&ldquo;IIT Jodhpur is committed to impart quality education to facilitate the creation of qualified, competent and responsible human resources to meet the emerging technological challenges of the world. It is working towards creating an equitable learning platform that is positive, accessible and effective in the face of the modern societal and scientific advancements.

Flexibility in curriculum, in all its academic programs, encompassing elements of teaching, research, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship is the most unique feature of IIT Jodhpur. The Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the National Mission on Cyber Physical Systems, has identified IIT Jodhpur as a Technology &amp; Innovation Hub in the area of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. The institute has also been nominated as the coordinator for the Jodhpur City and Knowledge Cluster by the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India.

The sprawling 852-acre IIT Jodhpur campus is a majestic tribute to the deep-rooted diverse cultural heritage of the region. The campus is an architectural masterpiece, which is slated to become an international exemplar of sustainability with net-zero energy, and advanced water and waste management strategies.&rdquo;

IIT Jodhpur

This article delineates the design and synthesis of a novel, bio-functionalized, magneto-fluorescent multifunctional nanoparticles suitable for cancer-specific targeting, detection and imaging. Biocompatible, hydrophilic, magneto-fluorescent nanoparticles with surface-pendant amine, carboxyl and aldehyde groups were designed using o-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC). The free amine groups of OCMC stabilized magnetite nanoparticles on the surface allow for the covalent attachment of a fluorescent dye such as rhodamine isothiocyanate (RITC) with the aim to develop a magneto-fluorescent nanoprobe for optical imaging. In order to impart specific cancer cell targeting properties, folic acid and its aminated derivative was conjugated onto these magneto-fluorescent nanoparticles using different pendant groups (-NH 2, -COOH, -CHO). These newly synthesized iron-oxide folate nanoconjugates (FA-RITC-OCMC-SPIONs) showed excellent dispersibility, biocompatibility and good hydrodynamic sizes under physiological conditions which were extensively studied by a variety of complementary techniques. The cellular internalization efficacy of these folate-targeted and its non-targeted counterparts were studied using a folate-overexpressed (HeLa) and a normal (L929 fibroblast) cells by fluorescence microscopy and magnetically activated cell sorting (MACS). Cell-uptake behaviors of nanoparticles clearly demonstrate that cancer cells over-expressing the human folate receptor internalized a higher level of these nanoparticle-folate conjugates than normal cells. These folate targeted nanoparticles possess specific magnetic properties in the presence of an external magnetic field and the potential of these nanoconjugates as T 2-weighted negative contrast MR imaging agent were evaluated in folate-overexpressed HeLa and normal L929 fibroblast cells. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

World University root node

Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering

Nanoscale

Folate receptor targeted, carboxymethyl chitosan functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles: A novel ultradispersed nanoconjugates for bimodal imaging

In this article, we report the design and synthesis of a series of well-dispersed superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) using chitosan as a surface modifying agent to develop a potential T2 contrast probe for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The amine, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and thiol functionalities were introduced on chitosancoated magnetic probe via simple reactions with small reactive organic molecules to afford a series of biofunctionalized nanoparticles. Physico-chemical characterizations of these functionalized nanoparticles were performed by TEM, XRD, DLS, FTIR, and VSM. The colloidal stability of these functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles was investigated in presence of phosphate buffer saline, high salt concentrations and different cell media for 1 week. MRI analysis of human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines treated with nanoparticles elucidated that the amine-functionalized nanoparticles exhibited higher amount of signal darkening and lower T2 relaxation in comparison to the others. The cellular internalization efficacy of these functionalized SPIONs was also investigated with HeLa cancer cell line by magnetically activated cell sorting (MACS) and fluorescence microscopy and results established selectively higher internalization efficacy of amine-functionalized nanoparticles to cancer cells. These positive attributes demonstrated that these nanoconjugates can be used as a promising platform for further in vitro and in vivo biological evaluations. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.

Journal of Nanoparticle Research

Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro biological evaluation of highly stable diversely functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Present study reports synthesis and characterization of an enzymatically crosslinked injectable gel (iGel) suitable for cell based bone tissue engineering application. The gel comprises of carboxymethyl-chitosan (CMC)/gelatin/nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) susceptible to tyrosinase/p-cresol mediated in situ gelling at physiological temperature. Study revealed that a combination of tyrosinase (60U) and p-cresol (2 mM) as crosslinking agents yield rigid gels at physiological temperature when applied to CMC/gelatin within 35 min in presence or absence of nHAp. Rheological study in conjugation with FT-IR analysis showed that an increase in CMC concentration in the gel leads to higher degree of crosslinking and higher strength. Scanning electron microscopy showed that pore sizes of iGels increased with higher gelatin concentration. In vitro study of osteoblast cell proliferation and differentiation showed that, although all iGels are supportive towards the growth of primary osteoblast cells, GC1:1 supported cellular differentiation to the maximum. Application of iGels in mice revealed that stability of the in situ formed gels depends on the degree of crosslinking and CMC concentration. In conclusion, the iGels may be used in treating irregular small bone defects with minimal clinical invasion as well as for bone cell delivery. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Materials Science and Engineering C

Enzymatically crosslinked carboxymethyl-chitosan/gelatin/nano- hydroxyapatite injectable gels for in situ bone tissue engineering application

In our previous studies, Abrus agglutinin showed non-specific immunostimulatory activity both native (NA) and heat-denatured (HDA) condition in mouse model. The present study was investigated to decipher the specific immune response towards B and T cell by NA and HDA. It was observed that the proliferation index for NA and HDA of stimulated B cells are 1.35 and 1.41 respectively and on the other hand, T cell proliferation index for NA and HDA are 1.67 and 1.54 respectively. At the same time, expression of surface and activation marker for B and T cells was significantly different compared to control as quantified by flow cytometry. But the expression of co-stimulatory markers (CD 80 and CD 86) was not significantly different and NA and HDA in immunized splenocytes with Dalton's lymphoma antigen induced antibodies titer 4.37 and 4.2 times more than control. This study indicates Abrus agglutinin (NA and HDA) acts as a B cell and T cell stimulator. © 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Immunobiology

Stimulation of murine B and T lymphocytes by native and heat-denatured Abrus agglutinin

Implant associated infections are of increasing importance. To minimize the risks of implant-associated infections recent biomedical strategies have led to the modification of the medical device surfaces. The modifications are in the terms of increasing surface biocompatibility and decreasing bacterial adherence, which can be achieved by applying a coating of biocompatible polymer onto the said surfaces. Entrapping anti-infective agents in a polymer matrix provides an approach to kill bacteria and combat the possibility of any residual infection. We have prepared a biodegradable polyester urethane coat for implant materials, which have the property to accommodate antibiotics within itself. These polyurethane coating materials were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, swelling property in SBF, gravimetric analysis, drug release, and biocompatibility study. Drug release rates, bacterial colonization and morphological features were also evaluated to predict and understand the antimicrobial activity of these delivery systems. Drug release characteristics were investigated and the physico-chemical mechanisms of the delivery were discussed. Results suggest that the polyester urethane can be used as an implant coating material and can be used as a matrix for the sustained delivery of anti-infective agent. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine

Sustained release of antibiotic from polyurethane coated implant materials

Pleurotus ostreatus, also known as oyster mushroom, is studied for its immunomodulatory and anticancer properties. The present study aimed to find a bioactive proteoglycan from a fruiting body of P. ostreatus that could be used as a biological response modifier for immunomodulatory and anticancer effects with the fewest side effects. A water-soluble fraction of alcohol-precipitated fruiting body extract was purified through anion and cation exchange chromatography, followed by gel filtration (Sephadex G-100) chromatography. The purified proteoglycan fraction was represented by the polysaccharide-to-protein ratio of 3.46. The monosaccharide composition analysis of the proteoglycan showed the presence of galactose, mannose, and glucose in the ratio of 12:11:10. The fraction was examined for its immunomodulatory and anticancer effects in a mouse Sarcoma-180 model. The purified proteoglycan stimulated the growth of thymocytes and splenocytes and induced interleukin-4 and interferon gamma in vitro. It also activated macrophages to produce nitric oxide, super oxide anion, and hydrogen peroxide. The growth inhibition of Sarcoma-180 cells both in vivo and in vitro by this proteoglycan fraction was significant and arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. © 2007 by Begell House, Inc.

International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

Immunomodulatory and antitumor activities of water-soluble proteoglycan isolated from the fruiting bodies of culinary-medicinal oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.: Fr.) P. Kumm. (agaricomycetideae)