CUSB Researcher Secures ₹64 Lakh ANRF Grant to Develop New Therapies for Genetic Diseases

Three-year project will explore how chemical modulators can alter DNA and RNA structures to combat cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, with potential patentable outcomes.

In a significant boost to scientific research in Bihar, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has awarded a research grant of ₹64 lakh to a faculty member of the Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) for a project aimed at developing therapeutic strategies against genetic diseases.

The grant has been awarded to Saptarshi Ghosh, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, who will lead a three-year research project titled “Structural Alteration of Nucleic Acids Using Chemical Modulators.” The study will be conducted in collaboration with researchers from the university’s biotechnology and life sciences departments.

According to Ghosh, the research seeks to address genetic disorders, including cancer and several neurodegenerative diseases, which are often linked to structural abnormalities in DNA and RNA. The project will investigate how chemical modulators such as small molecules and ligands can be used to regulate and correct disease-related changes in nucleic acid structures.

Explaining the scientific significance of the work, Ghosh said that modifying nucleic acid structures can help counter cancer by correcting abnormal epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation patterns, which play a key role in tumour development. Such interventions may also inhibit cancer cell proliferation, block the production of oncogenic proteins and enhance the immune system’s ability to identify and attack tumour cells.

“Many cancers depend on the excessive production of proteins that drive tumour growth. Chemical modulators can structurally modify or mimic functional nucleic acids to disrupt these processes,” he explained.

Beyond its potential therapeutic applications, the project is expected to contribute to the creation of an indigenous knowledge base in advanced molecular and biophysical research. The findings generated through the study are likely to be protected through patents, paving the way for future innovations and technology transfer.

University officials believe the grant will strengthen CUSB’s research ecosystem and enhance its visibility in the fields of nucleic acid biology and biophysical sciences. The project is also expected to contribute to India's growing efforts to advance homegrown biomedical research and innovation in disease therapeutics.