1. Introduction

Dr. Nilesh Kumar Sharma, an Ideator and scholar with a Ph.D. degree (2009) from IIT Roorkee, India, focusing on Health Science. He subsequently pursued post-doctoral research in DNA repair and Cancer genetics at prominent institutions including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), (NIH), and Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School (USA) between 2013-2016. Currently, Dr. Sharma, a Professor (Research focus on Metabolic and Epigenetic heterogeneity in Cancer. 

2. Research Statement

As a Professor at Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Pune, my research focuses on the intricate dynamics of tumor microenvironments and the discovery of novel biomarkers through innovative techniques such as Indian patent-granted for an in-house designed vertical tube gel electrophoresis (VTGE)-assisted metabopsy. My work has led to the identification of unique metabolic biomarkers in breast and oral cancer patients, with implications for improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy. In my preclinical research work, I employed 2D and 3-D cultures of breast cancer cells, Oral cancer cells, lung cancer cells, and leukemia cells (HL-60).

In the last ten years, I have closely worked with clinicians to work on the tumor tissues of breast cancer and oral cancer cells to understand the metabolic-epigenomic regulations in tumor initiation and progression. I have explored the use of novel approaches for the identification of metabolite biomarkers. Further, my research group has translated the identified metabolites into the design and development of metabolite mimetic as a potential class of combinatorial anticancer agents. Recently, my research group has started exploring rare genetic diseases such as inherited metabolic disorders for potential early diagnosis tools with the intent of Discard to Diagnostic theme. To achieve research objectives, I received extramural (DST-SERB, DST-FIST, ICMR, Government of India) and intramural grants.

In addition to my research, I am committed to fostering an innovative learning environment that integrates cutting-edge technologies and outcome-based education. My teaching responsibilities span undergraduate and postgraduate programs, where I emphasize the application of research-driven insights to inspire the next generation of scientists. Over the past 10 years, I have mentored numerous UG, PG, and Ph.D. students, guiding them through research internships, dissertations, and more than 100 research publications (Indexed in SCOPUS/WOS) of their work in high-impact journals.

My long-term goals include enhancing the research profile of my institution through national and international collaborations, increasing the number of publications in prestigious journals, and advancing the commercialization of patents and startup ideas such as the Metabopsy Health Services Pvt. Ltd. I am also dedicated to contributing to the quality and accreditation processes at both institutional and national levels, leveraging my experience as a member of various academic and administrative committees.

In the coming years, I aim to solidify my research contributions, expand interdisciplinary collaborations, and continue to nurture the academic and professional growth of my students, all while driving forward innovative solutions to the complex challenges in cancer biology.

Anticancer drugs, Epigenetic and DNA repair proteins

We have found that combinatorial use of DNA repair protein inhibitors, such as L189 and SCR7, may reduce the doses of anticancer agents such as cisplatin and doxorubicin in cancer cells, thus reducing side effects. We have also discovered new classes of anticancer drugs, including free fatty acids and tripeptides derived from cow and goat urine. Recently, we have designed metabolite mimetic as inhibitors of HDAC10 and TET2 epigenetic modifiers, based on intracellular and extracellular metabolite profiling of cancer cells treated with conventional drugs. These metabolites' mimetic are curated and published in PubChem databases.

Small RNAs and cancer

Since the discovery of small and miRNAs in 1993, over 1,500 human miRNAs and small RNAs have been identified, and a few have been shown to regulate critical cellular processes and pathways in breast carcinoma pathophysiology. We have discovered the relevance of small RNAs derived from potato and corn as potential non-conventional sources of anticancer agents.

Prof. Nilesh Kumar Sharma (Ph.D. FMASc.)

Ph.D. (Biotechnology), 2009, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee (UGC-CSIR NET-JRF FELLOWSHIP, GATE Qualified)

Roorkee, Post-Doctoral Fellow (2010-2013), NIEHS, NIH, USA and Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, NJ, USA

Professor

Principal Investigator (Cancer and Translational Research Lab)

Phone: +91-2067919463, +91-7219269540

Email: Nilesh.sharma@dpu.edu.in, nksharmaiitr@gmail.com

RESEARCH PROFILE IDs:

StartUpYouTube: Prof.Nilesh Kumar Sharma YouTube Channel☞VIDWAN ID: https://vidwan.inflibnet.ac.in/profile/103121

WOS ID: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/K-2540-2013

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8774-3020 ; RESEARCHER ID: K-2540-2013

SCOPUS AUTHOR ID: 16307935500; https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=16307935500

RESEARCHGATE ID: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nilesh_Sharma9 http://www.biotech.dpu.edu.in/Cancer-and-Translational-Research-Lab.aspx

Facebook Page: Trends, Twists and Turns-Three Ts IN Cancer Science@DrNileshKumarSharma