Chemical
Biology
including Bioinorganic Chemistry
Research Activities
The research activities in our laboratory involve organic/inorganic chemical synthesis, artificial enzymes including nanozymes, genetic code expansion and other multidisciplinary studies in the area of biomedical research. Our recent efforts are directed toward understanding the redox regulation by synthetic compounds in mammalian cells, thyroid hormone metabolism and thyroid related disorders, development of molecular probes for the detection and quantification of reactive oxygen species in the cells and oxidative stress biomarkers. We have a unique multidisciplinary team for an efficient collaboration within the laboratory and outside to undertake challenging contemporary research problems at the chemistry-biology interface.
Recent Publications
An Unusual Activity of Conformationally Restricted Naphthalene peri-Dichalcogenides in the Reduction of Nitro and Azide Groups.
21 August 2025
Naphthalene-1,8-peridichalcogenides mediate a six-electron reduction of organic nitro compounds to produce the corresponding primary amines at physiologically relevant temperature (37 °C) using water as the solvent. They also mediate the reduction of azides to amines.
Chem. Eur. J. 2025, 32, e202502017
Tuning Probe Permeability via Chalcogen and Halogen Atom Substitution for Monitoring Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Mammalian Cells.
19 August 2025
This paper describes a series of fluorescent probes capable of effectively monitoring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in mammalian cells with high sensitivity and selectivity.
Chem. Sci. 2025, Advance Article.
Small molecule selenium-based Glutathione Peroxidase 4 mimetic inhibits lipid peroxidation and protects cultured neurons from ferroptosis.
24 June 2025
The development of GPX4 functional mimetics represents a promising strategy to prevent ferroptosis and its associated pathologies. In this paper, the translational potential of GPX4 functional mimetic for targeting ferroptosis-driven neurodegenerative disorders is discussed.
Free Radic. Biol. Med. 2025, 238, 275-292.
Chalcogen Bonding Boosts the Uptake of Small Molecules in Mammalian Cells.
17 June 2025
Chalcogen bonding (ChB) and its directionality can be used as a driving force to improve the cellular uptake of small molecules. The uptake of selenium and tellurium compounds was found to be remarkably higher than that of their oxygen and sulfur analogues.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202511786.
Vanadia Nanozymes Inhibit Platelet Aggregation, Modulate Signaling Pathways and Prevent Pulmonary Embolism in Mice
11 May 2025
Vanadia nanozymes with specific and morphology-dependent GPx activity effectively inhibit the aggregation of human platelets and prevent pulmonary thromboembolism in mice.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202503737.
Effect of Halogen Substitution on the Regioselective Deiodination of Thyroid Hormone Analogues by Deiodinase Mimics
3 February 2025
The deiodination of thyroid hormones with peri-substituted naphthalene diselenol reveal that the regioselectivity towards iodine is not altered upon introduction of more electronegative halogens (F, Cl and Br), reinforcing the concept of halogen bonding in the deiodination reactions.
Chem. Eur. J. 2025, 31, e202404455.
Emerging Role of Noncovalent Interactions and Disulfide Bond Formation in the Cellular Uptake of Small Molecules and Proteins.
20 January 2025
The recent advances and the mechanistic aspects of intracellular delivery and role of non-covalent interactions during the cellular uptake of proteins and small molecules are described.
Chem. Asian J. 2025, 20, e202401734.
A Highly Selective Fluorescent Probe for Monitoring the Thyroid Hormone Transporter Activity in Mammalian Cells
12 July 2024
A highly selective fluorescent probe has been developed for monitoring thyroid hormone transporter activity in mammalian cells. The probe selectivity recognizes the monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) in various cell lines.
Chem. Eur. J. 2024, 30, e202401719
A Redox Modulatory SOD Mimetic Nanozyme Prevents the Formation of Cytotoxic Peroxynitrite and Improves Nitric Oxide Bioavailability in Human Endothelial Cells.
28 July 2023
The SOD mimetic CeVO4 nanozymes effectively regulate the bioavailability of both NO and superoxide, the two key constitutive molecules of vascular endothelium, even in the absence of the cellular SOD enzyme.
Adv. Healthcare Mater. 2023, 12, 202300621.
Antioxidant and Prooxidant Nanozymes: From Cellular Redox Regulation to Next-Generation Therapeutics.
21 April 2023
The advances in the development of redox-active nanozymes and their biomedical applications are described. We highlight the therapeutic significance of the antioxidant and prooxidant nanozymes in various diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular diseases.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202301232.
A Simple Substitution on Thyroid Hormones Remarkably Alters the Regioselectivity of Deiodination by a Deiodinase Mimic.
15 November 2022
The modulation of the electronic properties of the iodine atoms in thyroxine (T4) through the phenolic group has a remarkable influence on the regioselectivity of the deiodination.