DR ASHA ABRAHAM

Director LCRI

Member Staff council

Member IQAC

Member Anti Ragging & Anti -Drug abuse cell

Member Academic formation of staff

Member RDC

DBT BUILDER project coordinator

Associate Professor

PhD guide

Molecular and cellular aspects of metabolic syndrome, Hypothyroidism,  Diabetes  and Cancer,

Phytomedicine 

Immunology

Neuroendocrinology of aging

 Selected research papers 

1. Gangadhara V, Abraham A. Deciphering the involvement of norepinephrine and β-adrenergic receptor subtypes in glucose induced insulin secretion: an integrated in silico and in vitro exploration using isolated pancreatic islets of C57BL/6J mice. Journal of Receptors and Signal Transduction. 2024 Dec 27:1-CiteScore (Scopus), Q2 CiteScore Best Quartile, 0.582 (2023) SNIP 0.645 (2023) SJR WoS Impact Factor, 2.8 (2023) 5 year IF 6.6 (2023).
2. Gangadhara V, Gawli K, Abraham A. Structural Insights into Mouse β3-adrenergic Receptor: A Promising Target for Obesity and Diabetes Therapeutics. Letters in Drug Design & Discovery. 2024 Dec;21(16):3604-21. SCIMAGO-Q3, SJR 0.2 DOI:10.2174/0115701808301580240405071948 Impact Factor: 1.099,
3. Sreejesh PC and Asha Abraham (2023). Exopolysaccharide from the mice ovarian bacterium Bacillus velezensis OM03 triggers caspase- 3-dependent apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. J Appl Pharm Sci, 13(06):154–164. SCIMAGO-Q2, SJR 0.28 Impact factor 1.376 https://doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2023.110355
4. DSouza Serena Stephen & Asha Abraham (2019) High-fat simple carbohydrate (HFSC) diet impairs hypothalamic and corpus striatal serotonergic metabolic pathway in metabolic syndrome (MetS) induced C57BL/6J mice, Nutritional Neuroscience, 22:1, 51-62, DOI:10.1080/1028415X.2017.1354511 SCIMAGO-Q2, SJR 0.81 Impact factor 3.270
5. Swarnalatha Banavara Nagaraj, Neena Roy, Mahesh Manjunath Gouda,Rajeish Moger and Asha Abraham. High Fat Simple carbohydrate diet intake induces Hypothalamic –Pituitary -Thyroid axis dysregulation in C57BL/6J male mice. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29099999, 2018, Apr;43(4):371-380. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2017-0410. Epub 2017 Nov 3., ISSN:1715-5312, SCIMAGO-Q1, SJR 1.22  Impact factor 3.460
6. Smruthi G Prabhu, Sulakshana Karkala, Neena Roy, Serena D’Souza and Asha Abraham Juglans regia Seeds have Effects on Platelets and Peripheral Fat Deposition in the Aorta and Heart of C57BL/6J Mice Fed with Normal and High Fat Simple Carbohydrate Diet. Current Nutrition & Food Science, Vol 12 (4): 264-271, 2016. ISSN: 1573-4013. SCIMAGO-Q3, SJR 0.23 Impact factor 0.680
7. Stephen D.S.,and Abraham A. High-Fat Simple Carbohydrate Feeding Impairs Central and Peripheral Monoamine Metabolic Pathway Triggering the Onset of Metabolic Syndrome in C57BL/6J Mice. Neurology India (2016 ) Volume : 64 (5 ): 923-933 SCIMAGO-Q3, SJR 0.35 Impact factor 1.41 DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.190261
8.  Swarnalaltha B.N, Serena Stephen D'Souza and Asha Abraham Insulin resistance precedes glucose intolerance and hyperleptinemia in High Fat Simple Carbohydrate fed C57BL/6J mice. Endokrynologia Polska 2016; 67 (6): 592–598, SCIMAGO-Q3, SJR 0.48 Impact factor 1.02
9. Serena Stephen D'Souza,  B. Sri Charan Bindu, M. Mohammed Ali,  Alex Tisha,  K.V. Deepthi, Silveira Siona, Fernandes Santy and  Asha Abraham. Nutritional profile of High Fat Simple Carbohydrate Diet used to induce metabolic syndrome in C57BL/6J mice. Journal of Nutrition and Intermediary Metabolism Vol 3: (March 2016):41-49. ISSN 2352-3859. SCIMAGO-Q3, SJR 0.39 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnim.2015.12.334 Published by Elsevier Inc.
10. Samantha Fernandes, Alifha Severes, Tanushree Kudnekar, Fernandes Alisha C, Deepashree R. Naik, Perantho Evan Dias, Serena D’Souza and Asha Abraham. High Fat Simple Carbohydrate fed Male Wistar rats: A useful model to study metabolic syndrome. Current Science 2015, Vol 108, NO. 6, 25 March 2015, 1157-65. SCIMAGO-Q2, SJR 0.24 Impact factor 0.833, SNIP 0.731, SJR 0.275
11. Santhosh Wilson Goveas and Asha Abraham.  Extraction and secondary metabolite analysis of Coscinium fenestratum (gaertn.) Colebr: an important medicinal plant of western ghats. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, IJPSR,2014; Vol. 5(8): 3484-3489. E-ISSN: 0975-8232; P-ISSN: 2320-5148 DOI:  10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5(8).3484- SCIMAGO-Q3, SJR 0.13
12. Neethu P., Haseena P., ZevaluKezo, Sona Thomas R., SanthoshWilson Goveas and Asha Abraham (2014). Antioxidant properties of Coscinium fenestratum stem extracts on Streptozotocin induced type 1 diabetic rats. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2014; 4 (01): 29-32 ISSN 2231-3354. SNIP 0.353. SCIMAGO-Q2, SJR 0.25
13. Santhosh Wilson Goveas and Asha Abraham “Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Stem and Leaf Extracts of Coscinium fenestratum Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research Vol 6:3, 218-221, ISSN- 0974-2441, 2013 Impact factor 0.7, ICV (2009)- 3.98, H-index 7, SJR 0,222 (2012), CITED % 33.62 SCIMAGO-Q3 SJR 0.14
14. A Asha, D.K. Nayak, K.M. Shankar and C.V. Mohan (2004).  Antigen expression in biofilm cells of Aeromonas hydrophila employed in oral vaccination of fish. Fish and Shell fish Immunology, 16:420-436. Impact factor 2.674 SCIMAGO-Q1 SJR 1.04
15. D.K. Nayak, A. Asha, K.M. Shankar and C.V. Mohan (2004).  Evaluation of biofilm of Aeromonas hydrophila for oral vaccination of Clarias batrachus- a carnivore model. Fish and Shell fish Immunology,16: 613-619 . Impact factor 2.674 SCIMAGO-Q1 SJR 1.04
16. Asha Abraham and C.S.Paulose (1999). Noradrenergic function in the pancreatic islets of streptozotocin diabetic aging rats. Journal of Anti-Aging Medicine,2 (1): 37-42.  (ISSN (printed): 1094-5458 Published by Mary Ann Liebert. Impact factor 2.1 
17. Asha Abraham and C.S.Paulose (1999). Age–related alterations in noradrenergic function in the brain stem of streptozotocin-diabetic rats.  Journal of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, vol 3, 171-176. Impact factor:1.772 (ISSN: 1025-8140 printed):    
18. Preetha Nair, Pius. S. Padayatti, Asha Abraham, Sudha. B., Raghu. K. G. and Paulose C.S.(1996).  Glutamate dehydrogenase induction in brain of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics, 33: 428-430. Impact factor 0.871 SCIMAGO-Q3 SJR 0.2
19. Seema. P. V., Sudha. B., Pius. S. Padayatti, Asha Abraham, Raghu. K. G., and Paulose. C. S.(1996).  Kinetic studies of purified malate dehydrogenase in liver of streptozotocin-diabetic rats and the effect of Aegle marmelose (L) Correa ex Roxb, Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 34: 600-602 . Impact factor 0.835 SCIMAGO-Q3 SJR 0.37

    Selected conference papers

1.       Asha Abraham and Takako Niikura. Twelve weeks of feeding of high calorie diet induces brain oxidative stress and initiates behavioural changes in C57BL/6J mice as assessed by Barnes maze. International Symposium on Neuroscience & Imaging: January 3, 2024 organized by Manipal School of Life Sciences, MAHE

2.       Vijayalakshmi Gangadhara, Bhagya N and Asha Abraham. A Proteomic Study of Pancreatic Islets in Metabolic Syndrome-Induced Mice: Unravelling Dysregulated Pathways EMBL–Wellcome Connecting Science Conference Proteomics in cell biology and disease mechanisms 25 - 27 Oct 2023 EMBL Heidelberg 

3.       Vijayalakshmi Gangadhara and Asha Abraham. Pancreatic Islet Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome: Role of β3-Adrenergic Receptors in Dietary Context- 3rd annual meeting of the IRN i-GPCRnet  held in Strasbourg-Illkirch France on October 25-27th, 2023 at the Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg.

4.       Jeffrina Nancy J, Rhea Ana Mascarenhas, Vijayalakshmi G and Asha Abraham “Phytochemical screening and in vitro cytotoxic activity of floral pigments from Callistephus chinensis” at National Conference organized by Vel Tech High Tech- Dr Ragaranjana and Dr Sulekha Engineering College, Chennai on 10th and 11th June 2022. Won 3rd Best Paper Award

5.       Vijayalakshmi Gangadhara and Asha Abraham “Expression of beta 2 adrenergic receptors in the pancreatic islets of metabolic syndrome induced C57BL/6J mice” at 24th European Congress of Endocrinology, Milan, Italy on 21st May 2022 to 24th May 2022.  Endocrine Abstracts (2022) Vol 81, DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.81.P112 ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

6.       Bhavya J N, Manasvi, Vijayalakshmi G and Asha Abraham Expression of PPAR isoforms in the liver of Metabolic syndrome induced C57BL/6J mice at the International Conference on Nurturing Innovative Technological Trends in Engineering – BIOscience (NITTE-BIO 2021-Virtual conference) held during 19^th -20^th November , 2021 Paper ID 34 Won best paper award

7.       Vijayalakshmi G and Asha Abraham Effect of beta-adrenergic receptor agonists and antagonist on glucose induced insulin secretion in vitro. The 9th GDR3545-GPCR international meeting held online from November 6th to 9th 2020 (Signalling networks -Flash presentations)

8.       Sreejesh P C, Asha Abraham Antitumor Exopolysaccharides Derived from Ovarian Microbiome: Isolation,Characterization and Biological activity. Second edition of International Virtual Conference on Natural Products and Synthetic Biology (ICNSB - 2020),   Virtual Conference, School of BioSciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology and Society of Chemical and Synthetic Biology (SCSB) during 4-5^th July, 2020. WON 2^ND PLACE IN POSTER PRESENTATION                                                  

9.       Renita Maria D’Souza, Asha Abraham^.  Evaluation of Anticancer potential of L-Asparaginase from Scopulariopsis brevicaulis in vitro International symposium on Fungal Biology: Advances, Applications and Conservation & 45^th Annual meeting of Mycological society of Indis (MSI) November 19-21,2018, Organized by National Fungal Culture Collection of India (NFCCI) & MACS Agharkar Research Institute Pune.

10.   Asha Abraham and Neena Roy Differential expression of adrenergic receptor subtypes and it’s signalling in the pancreas during onset and progression of metabolic syndrome Poster presented at International Congress of Cell Biology 2018, The dynamic Cell: Molecules and networks  to form and function, Jan 27-31, CSIR CCMB, Hyderabad.

11.   Neena Roy and Asha Abraham High Fat Simple Carbohydrate Diet affects Adrenergic receptors in the Brain stem of C57BL/6J mice. Section: New Biology (including Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology and Biotechnology), Indian Science Congress Association meeting to be held at Tirupathi during January 3-8, 2017

12.   Neena Roy and Asha Abraham "Adrenergic receptors: A possible target for Metabolic Syndrome" in the 41^st European Symposium on Hormones and Cell Regulation: conference on ‘GPCR dynamics for fine tuning of physiological processes’ during October 5-8, 2016 at Mont Ste Odile, Strasbourg, France.

13.   Namitha N Khavi, Alin Maria Jacob, Shruthi K, Neena Roy and Asha Abraham. Norepinephrine mediates Leptin secretion via beta adrenergic receptors in obese C57BL/6J mice: An age related study. National seminar on recent advances in Molecular biology (RAMB-2016) 9-11^th March , 2016, Organized by Dept of Molecular Biology , Kannur University, Kerala WON BEST POSTER PRESENTATION AWARD

14.   Swarnalatha B.N. and Asha Abraham. “High Fat Simple Carbohydrate diet induces hyperlipidemia and histological changes in thyroid of C57BL/6J mice” in National Seminar in Frontiers of Biotechnology held at Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on February 18-19, 2016. In book of abstracts pg 10. Won the Best Oral presentation award

15.   Neena Roy and Asha Abraham. Expression of β3 and α2A adrenergic receptor in the Hypothalamus and Pancreas of High Fat Simple Carbohydrate Fed C57BL/6J male mice presented at 6^th World congress on Biotechnology organized by OMICS International conferenceseries.com held on 5-7^th October 2015. Abstract as Proceedings in the Journal of Biotechnology and Biomaterials, page no. 298, October 2015, Volume 5, Issue 6, ISSN:2155-952X.

16.   D’Souza Serena Stephen and Asha Abraham. Assessment of the central and peripheral catecholamine metabolism in Male C57BL/6J mice induced with Metabolic Syndrome- POSTER PAPER at International conference on Biology In Post Genomics Era and 82^nd   Annual Meeting of Society of Biological Chemists at Hyderabad Held At  University Of Hyderabad, Hyderabad During  2 - 5 December 2013, page No 72 in the abstract brochure  

17.   D’Souza Serena, Prasanna RS, Ganesh Hegde, Vruddhi M and Asha Abraham. Effect of Coscinium Fenestratum extract on adipocyte differentiation using 3T3-L1 cell line at National conference on perspectives of Biotechnology in health and Industry organized by Dept of Biotechnology, Alva’s college on 24^th and 25 Feb 2012.  In the proceedings and abstracts of the conference page no. 48. WON BEST POSTER AWARD

18.   Serena D’Souza , Uma Maheshwari, Santhosh Rebello and Asha Abraham. PPAR delta: a molecular target in Metabolic syndrome? International Conference on Advances in Biological Sciences is being organized by the Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology and Inter University Centre for Biosciences, Kannur University during March 15-17, 2012 at, Kannur, Kerala, INDIA- 

19.   Serena D’Souza, Nidhi Abraham, and Asha Abraham Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of the leaf extracts of Withania somnifera on EAC cell line in vitro. National Symposium on Trends and advancements in Biotechnology (National Science Seminar Complex, IISc), BIO-SYM 2009, 27-28 November, Bangalore Page No. 62, 2009, Won THE BEST POSTER AWARD.

20.   Reena Lobo, Supriya Pai and Asha Abraham. Evaluation of the anti-diabetic effect of Tinospora cordifolia on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats at the National Conference on Biotechnology & Clinical Research in India, March 7 ^th & 8 ^th 2008 held at J.N. Tata Auditorium, Indian Institute of science, Bangalore, Organized by Innovative centre for Biosciences.  Won THE BEST POSTER AWARD.

21.   Saran Kumar, Ravi Kiran and Asha Abraham. Anti tumor effect of the chloroform extract fraction of fruit rinds of Garcinia indica in Swiss Albino Mice. at the National Conference on Biotechnology & Clinical Research in India, March 7 ^th & 8 ^th 2008 held at J.N. Tata Auditorium, Indian Institute of science, Bangalore, Organized by Innovative centre for Biosciences. Won THE BEST ORAL PAPER PRESENTATION AWARD.

22.   Pallavi Baliga and Nisha Rodrigues and Asha Abraham. Isolation and characterization of extracellular L-asparaginase from fungi. International Conference on Biotechnology, Bangalore Bio 2008, 24-26 April, Bangalore.

23.   Bhagya N, Prathibha Ananda, Ramya Sheshadri, Joji M George, Reshma M, and Asha Abraham “Antidiabetic effect of Insulin plant-Costus sp.on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats”. In the abstracts and proceedings of International conference on Biotechnology and Neuroscience, Dec 29-31, 2004, 239-243

Student-Teacher projects:

FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS

1.     Erasmus+  Staff mobility fellwoship for training 2022. Valencia, Spain.

2.     Sophia University Lecturing Research grants 2018. Tokyo, Japan

3.     Research Associate - Council of Scientific and Industrial Research  (2000) (8/332(1)/2000-EMR-I-SPS, dated 6-3-2000)

4.     CSIR-SRF 1997 (No. 9/239/(256)/97-EMR-I-KK, Roll. No. 111086, dated 16-9-1997)

5.     CSIR-JRF & Lectureship in Life Sciences 1992 (No.2-10/92-E.U.II/DEC,91,Roll no. 12014, dated 5-5-92) (CSIR-UGC NET)

6.     Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund award (New Delhi) for securing First rank in the M.Sc. Biotechnology (1992-1993). (Ref.: PUB-202/ (32-1)/94/768 dated 7-7-1994)

7.     University Merit Scholarship during pre-degree course (1984-1986), undergraduate course (1986-1989) and postgraduate course (1990-1992).

1. Member of the Institutional level Innovation council under NAIN 2.0 programme at Fisheries college Mangaluru 2024-
2. External BoS member in Biological sciences of Nitte University with effect from 1-9-2023 till 31-8-2026
3. Member Board of studies for Evaluation of Ph.D. Thesis at Nirma University Ahmedabad 2023.
4. Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA), MoFAH&D, GoI- main nominee at ShreeDevi College of Pharmacy and KVG Medical College, Sullia 2022-2027 and IAEC member at AJ Hospital, Mangalore 2022-27
5. Life member, Indian Science Congress Association, Kolkata
6. Life member of Indian society for Radiation Biology, New Delhi, India
7. Life member of National Association for Applications of Radioisotopes and Radiation in Industry, Mumbai, India
8. Life member Association of Microbiologists, India
9. Life member Society of Biological scientists, India
10. Life member Society for Biotechnologists, India
11. Member - BTFS Monitoring Committee, BTFS Selection Committee, BTFS Placement committee KBITS (Govt of Karnataka) Bangalore 2013- 2016.
12. Member of BOS/BOE St Berchman’s College (Autonomous), Changanacherry, Kottayam, MG University, Kerala 2014-2016
13. Member of Board of studies for Biotechnology (2010-2012) St. Agnes college ( Autonomous), Mangalore
14. Member of Board of studies for Biotechnology (2006-2008), Sikkim Manipal University, Manipal

1. 7-day International Faculty Development program on Empowering Educators for excellence during 17-24 th January 2025.
2. Workshop on Mass Spectrometry Based Metabolomics and Data Analysis during 26^th to 28^th September 2024 organized by the Centre for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya Deemed to be University Mangalore
3. One week International Online Workshop on Data Visualization and Analytics with Excel. Power BI, Tableau and Generative AI during 5^th July 2024 to 11^th July 2024, organized by the PG Department of Computer Applications and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of Marian College Kuttikanam Autonomous in association with IPSR Solutions Ltd and Valin-UK, USA and Canada
4. One Month International Bioinformatics Workshop on -Genomes, Networks &Pathways, 16th September to 8th October 2023.
5. 7-dayNational Level Online Faculty Development Program on ChatGPT & AI Tools for Educators organized by Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of St Joseph's College Irinjalakuda, in association with The Kerala State Higher Education Council online mode 19th July-27th July 2023
6. Participated in the international week hoisted by Universidad Catélica de Valencia (UCV) Spain during 2nd May till 6th May 2022. The program was sponsored by Ersamus plus
7. Two days training programme for Nominees Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA) by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI on 1st & 2nd September 2022
8. National level 7-Day Online Workshop on  “Revised NAAC Norms and Procedures” under the Aegis of the UGC Scheme – PARAMARSH from  organized by SJC Bengaluru. 07 -15 January 2021
9. FDP on Protein-Receptor Binding Chemistry organized by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology (VSCIMB), The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) and Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal during 17th May-22 May 2021.
10. 4 days workshop on Ethics in Biomedical and Health Research: Perception and Practice organized by Nitte University Technology Enabling Center (NUTEC) 5th July – 8th July , 2021
11. 5 Days Workshop on Outcome Based Education Jointly organized by SAC & IPSR solutions ltd 22-26th June, 2020
12. Attended Workshop on “Three generations of PCR and their applications” Hands-on-training at NUCSER during 2-4^th July, 2019.
13. Attended a National Workshop on Emerging Targets and Biomarkers in Cancer Therapy, organized by Centre for Application of Radioisotopes and Radiation Technology at Mangalore University during  16^th May till 18^th May, 2016
14. Attended a workshop on  “Principles of Biosafety, Biosecurity and Lab Quality”  jointly organized by  Departments of Microbiology KMC Mangalore and Manipal and American Society for Microbiology (ASM) & Society for Biosafety, India (SBS)held on 28th May 2016 at Medical Education Unit, KMC, Mangalore. 
15. Genetic and Molecular Diagnosis in Modern Medicine and Biology Pre conference demonstration workshop on Karyotying 26th February 2010.
16. A training program on Molecular Markers: Discovery and Validation conducted by CPCRI , Kasargod, Kerala during 18-22 January 2010

1. International Symposium on Neuroscience & Imaging: organized by Manipal School of Life Sciences, MAHE January 3, 2024
2. Webinar on ‘Full Spectrum Flow Cytometry: A New Way of Doing Flow Cytometry’ Speaker: Dr. Hemant Agrawal, Scientific Advisor (Spectral Flow Cytometry), Life Science Division, Labindia Analytical Instruments Pvt. Ltd. Organized by SDM Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences (SDMRIBS). (A Constituent Unit of Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University) January 29, 2021
3. International Symposium on Molecular Imaging & Stem Cells (Online), Organized by Department of Biophysics, NIMHANS, Bengaluru March 3&4th 2021
4. Alumni sponsored International e -conference on Post covid developments in biological sciences, Organized by Alva’s College, Moodubideri March 5th, 2021  
5. One day National Virtual Seminar on“Computer Aided Drug Designing – A Milestone in Drug Discovery” Organized by College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, DSU, Bengaluru April 9th, 2021
6. One Day Online Seminar on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Diagnosis and Therapeutics” organized by SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy- 17th July, 2021
7. Webinar on Technological uses of Fungi: Some modern approaches, Organized by Mycological society of India, Mumbai Unit 11th May, 2020,
8. Webinar : FICCI Lecture series on International Food Code: Codex Alimentarius16th May, 2020
9. International webinar on Approaching Life’s Questions With Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics, organized by PP Savani University22nd May, 2020
10. National webinar on Research Methodology, Organized by Loyola College, Chennai 12th &13th June, 2020 
11. National Webinar on ‘3D Bioprinting: Emerging Technology in Tissue Engineering’ organized by Department of Botany & Biotechnology, Newman College, Thodupuzha, Kerala 10th July 10, 2020
12. Response of startup community to COVID-19" organized by DBT, New Delhi17th July, 2020
13. Attended a symposium on 'Genomics in Clinical Practice: Future of Precision Medicine' organized by YU-IOB Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine and Yenepoya Research Center. YU-IOB Center for Systems Biology and Molecular, Medicine (YU-IOB CSBMM) at Yenepoya University, Mangalore from June l-2, 2016
14.  Attended a National Conference on “Current Status of Stem Cells and Cell Based Therapy with Emphasis on Orthopaedic Applications” from 3rd - 4th October, 2015 at K. S. Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA), Nitte University, Mangalore- 575018.
15. Attended Seminar on Radioisotope & Radiation- A tool in Scientific Research, Organized by  Centre for Application of Radioisotopes and Radiation Technology organized by Mangalore University 28-4-2014.
16. National conference on perspectives of Biotechnology in health and Industry organized by Dept of Biotechnology, Alva’s college, Moodabidri on 24^th - 25 Feb 2012.
17.  International conference on Genetic and Molecular Diagnosis in Modern Medicine and Biology  held at Yenepoya Universityduring 27 ^th February to 1 ^st March 2010.
18. International Seminar on “Nano Bio - Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research using Nanomaterials” at Amrita Centre for Nano Sciences, February 17-19, 2009 Kochi
19. TIFAC CORE sponsored seminar on Industrial Biotechnology held at NITK Surathkal on 16-6-2006.
20. One day seminar on “Cytokines, receptors and their clinical implications” held at K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Deralakatte, Mangalore on 22nd January 2005
21. International Conference on Biotechnology and Neuroscience”,  held at Cochin University of science and Technology Cochin, Kerala.during December 29-31, 2004.
22. Indo-Australian Symposium on Biomaterials and Bioengineering, held at Manipal Academy of higher education, Manipal-576 104. February 13, 2004.
23. International Conference on Neurobiology, From Receptors to effectors, sponsored by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay held at Cochin. May 15-18, 1994.

Father George Albuquerque Pai Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 

A laboratory under the recognized research Centre in Biotechnology of Mangalore University

 Thrust areas: Cellular and Molecular aspects of metabolic syndrome, diabetes & cancer

Dr Asha Abraham -Team Lead

Dr Abraham’s Ph.D. work at CUSAT under the guidance of Late Professor Dr CS Paulose, was on studying the changes in adrenergic receptor subtypes and monoamines in the brain and pancreas and their role in insulin secretion as a function of age in Streptozotocin diabetic rats. She further pursued Post Doctoral Fellowship at College of Fisheries, Mangalore where she was involved in the development and characterization of Biofilm vaccines for carnivorous fishes. Based on her expertise, she availed several grants from UGC (minor and Major), BRNS, VGST and MJES which helped her set up a research group focussing on the molecular aspects of Metabolic syndrome which is clustering of type II diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and obesity.

The laboratory has developed an animal model for metabolic syndrome (MetS) by feeding with High Fat Simple Carbohydrate (HFSC) diet to male wistar rats and C57BL/6J mice for a period of five months. The model displayed MetS symptoms like impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and hyperinsulinemia in addition to hypertrophy of pancreatic islets. Also, the Norepinephrine (NE) levels were found to be high in plasma and hypothalamus of the same model. The central and peripheral serotonergic pathway was also found to be affected differentially by both the type of diet consumed and the duration for which the diet is consumed. These findings may have implications in the feeding behavior, cognitive decline and depression associated with metabolic syndrome patients. Also studies indicated that the animal model developed symptoms of  Non Alchoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which is strongly associated with MetS.

	Ms Serena Stephan Donna D’Souza (CSIR-JRF& SRF 2010-2015), awarded PhD in Biotechnology by Mangalore University for her thesis “Molecular Studies on Metabolic syndrome” in June 2015. An alumna of MSc Biotechnology of the department , she was among the first set of PhD students to join the laboratory and her work has laid the foundation for the research conducted in the lab. She has presented her work in 15 conferences and published 8 research papers and contributed to 2 book chapters. Dr D’Souza is currently working as Faculty Research Associate at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
	Ms Neena Roy, (BRNS JRF &SRF 2013 -2020) continued the study by focussing on adrenergic receptor signalling pathways in the brain and pancreas and was awarded PhD by Mangalore University for her thesis “ Analysis of Adrenergic Receptors during the onset and progression of Metabolic Syndrome” on 7th January, 2020. She has published 5 research papers and has 19 conference presentations to her credit. Notable was her presentation on "Adrenergic receptors: A possible target for Metabolic Syndrome" in the 41st European Symposium on Hormones and Cell Regulation: conference on ‘GPCR dynamics for fine tuning of physiological processes’ during October 5-8, 2016 at Mont Ste Odile, Strasbourg, France. Currently Dr Roy is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia based at Riffa, Southern Governorate, Bahrain.
	Ms Vijayalakshmi G Rao (Baterna Fellow 2018-2024), continued further on analysis of beta adrenergic receptor (βAR) expression in the pancreatic islets. Comprehensive investigations using real time PCR, western blott and Immunoflurescence techniques revealed significant alterations in the expression of β1, β2, and β3-ARs in response to dietary stress. Proteomic analysis of the pancreatic islets also pointed to the potential links to pancreatic cancer and other metabolic disorders. Ms Vijayalakshmi has published 5 research papers.  She has presented her work in 14 conferences. Notable are her presentations on “A Proteomic Study of Pancreatic Islets in Metabolic Syndrome-Induced Mice: Unravelling Dysregulated Pathways” at EMBL–Wellcome Connecting Science Conference Proteomics in cell biology and disease mechanisms 25 - 27 Oct 2023 EMBL Heidelberg Germany, “Expression of beta 2 adrenergic receptors in the pancreatic islets of metabolic syndrome induced C57BL/6J mice” at 24th European Congress of Endocrinology, Milan, Italy on 21st May 2022 to 24th May 2022 and “ Effect of beta-adrenergic receptor agonists and antagonist on glucose induced insulin secretion in vitro” at the 9th GDR3545-GPCR international meeting held online from November 6th to 9th 2020. She has submitted her PhD thesis entitled “Study of the beta-adrenergic receptors in the pancreatic beta cells in metabolic syndrome induced male C57BL/6J mice” to Mangalore University and is awaiting her results.
	Ms Swarnalatha BN (Part time researcher-2011-2018) Asst Professor at Dept of Biochemistry, further found that  the Hypothalamus -pituitary thyroid axis signalling pathways were disrupted in HFSC fed mice.  She was awarded PhD for her thesis  “Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of thyroid hormone secretion and action in metabolic syndrome” by Mangalore University on 27th September, 2018. She has published 3 research papers and has 5 conference presentations. Presently, Dr Swarnalatha is working as Associate Professor at Aloysius Deemed to be University. Ms Swarnalaltha availed UGC minor project to carry out this work.
	Dr. Santhosh W Goveas (Part time researcher-2011-2018) Asst Professor Dept of Biotechnology, explored the anti diabetic effects of the medicinal plant Coscinium fenestratum in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and in cultured cells. He was awarded PhD by Mangalore University for his thesis entitled “In vitro and in vivo studies on the anti-diabetic properties of Coscinium fenestratum” on 5th May 2018. He has 2 conference presentations and 3 research publications from this work. Dr Goveas availed UGC minor grants to conduct this research. He is currently working as Assistant Professor stage -III at St Aloysius Deemed to be University.
	Ms. Renita D’Souza ( Part time researcher 2011 – 2022) Asst Professor Dept of Biotechnology, worked on microbial Asparaginases and was awarded PhD by Mangalore University on 11th March 2022 for her thesis entilted “Isolation, Purification, Characterization and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Effect of L-Asparaginase”.  She has 2 conference presentations and has published 3 research papers.  Dr D’Souza Goveas availed UGC minor grants to conduct this research. She is currently working as Associate Professor stage II   at St Aloysius Deemed to be University.
	Mr. Sreejesh P.C. (Part time researcher-2015-2024) Asst Professor Dept of Biotechnology, pursued his research interests in exploiting the ovarian microbiomes for drug discovery against ovarian cancer.  He was awarded PhD by Mangalore University on 29th October 2024 for his thesis entitled “Isolation Purification, Characterization of potential anti ovarian cancer drugs from microbial sources”. He has   published 3 research papers and has 3 conference presentations to his credit. Dr Sreejesh has availed MJES seed grants for completing this work.
	Rev Fr Royston Madtha S.J. ( 2021-) is pursuing his doctoral studies  at Mangalore University on Bio Prospecting of Pigment Producing Bacteria from The Estuaries of Netravathi River. Fr Madtha has 5 conference presentations to his credit. He is pursuing this work with MJES major project.