Dhiraj Bhatia
@iitgn.ac.in
Assistant Professor, Biological Engineering Discipline
Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar
EDUCATION
PhD, NCBS_TIFR
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Multidisciplinary, Biotechnology
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Payal Vaswani, Hema Naveena A, Krupa Kansara, Landon Dahle, Ashutosh Kumar, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Wiley
AbstractMetastatic breast cancer is a significant clinical challenge calling for novel and efficient therapeutic approaches. DNA tetrahedron, a highly programmable nanocage, offers some promising attributes including biocompatibility, stability, and functionalization making it an attractive candidate for drug delivery. In this study, we have explored the potential of DNA tetrahedron as a carrier of doxorubicin, a DNA and RNA synthesis‐inhibiting chemotherapy drug. We have encapsulated doxorubicin in DNA tetrahedron (TD : Dox) and subsequently focused on metastatic breast cancer cells for the effect of the same. We showed that TD : Dox has the potential to inhibit the migration of cancerous cells in the 2D model and inhibit the invasion of tumor cells in the 3D model as well. This system also can be uptaken in in vivo zebrafish model as well. Overall, this study promises the TD : Dox system as an ideal drug delivery model and a viable approach for metastatic breast cancer treatment.
Chaithra Mayya, A Hema Naveena, Pankhuri Sinha, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Dhruvi Patel, Payal Vaswani, Debes Ray, Dhiraj Bhatia, Vinod K. Aswal, Ketan Kuperkar, and Pratap Bahadur
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Nanoscale self-assembly in normal and reverse Tetronics® in the presence of various additives under physiological conditions.
Manita Das, Vijayalakshmi Pandey, Kuldeep Jajoria, Dhiraj Bhatia, Iti Gupta, and Himanshu Shekhar
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a promising alternative to photodynamic therapy for achieving site-specific cytotoxic therapy. Porphyrin derivative molecules have been reported extensively in photodynamic therapy. We have previously shown that the glycosylation of porphyrin-based sonosensitizers can enhance their cellular uptake. However, the sonodynamic potential of these water-soluble glycosylated porphyrins has not been investigated. In this study, we characterized the sonodynamic response of two water-soluble glycosylated porphyrin derivatives. Ultrasound (US) exposure was performed (1 MHz frequency, intensities of 0.05–1.1 W/cm2) for 0–3 min in continuous mode. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was quantified via ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometry. MTT assay was used to quantify cytotoxicity caused by sonodynamic effects from these derivatives in the human mammary carcinoma (SUM-159) cell line in vitro. ROS generation from the porphyrin derivatives was demonstrated at a concentration of 15 μM. No significant cytotoxic effects were observed with the sonosensitizer alone or US exposure alone over the tested range of intensities and duration. The free base porphyrin derivative caused 60–70% cell death, whereas the zinc-porphyrin derivative with Zn metal conjugation caused nearly 50% cytotoxicity when exposed at 0.6 W/cm2 intensity for 3 min. These studies demonstrate the potential of anticancer SDT with soluble glycosylated porphyrins.
Raviraj B. Barot, Nilesh D. Gawande, Satya Omprabha, Charli Kaushal, Subhojit Ghosh, Jhuma Saha, Dhiraj Bhatia, and Subramanian Sankaranarayanan
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Zenab Darban, Hemant Singh, Udisha Singh, Dhiraj Bhatia, Rama Gaur, Muzammil Kuddushi, Mukesh Dhanka, and Syed Shahabuddin
Elsevier BV
Sanjay Kosara, Ramesh Singh, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
The review covered DNA nanotechnology's current use in physical and biomedical fields, its challenges, and future prospects, emphasizing integration with biological systems and enhanced compatibility.
Subhojit Ghosh, Pankaj Yadav, Subramanian Sankaranarayanan, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Wiley
AbstractBiologically inspired nanomaterials and nanotechnology have advanced in almost all scientific and technological research areas, including biomedical applications and agriculture. Nanomaterials hold immense potential for applications in biomedical and agricultural applications. By harnessing the natural capabilities of plants as sources of reducing and capping agents, the synthesis of nanomaterials becomes cost‐effective eco‐friendly, and yields biocompatible products. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of various plant‐derived nanomaterials synthesized using different methods, highlighting their applications in biomedical and biological sciences, including bioimaging, biosensing, drug delivery, and therapeutics. Additionally, the impact of nanotechnology on precision agriculture is explored, showcasing recent advancements such as nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanobiosensors, and nanocarrier‐mediated delivery systems, which exhibit promising results. These recent developments underscore the transformative potential of nanotechnology in both biomedical and agriculture domains.
Rohit Gupta, Hema Naveena A, Madhu Vadali, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Elsevier BV
Hemant Singh, Aniruddha Dan, Mukesh Kumar Kumawat, Vaishali Pawar, Deepak S. Chauhan, Ajeet Kaushik, Dhiraj Bhatia, Rohit Srivastava, and Mukesh Dhanka
Elsevier BV
Jaydeepsinh Chavda, Anjali Rajwar, Dhiraj Bhatia, and Iti Gupta
Elsevier BV
Hema A. Naveena and Dhiraj Bhatia
Wiley
AbstractHypoxia, a decrease in cellular or tissue level oxygen content, is characteristic of most tumors and has been shown to drive cancer progression by altering multiple subcellular processes. We hypothesized that the cancer cells in a hypoxic environment might have slower proliferation rates and increased invasion and migration rates with altered endocytosis compared to the cancer cells in the periphery of the tumor mass that experience normoxic conditions. We induced cellular hypoxia by exposing cells to cobalt chloride, a chemical hypoxic mimicking agent. This study measured the effect of hypoxia on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Uptake of fluorescently labeled transferrin, galectin3, and dextran that undergo endocytosis through major endocytic pathways (Clathrin‐mediated pathway (CME), Clathrin‐independent pathway (CIE), Fluid phase endocytosis (FPE)) were analyzed during hypoxia. Also, the organelle changes associated with hypoxia were studied with organelle trackers. We found that the proliferation rate decreased, and the migration and invasion rate increased in cancer cells in hypoxic conditions compared to normoxic cancer cells. A short hypoxic exposure increased galectin3 uptake in hypoxic cancer cells, but a prolonged hypoxic exposure decreased clathrin‐independent endocytic uptake of galectin 3. Subcellular organelles, such as mitochondria, increased to withstand the hypoxic stress, while other organelles, such as Endoplasmic reticulum (ER), were significantly decreased. These data suggest that hypoxia modulates cellular endocytic pathways with reduced proliferation and enhanced cell migration and invasion.
Ketki Barve, Udisha Singh, Pankaj Yadav, Krupa Kansara, Payal Vaswani, Ashutosh Kumar, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Carbon-based fluorescent nanoparticles are an emerging class of nanoparticles for targeted bioimaging and biomedical applications.
Pravin Hivare, Kratika Mujmer, Gitanjali Swarup, Sharad Gupta, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Wiley
AbstractEndocytosis is the fundamental uptake process through which cells internalize extracellular materials and species. Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by a progressive accumulation of intrinsically disordered protein species, leading to neuronal death. Misfolding in many proteins leads to various NDs such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other disorders. Despite the significance of disordered protein species in neurodegeneration, their spread between cells and the cellular uptake of extracellular species is not entirely understood. This review discusses the major internalization mechanisms of the different conformer species of these proteins and their endocytic mechanisms. We briefly introduce the broad types of endocytic mechanisms found in cells and then summarize what is known about the endocytosis of monomeric, oligomeric and aggregated conformations of tau, Aβ, α‐Syn, Huntingtin, Prions, SOD1, TDP‐43 and other proteins associated with neurodegeneration. We also highlight the key players involved in internalizing these disordered proteins and the several techniques and approaches to identify their endocytic mechanisms. Finally, we discuss the obstacles involved in studying the endocytosis of these protein species and the need to develop better techniques to elucidate the uptake mechanisms of a particular disordered protein species.
Dawson Benner, Pankaj Yadav, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Steps involved in red CD use begin with the synthesis methods chosen. Surface modification is carried out either during synthesis or afterwards; following this process, the CDs can be used for many biological applications.
Arnab Chakraborty, Khushwant Singh, Payal Vaswani, Ankit Gangrade, Dhiraj Bhatia, and Neeladri Das
Wiley
Krupa Kansara, Ramesh Singh, Pankaj Yadav, Abdulkhalik Mansuri, Ashutosh Kumar, and Dhiraj Bhatia
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Dhiraj Bhatia, Prabal Kumar Maiti, Xiaogang Liu, and Arun Richard Chandrasekaran
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Dhiraj Bhatia, Prabal Kumar Maiti, Xiaogang Liu and Arun Richard Chandrasekaran introduce the Nanoscale, Nanoscale Advances and Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP) themed collection on DNA and RNA nanotechnology.
Simran Nasra, Tishira Shah, Mahek Bhatt, Ramesh Chaudhari, Dhiraj Bhatia, and Ashutosh Kumar
American Chemical Society (ACS)
The versatile nature of macrophages and their ability to switch between various activation states plays a pivotal role in both promoting and inhibiting inflammatory processes. In pathological inflammatory conditions, classically activated M1 macrophages are often associated with initiating and maintaining inflammation, while alternatively activated M2 macrophages are linked to the resolution of chronic inflammation. Achieving a favorable equilibrium between M1 and M2 macrophages is crucial for mitigating inflammatory environments in pathological conditions. Polyphenols are known to have strong inherent antioxidative capabilities, and curcumin has been found to reduce macrophage inflammatory reactions. However, its therapeutic efficacy is compromised due to its poor bioavailability. The present study aims to harness the properties of curcumin by loading it in nanoliposomes and enhancing the M1-to-M2 macrophage polarization. A stable liposome formulation was achieved at 122.1 ± 0.08 nm, and a sustained kinetic release of curcumin was observed within 24 h. The nanoliposomes were further characterized using TEM, FTIR, and XRD, and the morphological changes in macrophage cells, RAW264.7, were observed in SEM, indicating a distinct M2-type phenotype after the treatment with liposomal curcumin. ROS may partially control macrophage polarization and be observed to decrease after treatment with liposomal curcumin. The nanoliposomes were able to successfully internalize in the macrophage cells, and an enhanced expression of ARG-1 and CD206 with a decrease in iNOS, CD80, and CD86 levels suggested the polarization of LPS-activated macrophages toward the M2 phenotype. Also, liposomal curcumin treatment dose-dependently inhibited TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ, and IL-17A at secretory levels and simultaneously increased the levels of cytokines like IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10.
Vinod Morya, Ashish Kumar Shukla, Chinmay Ghoroi, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Wiley
Functional DNA hydrogels with various motifs and functional groups require perfect sequence design to avoid cross‐bonding interference with themselves or other structural sequences. This work reports an A‐motif functional DNA hydrogel that does not require any sequence design. A‐motif DNA is a noncanonical parallel DNA duplex structure containing homopolymeric deoxyadenosines (poly‐dA) strands that undergo conformation changes from single strands at neutral pH to a parallel duplex DNA helix at acidic pH. Despite this and other advantages over other DNA motifs like no cross‐bonding interference with other structural sequences, the A‐motif has not been explored much. We successfully synthesized a DNA hydrogel by using an A‐motif as a reversible handle to polymerize a DNA three‐way junction. The A‐motif hydrogel was initially characterized by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and dynamic light scattering, which showed the formation of higher‐order structures. Further, we used imaging techniques like atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscope to validating its hydrogel like highly branched morphology. pH‐induced conformation transformation from monomers to gel is quick and reversible, and was analysed for multiple acid‐base cycles. The sol‐to‐gel transitions and gelation properties were further examined in rheological studies. The use of the A‐motif hydrogel in the visual detection of pathogenic target nucleic acid sequence was demonstrated for the first time in a capillary assay. Moreover, pH‐induced hydrogel formation was observed in situ as a layer over the mammalian cells. The proposed A‐motif DNA scaffold has enormous potential in designing stimuli‐responsive nanostructures that can be used for many biological applications.
Ashish K. Shukla, Dhiraj Bhatia, and Krishna K. Dey
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Nidhi Gour, Vivekshinh Kshtriya, Sajmina Khatun, Sujoy Bandyopadhyay, Rajib Ghosh, Bharti Koshti, Ramesh Singh, Ashadul Haque, Dhiraj Bhatia, Khashti Ballabh Joshi,et al.
Wiley
We report for the very first time the photophysical properties, self-assembly and biological evaluation of an isothiazolanthrone based dye 7-Amino-6H-anthra[9,1-cd]isothiazol-6-one (AAT) which reveal anticancer properties and can be potentially used as dye for monitoring cell viability. The solvent dependent photophysical studies suggest emission of AAT is sensitive to environment polarity due to which interesting changes in the colored emission may be observed owing to the charge transfer (CT) processes. AAT also self-assembles to tree-like branched morphologies and produce, a greenish emission inside the cells when imaged after short interval (15 mins) of incubation while a red fluorescence could be noted after 24 h. Interestingly, AAT also produce differential emission inside mouse normal cells as compared to its cancer cell lines since it possess anticancer activity. The experimental observations were also validated theoretically via computational modeling.
Udisha Singh, Krupa Shah, Krupa Kansara, Ashutosh Kumar, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Wiley
Krupa Kansara, Abdulkhalik Mansuri, Anjali Rajwar, Payal Vaswani, Ramesh Singh, Ashutosh Kumar, and Dhiraj Bhatia
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Three-dimensional DNA nanocages have attracted significant attention for various biomedical applications including targeted bioimaging in vivo.
Pankaj Yadav, Krupa Shah, Krupa Kansara, Ashutosh Kumar, Rakesh Rawal, and Dhiraj Bhatia
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) require systemic biological delivery to advance their applications in drug delivery, biosensing, and bioimaging. We describe the endocytic pathways of green-emitting fluorescent carbon quantum dots (GCQDs) with sizes varying from 3 to 5 nm in mouse tissue-derived primary cells, tissues, and zebrafish embryos. The GCQDs demonstrated cellular internalization into mouse kidney and liver primary cells via a clathrin-mediated pathway. Using imaging, we were able to identify and reinforce the animal's body features in terms of different tissues exhibiting differential affinity for these CQDs, which will be extremely beneficial in the development of next-generation bioimaging and therapeutic scaffolds based on carbon-based quantum dots.