Good day, Dr. Resmi V Nair. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your background and your professional record. I'm interested in hearing more about your work and how you see yourself fitting in here with our faculty. Ready to start?

Uh, myself, Rashmi Vinaya, I did my masters in chemistry. After that, I continued my profession, I say, uh, material chemist in the field of, uh, the application of biomaterials. So I did my, uh, doctoral degree, umm, from central of medical science and technology, which is mainly a hospital based, uh, institute there. I did my work in chemistry to the application.

OK. Thank you.

So there I worked in as a thernostic developers. That means I have developed novel fluorescent nano materials for therapy, diagnosis and sensing. And then I continued my research in NIT Calicut as a NPDA.

There I did why worked on biosensors for cardiovascular detection and then now I am working as an inspire faculty where I'm doing a DNA based amplification system using nanopaterials. Thank you.

Thank you for providing that overview, Professor. Let us focus on specific aspects of your expertise and experience. Starting with your work in theranostics, could you elaborate on how you ensured the biocompatibility and efficacy of the fluorescent nanomaterials you developed for therapy and diagnostics?

OK. For majorly I worked on theranosic applications for cancer therapy. So when we are developing A nanomaterial for therapeutic application, first we are checking if that is compatible with in the biological environment. That means for any nanomaterials which we will use for a bio application, there should be compatible with the pH neutral pH that is 7.4. So for that first we are checking if they are.

Soluble in water or not or in aqueous media. If it is coming to the accus media then we will go for the next step or at least it should be somewhat. We can make it partially solvable so that we can use for the next step. Then we will check in the cellular environment. First we will check in the in vitro cell culture model where we will check that toxicity study of the material and then if we are finding it is non-toxic to the normal cell.

In vivo aspect also. So in vivo study also we will check in normal files 1st and if it is not showing any toxicity or any adverse effect then we will go for the higher step so that we can reuse that in the cancer environment which will show toxicity in the cancer cell and as well as we will check in the in vivo condition also. If you want to more you can ask specific questions.

Then we will continue to do in the.

Yes.

Toxicity studies are what we are majorly doing doing is MTT assay. So it is like first we will incubate our material and then we will add the add the MDT so that it will form a formal crystal synthesis cell which is only will form in the live cell. And if it is a toxic cell that formas and crystal will not form then we will dissolve that formas and crystal and then we will check the absorbance. So if the absorbance is higher that means the cell is viable and if it.

Yeah, in vitro, uh.

Is lower it, it means it is toxic to the cell and other method what we are using is Alomar blue that is also similar method where it will form a particular complex with the live cell as well as the dead cell. So the color absorbance difference we will check and then we can calculate the percentage viability.

OK. So coming to yeah, so in this DNA amplification system actually in case of DNA system when we are going to see a particular antibody antigen interaction, there is a challenge. What we are facing is that signal efficiencies that means signal intensity. So for getting a crucial.

Specific city in the particular antibody we are tagging any fluorophore normal case.

Understood, thank you for breaking that down. Let’s probe a bit further into your current work. You mentioned developing a DNA-based amplification system using nanomaterials. Could you explain the core challenges you've encountered in achieving specificity and sensitivity in this system,

For a single fluorophore single antibody we are using. So this antibody is highly specific to the antigen. But when we are increasing the number of chlorophyll in a particular antibody, there are specificity is lacking there. So in order to avoid that what we are doing in a particular antibody, we are making a handle which is which is a long chain DNA so that we can attach different fluorescent material into that long chain so that it.

Will not come to this close proximity which will leads to the fluorescence quenching. So that means that long chain and which is having the complementary DNA sequence which is having the imager probe or the nanoparticles and it will give a higher fluorescence and that will be used for the amplification technique.

I see, that’s an innovative approach to balancing specificity and signal intensity. Could you elaborate on how you measure and validate the sensitivity improvements achieved through this DNA-based amplification system?

OK, First, uh, we are developing, uh, DNA and uh, we are amplifying that using saver method. Then that PCR, whatever we are using the saver method. Then we are adding the, we are calculating how much base pairs are there. Then we are adding the particular number of images strand and then we are checking the signal intensity in the normal imaging system as well as super resolution imaging and we'll see.

When we are adding a single DNA strand to the single antibody with the lots of number of chlorophyll, how much intensity we are getting and then we are seeing using the different methods in a particular cell, we will add again that molecules which is having large number of DNA like long chain DNA.

Which is having different number of fluorophore so it will then again we will check the fluorescent intensity. So the intensity difference will give how much amplification it is happened in the system.

OK, so, uh, since I have worked both in the chemical as well as biology field, so I know how we can approach whatever we are learning in the books, how we can approach practically say actually I don't have.

Thank you for that clear explanation, Professor. This provides a good understanding of your approach to measuring sensitivity improvements. Let's now shift focus slightly. You’ve mentioned your teaching responsibilities. Could you describe how you would structure a lecture on nanotechnology for students new to the subject? Specifically, how would you address both the theoretical and practical aspects effectively?

Any teaching experience currently, but I would like to teach them how the book whatever we are learning that is like talk that means toxicity or whatever we are doing irritant effect or that biocompatibility. How we can achieve by modulating the particular how engineering the material, how we can do it in a biotechnology biotechnology approach like how chemical biology we can do that I can teach to the.

Students.

As I believe that.

Thank you for your response, Professor. As you've outlined, connecting theoretical concepts to their practical applications is key. Could you share an example of a topic or experiment you would like to use in a lab course to help students grasp the principles of nanotechnology in a hands-on manner?

OK, in the practical application first I will teach them the nanoparticle how it can be synthesized with different methods and how with different methods that emission property or the how it is varying its properties. So for an example I can show them how the nanoparticles property varying with its shape, size as well as the number of atoms present in the.

System. So when we are coming from the higher nanoparticle which we can synthesize using wet chemical method, that same wet chemical method using that we can make that with a slight modification, we can make that as a star or we can make us a.

Sphere, it can make us a road and it can make us cluster. So when we are varying this structure, it's LSPR property as well as its emission property is varying. So this students can see a single core material, how its property is changing in the laboratory and how its emission properties emerging, how its absorbance properties are coming and how.

This material we can use for a biological application. So these different material is having different.

Property and it can be used for different application in the system.

That sounds like an excellent hands-on approach. Observing the relationship between nanoparticle morphology and its properties could provide students with profound insights into the practical applications of nanotechnology. Thank you, Professor. Let us move ahead to another key aspect. Could you discuss your approach to guiding student research projects, especially how you ensure that their work aligns with rigorous academic standards?

OK, so, uh, how I will, uh, uh, check that the students is that, uh, projects workers aligning is like, I will be very friendly, but I will be always strict also. So it will be like they need to learn whatever they are want to.

Learn and in the classroom what they are doing, what are they are learning? I will always encourage them to do some projects which is based on their interest. So if they are coming and approaching me, so I will give a project which will align both the interested student as well as the interest of mine. So that will make them more enthusiastic.

To work on that project and every per day.

I will give a target to the particular student and they need to fulfill and I will give a full support to them to fulfill that. And each week I will monitor how the progress is going on. And then finally in the, uh, month phase, we will see how the project is progressing. And then I will ask them to make a story out of that. It's like a, uh, article. When we will form, there should be a, some core scientific question they need to.

So first I will ask them to read lots of literature based on that and they will make a hypothesis and then I will ask them to do some practical so that they can get some answer on that. Then they if they still they are finding some issues then they need to go and read again literature then I am there to help them and then each week we need to check their lab book as well as their progress. Then I will see how they are going then.

We can. Together we'll make a good project.

A structured and iterative approach like this appears well-suited to ensure both independent student development and academic rigor. Thank you, Professor, for highlighting your method. Let us now move forward to a broader question about your academic contributions. Could you share one of your most impactful research publications and explain how it has contributed to the field of regenerative medicine, diagnostics, or any related area?

OK, uh, in the thernostic approach, recently we have published 1.

Paper in small which is highly relevant which is that approach is mainly a system which is act as a delivery agent.

In case of cancer, 4 gene silencing using gold nano cluster and that in that what we are making, we are making a bold nano cluster using peptides. And that peptide we are using as an SI RNA delivery for a particular gene which will suppress the ones that sarna is delivering and it is uh, binding to the particular gene. It is suppressing the tumor growth, so it will reduce the.

Cancer group and we have checked in the triple negative uh, breast cancer cell line as well as that. Another approach is what I have studied is using gold and nano Rd. We have developed different types of carnosic approach like multimodal therapeutic approaches like photothermal photodynamic therapy using photosensitizer combined with gold nanoparticle and chemotherapy plus photothermal therapy using combined with uh drug.

Gold nanoparticle and imaging as well as theranosic approach using gold nano Rd. plus gold nano cluster. So this different approach like only gold nano Rd. is having the capability to kill the cancer cell. So when we are encapsulating other modalities like different modality to the system, we are improving the efficacy of gold nano Rd. system. And when coming to the diagnostics approach actually I have done very.

Uh, interesting study like I am always interested to do the multi analyte detection system. So when I was proposing, like everyone was very curious like how it will work. Then I will, uh, start working on it. And I have developed a system which can sense simultaneously corporate creatine and that is using a content dots, which is not to be toxic for the.

Uh, biological fluid and we are taking out and we are taking so the contents will not make any problem there. And we made a fluorescent on off system for copper and creatine detection.

Biological system. But since it is a sensing system and we are using the.

As well as I have worked on cardiovascular sensors also, there we are. I have developed the system where we can detect troponini as well as BNP.

BNP to system.

Thank you, Professor, for this comprehensive overview of your impactful research. Your contributions to developing theranostic methods and multi-analyte detection systems exhibit how your work bridges advanced nanotechnology with practical biomedical applications. Let’s now discuss the application of this background to teaching. Given your expertise in interdisciplinary research, how do you plan to integrate cross-disciplinary elements when teaching subjects like regenerative medicine or microfluidics?

Pattern actually Oasis break in between. Can you repeat once more?

Certainly, Professor. Given your strong background in interdisciplinary research, how would you plan to incorporate cross-disciplinary elements when teaching subjects like regenerative medicine or microfluidics?

OK, I will be, uh, comfortable with the regenerative medicine, uh, and this microfluidics also like actually this DNA based amplification method actually in the final, uh, in the future stage, we are planning to make a microfluidics device for the sensing application and the regenerative medicine actually in the diagnosis. Also this particular detection of the biomarkers is playing a key role in the personalized medicine.

So in the regenerative medicine strategy, what we can incorporate is that combined when we are combining this chemical knowledge with the biology, we can give more impactful teaching to the students, which I can, I feel I can give a good teaching to the regenerative medicine.

Thank you for that, Professor. Combining chemical and biological perspectives indeed sounds impactful, especially for subjects like regenerative medicine. This approach would likely provide students with a well-rounded foundation. Let us now move to another aspect: you have received notable achievements such as the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship. Can you share how you leveraged this opportunity to further your research or academic objectives?

Yeah, actually I got the inspire faculty fellowship which is having the, uh, having, uh, research grant as well. So, uh, since I am in a second year and I am working in SA reputed institute like uh, this. But the problem is here we are ISI temporary post and I have a already the research grant. So I want to move to a permanent position where I can build my career using the research grant so.

That's why I am interested to apply in a position where it is a permanent so that I can build my own lab culture and where I can make the next generation student as well as my career in the research field.

Understood, Professor. Leveraging a permanent position to establish a robust research culture and contribute to shaping the next generation of learners appears to align well with your aspirations and qualifications. Let us advance to your industry-focused work. Regarding your internships, such as the one at RIKEN, Japan, how did it enhance your approach to applying nanosystems in biomedical contexts?

OK. Coming to the industrial approach, actually I have a small experience working with industry. I have worked as an project assistant in the HLA Life Care Limited. They're actually they are making that contraceptive devices, but they are there also they are incorporating nano particle to enhance the biocompatibility to strength for different approaches.

And I did my.

Uh, PhD from a hospital based system, They're also, I saw people are like doctors are struggling due to the diagnostic problems. So whatever the nanoparticle system or the small molecules, whatever we are developing, it is having the capability to.

Me it's all these problems, but the problem is it should be have to be higher scale and it should be robust. So what I have thinking that like whatever approach we are developing, we will make sure it will it has a high impact and it we will discuss with the industry people and we will develop the projects according to the needs of clinician as well as the industry. First what I feel in the regenerative medicine as well as.

Biotechnology approach, I think instead of industry, first we need to collaborate with a clinician and we need to see what exactly they want and what the patients need and the doctors need. According to that we will make the strategy so that it will be useful for both the system. So that will automatically improve the demands as well as the industry also automatically they will approach us to buy this.

Your emphasis on bridging clinical needs with research and industrial collaboration is commendable, Professor. It ensures that your work remains practical and impactful in real-world biomedical applications. This concludes the primary portion of our discussion. Is there anything additional you'd like to discuss or highlight regarding your qualifications or aspirations?

Uh, OK like since I am working here as an inspire faculty, my primary goal is to work as a permanent position Is that I want to.

Like.

I want to be a permanent host where I can continue my research and I can get a identity and I can start my teaching career also because since I don't have any teaching experience so I want to start and I want to see how I can.

Be a teacher and as well as why I choose a VIT is because it's the one of the most prestigious institute in India which is in the private form. But VIT has their own culture in the research as well as teaching. So that's why I choose to VIT. So I feel for any researcher that primary. Period for the after joining is a crucial to get fund to get to make adjust so everything.

So that's why in my second year itself, I am trying to get a position where I can join as a faculty as well as I have the funding facility also so I can develop myself in that position. And I will be like fearlessly I can do my research for some years at least. Like of course I will try for another project but since I have funding so I will not have that much worry to which will obstruct me to do any research or any teaching skills.

If you want to know more, you can ask.

Thank you, Professor, for articulating your aspirations and rationale for choosing an institution like VIT. Your vision of combining your research expertise and initiating your teaching career within a supportive academic setting is well-justified. At this stage, I believe we have discussed your experience, qualifications, and future goals extensively. Is there anything else you’d like to clarify or share before we conclude?

No, it's a very nice experience with interacting with you.