About:

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi sponsored Advanced State Biotech Hub at MZU is a Unique facility in Mizoram with an objective “A stride towards Population Well-being and Personalized Healthcare”. The Biotech Hub is housed in the Department of Biotechnology, MZU and has been catering to the training needs / Infrastructural support / extension activities at various levels (Schools / Colleges / Universities / Institutions) and to attract students to build their career in Biology/ Biotechnology in Mizoram as well as in the Country as a whole.

Our primary research focus is on mitigation of diseases and to understand the Epidemiology (Ethnicity, Life style & Food habits) and Genetic pre-disposition of the Mizo population in relation to Addiction, Cancers, Diabetes and Autism.

The DBT sponsored Biotech Hub project has created good infrastructure for Bioinformatics / Molecular Biology research. We closely work with the Clinicians / Doctors / Surgeons from Civil Hospital Aizawl, Mizoram State Cancer Institute, Zoram Medical College and the private hospitals. We aim to develop Genomic markers for early diagnostics, treatment design and good prognostic markers for various diseases.

Objectives: 

1. To determine the interaction between the genes and the environment in the context of addiction to harmful use of substances.
2. To explore the role of oral/gut microbiome in the addiction behavior
3. To detect the genetic variants associated with the addiction behavior
4. To conduct Hands-on training courses/ workshops
5. To conduct Outreach Programs/ Popular Lecture series

Name of Principal Investigator: 

• Prof. N. Senthil Kumar, Dept. of Biotechnology, MZU                                               

Name of Co-Investigator : 

• Dr. H. Lalhruaitluanga, Dept. of Biotechnology, MZU
• Prof. John Zothanzama, Dept. of Biotechnology, MZU
• Prof. G. Gurusubramanian, Dept. of Zoology, MZU
• Prof. R. Muthukumaran, Dept. of Chemistry, MZU

Scientific and Technical Progress:

 The research activities in Human Disease Genomics and Metagenomics in the Addiction patients from Mizoram are the prime focus of the Advanced Level State Biotech Hub. We have been working towards addiction to substances (DAST, ASSIST, AUDIT, FTND, ACE), food habits (high consumption of smoked or fermented foods) and certain lifestyle habits which could be the root cause of life-threatening diseases, such as Cancers, Diabetes etc.. The unique lifestyle and food habits of the Mizo population along with novel gene variants (mitochondrial and nuclear) are being studied. Therefore, to discern the genetic basis of addiction, we have sampled 135 patients (male and female) blood for whole exome sequencing as well as saliva for Metagenomic study.  Next generation Sequencing has been performed and data analysis is on-going. The State Biotech Hub is also generating a genomic reference database of the Mizo population which would be helpful in future disease research.

The State Biotech Hub is continuing to extend its activities as well as sharing instruments for research purposes with Colleges and University Departments. The extension activities conducted includes 03 outreach programmes, 16 hands-on trainings/ workshops and 02 popular lectures workshops in the areas of Biotechnology/ Bioinformatics/ Life Sciences to the students from various Schools, Colleges, Universities. Fostering collaborative research and support to the students to carry out their research/project works are also being done.

Achievements till date (Objective-wise):

Objectives 1,2,3

Ethical clearance was obtained from IHEC, Zoram Medical College and approval was obtained from the Director of Synod Hospital in Durtlang, Aizawl for the purpose of sampling.

Questionnaire was designed which included basic socio-demographic details, Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and epidemiological data. The questionnaire was field tested and also translated in local Mizo dialect. About 131 cases and 249 healthy controls samples were collected and statistical analysis using SPSS v.26 is ongoing.

Blood, saliva, and questionnaire sample collection were started on 20 July 2022 in Synod Hospital, Durtlang, Aizawl, Mizoram. A trained clinical psychologist collected the questionnaire data with the written consent of the patients admitted to the hospital for detox with drug or alcohol dependence. Patients’ blood was collected in three different vials: EDTA, serum and RNA tubes and saliva sample were collected in 95% ethanol for oral microbiome study. Along with this, complete biochemical clinical profile and their medication charts were also obtained from the hospital with patients’ consent. Microbial DNA from saliva and genomic DNA from blood were isolated.

The study constituted 137 males and 159 females among healthy individuals and 96 males and 35 females among cases with substance use disorder problems. Preliminary analysis showed that the odds of having SUD were 1.7 times higher (p = 0.037, 95%) for individuals who experienced verbal and 2.285 times higher (p = 0.000, 95%) for individuals whose parents divorced during their childhood. The study identified a significant association (p < 0.000) between parental nicotine use history and the use of substances (alcohol and drugs) among participants. Participants with a paternal history of nicotine use exhibited a substantially increased likelihood of substance use, with an odds ratio of 4.644. Similarly, a significant association was observed for maternal nicotine use history, revealing an odds ratio of 3.319. These findings underscore the impactful role of family history in influencing the engagement of individuals in substance use. Addressing such familial factors may be crucial in developing targeted interventions to mitigate the risk of substance use among vulnerable populations.

Sample collection continued with permission from Director of Social Welfare Department, Government of Mizoram for sampling of female patients in State Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Centre, Aizawl, Mizoram. Sample collection for this study was completed in November 2022 with a total recruitment of 100 males and 35 females. DNA isolation was completed and prepared for sequencing. Questionnaire and clinical data were entered in Excel sheets. Follow-up questionnaire was designed, field tested and data collection was started for the patients.

About 98 genomic DNA from blood (75 males & 23 females) samples for whole exome sequencing, and 53 oral microbiome samples for V3-V4 16S rRNA sequencing were done. Exome analysis pipeline is being standardized and the analysis is on-going. Microbiome data analysis was done and the pipeline has been standardized. Preliminary data was generated and further data analysis and cleanup is required. The sequences processing was performed using QIIME2 v2020.2. Some of the abundant genus includes Streptococcus sp. (Fermicutes), Rothia sp. (Actinobacteria) and Neisseria sp. (Proteobacteria). Unassigned bacteria make up about 30% of observed bacteria, which necessitates thorough research on oral microbiome in the population and different disease conditions as novel significant organisms may be discovered and distinct oral microbiome pattern may be observed. About 35 healthy control saliva metagenome sequencing is also being performed for comparison with the cases.

Targeted sanger sequencing was performed on genes (ADH1B, ALDH2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6 and OPRM1) covering the complete exons frequently implicated in Substance use and dependence in 12 patients with substance use disorder. Multiple variants were reported in CYP2A6 exons 1,6, and 8, CYP2B6 exon 2 and OPRM1 exon 4. Some of these variants have been previously reported as missense in various databases.

Substance use Patients- Sanger sequence data

 Additional works

Sanger sequencing has been performed on Gastric, Breast, Lung and Head & Neck Cancers using TP53 Exon primers for understanding the Li-Fraumeni syndrome. NSCLC primers have been used in few samples for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Dicer gene Exon primers have been used for Sanger sequencing in Gastric, Breast Cancer samples. Data Analysis is going on in all these sequence data.

A questionnaire for the study of knowledge and attitude on cervical cancer and HPV was of Mizo women was designed. A total of 594 participants answered the questionnaire and analysis was completed. The paper is accepted in Indian Journal of Gynaecologic Oncology.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

About 38 patients between the ages of 3 and 18 years of age diagnosed and admitted at Child Development Center, Aizawl were identified and recruited for the study. The study included a questionnaire investigation which consists of the child’s prenatal and neonatal conditions as well as present nature and habits. Moreover, the parent’s demographics, lifestyle, and food habits were also included along with the mother’s prenatal conditions. The second part of the study involves Genomic studies and blood samples (1 to 2 ml) were collected and the whole exome sequencing was done for the identification of certain genes that could have an impact on the patient’s clinical outcome. Simultaneously, fecal samples were also collected for 16S rRNA Metagenome studies where microbiome diversity identification and their clinical impact would be assessed. The NGS sequence data (whole exome and metagenome) have been obtained and data analysis is in progress.

Training/ Outreach programs:

• Training Programs
• Outreach Programs

Details of Publications: 

1. Zodinpuii D, Pautu JL, Zothankima B, Khenglawt L, Lallawmzuali D, Lalmuanpuii R, zuali L, Ralte L, Muthukumaran RB, Varma AK, Zothanzama J, Senthil Kumar N. Breast Cancer Is Significantly Associated with Cancers in The First- and Second-Degree Relatives in Ethnic Mizo-Mongoloid Population, Northeast India. National Journal of Community Medicine. 2022;13(09):606-11.
2. Sailo CV, Ghatak S, Sarathbabu S, Bariha GS, Majumder A, Singh A, Lalremruata R, Zomawia E, Lalrinpuia B, Lalfak Zuali, Zothanzama J, Senthil Kumar N. Molecular typing of dengue virus in Mizoram, Northeast India. Journal of Infection in Developing Countries. 2022;16(10):1637-1642. doi: 10.3855/jidc.16137.
3. Alex Zohmachhuana, Malsawmdawngliana, F. Lalnunmawia, Vabeiryureilai Mathipi, K. Lalrinzuali, N. Senthil Kumar. Curcuma aeruginosa exhibits cytotoxicity in A-549 and HeLa cells by inducing apoptosis through caspase-dependent pathways. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 150 (2022) 113039.
4. Thimma Mohan Viswanathan, Kaniraja Chitradevi, Azar Zochedh, Ramakrishnan Vijayabhaskar, Sureba Sukumaran, Selvaraj Kunjiappan, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar, Krishnan Sundar, Ewa Babkiewicz , Piotr Maszczyk and Thandavarayan Kathiresan. Guanidine–Curcumin Complex-Loaded Amine-Functionalised Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Breast Cancer Therapy. Cancers 2022, 14, 3490.
5. Ralte, V.S.C.; Loganathan, A.; Manohar, P.; Sailo, C.V.; Sanga, Z.; Ralte, L.; Zothanzama, J.; Leptihn, S.; Nachimuthu, R.; Kumar, N.S. The Emergence of  Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Mizoram, Northeast India. Res. 2022, 13, 342–349.
6. Balraj Sudha, Arumugam Poornima, Kanagaraj Suganya, Kandasamy Swathi, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar, Sundaravadivelu Sumathi, Paulchamy Chellapandi Identification of hub genes and role of CDKN2A as a biomarker in cervical cancer: An in-silico approach. Human Gene 33 (2022) 201048.
7. Subhajit Mukherjee, Souvik Ghatak, Lalhma Chhuani, Benjamin Lalrinpuia, Lalrin Jahau, Jeremy L. Pautu, Madhurjya Sarmah, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar. Helicobacter pylori virulent genes and host interleukin 1 are associated with demographic factors for an increased risk of gastritis. Human Gene 34 (2022) 201132.
8. Christine Vanlalbiakdiki Sailo, Zothan Zami,  Souvik Ghatak, Lalnun Nemi,  Lalremmawia, Lalawmpuii Pachuau,  Eric Zomawia, Zothan Siama and Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar. Prevalence of High-Risk HPV Types in Women with Negative Cervical Cytology in a State of Northeast India with a High Burden of Cervical Cancer. Indian Journal of Gynecologic Oncology  (2022) 20:8.
9. GBD Alcohol Collaborators. Population-level risks of alcohol consumption by amount, geography, age, sex, and year: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020. Lancet 2022; 400: 185–235.
10. GBD 2019 Diabetes Mortality Collaborators. Diabetes mortality and trends before 25 years of age: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2022.
11. Gomathi Mohan, Ranjan Jyoti Sarma, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar, Balachandar Vellingiri. Highlighting novel genes associated with the classical Rett syndrome patient from India. Genes & Diseases. 2022 Jan 6;9(6):1394-1396.
12. Sailo CV, Tonsing MV, Sanga Z, Chhakchhuak Z, Kharkongor F, Fela V Risk factors of tuberculosis in Mizoram: First report of the possible role of water source. The Indian journal of tuberculosis vol. 69,4 (2022): 675-681. doi:10.1016/j.ijtb.2022.03.00
13. Sailo CV, Zami Z, Lalremruata R, Sanga Z, Fela V, Kharkongor F, Chhakchhuak, L, Chhakchhuak Z, Laldinmawii G, Kumar D, Kumar NS. MGIT sensitivity testing and genotyping of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Mizoram, Northeast India. Indian journal of medical microbiology vol. 40,3 (2022): 347-353. doi:10.1016/j.ijmmb.2022.06.003
14. Christine Vanlalbiakdiki Sailo, Ralte Lalremruata, Zothan Sanga, Vanlal Fela, Febiola Kharkongor, Zothankhuma Chhakchhuak, Lily Chhakchhuak, Lalnun Nemi, John Zothanzama, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar Distribution and frequency of common mutations in rpoB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis detected by Xpert MTB/RIF and identification of residential areas of rifampicin resistant-TB cases: A first retrospective study from Mizoram, Northeast India.” Journal of clinical tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases vol. 29 100342. 24 Nov. 2022, doi:10.1016/j.jctube.2022.100342
15. Ganesh Shanmugasundaram Anusuya , Manoj Balaji Patki , Vanlal Hruaii , Ralte Lalengkimi , Lalfak Zuali , Kasi Marimuthu , Lalchhandami Tochhawng , John Zothanzama , Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar , Sang Zuala A study of rural domestic helpers knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID-19 in Mizoram, India. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.13, Pages: 4-10 (2022).
16. Rajendra Bose Muthukumaran, Pritha Bhattacharjee, Priya Bhowmick, Lalrinawma Zote, Malsawmtluangi, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar, Lalrintluanga Jahau, Marcus S. Cooke, Chiung-Wen Hu, Mu-Rong Chao. Genetic and epigenetic instability induced by betel quid associated Toxicology Reports 10 (2023) 223–234.
17. Balachandar Vellingiri, Dhivya Venkatesan, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Gomathi Mohan, Padmavathi Krishnan, Krothapalli Sai Krishna, Sangeetha R, Arul Narayanasamy, Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar and Mohana Devi Subramaniam. Concurrent Assessment of Oxidative Stress and MT-ATP6 Gene Profiling to Facilitate Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Tamil Nadu Population. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience. 2023; 73(4-5):214-224. doi: 10.1007/s12031-023-02111-4.
18. Suresh M, A Blessing Muinao, Ratnamala Vanamanalai, Sathish kumar M, Zonunsanga R, Malsawmdawngliana, Senthil Kumar Nachimuthu,Assessing cancer communication and identifying prospective health interventions among the ethnic Mizo population. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health. 2023; 23:101383. doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2023.101383.
19. Ranjan Jyoti Sarma, Jeremy Lalrinsanga Pautu, Bawitlung Zothankima, Lalfakzuala Khenglawt, Saia Chenkual, John Zohmingthanga, Lalawmpuii Pachuau and Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar. Novel germline variants of MUC3A in a patient with ER+ breast cancer and signet-ring cell stomach adenocarcinoma. Gene Reports. 2023; 101803. doi.org/10.1016/j.genrep.2023.101803.
20. Chita Ranjan Sahoo, Sudhir Kumar Paidesetty, Subbarayan Sarathbabu, Budheswar Dehury, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar and Rabindra Nath Padhy. Molecular dynamics simulation, synthesis and topoisomerase inhibitory actions of vanillin derivatives: a systematic computational structural integument, Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics. 2023; 40:22, 11653-11663, DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1961867
21. Eric Zomawia, Zothan Zami, Andrew Vanlallawma, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar, John Zothanzama, Lalchhanhimi Tlau, Lalchhandama Chhakchhuak, Lalawmpuii Pachuau, Jeremy L. Pautu, Evelyn V.L. Hmangaihzuali. Cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment needs in Mizoram, India: evidence from 18 years trends (2003–2020). The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia. 2023; 17.100281. doi.org/10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100281.
22. Rajendra Bose Muthukumaran, Pritha Bhattacharjee, Priya Bhowmick, Lalrinawma Zote, Malsawmtluangi, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar, Lalrintluanga Jahau, Marcus S. Cooke, Chiung-Wen Hu, Mu-Rong Chao. Genetic and epigenetic instability induced by betel quid associated chemicals. Toxicology Reports 10 (2023) 223–234.
23. Payel Chakraborty, Sillarine Kurkalang, Souvik Ghatak, Subrata Das, Arindam Palodhi, Sumanta Sarkar, Ranjan Dhar, Saia Chenkual, Lalawmpuii Pachuau, John Zohmingthanga, Jeremy L. Pautu, Thomas Zomuana, Sailo Tlau Lalruatfela, John Zothanzama, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar, Arindam Maitra Deep sequencing reveals recurrent somatic mutations and distinct molecular subgroups in gastric cancer in Mizo population, North East India. Genomics vol. 115,6 (2023): 110741. doi:10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110741
24. Zothan Zami, Lallianmawii Pachuau, Zothankima Bawihtlung, Lalfakzuala Khenglawt, Lal Hlupuii, Cindy Lalthanpuii, Vanlal Hruaii, H Lalhruaitluanga, Nachimuthu Senthil Kumar Treatment Regimens and Clinical Factors for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma among the Mizo tribal population in Northeast India. The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia. (2023), 24:100377.
25. C. Lalrohlua, Gracy Laldinmawii, John Zohmingthanga, Jane Ralte, Lalengkimi Ralte, John Zothanzama, Nachimuthu.Senthil Kumar, Swagnik Roy. Analysis of socio-demographic status and clinical manifestations among SARS-CoV-2 patients in ethnic tribal population of Mizoram, Northeast India: A retrospective study from single-tertiary COVID-19 care centre, Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health,Volume (2024) 27, 101596, ISSN 2213-3984