IISER-Tirupati’s research claims to treat colon cancer, wins gold at iGEM global competition

Within a year or two, the pro-biotic therapy can be used for commercial purposes, he remarked. “Our research has substantiated the cure for colon cancer. The therapy just requires some practical exposure, after which it can be available for commercial purposes,” Bhabesh, one of the 15-members who won the gold medal said.

“We have the proof of concept, but have not done animal testing yet,” he informed.

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Explaining pro-biotic therapy, student Megha Maria Jacob commented, “Like colon cancer, every cancerous cell consists of a specific marker. The project involves designing a bacteria that recognise this specific cell and bind to it.”

“The cancerous cell consists of rich lactate environment, our bacteria will be designed in a way to sense those lactate and to respond to it by secreting those drug molecule that will attract the immune cell for the tumour clearence,” she said.

The homegrown research received a Rs 10 lakh grant from the Department of Biotechnology, the government of India.

The team of 15 students comprises Amartya Paul, Bhabesh Kumar Tripathy, Megha Maria Jacob, Mrugank Dake, Uttara Khatri, besides mentors Basuthkar Jagadeeshwara Rao, Professor and Dean, Biology, Raju Mukherjee, Assistant Professor, Biology, and other students.