Dr. A.M. Punnoose is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Clinical Research and is responsible for the Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Laboratory at SRIHER. After completing his undergraduate degree in Biotechnology from Dr. G.R. Damodaran College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, he pursued his M.Sc. in Biotechnology at Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Mannheim, Germany. His doctoral work was on transcription factors in cardiac hypertrophy at the Max Delbruck Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany. After completing his post-doctoral research on transcription factors in cardiac development at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany; he joined the Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, SRU to work on biomaterials. He was appointed Assistant Professor at the Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, SRIHER and pursued his research on nanofiber scaffolds for cardiac and muscle tissue engineering. The Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Laboratory strives to develop scaffolds and bioreactors for bioengineered tissue constructs with potential applications in areas such as cardio-vascular, wound healing and in vitro drug testing. The laboratory is also exploring scaffolds for bone tissue engineering and selective small molecules that may delay senescence and enhance the potency of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Currently he has 5 PhD scholars in his team and has projects funded by DBT and BIRAC. He coordinates the MSc Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Program at SRIHER.
The Project was a collaborative effort together with Dr. Atanu Bhattacharjee of North East Hill University (NEHU), Shillong and was funded by DBT-Twinning (2019-2023;(38L-SRIHER & 66L –NEHU). Phytochemical extracts from 5 plants used in traditional medicine in the North East region and semi synthetic polyphenols namely (7,8 diacetoxy-4- methylcoumarin (DAMC) and 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylthiocoumarin (DAMTC) were evaluated for their effect on proliferation and differentiation potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from adult dental pulp and adipose tissues.
The Project was funded by BIRAC-PACE (2020-2022;(44.11L). Tubular nanofiber scaffolds were fabricated by electro spinning blends of Collagen and Polycaprolactone, an FDA-approved polymer. The composite nanofiber tubular scaffolds exhibited the tensile strength and suture retention properties for vascular surgical procedures. Our preliminary work also demonstrated shows that the scaffolds exhibited a functional anticoagulant binding capability, and permitted Human Vascular Endothelial Cells adherence and proliferation in their lumen.
This was a collaborative project funded by DBT(2018-2020;(16.7L) to PI Dr. Abiramilatha. The primary goal of the project was to establish and characterise an animal model of hypoxic Preterm Brain Injury.
This is a collaborative project together with Dr. Abiramilatha, KMCH, Coimbatore funded by DBT (2023-2025;(32.39L). The primary goal of the project is to evaluate potential application of combination therapy with Mesenchymal Stem Cells and erythropoietin in an animal model of hypoxic Preterm Brain Injury.
Bionic nano-fibrous sheet loaded with lyophylized Platelet rich Plasma in the management of skin defect (ICMR, 2024-ongoing) Dr. H.Balaji Raghavendran, Dr.Alan M Punnoose, Dr.Chandrasekar (TANUVAS)
Bio-fabrication of bionic nanofibrous cell sheet and 3D printed scaffold combination for superior periosteum and bone remodeling (DST-SERB, 2023-Ongoing) Dr. H.Balaji Raghavendran, Dr.Alan M Punnoose, Dr.Lakshmi, Dr.Sudhir