Our focus:

Molecular Genetics and Therapeutics Lab is focused on developing and translating novel therapies for clinical applications. Towards this, we aim to define, characterize and overcome existing barriers by:

(1) The study of the biology and host response to gene delivery strategies.

(2) The development of enabling molecular technologies.

(3) The validation and translation of specific diagnostic and therapeutic programs.

Research Interest:

The most important component of gene therapy in humans is the choice of an efficient and safe gene delivery system, otherwise known as vectors. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) based vectors have emerged as important tools for this purpose. However limitations, most notably, the immunological barriers related to the recipient and the virus coat protein preclude the universal application of this promising vector system.

Unraveling how host cells perceive the viral intrusion and their immediate and long-lived response to this infection process is thus crucial. Our laboratory's research interests traverse and investigate aspects of the virus-host life cycle, dissect the tug-of-war initiated between these players to establish primacy and dwell on how it is possible to alter this milieu in favor of the virus. The information thus gathered is then used to bioengineer the vectors and develop improved gene delivery strategies. Such a multi-pronged basic biology approach to develop efficient vectors and their subsequent validation in pre-clinical models augurs well for their translation to human gene therapy.

Interested in joining the lab?
Please read here

Research work :


Latest News:

2023

Very glad to announce that Mr. Mohan Kumar BS has been selected to receive a 2023 ASH Abstract Achievement Award (2023) for his abstract titled "Intraarticular Delivery of AAV5-Mir-125a-5p Regulates Key Molecular Mediators of Hemophilic Arthropathy" in the ASH ANNUAL MEETING & EXPOSITION. He has also been awarded a grant of USD 500 to present his work in this conference.

2023

Ms. Pratiksha Sarangi, a PhD student has been selected for a poster presentation for her work titled "AAV based lncRNA and factor 8 gene therapy is therapeutic in a murine model of hemophilic arthropathy" the ESGCT 30th Annual Congress, Brussels on 24-27, Oct 2023.

2023

DBT Wellcome Trust Team Science grant awarded to Prof Rao, Dr Misra and Dr Ratna Puri. For further details please visit

2023

Laurus Labs inks pact with IIT Kanpur for gene therapy assets

2023

Very glad to announce that Mr. Mohan Kumar BS has been selected as Prime Minister's Research Fellow (PMRF) (2023).

2023

IIT Kanpur licenses gene therapy for hereditary eye diseases to Reliance Life Sciences.

2022

Dr Ramkumar R selected as DST-SERB National Post Doctoral Fellow.

2022

Very glad to announce that Mr. Rishabh Chandna has been selected as Prime Minister's Research Fellow (PMRF) (2022).

2022

Ms. Pratiksha Sarangi, a PhD student has been selected to deliver a platform presentation in the "XXX Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis" to be held in London, England, U.K. from July 9 – 13, 2022.
She has also been awarded a grant of USD 2000 to present her work in this congress.
2020

Ms. Nusrat Khan won an Outstanding poster presentation Award titled “Suicide Gene Therapy with Exosome Associated AAV6 Vectors loaded with an Inducible Caspase 9 Gene is Therapeutic in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Models In Vivo, presented at the 23rd ASGCT Annual Meeting held in virtual mode on 12th -15th May, 2020.

2019

Mr. Shubham Maurya, a PhD student had been selected for a platform presentation for the “XXVII Congress of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis in 65th Annual Scientific and Standardization Committee (SSC) Meeting" held in Melbourne, Australia 6 – 10 July 2019.

He received an award of AUD 2700, Reach the world fellowship, XXVII Congress of the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis and 65th Annual Scientific and Standardization Committee (SSC) Meeting, 2019 Melbourne, Australia.