Biography:
Dr. Saravanan Sekaran is an Assistant Professor and specialized in the field of Biomaterials, stem cells and Bone Tissue Engineering. His current research focus is on delineating the molecular mechanism(s) behind the role of various plant based pharmacological agents, magnetism, and geometry on osteoblast differentiation of stem cells. He has authored 50 publications in international journals, contributed two training manuals and two book chapters. At an early stage of his career, his publications have been cited 2827 times and possess an h-index of 24.He has procured research grants from both Indian and International funding agencies. He is also the recipient of Arnold Naimark Young Investigator Award- SBRC, and Young Investigator Award, Canada. He has various other national awards and has filed three patents to IPR, INDIA
Education:
Post-Doctoral Training, Albrechtsen Research Centre, Canada
Ph.D. Biotechnology, SRM University
M.Sc. Biomedical Sciences, University of Madras
B.Sc. Biotechnology, VIT University
Thrust areas:
Bone Biology
Biomaterial constructs for bone regeneration
Stem cells for bone regeneration
Research:
Critical sized bone defects often need external augmentation for its regeneration and proving to be growing concern in the recent past among aged population across the globe. Research in my group comprises of fabricating various biomaterial constructs using biodegradable polymers in combination of nanomaterials, phytochemicals, copolymers and assess its suitability for bone tissue regeneration. We are also focusing on testing of different biomaterials for their osteogenic ability under in vitro and in vivo using rat, mice and zebrafish models. Our research also involves translational approach to fasten the “bench to bedside” of various biomaterial-based constructs. Our special interest include:
Developing scaffolds and constructs using natural and synthetic polymers
Thermosensitive hydrogels based on natural polymers
Unravelling the molecular mechanisms behind the osteogenic role of various biomaterials and other osteogenic compounds
Toxicity assessment using zebrafish and chick embryo models
Investigating various Guided bone regeneration membranes and implants for bone regenerative application
Selected Recent Publications:
1) Alagarsamy, Keshav Narayan, Sajitha Mathan, Weiang Yan, Alireza Rafieerad, Saravanan Sekaran, Hanna Manego, and Sanjiv Dhingra. "Carbon nanomaterials for cardiovascular theranostics: Promises and challenges." Bioactive Materials 6, no. 8 (2021): 2261-2280. IF: 14.593
2) Saravanan Sekaran, Venkadapathi, Jeyanthi, Venkat Kumar Govindarajan and Santhi Venkatapathy. "A minireview of the promising drugs and vaccines in pipeline for the treatment of COVID-19 and current update on clinical trials." Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences 8 (2021). IF: 5.246
3) Preeth, Desingh Raj, Sekaran Saravanan, Manickaraj Shairam, Narasimman Selvakumar, Iruthayapandi Selestin Raja, Anuradha Dhanasekaran, Selvaraj Vimalraj, and Subramaniyam Rajalakshmi. “Bioactive Zinc (II) complex incorporated PCL/gelatin electrospun nanofiber enhanced bone tissue regeneration.” European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 160 (2021): 105768. IF: 4.384
4) Dhinasekaran, Durgalakshmi, Vimalraj Selvaraj, Ajay Rakkesh Rajendran, Sekaran Saravanan, Bargavi Purushothaman, and Balakumar Subramaniam. "Bio-inspired multifunctional collagen/electrospun bioactive glass membranes for bone tissue engineering applications." Materials Science and Engineering: C (2021): 111856. IF: 7.328
5) Vaidhyanathan, Baskaran, Preethi Vincent, Sajini Vadivel, Ponmurugan Karuppiah, Naif Abdullah AL-Dhabi, Deepa Rani Sadhasivam, Selvaraj Vimalraj, and Sekaran Saravanan. "Fabrication and investigation of the suitability of chitosan-silver composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications." Process Biochemistry 100 (2021): 178-187. IF: 3.75