Non-viral TGM1 delivery validated in a TGM1-deficient 3D human skin model

Severe autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis carries a heavy psychosocial burden for patients and families, and secukinumab reduced its inflammation but improved scaling only mildly. His group contributed to IndiGenomes, a resource of genetic variants from over 1,000 Indian genomes, and uses whole exome sequencing to diagnose rare genodermatoses. An ICMR grant funded a topical transglutaminase-1 nanocomplex for enzyme replacement, and a DBT grant starting in December 2026 will test non-viral delivery in a TGM1-deficient 3D human skin model.

• Ichthyosis and genodermatoses

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• CSIR-IGIB · ₹4.5 lakhSkin cell homeostasisPrincipal investigator · 2015 to 2017, completed
• Adiuvo Diagnostics · ₹3.5 lakhPortable fluorescence dermascope to identify the pathogens of skin infectionPrincipal investigator · 2019, completed
• ICMR · ₹67.8 lakhTopical transglutaminase-1 nanocomplex for enzyme replacement in autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosisPrincipal investigator, with CSIR-IGIB · 2019 to 2021, completed
• IADVL · ₹5 lakhMelanocyte and fibroblast cross-talk in keloidsPrincipal investigator · Since 2021, ongoing
• DBT · ₹85.5 lakhFully automated device that sprays a sterile bioscaffold carrying the patient’s own cellsPrincipal investigator, with CSIR-IGIB and BITS Pilani · Since 2023, ongoing
• ANRF · ₹3 croreSwitchable bispecific BCMA/CD19 CAR-T cell therapy for refractory systemic lupus erythematosusPrincipal investigator, with IIT Kanpur · Since December 2025, ongoing
• ANRF · ₹77 lakhImmune-competent 3D human skin model of vitiligoJoint principal investigator with Dr Rohit Kothari, with CSIR-IGIB · Since December 2025, ongoing
• ICMR · ₹85 lakhSkin-on-Chip for screening cosmetic endocrine disruptors relevant to PCOSJoint principal investigator with Dr Roopesh Rai · Since September 2026, ongoing