Dr. Gopinath Nagaraj | Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

University of Madras | India

Dr. Gopinath Nagaraj is an accomplished biochemist and molecular biologist specializing in cardiovascular research, with a particular focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Madras under the mentorship of Prof. Elangovan Vellaichamy, where his doctoral research explored the intricate molecular pathways governing cardiac hypertrophy through both in vitro and in vivo models. His expertise encompasses a wide range of cellular and molecular biology techniques, including qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, FACS analysis, and fluorescence microscopy, all of which he has skillfully applied to investigate receptor signaling mechanisms and molecular cardiology.Dr. Gopinath’s pioneering research centers on the natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A/GC-A) signaling pathway and its modulation in cardiovascular physiology. His studies provide valuable insights into how NPR-A expression, internalization, and trafficking dynamics regulate receptor function and contribute to cardiovascular homeostasis. Through his innovative integration of experimental and computational methods—such as molecular docking and receptor trafficking assays—he has advanced understanding of how natural compounds like curcumin modulate receptor function and restore cellular signaling in stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy and inflammation models. This approach bridges receptor biology with natural product pharmacology, opening new therapeutic possibilities for cardiovascular disease management.His notable publications include Triiodo-L-thyronine Downregulates Npr1 Gene Transcription in H9c2 Cells: Involvement of β-AR-ROS Signaling published in Endocrine; C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Induces Cell Death and Sensitizes the Effect of Cisplatin in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells in International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics; CNP Inhibits T3-Induced Hypertrophic Growth in H9c2 Cells: Impact of HDAC Inhibitor in Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics; Curcumin with ANP Treatment Enhances the Internalization and Trafficking of NPR-A Mediated Signaling Pathway in Tissue and Cell; and Epigenetic Modulation of Natriuretic Peptide Receptor Signaling by HDAC Inhibitors in Thyroxine-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy submitted to the European Journal of Pharmacology. Dr. Gopinath has contributed expert consultancy in receptor signaling and preclinical molecular evaluation for bioactive compounds, polymers, and nanoparticles with cardioprotective, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. With multiple ongoing research projects, five publications in high-impact journals, and an h-index of three, he continues to strengthen the translational link between molecular cardiology and therapeutic innovation. His role as a reviewer for Discover Oncology further reflects his commitment to upholding scientific integrity and excellence in biomedical research. Through his innovative research, multidisciplinary collaborations, and translational insights, Dr. Gopinath exemplifies scientific dedication in advancing cardiovascular and molecular biosciences.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Elumalai, M., Nagaraj, G., Kasthuri, J., Vellaichamy, E., & Rajendiran, N. Evaluation of cytotoxic activity against A549 human lung cancer cells using green synthesized N-Cholyl D-Penicillamine encapsulated silver and gold nanoparticles. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 153, 110834.

Baskaran, A., Elumalai, M., Nagaraj, G., Vellaichamy, E., & Rajendiran, N. Mucoadhesive and drug release of cholic acid-based thiomeric micelles and encapsulated silver and gold nanoparticles for anticancer studies. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 703, 135363.

Nagaraj, G., Dhanusu, S., Nachiappan, D. M., & Vellaichamy, E. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) induces cell death and sensitizes the effect of cisplatin in human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549). International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics, 28(4), 112.

Nagaraj, G., & Vellaichamy, E. Triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) downregulates Npr1 gene (coding for natriuretic peptide receptor-A) transcription in H9c2 cells: involvement of β-AR-ROS signaling. Endocrine, 85(3), 1075–1090.

Nagaraj, G., & Vellaichamy, E. CNP inhibits T3-induced hypertrophic growth in H9c2 cells: Impact of HDAC inhibitor. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 110648.

Elumalai, M., Nagaraj, G., Ramaraj, S. G., Vellaichamy, E., Tabata, H., & Rajendiran, N. NCPA-templated red-emitting gold nanoclusters: a turn-off-on fluorescent probe for rapid and selective detection of Cu²⁺ ions in live cells and evaluation of biological applications. Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England: 2003).