ICMR Awards ₹90 Lakhs in Research Grants to RGU Faculty for Medical Studies

Guwahati, April 10: In a significant boost to advanced medical and translational
research, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi has awarded four
prestigious research project grants worth ₹90 lakhs to faculty members of The Assam Royal
Global University (RGU).
The grants have been awarded to Dr. Sudarshana Borah, Associate Professor, Department of
Pharmacy; Dr. Dharmeswar Barhoi, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology; Dr. Anirban
Banik, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology; and Dr. Priyanka Bhattacharyya, Royal
School of Biosciences, according to a Press release.
Dr. Sudarshana Borah’s project, titled “Tradition to Therapeutics: Kali Haldi-Based
Antibacterial Ointment from Northeast India,” focuses on scientifically validating the
traditional medicinal and cosmeceutical uses of Kali Haldi in the Northeast. Speaking on the
project, she said, “Kali Haldi has long been used in traditional healing practices across
Northeast India. This study will scientifically evaluate its effectiveness against multiple
pathogenic bacteria as a step towards translational research and the development of an
antibacterial ointment.” Her co-investigators are Prof. Debarupa Dutta Chakraborty and Dr.
Ayesha Aktar Khanam Choudhury.
Another important project led by Dr. Dharmeswar Barhoi, titled “Exploring the Potential of
Moringa oleifera Extract in Restoration of Smokeless Tobacco-Induced Epigenetic
Alterations in Swiss Albino Mice,” addresses the serious public health risks associated with
smokeless tobacco use, which remains highly prevalent in India and is strongly linked to oral
cancer. The co-investigator for the project is Prof. Sarbani Giri.
Dr. Anirban Banik’s research project aims to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of DMPO,
a potent free radical scavenger. By targeting oxidative damage at its source, the study seeks to
offer a safer and more effective alternative to conventional chelation therapies, which are
often associated with adverse effects. The co-investigator of this project is Prof. Amlan Das.
Meanwhile, Dr. Priyanka Bhattacharyya will undertake an innovative study on extracting
dietary fibre from the banana pseudostem of Assam’s native Bhim Kol variety to explore its
anti-diabetic potential in clinical models. The research aims to develop a natural, sustainable
dietary fibre supplement from this underutilized food resource. Her co-investigator is Dr.
Nabakumar Hazarika.