At the Molecular Bio-Prospection department, the research activities are aimed at ‘Bioprospecting natural resources for novel genes, bioactive molecules and value added products for the better health and life’. The focus is on finding the solutions for drug resistant infections (bacterial, fungi, and malaria parasite) and metabolic disorders like hepatoprotection, inflammation, immunomodulation, cancer etc. The efforts are also directed towards finding the safety limits of herbal preparations/products.

Some of the achievements of the department over the last few years are

(i) Development of a novel plant system as biosensor for detecting the bioactive molecules and environmental hazards through distinct responses.

(ii) Novel molecule ‘Oenostacin’ from Oenothera biennis, which is active against vancomycin resistant strains of Staphylococcus spp. (VRSA)

(iii) Identification of novel anti-tuberculosis agents from Curcuma longa and Curcuma amada.

(iv) Genetic screen of bacterial and fungal with knocked out or suppressed function for screening phytochemicals as antimicrobials, bioavailability enhancer of antibiotic, vitamins and anticancer drugs.

(v) Niaziridin a new nitrile glycoside from Moringa oleifera.

(vi) Glycyrrhizin form Glycyrrhiza glabra.

(vii) Lysergol from Ipomea muricata.

(viii) Indian Traditional Knowledge based formulation coded as “IVT-15” for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

(ix) Mechanism of action of hepatoprotective molecule ‘CLIV-92’ earlier isolated from Cleome viscosa.