INSTITUTE OF PATHOLOGY

NEW DELHI - 110029

(Established in 1980)

Publications

Situated at New Delhi, the Institute of Pathology (IOP) conducts research on various cancers of national importance (Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Urinary bladder cancer, Hematopoitic-Lymphoid malignancies and Neurological cancers), Leishmaniasis, Chlamydial infection, Environmental toxicology and Adult stem cell biology. The major thrust is on basic as well as translational research leading to development of Vaccines for prevention and Biomarkers for screening, diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of drug response/resistance for various diseases.

The following are the thrust areas of IOP

• Tumor Biology (breast cancer, genitourinary malignancies, lymphoma), Infectious diseases (Chlamydia, Leishmania), Stem Cell Biology and Environmental Toxicology.
• Genetic susceptibility for various familial and non familial tumors, predictive and prognostic biomarkers, molecular pathology, molecular functional pathways and drug targets.
• Investigation of the gene-environmental link responsible for very high incidence of several malignancies, especially those associated with tobacco and pesticide (Oral, Esophageal, Gastric, Lung and Breast cancers) in North Eastern states in India,
• Studies on Chlamydia infection on genital infection and coronary artery disease, including study on role of chlamydial heat shock protein in pathogenesis of genital tract infection in women.
• Understanding the process of in vitro differentiation of Leishmania donovoni.
• Studies on role of environmental toxicants especially heavy metal in cases of miscarriage.
• Studies on utility of a patented synthetic thermo-reversible hydrogel polymer as supportive matrix towards the development of 3-D composite skin for application in wound healing and other dermatological disorders.

• The Institute lays a lot of emphasis on Human Resource Development and is actively engaged in organizing training courses as well as conducting PhD and DNB programmes.
• The Institute conducts one and a half year of Pre PhD course work as a prerequisite for registration to PhD.
• The Post Graduate level training programme, i.e. Diplomate National Board (DNB) in the specialty of Pathology is being continued at the Institute since 1992.

The Institute is recognised as an off Campus centre for Doctoral Programme by BITS- Pilani since 1993. Under the programme, faculty members of IOP are recognized as independent guides. Under the Doctoral Programme, IOP is also recognized by Jiwaji University, Gwalior and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIP) Delhi.

Among the major achievement of IOP are the following

• Identification of high risk alleles- CYP17A2, VDR Poly A L allele and >20CAG repeats in AR gene for breast cancer in young women and Androgen receptor as independent predictive biomarker for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer patients.
• Establishment of cell line from primary breast cancer in young woman as an important tool to study molecular carcinogenesis and develop new therapeutic strategies.
• Establishment of in vitro model of cultured autologous bladder cancer cells for In vitro cytotoxicity assay to select the drug and tailor the dose for individualization of treatment.
• Gene expression and genome-wide copy number analysis to identify genetic risk factors for high incidence and familial association of esophageal cancer in North east region in India.
• Functional genomic studies of virulence related genes in Leishmania- First identification of centrin gene of Leishmania.
• Genes associated with drug resistance in Kala-azar.
• Developed Diagnostics for Kala-azar (KA) and PKDL.
• PKDL Immunobiology
• Development of indigenous diagnostic assays (serovar and species specific) for Chlamydia trachomatis
• Identification of biomarkers for prognosis of women at risk of developing a sequalae to chlamydial infection.
• Identification of proteins acting as potential candidates for vaccine development.
• Biomarkers for a risk of developing Coronary Artery Disease due to C. pneumoniae infection.