students and motivated them to dream big and fulfill all their scientific dreams to make NIPER - Ahmedabad a world-class Institute, narrated a quick outline about the Institute's faculty members, grants received publications, national and international collaboration, Industrial MOUs, and other achievements of the institute.

Orientation Programme - 2020

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Shri Ketan R Patel, Chairman Board of Governors, NIPER – Ahmedabad addressed the Students at the Orientation Programme 2020. As a part of the Orientation Programme 2020. delivered Orientation speech by our Chief Guest Dr. V Nagarajan, Chairman & Head, Neurosciences Research & Translational task force, ICMR, New Delhi.

On the Day 2 of Orientation Programme 2020. Shri Avdhesh Nautiyal, Registrar NIPER-A addressed the students and welcomed them to NIPER -Ahmedabad Family. As a part of the Orientation Programme 2020. delivered Orientation Speech by Prof. Anil Gupta Founder, Honey bee Network, SRISTI, GIAN, NIF, Visiting Fac, IIMA & Iitb and Dr. Mukul Jain, President at Zydus Research Centre, Ahmedabad addressed the Students at the Orientation Programme 2020 at NIPER-A.

Orientation Programme - 2020

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On 9th November 2020, NIPER -A and Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. have entered into an MoU to promote research and knowledge exchange. This is an initiative to bridge the gap between academia and industry towards progressive translational research

On 26th November 2020, NIPER-Ahmedabad Celebrated Constitution Day

NIPER -A and Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. have entered into an MoU to promote research and

knowledge exchange

Celebrating Constitution Day

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On 27th November 2020, NIPER-Ahmedabad conducted a meeting with Director NIPERs, CDSCO representatives and BIS representative to discuss the development of Medical Device testing facility at NIPERs

NIPER-A receives first multilateral research grant including PIs from India, USA and Denmark on collaborative research project entitled “Visualization of brain blood flow reorganization during stroke treatment”

Achievement

NIPER-Ahmedabad conducted an online meeting with Director NIPERs

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Abhijeet S. Kate, Ph.D. Associate Professor

Preeti Bharatiya, Pooja Rathod, Aishwarya Hiray & Abhijeet S. Kate. (2020). Multifarious Elicitors: Invoking Biosynthesis of Various Bioactive Secondary Metabolite in Fungi, Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. doi.org/10.1007/s11418-020-01400-1 (I.F 2.277)

Abstract: Natural products are considered to be the lifeline treatment for several diseases where their structural complexity makes them a source of potential lead molecules. As a producer of antibiotics, food colorants, enzymes, and nutritious food, fungi are beneficial to humans. Fungi, as a source of novel natural products, draw attention of scientists. However, redundant isolation of metabolite retards the rate of discovery. So, apart from the standard conditions for the production of secondary metabolites, certain induction strategies are used to trigger biosynthetic genes in fungi. Advancement in the computational tools helps in connecting gene clusters and their metabolite production. Therefore, modern analytical tools and the genomic era in hand leads to the identification of manifold of cryptic metabolites. The cryptic biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) has become a treasure hunt for new metabolites representing biosynthetic pathways, regulatory mechanisms, and other factors.

Rakesh Kumar Tekade, Ph. D Associate Professor

Vishakha Tambe, Nidhi Raval, Piyush Gondaliya, Pallab Bhattacharya, Kiran Kalia, Rakesh Kumar Tekade. (2020). To investigate fit-to-purpose nanocarrier for non-invasive drug delivery to posterior segment of eye, Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 102222, doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2020.102222 (I.F. 2.734)

Abstract: Diseases of the posterior segment of the eye are difficult to treat due to lesser bioavailability of therapeutics at the posterior segment of the eye. Current clinical interventions involve administering drugs via invasive routes (Intravitreal, Retrobulbar, or Peribulbar) that bear the least patient compliance. Several nanocarriers strategies have shown a remarkable potential to deliver the loaded therapeutic to the posterior tissues of the eye. However, no one platform report was available to demarcate the most effective delivery system out of the recommended approaches. This investigation aimed at exploring a suitable and efficient non-invasive topically administrable nanocarriers system for the delivery of the drug to the posterior segment of the eye. Dexamethasone (DEX, a corticosteroid used for ocular inflammation) was selected as a model drug. The nanocarriers were formulated (size ~120 nm) and studied their potential at a common platform to deliver the drug to the posterior segment of the eye. The nanocarriers were analyzed for their in vitro drug release profile in simulated tear fluid (STF) depicting sustained release of DEX up to 24 h, ex-vivo corneal permeability, using excised goat cornea, cytotoxicity potential using human retinal pigment epithelium ARPE-19 cell lines, HET CAM assay to evaluate ocular irritancy, electrical resistance measurement across monolayers of Rabbit corneal epithelial cells SIRC and ARPE-19 cells and stability profiles, real-time qPCR IL-6 gene expression in ARPE-19 inflammation model. Ex-vivo corneal permeability demonstrated that the highest percentage of DEX was permeated by DEX-NLCs and lowest by DEX-SLNs. All the nanocarriers except DEX-CUBs depicted no cytotoxicity in ARPE-19 cells. All the nanocarriers depicted the change in electrical resistance measurement across monolayers of Rabbit corneal epithelial cells SIRC and ARPE-19 cells. They were also found to reduce the levels of IL-6 in gene expression assay depicting successful invitro delivery to ARPE-19 cells. However, only NLCs and NMFs were selected further as they demonstrated better potential to permeate after ex vivo and in vitro permeability studies. Further, in-vivo fluorescence imaging studies in Wistar rats were also performed with coumarin-6 loaded nanocarriers to deduce the effective and suitable candidate to deliver a drug to the posterior segment of the eye with the highest biosafety and permeability.

Faculty Publication

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Pallab Bhattacharya, Ph. D Associate Professor

Deepaneeta Sarmah, Mainak Banerjee, Aishika Datta, Kiran Kalia, Shanta Dhar, Dileep R.Yavagal, Pallab Bhattachary. (2020). Nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke, Drug Discovery Today. doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2020.11.018 (I.F. 7.321)

Abstract: Increasing developments in the field of nanotechnology have ignited its use in stroke diagnosis and treatment. The benefits of structural modification, ease of synthesis, and biocompatibility support the use of nanomaterials in the clinic. The pathophysiology of stroke is complex, involving different brain regions; hence, therapeutic agents are required to be delivered to specific regions. Nanoparticles (NPs) can be engineered to help improve the delivery and release of therapeutic agents in a localized manner, especially in the penumbra. This contributes not only to therapy, but also to neurosurgery and neuroimaging. Nanomaterials also offer high efficacy with few adverse effects. In this review, we provide a concise summary of the caveats associated with nanotechnology with respect to stroke therapy and diagnosis..

Derajram Benival, Ph. D Assistant Professor

Sagar Salave, Sonali Jain, Ambika Chamoli, Amit Mandoli, Ravi Shah, Kiran Kalia, Derajram Benival. (2020). Role Of Biologicals For Combating Covid-19: A Systematic Review, World Journal Of Pharmacy And Pharmaceutical Sciences,9(12), 456-484. DOI: 10.20959/wjpps202012-17770

Abstract: The novel corona virus outbroke in December 2019 which has affected more than 30 million people worldwide till date. Although a year has passed but it’s still a hot area of research. Many approaches like drug repurposing, nano formulations and different type of vaccines are being developed and tried by researchers to overcome this pandemic. In this review, we are focussing on epidemiology, pathogenesis, and various biologicals intricated in the treatment of the COVID-19. Simultaneously quoting on nanotechnology which is now becoming a cornerstone in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Several clinical trials (CTs) are going on to assess the safety and efficacy of various therapeutics. These clinical trials and additional new studies are expected to provide a therapeutic strategy soon.

Devendra Choudhary, Hanmant Goykar, Tukaram Karanwad, Suraj Kannaujia, Vedant Gadekar, Manju Misra. (2020). An understanding of Mitochondria and its role in Targeting Nanocarriers for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. org/10.1016/j.ajps.2020.10.002 (I.F. 3.968)

Abstract: Nanotechnology has changed the entire paradigm of drug targeting and has shown tremendous potential in the area of cancer therapy due to its specificity. In cancer, several targets have been explored which could be utilized for the better treatment of disease. Mitochondria, the so-called powerhouse of cell, portrays significant role in the survival and death of cells, and has emerged as potential target for cancer therapy

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Faculty Publication

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Other Publication

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TOI_24-11-2020_Page-01

Media coverage

TOI coverage for our Faculty Dr. Rakesh K. Tekade as Top 2% Scientist in the

field of Pharmacology & Pharmacy in the world list published by Stanford

University, USA

TOI_12-11-202

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