A. Research on isolation, expansion and characterization of:

1. Corneal Limbal Stem Cells

Aimed at finding cell therapy solutions for corneal surface diseases such as Persistent Corneal Ulcer, Stevens-Johnson syndrome etc.,

Collaborator: Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India

2. Hepatic Progenitor Cells

Aimed at finding cell therapy solutions for Acute Liver Failure

Collaborator: Centre for Liver Research, Owaisi Hospital, Hyderabad, India

3. Corneal Endothelial Precursors

Aimed at finding cell therapy solutions for diseases of the Corneal Endothelium such as Bullous Keratopathy

Collaborators:
• Institute of Ophthalmology, Joseph Eye Hospital, Trichy, India
• Light Eye Hospital, Dharmapuri, India
• Darshan Eye Clinic, Chennai, India

4. Retinal Stem Cells / Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Cells

Aimed at finding cell therapy solutions for diseases of the Retina such as Age Related Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa etc.,

Collaborator: Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital, Mumbai, India

5. Chondrocytes

Aimed at finding cell therapy solutions for Articular Cartilage Defects and Sports Injuries of the Cartilage

Collaborator: Dept. of Sports Medicine, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India

Funded by: Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India

6. Skin cells

Aimed at finding cell therapy based solutions using synthetic scaffolds for burns.

Collaborator: Institute of Pathology, Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Complex, New Delhi, India

7. Buccal Mucosal Epithelial Cells

Aimed at treating Bilateral Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD)

Collaborator: Dr.S.K.Rao, Rajan Eye Care, Chennai, India

8. Cord Blood Stem Cells

Aimed at treating Leukemia patients who need hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)

Collaborator: Jeevan Public Stem cell bank, Chennai, India

9. Dental Stem Cells

Aimed at treating organ dysfunctions and maxillofacial problems

Collaborators:
• Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India
• Saveetha University, Chennai, India

10. Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cells

Aimed for Tissue Engineering applications in Urology particularly stricture of the urethra in males

Collaborator: Narayana Medical College & Hospital, Nellore, India

B. Physico-chemical Interactions to yield novel solutions in Biology:

• Aimed at utilizing physical and chemical forces to develop cryogenic tools for optimal cryopreservation of cells and tissues

• Developing a customized clinostat for research on influence of microgravity on the proliferation and functional characteristics of cells and stem cells

Collaborator: Loyola-ICAM College of Engineering and Technology (LICET), Chennai, India