Biomedical Research Grant Awardee 2024

Development of biosensor for non-invasive and early-stage detection of bladder cancer using urine samples

Dr Gopinath Packirisamy

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee.

Bladder cancer is becoming more common and is now one of the top 11 cancers worldwide, according to the World Health Organization Cancer report. People who work with certain chemicals like those used in the dye and paint industries are at a higher risk, especially if they also smoke or have improper uro-hygiene. Scientists have discovered that urine from patients with bladder cancer contains specific substances, known as biomarkers, that may help to detect the disease in its preliminary stages. This project focuses on the promising biomarkers found in urine: one is a protein-based biomarker, and the other is a group of chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The goal of this project is to develop a simple and accurate sensing unit that can detect these substances in urine. One will use a method similar to a home pregnancy test by the clinician, and the other will use a small sensing platform to detect the VOC chemicals. These tools could help doctors find bladder cancer earlier, making treatment more effective and saving lives.

Co-Investigators

Krishna Mohan Poluri

Professor, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Joint faculty in centre for Nanotechnology, IIT Roorke

Devesh Bhimsaria

Assistant Professor, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Joint Faculty in The Mehta Family School of Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (MFSDSAI),IIT Roorkee

Rajesh Kumar

Assistant Professor, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, IIT Roorkee

Clinical collaborator

Dr. Pankaj Kumar Garg

Professor & Head of the Department of Cancer Surgery, Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health SSciences, Dehradun, Uttarkhand

India is rapidly transforming into a dynamic hub of intellectual innovation and discovery. To support the science and technology ecosystem in the country, the Sree Padmavathi Venkateswara Foundation has created peer- reviewed funding programs that recognize exceptional researchers with the potential to achieve ground-breaking results in areas of critical national
importance. Our foundation provides these researchers with generous funding and empowering mentorship to generate knowledge and develop sustainable solutions of the highest quality, particularly in the fields of biomedical and agricultural research. We also work on projects to deploy advanced knowledge and improve the income of small and marginal farmers. We believe that by working together, we can create sustainable solutions that will benefit not only India but also the world.

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