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Dr. Benedict Paul C

Molecular Biotechnology Lab

Our research lab investigates the interactions between the oral microbiome and breast cancer progression.
We explore how pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity impact cancer development, metastasis, and patient outcomes,
aiming to reveal microbial contributions to cancer biology.

Our approach integrates microbiology, genomics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to study bacterial pathogens’
roles in cancer initiation and progression, as well as their influence on the immune system and tumor microenvironment.

Additionally, we conduct SNP genotyping to identify genetic variants linked to breast cancer
susceptibility and treatment response.

We also focus on designing phytocompound-based inhibitors for critical enzymes such as
Aromatase and 17-beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase, which regulate estrogen synthesis.
These inhibitors aim to provide safer, plant-based treatments for breast cancer.

Our interdisciplinary research strives to advance cancer prevention and treatment.

The Team

  • Mrs. Nancy Jenifer S.E, PhD Scholar
    Research Focus: Screening SNPs in the CYP19A1 gene to identify breast cancer-related variations
    and computationally evaluating compounds from Swietenia macrophylla as potential aromatase inhibitors,
    with the goal of developing targeted therapies for breast cancer.
  • Ms. Kiruthika V, PhD Scholar
    Research Focus: Screening and characterizing the virulence factors of Fusobacterium nucleatum
    in the oral microbiome of breast cancer patients to explore its potential role in cancer development or progression.
  • Ms. Surya S, PhD Scholar
    Research Focus: Identification and evaluation of potential 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD)
    inhibitors for breast cancer through both in silico and in vitro methods in order to develop
    and validate novel inhibitors targeting this enzyme to improve breast cancer treatment.

Publications (Recent)

  1. Mallur, Dhrithi Jayasimha, B. Lavanya, Sheshadri S. Temkar, V. Arun, and Benedict C. Paul.
    “Exploring okra-derived compounds as prospective aromatase inhibitors: a computational study for enhanced breast cancer therapy.”
    Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics (2024): 1–9.
  2. Temkar, Sheshadri S., Amruta Sridhara, Dhrithi Jayasimha Mallur, Deepak Ishwara Shivaprakash, Divya Iyengar, Nritam Das, and Benedict Paul C.
    (2024). “Potential Aromatase Inhibitors from Centella Asiatica with Non-Synonymous SNPS – A Computational Approach.”
    Current Computer-Aided Drug Design 20 (4): 341–58.
    DOI: 10.2174/1573409919666230525151933.
    PMID: 37231718
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