Dr Remya Chandran

Dr Remya Chandran

Dr Remya Chandran

Scientist C
remchandra@jmmc.ac.in

Dr. Remya Chandran currently serves as Scientist C at the Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Thrissur, where she contributes to integrative strategies for the discovery of therapeutics targeting neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders. Her research focuses on the identification of neuroprotective agents and the elucidation of their mechanisms of action in Alzheimer disease (AD), with particular expertise in multi-target drug design. She completed her PhD at Kannur University, in collaboration with Dr. Omkumar (Former Scientist, RGCB, Trivandrum), where she designed and evaluated multifunctional tacrine-based compounds targeting cholinesterases, beta-secretase, and NMDA receptors through a combination of computational modeling, chemical synthesis, and in vitro and in vivo validation. During her postdoctoral research at JCMR under Dr. Dileep Vijayan, she investigated brain-rejuvenating rasayanas with potential to counteract AD-like pathologies. Her technical expertise includes mammalian and primary neuronal cell culture, immunocytochemistry, protein ligand interaction studies, animal behavioral studies, molecular dynamics simulations, virtual screening, and structure-based drug design, with additional training in protein purification, stem cell culture, and microbiome research. Her current work extends into immunopharmacology, the gut brain and microbiome immune axes, and natural product inspired drug discovery, with a focused interest in TREM receptor modulators and small-molecule immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of inflammation, neuroinflammation, and cancer.


  • Computational Drug Discovery
  • Immuno-pharmacology
  • Gut-Immune-Brain Axis
  • Neuropharmacology
  • PhD - Life Science (2018), Dept of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Kannur University, Kannur, Kerala
  • M.Sc. - Bioinformatics (2007), Sree Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
  • B. Sc.- Biochemistry (2005), Sree Narayana Guru, College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

  • Scientist C- Jul 2025 - Present, JCMR, Thrissur
  • Chief Ministers Nava Kerala Post Doctoral Fellow- July 2023 - July 2025, JCMR, Thrissur
  • DBT Research Associate- Mar 2022 - July 2023, JCMR, Thrissur
  • Asst Professor (contract) - Feb 2021 - Feb 2022, Kannur University, Kannur
  • Guest lecturer - May 2020- Sept 2020, College of Agriculture, Vellayini, Trivandrum
  • Project Fellow - August 2016 to  Feb 2018, Kannur University, Kannur
  • Senior Research Fellow - Mar  2013 to Mar 2016- Kannur University, Kannur
  • Ph.D Student - April 2011 to April 2018- Kannur University, Kannur
  • Junior Research Fellow - July 2008 to May 2009
  • DBT-supported Studentship - Dec. 2007 to Jun. 2008, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum
  • Best oral presentation award in the Scientist category, 37th Kerala Science Congress held at Kerala Agricultural college, Thrissur, during 07-10, February 2025
  • Best paper award. Jubilee Research Day held at Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, JMMC & RI, Kerala, India. June 2024
  • Best paper award. Jubilee Research Day held at Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, JMMC & RI, Kerala, India. May 2023
  • Prof. (Dr.) GN Ramachandran Memorial award for best poster. GNR centenary symposium for structural biology held at Dept. of Biotechnology, CUSAT, during 21-22, February 2023.
  • Second prize for best poster. International conference on drug discovery held at BITS- Pilani, Goa, India, during 10-11, Nov, 2022
  • Chief Ministers Nava Kerala Post Doctoral Fellowship (Kerala State Higher Education Council, Govt of Kerala). May 2022
  • Research Associate (Indian Council of Medical Research). April 2022 (Not availed)
  • Research Associate (Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India). February 2022
  • Senior Research Fellowship (Indian Council of Medical Research).  Mar. 2013.
  • Senior Research Fellowship (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research). Mar. 2013 (Not availed).
  • Best poster award.  Bioinformatica Indica 2014. International Conference on Jan. 2014 held at Kerala University, India.
  • UGC-NET-Lectureship. 2011.
  • Best poster award. National seminar on Bioinformatics Application in Medical Sciences held at SRM University, Chennai, India. Mar. 2009.
  •  Award for excellence in studies. 4thrank in M.Sc. Bioinformatics from Bharathiar University, India. 2007.
NIL

1. Targeting Alzheimer's disease with rationally designed polypharmacological prototypes (DBT-Research Associate fellowship) : This study focuses on developing rationally designed polypharmacological prototypes to target Alzheimer's disease. By integrating computational modeling, structural biology, and medicinal chemistry, it aims to design multifunctional molecules that modulate key pathological pathways, including amyloid aggregation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neuroinflammation, offering a more comprehensive therapeutic strategy against Alzheimer's progression.

2. Ayurvedic nootropics as countermines for Alzheimer's disease: Strategic thinking and reverse pharmacology assisted scientific expositions (Chief Minister's Nava Kerala Post doctoral Program): This work explores Ayurvedic nootropics as potential countermeasures for Alzheimer's disease through strategic integration of traditional knowledge and modern science. Using reverse pharmacology, it scientifically validates neuroprotective formulations, elucidating their molecular targets, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic potential, thereby bridging Ayurveda and contemporary neurobiology to develop effective anti-Alzheimer's interventions.

3.  Identification of modulators for COX-2-PGE2-EP4 signaling axis: In this work, we aim to identify modulators of the COX-2-PGE2-EP4 axis, as this signaling pathway plays a critical role in inflammation and cancer progression. The identified modulators are expected to inhibit immunosuppressive signaling and thereby restore effective antitumor immune responses.

4. Computational screening and validation of immune checkpoint inhibitors : Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases by harnessing the immune system, with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 showing durable clinical benefits across multiple cancers. However, variable patient responses, therapy resistance, and immune-related adverse effects limit their efficacy. Moreover, tumor-mediated upregulation of alternative checkpoints receptors can diminish responses to PD-1/PD-L1 therapies, underscoring the need for next-generation immunotherapeutic strategies. Hence in this work we are trying to identify potential modulators of immune checkpoints through computational approach and in vitro validation

5. Mapping Structural Hotspots of Peptide-Based TREM-1 Inhibitors: TREM-1 is an important immunoregulatory receptor that amplifies inflammatory responses and contributes to disease progression in cancer and inflammatory disorders. Peptide-based inhibition of TREM-1 represents a promising therapeutic strategy, but its effectiveness depends on precise molecular interactions. This study focuses on exploring and identifying structural hotspots that govern the binding and inhibitory activity of TREM-1 peptide inhibitors. Understanding these key structural determinants will aid in the rational design of more potent and selective TREM-1 targeted therapeutics.

2026

Aiswarya, N., Remya, C., Sajitha, K., Rajan, R., Vasudevan, D.M. and Dileep, K.V., 2026. Methyl eugenol as a multitarget-directed ligand for Alzheimer disease: A promising lead for drug design. ASPET Discovery, 2.

2025

Kumar, S. S., Remya, C., Krishnakumar, K., Maria, E., Dileep, K. V., & John, M. (2025). Modulation of COX-2, 5-LOX, and cytokine signalling by Carica papaya L. leaf cultivar Red Lady flavonoids in inflammation: In-vitro and in-silico insights. Natural Product Research, 17.

Sajitha, K., Rao, K. Y., Yesu, V. B., Chandran, R., Dileep, K. V., Narayana, V. V. P. C., et al. (2025). Design, synthesis, characterization and in vitro evaluation of anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities of thiazole piperazine sulphonamide hybrids. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 22(9), e202500567.

Aiswarya, N., Hima, S., Remya, C., Vasudevan, D. M., Dileep, K. V., & Francis, D. (2025). Molecular blueprints: Guiding drug discovery through protein structure analysis. Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology, 147, 37-99.

Hima, S., Aiswarya, N., Remya, C., Vasudevan, D. M., Dileep, K. V., & Dileep, F. (2025). Deciphering protein aggregation: Insights into morphology, factors, and diseases. Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology, 145, 23-71.

Babu, A., Remya, C., Sajith, A. M., Dileep, K. V., Kenchaiah, S., & Khade, A. (2025). The complex interplay between ligand strain, coulombic interactions, and binding site dynamics of two congeneric AChE inhibitors. Journal of Molecular Structure, 141479.

Paul, S., Chandran, R., Vijayan, D. K., Bhardwaj, J., Singh, P., Shetty, P., et al. (2025). Cdk5 inhibitor restores cognitive function and alleviates type-2 diabetes in mice. iScience.

Hima, S., Remya, C., Abhithaj, J., Arun, K. G., Sabu, A., Sajitha, K., et al. (2025). Structural and biophysical mechanisms of benzamidine-driven inhibition of human lysozyme aggregation. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 141-139.

2024

Kandrakonda, Y. R., Remya, C., Dileep, K. V., Shaik, J. B., Gajula, N. N., et al. (2024). Quinazolinone acrylamides as anti-Alzheimer agents: Modulation of amyloidogenic peptide assembly at the molecular level. ACS Chemical Neuroscience, 16, 1529-1538.

Rao, K. Y., Chandran, R., Dileep, K. V., Gorantla, S. C., Basha, S. J., et al. (2024). Quinazolinone hydrazine cyanoacetamide hybrids as multitarget-directed therapeutics against Alzheimers disease. ACS Chemical Neuroscience, 15(18), 3401-3420.

2023

Chandran, R., Dileep, K. V., Variyar, E. J., Omkumar, R. V., & Sadasivan, C. (2023). Unveiling the molecular basis of lobelines allosteric regulation of NMDAR: Insights from molecular modeling. Scientific Reports, 13, 22418.

Chandran, R., Dileep, K. V., Variyar, E. J., Omkumar, R. V., & Sadasivan, C. (2023). Lobeline: A multifunctional alkaloid modulating cholinergic and glutamatergic activities. IUBMB Life.

Hima, S., Chandran, R., Sadasivan, C., & Dileep, K. V. (2023). Carboxylic acid derivatives suppress the growth of Aspergillus flavus via inhibition of fungal alpha-amylase. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 42(7), 3563-3567.

2022

Aiswarya, N., Chandran, R., Rema Shree, A. B., Sadasivan, C., & Dileep, K. V. (2022). Binding of rosmarinic acid, curcumin, and capsaicin with PLA2: A comparative study. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 626, 187-191.

2021

Chandran, R., & Dileep, K. V. (2021). Exploring the binding mode of PQ912 against secretory glutaminyl cyclase using conformational ensembles. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 98, 850-856.

Chandran, R., Dileep, K. V., Reddy, E. K., Mantosh, K., et al. (2021). Neuroprotective derivatives of tacrine targeting NMDA receptor and acetylcholinesterase. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 19, 4517-4537.

Chandran, R., Dileep, K. V., Variyar, E. J., Zhang, K. Y. J., Omkumar, R. V., & Sadasivan, C. (2021). Chemical similarity-assisted search for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 174, 466-476.

2020

Dileep, K. V., & Remya, C. (2020). Amyloid beta hypothesis in Alzheimers disease: Major culprits and therapeutic strategies. Current Drug Targets, 21, 148-166.

2019

Remya, C., Mantosh, K., Lakshmi, K., et al. (2019). Cellular calcium signaling in the aging brain. Chemical Neuroanatomy, 95, 95-114.

Dileep, K. V., Ashok, S., Remya, C., et al. (2019). Indole fragments for the design of lead molecules against pancreatitis. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics.

2018

Dileep, K. V., Remya, C., Tintu, I., Mandal, P. K., et al. (2018). Crystal structure of phospholipase A2 complexed with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. IUBMB Life, 70(10), 995-1001.

Dileep, K. V., Remya, C., & Nithiyanandan, K. (2018). Binding of acarbose to lysozyme: Structural and thermodynamic study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 36(13), 3354-3361.

2017

Reddy, E. K., Remya, C., Sajith, A. M., et al. (2017). Novel tacrine derivatives with improved acetylcholinesterase inhibition. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 139, 367-377.

2016

Remya, C., Dileep, K. V., Tintu, I., & Sadasivan, C. (2016). In silico identification of nAChR agonists from Withania somnifera. Frontiers in Life Science, 9, 201-213.

Reddy, E. K., Remya, C., Sajith, A. M., et al. (2016). Functionalized dihydroazo pyrimidine derivatives as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. RSC Advances, 6, 77431-77439.

 

Priya Murukeshan
Priya Murukeshan
Research Fellow