Translational Pharmacology & Biomedical Research Laboratory
Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
Advancing Pharmacological Science from Mechanisms to Meaningful Therapeutic Solutions
The Translational Pharmacology & Biomedical Research Laboratory led by Prof. Lekha Saha is a multidisciplinary research group within the Department of Pharmacology at PGIMER, Chandigarh. The laboratory is committed to understanding the biological mechanisms underlying clinically important diseases and translating these discoveries into safer, more effective and scientifically rational therapeutic strategies.
Our research brings together experimental pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, neuropharmacology, molecular biology, microbiome science, metabolomics, pharmacokinetics, drug safety and drug-development approaches.
The laboratory operates at the interface of basic science and clinical medicine, with a strong emphasis on research questions that originate from unmet clinical needs.
Major Research Areas
1. Neuropharmacology & Epilepsy Research
A major focus of our laboratory is the pharmacological investigation of neurological disorders, particularly epilepsy and developmental epileptic encephalopathies.
Our work aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in neuronal hyperexcitability, excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and neuronal injury.
Particular emphasis is placed on Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome (IESS), an early-life epileptic disorder associated with significant developmental and neurological consequences.
Our research explores:
- Mechanisms underlying infantile spasms
- NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity
- Neuroprotective mechanisms
- Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress
- Novel pharmacological interventions
- Drug repurposing strategies
- Experimental models of epilepsy
- EEG and behavioral assessment
- Molecular mechanisms of therapeutic response
The ultimate objective is to identify mechanism-based therapeutic strategies that may improve seizure control while minimizing neurological consequences.
2. Gut Microbiome–Brain Axis
The laboratory is increasingly involved in investigating the complex interaction between the gut microbiome, microbial metabolites and the central nervous system.
The gut microbiota is now recognized as an important regulator of immune function, metabolism, neurotransmission and brain development. Alterations in microbial composition and microbial-derived metabolites may influence neurological diseases, seizure susceptibility and therapeutic response.
Our research therefore integrates:
Gut Microbiome + Microbial Metabolites + Host Inflammation + Neurological Function
Research approaches include:
- Characterization of gut microbial composition
- Microbiome profiling
- Identification of microbial dysbiosis
- Analysis of microbial metabolites
- Investigation of inflammatory mediators
- Microbiota–drug interactions
- Evaluation of microbiome changes following therapy
- Correlation of microbial signatures with clinical outcomes
This area represents an important component of our efforts toward precision medicine and biomarker-driven therapeutic strategies.
3. Metabolomics & Molecular Biomarkers
Understanding disease-associated metabolic alterations can provide important insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic response.
Our laboratory is interested in identifying biochemical and molecular signatures associated with disease progression, treatment response and therapeutic outcomes.
Advanced analytical approaches, including LC-MS/MS-based metabolite analysis, can be incorporated with clinical and microbiome data to develop integrated biological profiles.
Our research interests include:
- Targeted metabolomics
- Microbial metabolite analysis
- Pharmacometabolomics
- Biomarker discovery
- Treatment-response biomarkers
- Integration of metabolomic and microbiome data
- Translational validation of candidate biomarkers
The long-term goal is to identify biomarkers that can potentially assist in early diagnosis, disease stratification, prediction of therapeutic response and personalized treatment.
4. Reproductive Pharmacology & PMOS Research
Another important research theme of our laboratory is reproductive pharmacology, with particular interest in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS is a complex metabolic and reproductive disorder involving hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, inflammation and altered metabolic pathways.
Areas of interest include:
- Gut microbiome alterations in PCOS
- Microbial metabolites
- Metabolic dysfunction
- Inflammatory pathways
- Molecular mechanisms of PCOS
- Biomarker identification
- Therapeutic targets
- Microbiome–host interactions
This integrated approach may provide new opportunities for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for PCOS.
5. Drug Discovery & Drug Repurposing
Our laboratory is interested in identifying new therapeutic opportunities through both drug discovery and drug repurposing.
Drug repurposing provides an attractive strategy for identifying new applications for medicines that already have established pharmacological and safety profiles.
Our research involves evaluating candidate therapeutic agents through:
- Preclinical disease models
- Dose-response studies
- Behavioral assessment
- EEG analysis
- Biochemical investigations
- Histopathological assessment
- Molecular studies
- Pharmacodynamic evaluation
- Combination therapy approaches
A particular emphasis is placed on understanding the mechanism of action of promising therapeutic candidates rather than relying solely on phenotypic efficacy.
6. Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacokinetics
The laboratory also has a strong interest in clinical pharmacology, particularly the application of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles to optimize drug therapy.
Our research interests include:
- Pharmacokinetic studies
- Therapeutic drug monitoring
- LC-MS/MS-based drug quantification
- Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic relationships
- Individualized dosing
- Drug–drug interactions
- Drug safety
- Pharmacovigilance
- Rational therapeutics
The objective is to generate evidence that can help clinicians select the right drug, at the right dose, for the right patient.
Translational & Experimental Pharmacology
A central strength of the laboratory is the integration of experimental pharmacology with clinically relevant research questions.
Experimental studies are designed to investigate:
- Disease mechanisms
- Drug efficacy
- Dose-response relationships
- Pharmacological targets
- Molecular pathways
- Neurobehavioral outcomes
- Biochemical alterations
- Histopathological changes
- Therapeutic mechanisms
Where appropriate, multiple complementary endpoints are incorporated to provide a comprehensive assessment of therapeutic effects.
Laboratory Strengths
Multidisciplinary Expertise
Our research brings together expertise from pharmacology, clinical medicine, neuroscience, molecular biology, microbiology, metabolomics and drug-development sciences.
Translational Orientation
Research projects are selected and designed with potential clinical relevance in mind, facilitating translation from experimental observations toward therapeutic applications.
Mechanism-Based Research
We emphasize understanding the biological mechanisms responsible for therapeutic effects rather than limiting research to observational findings.
Advanced Analytical Approaches
The laboratory incorporates contemporary methodologies such as:
- Molecular biology
- qRT-PCR
- Western blotting
- Immunohistochemistry
- ELISA-based assays
- EEG analysis
- LC-MS/MS
- Microbiome analysis
- Metabolomics
- Pharmacokinetic analysis
Collaborative Science
We strongly believe that complex biomedical questions require collaboration across disciplines. The laboratory therefore encourages collaborations with clinical departments, basic science laboratories, pharmaceutical scientists, bioinformaticians and other research groups.
Research Training & Mentorship
We provide an environment where young researchers can develop skills in:
- Scientific literature review
- Research question formulation
- Experimental design
- Animal experimentation and ethical research
- Molecular biology techniques
- Pharmacological evaluation
- Data analysis
- Scientific writing
- Manuscript preparation
- Research presentations
- Grant and project development
Students and researchers are encouraged to develop critical thinking, scientific independence and research integrity.
Collaboration & Interdisciplinary Research
Modern biomedical research increasingly depends on collaboration.
Our laboratory seeks collaborations in areas including:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric neurology
- Epilepsy
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive medicine
- Microbiology
- Molecular biology
- Bioinformatics
- Metabolomics
- Pharmaceutics
- Drug delivery
- Clinical pharmacology
- Pharmacokinetic
Collaborative research enables us to combine complementary expertise and develop larger, clinically meaningful research programs.
Looking Ahead
The future direction of our laboratory is toward integrated, data-driven and precision pharmacology.
By combining clinical phenotyping with molecular biology, microbiome science, metabolomics, pharmacokinetics and advanced analytical technologies, we aim to develop a deeper understanding of disease heterogeneity and therapeutic response.
Our long-term vision is to establish a research ecosystem in which clinical observations generate innovative research questions, laboratory investigations provide mechanistic answers, and scientific discoveries ultimately contribute to improved patient care.
Join Our Research Journey
Science advances through curiosity, collaboration and persistence.
The laboratory welcomes opportunities for meaningful academic and scientific collaboration with clinicians, researchers, students and institutions working in complementary areas of biomedical science.
Translational Pharmacology & Biomedical Research Laboratory
Department of Pharmacology
PGIMER, Chandigarh, India