Prabhat Arya

Working on a roadmap to build "Life Sciences Venture Capital Fund" to support innovative programs in the broad areas of "Early Stage Drug Discovery" (related to small molecules as well as novel, well-defined biological drugs). With this objective, we are building a team; a unique combination of "leadership skill-sets" having life sciences leaders (with different domain expertise) and with the financial background related to knowledge in the biotech/pharma sector. Initially, the plan is to start this fund from India and Canada; later on, set-up the additional nodes in Europe and US. Will keep posted on further developments.

Our research aims at developing novel synthesis methods leading to build a highly unique marine natural product-inspired chemical toolbox for undertaking challenging biological targets (considered undruggable at present) involving complex protein-protein interactions and dynamic signaling pathways. Through working in collaboration, we are taking our chemistry program in two directions: (1) Indian Patient-derived Cancer Drug Discovery: The evaluation of our chemical toolbox using Indian patient-derived primary cancer cells, tumorospheres and cancer stem cells, searching for novel small molecules as highly selective killers and inhibitors of cell migration. Following the discovery of novel chemical probes through our extensive phenotypic screens we then utilize genomic and CRISPR-Cas 9 tools for seeking a better understanding of their mode of action, target ID etc. (2) Chemical Biology of Trans-differentiation of Human Stem Cells by Novel, Natural Product-inspired Small Molecules: We utilize our chemical toolbox searching for novel small molecules capable of trans-differentiating human mesenchymal stem cells to neurons. This is then further validated by identification of several neuronal biomarkers. Currently, utilizing the genomic and CRISPR-Cas9 tools seeking a better understanding of the mode of actions small molecule probes. In addition to this, our chemical toolbox and the identified functional chemical probes are also thoroughly utilized searching for novel neurogenesis and neuro-protective agents in various cellular/yeast/drosophila and zebrafish assays.

My long-standing quest to establish a chemical biology program in India recently brought me back to my roots. I am thoroughly enjoying the challenges of establishing this program at the Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences, located on the University of Hyderabad campus. With the objective of exploring new chemical space, my research aims to develop novel methods leading to building a natural product-inspired chemical toolbox. Small molecules from my group are then subjected to a wide variety of evaluation programs in a hunt for chemical modulators of protein-protein interaction-based signaling pathways related to cancer, metabolic disorders, infectious diseases and neurological disorders. Over the years, we have written several authoritative articles on the need to strengthen the advanced organic chemistry efforts for producing natural product-inspired chemical probes to explore their utilization in the signaling biology arena. For further detailed information, see our website: www.prabhatarya.org

Supervisor: Professor T. H. (Bill) Chan

Supervisor: Professor Ian Paterson, FRS

Supervisor: (late) Professor Robert Corriu

Supervisor: Professor A. C. Jain, FNA

Supervisor: Professor A. C. Jain, FNA