Cell and Molecular Biology Facility
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Dedicated to advancing research on genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms underlying human diseases, with specialized expertise in congenital anomalies, cancer biology, and translational genomics.
The Cell and Molecular Biology Facility (CMBF) is a multidisciplinary research laboratory dedicated to investigating the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms underlying human diseases. The facility primarily focuses on congenital anomalies, particularly orofacial clefts, and cancer biology, with emphasis on lung and breast cancers. CMBF integrates experimental cell and molecular biology techniques with genomic, genotoxicity, and computational approaches to address clinically relevant research questions. Equipped with advanced infrastructure for cell culture, genomic instability assays, nanopore-based sequencing, extracellular vesicle research, and molecular expression analysis, the laboratory supports translational research spanning basic science to population-based studies. Through national and international collaborations and externally funded projects, CMBF contributes to high-impact research, training of doctoral scholars, and generation of clinically meaningful insights
Genotyping and haplotyping
Orofacial Clefts: The research on orofacial cleft is conducted in collaboration with H S Adenwalla institute of Cleft Lip and palate funded by The Smile Train India. We try to elucidate the clues on molecular pathogenesis of orofacial clefts by simultaneously studying environmental contributions, epidemiological factors, genotype phenotype correlations and identification of new genomic loci in a large, affected population. This study concentrates on some of the candidate genes studied earlier to understand the involvement of these genes in orofacial cleft population.
Extracellular Vesicle Research
LUNG Cancer: Here we focus on a trafficking protein, Sortilin/SORT1, a type-1 membrane-spanning protein present in plasma membrane of a cell and EVs. Sortilin in assisting soluble and membrane cargo through bidirectional trafficking has the potential to maintain a feedback loop in signaling pathways involved in cancer hallmarks. We constructed our hypothesis by critically reviewing research papers. Sortilin, a paracrine/ endocrine protein, is involved in regulating EV transportation and cancer microenvironment, where we have analytical, experimental in-vitro, and Insilico study designs to validate the hypothesis. The analytical, in-vitro and Insilico arms include case-control study, cancer cell lines, and designing of direct protein-protein interactions, respectively. We combine computational biology, structural biology, and fundamental research to comprehend the trafficking protein-derived EV mechanisms underlying NSCLC pathogenesis.
BREAST Cancer: the current study aims to elucidate the expression and role of miRNA and Sortilin mediated Extracellular Vesicles in the development of TNBC. Blood and tissue samples will be collected and subjected to exosome isolation, characterization from which miRNA will be isolated and qRT-PCR will be performed. EV proteins will be isolated and produced for Western Blot. Molecular analysis of miRNA will pave the road for tailored therapeutics and help in early detection of TNBC. miRNA profiles that exclusively reflect TNBC as well as the different stages may provide insight into the Sortilin mediated extracellular vesicle biology for monitoring the progression of TNBC and tumor microenvironment.
Scientific projects in the lab:
Externally funded projects:
Present
Past
Project Title: Influence of demographic, clinical, genetic and pattern of management in maintaining long term abstinence among patients of alcohol use disorders who received treatment from De-addiction centres in Thrissur district: A prospective follow up study
Budget: Rs. 5,300,000 /-
Funding Agency: ICMR, Govt. of India (2019-2022)
Co-investigator: Dr. Alex George (Role- Trait Markers identification, DNA Sequencing and analysis)
Project Title: Epidemiological and Genetic Research among the Orofacial cleft patients from Central Kerala: A hospital-based Case Control Study
Funding Agency: Smile Train India (2021-2024)
Budget: Rs. 7,860,000/-
Principal Investigator: Dr. Alex George
Project Title: Effectiveness of Covid Vaccine and identification of SARS Cov2 Variants among PLHIV in Central Kerala – An Ambi-directional Cohort Study
Funding Agency: ICMR, Govt. of India (2022-2023)
Budget: Rs. 3,974,770/-
Co-Investigator - Dr. Alex George (Role _identification of SarsCov-2 variants through direct sequencing
Services (Enquire)
Animal Cell culture
- In vitro analysis of cell viability and cytotoxicity against bioactive compounds and nanoparticles.
Molecular Biology & Genotoxicity assays
- Nucleic acid isolation and quantification, SNP and Haplotype analysis, miRNA expression analysis, Comet assay, telomere length assessment.
Extracellular Vesicle
- EV isolation (kit method) from cancer cell lines and patients, quantification (BCA assay), and in vitro cross-treatments.
Trainings At CMBF (Enquire)
Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus Cytome (CBMN Cyt) Assay
Cultures and the procedures will be set according to OECD Test No. 487: In vitro Mammalian Cell Micronucleus Test
Chromosomal Aberration Test
Cultures and the procedures will be set according to OECD Test No. 473: In vitro Mammalian Chromosomal Aberration Test
COMET Assay
Comet assays which will be performed using OECD Test No. 489: In vivo Mammalian Alkaline Comet Assay (primary cells or treated cells will be used for COMET analysis)
Cell Culture Techniques
Animal cell culture techniques , Cell viability/cytotoxicity assays for in-vitro treatment of nanoparticles and bioactive compounds.
2025
Alappat RR, Sachith SK, Narayanan PV, George A. Major allelic variants in IRF6 and the association with Non-Syndromic orofacial Clefts: Insights from a Kerala-Based Case-Control study. Gene. 2025 Jul 5;955:149450.
Padinharayil H, Varghese J, Varghese PR, Wilson CM, George A. Small Extracellular Vesicle (sEV) Uptake from Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Alters T-Cell Cytokine Expression and Modulates Protein Profiles in sEV Biogenesis. Proteomes. 2025 Apr 23;13(2):15.
Jyothish A, George A, Narayanan PV, Krishnamurthy RG. MSX1 Gene Polymorphisms in Patients with non-Syndromic Cleft lip and Palate: A Tertiary Care Centre Based Case-Control Study from Central Kerala. The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal. 2025 Mar;62(3):504-12.
Alappat RR, Sachith SK, Varghese PR, Narayanan PV, George A. Parental transmission effects of the IRF6 polymorphisms among Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip with or without cleft palate in Kerala case parent trios. Archives of Oral Biology. 2025 Feb 1;170:106134.
2024
Padinharayil H, George A. Small extracellular vesicles: multi-functional aspects in non- small cell lung carcinoma. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology. 2024 Apr 3:104341.
Padinharayil H, Varghese J, Wilson C, George A. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes: Characteristics and applications in disease pathology and management. LifeSciences. 2024 Feb 28:122542.
2023
Kannampuzha S, Gopalakrishnan AV, Padinharayil H, Alappat RR, Anilkumar KV, George A, Dey A, Vellingiri B, Madhyastha H, Ganesan R, Ramesh T. Onco-Pathogen Mediated Cancer Progression and Associated Signaling Pathways in Cancer Development. Pathogens. 2023 May 28;12(6):770.
Renu K, Mukherjee AG, Gopalakrishnan AV, Wanjari UR, Kannampuzha S, Murali R, Veeraraghavan VP, Vinayagam S, Paz-Montelongo S, George A, Vellingiri B. Protective effects of macromolecular polyphenols, metal (zinc, selenium, and copper)-Polyphenol complexes, and pectin in different organs with an emphasis on arsenic poisoning: A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2023 Sep 5:126715.
Anilkumar KV, Rema LP, John MC, John TV, George A. miRNAs in the prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer: A review. Life Sciences. 2023 Oct 17:122183.
Thomas J, Rajmohan P, Jose P, Kannan R, Jose R, Uttumadathil Gopinathan U, Raphael L, Baiju NM, Krishna S, Attokaran T, Bency A T J, Venugopal A, Sheela S, Kallempadam A, Jose L, Innah SJ, Varghese PR, George A. Real-World Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccine and Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Variants among People Living with HIV on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Central Kerala of India-An Ambi- Directional Cohort Study. Viruses. 2023 Oct 30;15(11):2187. doi: 10.3390/v15112187. PMID: 38005865; PMCID: PMC10674822.
Kannampuzha S, Murali R, Gopalakrishnan AV, Mukherjee AG, Wanjari UR, Namachivayam A, George A, Dey A, Vellingiri B. Novel biomolecules in targeted cancer therapy: A new approach towards precision medicine. Medical Oncology. 2023 Nov;40(11):1-5.
Raj S, Varghese L, Narayanan PV, Raveendran SK, Varghese PR, George A. Identification of heterochromatic variations in nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate. Journal of Orofacial Sciences. 2023 Jan 1;15(1):55-60.
Padinharayil H, Rai V, George A. Mitochondrial Metabolism in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: From Mechanism-Based Perspectives to Therapy. Cancers. 2023 Feb 8;15(4):1070.
Mukherjee AG, Renu K, Gopalakrishnan AV, Veeraraghavan VP, Vinayagam S, Paz- Montelongo S, Dey A, Vellingiri B, George A, Madhyastha H, Ganesan R. Heavy Metal and Metalloid Contamination in Food and Emerging Technologies for Its Detection. Sustainability. 2023 Jan;15(2):1195.
2022
Renu K, Mukherjee AG, Wanjari UR, Vinayagam S, Veeraraghavan VP, Vellingiri B, George A, Lagoa R, Sattu K, Dey A, Gopalakrishnan AV. Misuse of Cardiac Lipid upon Exposure to Toxic Trace Elements—A Focused Review. Molecules. 2022 Jan;27(17):5657.
Renu, K.; Vinayagam, S.; Veeraraghavan, V.P.; Mukherjee, A.G.; Wanjari, U.R.; Prabakaran, D.S.; Ganesan, R.; Dey, A.; Vellingiri, B.; Kandasamy, S.; Ramanathan, G.; Doss C, G.P.; George, A.; Gopalakrishnan, A.V. Molecular Crosstalk between the Immunological Mechanism of the Tumor Microenvironment and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Oral Cancer. Vaccines 2022, 10, 1490.
Padinharayil H, Varghese J, John M C, Rajanikant G K, Wilson C M, Al-Yozbaki M, Renu K, Dewanjee S, Sanyal R, Dey A, Mukherjee A G, Wanjari U R, Gopalakrishnan A V, George A. Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC): Implications on molecular pathology and advances in early diagnostics and therapeutics. Genes and Disease
Ramgir SS, Renu K, Vellingiri B, George A, Tirupapuliyur D, Thiagarajan P, Valsala Gopalakrishnanan A. Phytomedicinal therapeutics for male infertility: critical insights and scientific updates. Journal of natural medicines. 2022 Apr 4:1-28.
Rai S, Badarinath AR, George A, Sitaraman S, Bronson SC, Anandt S, Babu KT, Moses A, Saraswathy R, Hande MP. Association of telomere length with diabetes mellitus and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in a South Indian population: A pilot study. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis. 2022 Feb 1;874:503439.
2021
Renu K, Panda A, Vellingiri B, George A, Valsala Gopalakrishnan A. Arsenic: an emerging role in adipose tissue dysfunction and muscle toxicity. Toxin Reviews. 2021 Oct 20:1-0.
Mukherjee, A.G., Wanjari, U.R., Chakraborty, R., Renu, K., Vellingiri, B., George, A., CR, S.R. and Gopalakrishnan, A.V., 2021. A review on modern and smart technologies for efficient waste disposal and management. Journal of Environmental Management, 297, p.113347.
Belkozhayev, A.M., Al-Yozbaki, M., George, A., Sharipov, K.O., Byrne, L.J. and Wilson, C.M., 2021. Extracellular vesicles, stem cells and the role of miRNAs in neurodegeneration. Current Neuropharmacology.
Renu, K., Chakraborty, R., Haritha, M., Rajeshwari, K., Famurewa, A.C., Madhyastha, H., Balachandar, V., George, A. and Abilash, V.G., 2021. Molecular mechanism of heavy metals (Lead, Chromium, Arsenic, Mercury, Nickel and Cadmium) induced hepatotoxicity–A review. Chemosphere, p.129735.
2020
Wilkin PJ, Al-Yozbaki M, George A, Gupta GK, Wilson CM. The undiscovered potential of essential oils for treating SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2020 Oct 15. (Q2, IF)
Al-Yozbaki M, Acha-Sagredo A, George A, Liloglou T, Wilson CM. Balancing neurotrophin pathway and sortilin function: Its role in human disease. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Reviews on Cancer. 2020 Sep 18:188429.
Woodman C, Vundu G, George A, Wilson CM. Applications, and strategies in nanodiagnosis and nanotherapy in lung cancer. Seminars in Cancer Biology 2020 Feb 20.
Krishna L, Sampson U, Annamala PT, Unni KM, Binukumar B, George A, Sreedharan R. Genomic Instability in Exfoliated Buccal Cells among Cement Warehouse Workers. The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2020 Jan;11(1):33.
2019
Raveendran SK, Ramachandran L, Joseph L, Asokan AK, Raj S, George A, James J. A novel SRY gene mutation c. 266 A> T (p. E89V) in a 46, XY complete gonadal dysgenesis patient. Andrologia. 2019 Oct;51(9): e13377.
George A, Venkatesan S, Ashok N, Saraswathy R, Hande MP. Assessment of genomic instability and proliferation index in cultured lymphocytes of patients with Down Syndrome, Congenital Anomalies and Aplastic Anaemia. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis. 2018 Jun 8.
2018
Vijayaraghavan D, Joseph C, George A. Clinical and Cytogenetic Analysis of a Baby with Vestigial Tail and Limb Defects. Journal of medical science and clinical jcmr. Volume 06 Issue 07 2018 July
2017
Vidya PV, George A, Chitra KC. An in vitro study on the induction of micronuclei and other nuclear anomalies in peripheral blood lymphocyte culture by metal oxide