Research
All over the world good scientists work in laboratories seeking new discoveries in the physical sciences. Similarly we need laboratories where people can pursue spiritual pathways.
- Dr. G. Venkataswamy
In an effort to enhance research activities involving both clinicians and scientists, regional research centres have been established at Tirunelveli, Pondicherry and Coimbatore. These centres have already initiated several major research programmes. Another major initiative of AMRF, the Exosome Innovation Centre is now fully functional, and has already attracted users from other organisations. The multi-centric study to identify the biomarkers for the prediction of the progression of diabetes to diabetic retinopathy has been completed and published in JAMA.
Exosome innovation centre
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Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bilayered non-dividing nano-vesicles that carry physiology-altering biological information in the form of regulatory nucleic acid, protein, lipids and metabolites. While their role in cancer angiogenesis is being widely established, their contribution in diabetic retinopathy (DR) pathogenesis is largely unexplored. The team has used ultracentrifugation, nanoparticle tracking analysis/transmission electron microscopy/immunoblotting to isolate and characterise EVs from plasma and vitreous humor from patients with proliferative DR. Using proteomics approach, the team has identified and shortlisted EV proteins that are unique/enriched in either plasma or vitreous humor of PDR patients. This study is a stepping stone to understanding what vitreous humour (VH) EV proteins are represented in circulation and thus can be used as EV-based biomarker candidates.
Regional research centres
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To strengthen and expand the scope of research, regional research centres were established at Aravind-Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Pondicherry. These centres are equipped with adequate infrastructural facilities to initiate research programmes in collaboration with AMRF. Plans are underway to establish a similar centre at Aravind-Chennai.
Conferences / Workshops conducted
Training programme on tissue culture techniques, 3rd September 2022
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The Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology conducted the one day training as part of the scientific social responsibility activity of an ongoing project funded by Science and Engineering Research Board, New Delhi. A total of 10 Ph.D scholars from surrounding colleges and universities took part. The programme included invited talks and laboratory sessions.
AMRF – Dartmouth education and research conference, 29-30 November 2022
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AMRF conducted the conference in collaboration with Dartmouth College, Hanover, USA. Eleven students from Dartmouth College presented research proposals on various eye diseases. Research works carried out at AMRF were presented as posters by the research scholars. Details of core research facilities and ongoing research projects were presented by AMRF scientists to the Dartmouth team.
Seminar on biomedical applications of fundamental research and future potential, 14th October 2022
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As part of October Summit 2022, AMRF organised the seminar to familiarise teaching faculties with the research programmes and various facilities at Aravind. The aim was to motivate them to encourage their students to take up research. A total of 22 faculty members from various colleges in and around Madurai attended the seminar.
Workshop on basics of tissue culture,
7-11 February 2023
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The five-day workshop included a series of lectures and laboratory sessions to give hands-on training on tissue culture techniques. It had 16 participants including faculty, research scholars and postgraduates from surrounding colleges and universities of Madurai.
D43 Project: Building non-communicable eye disease research capacity in India, Aravind-Madurai, 25-27 May 2022
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Aravind is constantly seeking methods to enhance patient care and exploring new avenues for medical research. With Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) becoming a growing health concern, Aravind is taking action to address this issue. University of Michigan, USA and Aravind Eye Hospitals were jointly awarded a National Institutes of Health grant by the US Federal Government towards research capacity building.
Aravind will execute this project working in collaboration with the University of Michigan. The primary objective of the project is to provide an interdisciplinary training for clinicians, aimed at developing their knowledge and skills in designing and conducting clinical research. The programme will introduce clinicians to life course approaches in clinical epidemiological research and contribute to preventing and reducing the impact of eye diseases in India’s rapidly aging population.
To get the project started, a team comprising members from the University of Michigan and a representative of University of Maastricht based in Bangalore visited Aravind and held discussions with senior members of Aravind between May 25 and 27. This collaborative effort promises significant research capacity building in Aravind, which in turn will contribute to enhancing eye care in India.
Ongoing projects
133
Basic Research
33
Clinical Research
7
Health Systems Research
Ph.D Awarded by Alagappa University
Aloysius Abraham
Department of Molecular Genetics
Thesis: Identification of modifier
genes involved in tumorigenesis of
retinoblastoma
Guide: Dr. A. Vanniarajan
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K. Lavanya
Department of Immunology and
Stem Cell Biology
Thesis: Micro RNAs specific to corneal
epithelial stem cells
Guide: Dr. Gowri Priya Chidambaranathan
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A. Divya
Department of Proteomics
Thesis: Interaction of pathogenic fungi with human corneal epithelial cells
Guide: Prof. Dr. K. Dharmalingam