MKU prof to receive TN scientist award in biological sciences
Madurai: An associate professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology at the School of Biotechnology at Madurai Kamaraj University, Varalakshmi Perumal, has been selected for the Tamil Nadu Scientist Award (TANSA) 2023 by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology in the discipline of Biological Sciences.
According to a statement, Varalakshmi's primary research interests focus on exploring algal metabolites for therapeutic and bioenergy applications. For the past decade, her major research thrust at MKU was on 'Unveiling bioactive metabolites of underexplored algae and their associated bacteria from the coastal regions of South India', particularly investigating their potential against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
While current treatments for NCDs largely rely on bioactive molecules derived from terrestrial plants, marine sources remain largely untapped. This has driven her search for multimodal-acting compounds from marine macroalgae, especially brown algae, which are rich in complex bioactive metabolites such as phlorotannins with strong pharmacological potential. So far, Varalakshmi characterised more than 10 novel compounds from marine algae with therapeutic potential against diabetes, obesity, epilepsy, and cervical cancer.
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