Biomaterial Research
Introduction
Biomaterial Research Laboratory (BRL) is a multidisciplinary research facility advancing innovation in next-generation biomaterials, regenerative therapeutics, and precision medicine. The laboratory is dedicated to addressing critical unmet clinical needs in diabetes and gastrointestinal diseases through the rational design and preclinical development of advanced medical devices, combination products, and biologics, grounded in a mechanistic understanding of their clinical mode of action.
Core research programs encompass the development of biomimetic protein-based
encapsulation devices for islet cell transplantation in diabetes, tissue-engineered and ECM- derived biomaterial platforms for translational esophageal regeneration, and patient-derived 3D spheroids and organoid systems for high-fidelity disease modeling, therapeutic screening, and drug sensitivity profiling. In parallel, the laboratory leverages advanced preclinical models of chronic pancreatitis, CCl₄-induced liver cirrhosis, and cerulein-induced pancreatitis to evaluate and optimize exosome- and organoid-based therapeutic strategies. All research pipelines adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, ensuring
reproducibility, robustness, and seamless preclinical-to-clinical translation, thereby accelerating the development of transformative, mechanism-driven therapies.
Biomaterial Research Lab
Dr. P. Pavan Kumar
Scientist, Biomaterial Research Lab, Asian Healthcare Foundation, AIG, Hyderabad
Email: pavan.islets@gmail.com
Scientist In-Charge, Animal House Facility, Asian Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
Biography
Educated (M.Sc. in Microbiology and Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences), and trained in islet biology, stem cell research, and biomaterial-based translational therapeutics. Post-Ph.D., contributed to establishing state-of-the-art tissue culture and GMP facilities and was instrumental in India’s first successful human islet cell transplantation. Research focuses on biomimetic protein-based encapsulation devices for islet transplantation, ECM-derived biomaterials for esophageal regeneration. Successfully completed one SERB-funded project as Principal Investigator and currently Co-Investigator on two ongoing projects (Institute of Eminence Grant and SRG-SERB) in collaboration with AHF and HCU. Contributed to ~20 peer-reviewed national and international publications.,
Areas of Expertise
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Islet biology
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Biomaterials
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Regenerative Therapeutics
Research
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Biomimetic biomaterials
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Organoid platforms
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Exosome-based therapeutics for advanced islet transplantation and precision regenerative medicine
Research
Overview
Research Focus Areas
1. Biomimetic Encapsulation Platforms for Islet Transplantation
2. ECM‑Based Biomaterials for Esophageal Regeneration
3. Extra mural Projects
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Biomimetic Natural Proteinaceous Device for Islet Transplantation (SERB): Next gen encapsulation device to enhance islet survival and function in diabetes.
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Probiotic Role of Lactobacillus johnsonii in Gut Epithelial Integrity (IoE Grant): Host-microbe mechanisms of barrier protection. Collab: HCU & AHF.
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Probiotic Effects of Breast Milk–Derived Lactobacillus on Gut Function (SRG-SERB): Functional profiling of probiotic strains for GI health. Collab: HCU & AHF.
4. Intramural Projects
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Biomimetic ECM Based Autologous Islet Organoids (AIOs): Autologous organoid platforms to overcome islet insufficiency and improve transplant outcomes.
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Multi MSC Exosomal Cargo for Islet Restoration in CP Diabetes: Immunomodulatory and pro regenerative exosomes for islet rescue in chronic pancreatitis–associated diabetes.
Principal Investigator
Dr.P.Pavan kumar
Scientist Incharge
Team Members
Prema Vani CH
Rajyalakshmi N
Nikhil M
- Understanding the structural arrangement of islets in chronic pancreatitis. Kumar P. P., Rao G. V., Shetty M., Rebala P., Challapalli P., Sasikala M., Reddy D. N. Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry. 2024; 72(1):25–40. Epub 2023 Dec 8. PMID: 38063163; PMCID: PMC10795563. doi:10.1369/00221554231217552
- Modulation of nuclear receptor 4A1 expression improves insulin secretion in a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis. Galande S., Verma A., Mall R., Parsa K. V. L., Tokala R. K., Bynigeri R., Pondugala P. K., Vemula K., Latha S. S., Sowpati D. T., Singh S. S., Rao G. V., Talukdar R., Kanneganti T. D., Reddy D. N., Sasikala M. Pancreas. 2024. doi:10.1097/MPA.0000000000002370
- Green tea extract reverses islet dysfunctions in experimental chronic pancreatitis—potential therapeutic implications for pancreatogenic diabetes. Sheethal G., Tokala R., Krishna V. V., Pondugala P. P., Reddy D. N., Sasikala M. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2019; (Suppl 3):72–583.
- Distal pancreatectomy with autologous islet transplantation in chronic pancreatitis patients: first case series from India. Rao G. V., Rebala P., Sasikala M., Kumar P. P., Krishna V. V., Shetty M., Talukdar R., Tandan M., Jagadeesh R., Reddy D. N. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2018; 37(5):452–456. doi:10.1007/s12664-018-0881-6
- Bach2 repression mediates Th17 cell–induced inflammation and associates with clinical features of advanced disease in chronic pancreatitis. Sasikala M., Ravi Kanth V. V., Manohar K., Deshpande N., Singh S., Kumar P. P., Talukdar R., Ghosh S., Aslam M., Rao G. V., Rebala P., Reddy D. N. United European Gastroenterology Journal. 2018; 6(2):272–282. doi:10.1177/2050640617716596
- T-helper cell–mediated islet inflammation contributes to β-cell dysfunction in chronic pancreatitis. Talukdar R., Sasikala M., Kumar P. P., Rao G. V., Rebala P., Reddy D. N. Pancreas. 2016; 45(3):434–442. doi:10.1097/MPA.0000000000000479
- Dysregulated miRNA associated with transcription factors of insulin gene expression in chronic pancreatitis. Manohar K., Sasikala M., Kumar P. P., Rao G. V., Reddy D. N. Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases. 2016; 6:205–227.
- Characterization of islets from chronic calcific pancreatitis patients of tropical region with distinct phenotype. Kumar P. P., Sasikala M., Mamatha K., Rao G. V., Rebala P., Talukdar R., Reddy D. N. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology. 2016; 7:1–10.
- Differentiation of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells into insulin-like cell clusters in chronic pancreatitis. Kumar P. P., Radhika G., Rao G. V., Reddy D. N., Sasikala M. Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases. 2015; 5:177–183.
- Interferon γ decreases nuclear localization of Pdx-1 and triggers β-cell dysfunction in chronic pancreatitis. Kumar P. P., Sasikala M., Rao G. V., Rebala P., Reddy D. N. Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research. 2015; 35:523–529. doi:10.1089/jir.2014.0082
- Long-term functions of encapsulated islets grafted in nonhuman primates without immunosuppression. Sasikala M., Rao G. V., Vijayalakshmi V., Rebala P., Pothani S., Kumar P. P., Gaddipati R., Sirisha G., Cheemalakonda R., Chivukula S., Vasudevan S., Reddy D. N. Transplantation. 2013; 96(7):624–632. doi:10.1097/TP.0b013e31829e26cf
- Interferon γ and glycemic status in diabetes associated with chronic pancreatitis. Rao G. V., Kumar P. P., Reddy D. N. Pancreatology. 2012; 12:65–70. doi:10.1016/j.pan.2011.12.005
- β-cell dysfunction in chronic pancreatitis. Sasikala M., Talukdar R., Kumar P. P. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 2012; 57:1764–1772. doi:10.1007/s10620-012-2086-7
- Reduced expression of Pdx-1 is associated with decreased β-cell function in chronic pancreatitis. Sasikala M., Kumar P. P., Rao G. V., Rebala P., Thiyyari J., Chivukula S., Boddupalli S., Reddy D. N. Pancreas. 2010; 39(6):856–862. doi:10.1097/MPA.0b013e3181d6bc69
- Eco-biofabrication of silver nanoparticles from Azadirachta indica, Gymnema sylvestre, and Moringa oleifera for lung cancer treatment. Muthu T., Adusumalli R., Vemuri S. K., Indira Devi M., Kumar P. P., Banala R. R., Reddy A. V. G. Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute. 2025; 37(1):1. doi:10.1186/s43046-024-00252-0
- Inorganic nanorods direct neuronal differentiation of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells. Vemuri S. K., Banala R. R., Nethi S. K., Devraj V. M., Kumar P. P., Lalittha T. C., Devi M. I., Gurava R. A. V., Subbaiah G. P. V. Biomedical Materials. 2023; 18(4). PMID: 37185149. doi:10.1088/1748-605X/acd097
- Safety assessment of autologous stem cell combination therapy in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis: a pilot study. Sharma M., Kumar P. P., Jaggaiahgari S., Sasikala M., et al. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology. 2021. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2021.03.010
- Long-term outcome of autologous hematopoietic stem cell infusion in cirrhosis: waning effect over time. Sharma M., Kulkarni A., Sasikala M., Kumar P., Jaggaiahgari S., Pondugala K. P., et al. Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology. 2020; 8:385–390. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2020.00052
- Molecular mechanisms for the modulation of selected inflammatory markers by dietary rice bran oil in rats fed partially hydrogenated vegetable fat. Rao Y. P. C., Kumar P. P., Lokesh B. R. Lipids. 2016; 51(4):451–467. doi:10.1007/s11745-016-4132-2
- Identification of circulating CD90⁺ CD73⁺ cells in cirrhosis of liver. Sasikala M., Surya P., Radhika G., Kumar P. P., Mukherjee R. M., Rao P. N., Reddy D. N. World Journal of Stem Cells. 2011; 3(7):63–69. doi:10.4252/wjsc.v3.i7.63
Oral Presentations
Placental mesenchymal stromal cell-derived secretome confers a better hepatoprotective effect in liver injury models
Pavan Kumar P, Sasikala M, Shashidhar J, Krishna V.V., Prema Vani C, Rao G.V., Reddy D.N.
International Seminar on Recent Advances in Translational Medicine (ISRATM), Thanjavur, India, 2021Suitability of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells from CLD patients expanded in human platelet lysate for clinical applications
Shashidhar J, Pavan Kumar P, Sasikala M, Papa Rao B, Shruti B, Krishna V.V., Prema Vani C, Rao G.V., Reddy D.N.
ISRATM, Thanjavur, India, 2021Reduced expression of Pdx-1 is associated with decreased β-cell function in chronic pancreatitis
Pavan Kumar P, Sasikala M
51st Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISGCON), Hyderabad, India, 2010
Poster Presentations
Modulating hydrophilic cellulose acetate and polyethersulfone to hydrophobic: effective immunoisolation device for allogeneic islet cell transplantation
Kasinathan G.N., Pavan Kumar P, Sasikala M, Ruhela A, Sharma C.S., Rath S.N.
2020Long-term data on effect of mobilized peripheral blood autologous CD34⁺ cell infusion in patients with non-viral decompensated cirrhosis
Sharma M, Sasikala M, Rao P.N., Pavan Kumar P, Jaggaiahgari S, Gupta R, Kulkarni A, Jagtap N, Singh J.R., Reddy D.N.
ACG Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 2019Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) applications in translational islet research
Pavan Kumar P
NGS-2017 Conference, Hyderabad, India, 2017Gastrointestinal immunology and inflammation: translational insights
Pavan Kumar P
International Seminar on GI Immunology and Inflammation, AIIMS NCR, New Delhi, India, 2017Translational immunology in inflammatory bowel disease
Pavan Kumar P, Sasikala M
International IBD Seminar, Hyderabad, India, 2016Pancreatic stellate cell-mediated β-cell dysfunction in chronic pancreatitis
Talukdar R, Pavan Kumar P
International Association of Pancreatology Meeting, Seoul, Korea, 2013Immunoisolatory device protects islet allograft function in non-human primates without immunosuppression
Talukdar R, Pavan Kumar P
International Symposium on Neuroendocrine Tumors and Pancreatic Diseases, Hagerstown, USA, 2012Cytokine-mediated regulation of Pdx-1 and islet function in chronic pancreatitis
Pavan Kumar P
33rd All India Cell Biology Conference & International Workshop, University of Hyderabad, India, 2009
Early Career Presentations & Training
Studies on biochemical composition of major carp Catla catla (Ham) infected by Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Pavan Kumar P
International Symposium on Fresh Water Aquaculture, India, Sep 12–30, 2003Screening of antibacterial activity of Ocimum basilicum oil against superficial mycoses
Pavan Kumar P
UGC National Seminar on Superficial Mycoses: Causes, Prevention and Cure with Plant Medicines, Kandaswami Kandar’s College, Vellore, India, 2003Forests and their relationship with the environment
Pavan Kumar P
Intercollegiate Student Seminar, Thyagarajar College, Madurai, India, 2003Training on self-employment oriented medicinal plant applications
Pavan Kumar P
Training Program on Medicinal Plants, AVVM Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi, India, 2003Recent advances in biotechnology
Pavan Kumar P
International Seminar on Recent Advances in Biotechnology, PRC College, Thanjavur, India, 2003Fermentation technology in alcohol industry
Pavan Kumar P
Workshop on Fermentation Technology in Alcohol Industry, Tiruchirappalli, India, 2003
Best Poster Award – “Translational Research in Gastroenterology: Lab to Clinic”
Awarded by: Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISGCON Annual Conference)
Location: AIG, Hyderabad, IndiaBoard of Studies (BOS) Member
Mahatma Gandhi University
