Ruby Anto | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ruby Anto | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Centre of Excellence in Nutraceuticals | India

Dr. Ruby Anto is a distinguished biochemist and cancer researcher with an extensive career dedicated to advancing the fields of molecular oncology, bioimmunotherapy, and nutraceutical science. She currently serves as Chief Scientist at the Centre of Excellence in Nutraceuticals, KSCSTE, Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, and Honorary Scientist at the Institute of Advanced Virology, Thiruvananthapuram. Over her accomplished career, she has held numerous scientific positions at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, progressing from Research Associate to Scientist G, reflecting her consistent contributions and leadership in biomedical research.Dr. Anto earned her PhD in Biochemistry from Amala Cancer Research Centre, Thrissur, following her postgraduate studies in Chemistry and Education. Her multidisciplinary academic background—combining chemistry, biochemistry, and pedagogy—has been central to her innovative approach to cancer biology and molecular medicine. Her early academic achievements and later professional experiences at prestigious institutions such as the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, provided a strong foundation for her research on targeted cancer therapies, chemopreventive agents, and the role of natural products in disease modulation.Recognized nationally and internationally for her scientific excellence, Dr. Anto has received several prestigious honors, including the Young National Women Bio-Scientist Award from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, and fellowships from the National Academy of Sciences, India, and the Academy of Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram. Her professional journey also includes global training experiences, such as her participation in the Clinical Trials Traineeship Program at INSERM, Paris, which broadened her expertise in translational research and clinical validation of nutraceutical interventions.As a mentor, Dr. Anto has nurtured a generation of young scientists, with her students and postdoctoral fellows earning numerous national and international awards for their work in cancer biology and nutraceutical research. Her leadership has fostered a thriving academic environment focused on the discovery and characterization of bioactive compounds from natural sources with therapeutic potential.Dr. Anto’s scientific publications have advanced understanding in areas such as natural compound-mediated cancer prevention, signaling pathway modulation, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of nutraceuticals. Through her research, she continues to bridge the gap between basic biochemistry and applied health sciences, promoting nutraceutical innovation as a cornerstone of preventive and personalized medicine. Her lifelong dedication to scientific inquiry and mentorship underscores her status as one of India’s leading voices in biochemistry and nutraceutical research.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Ruby, A. J., Kuttan, G., Babu, K. D., Rajasekharan, K. N., & Kuttan, R. (1995). Anti-tumour and antioxidant activity of natural curcuminoids. Cancer Letters, 94(1), 79–83.

Anto, R. J., Mukhopadhyay, A., Denning, K., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2002). Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) induces apoptosis through activation of caspase-8, BID cleavage and cytochrome c release: Its suppression by ectopic expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. Carcinogenesis, 23(1), 143–150.

Anto, R. J., Sukumaran, K., Kuttan, G., Rao, M. N. A., Subbaraju, V., & Kuttan, R. (1995). Anticancer and antioxidant activity of synthetic chalcones and related compounds. Cancer Letters, 97(1), 33–37.

Oommen, S., Anto, R. J., Srinivas, G., & Karunagaran, D. (2004). Allicin (from garlic) induces caspase-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells. European Journal of Pharmacology, 485(1–3), 97–103.*

Anto, R. J., Mukhopadhyay, A., Shishodia, S., Gairola, C. G., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2002). Cigarette smoke condensate activates nuclear transcription factor-κB through phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα: Correlation with induction of cyclooxygenase-2. Carcinogenesis, 23(9), 1511–1518.*

Bava, S. V., Puliappadamba, V. T., Deepti, A., Nair, A., Karunagaran, D., & Anto, R. J. (2005). Sensitization of taxol-induced apoptosis by curcumin involves down-regulation of nuclear factor-κB and the serine/threonine kinase Akt and is independent of tubulin polymerization. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280(8), 6301–6308.*

Srinivas, G., Anto, R. J., Srinivas, P., Vidhyalakshmi, S., Senan, V. P., & Karunagaran, D. (2003). Emodin induces apoptosis of human cervical cancer cells through poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and activation of caspase-9. European Journal of Pharmacology, 473(2–3), 117–125.*

Zhao-Jie Wang – Medicinal Chemistry – Best Researcher Award

Zhao-Jie Wang - Medicinal Chemistry - Best Researcher Award

Yunnan Normal University - China

Introduction

Dr. Zhao-Jie Wang is an eminent researcher in the field of natural products, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology. With an extensive portfolio of over 33 SCI-indexed publications, Dr. Wang has made substantial contributions to understanding antimicrobial compounds, drug development, and therapeutic strategies against multidrug-resistant pathogens. His research bridges phytochemistry and pharmacology, offering innovative solutions to pressing challenges in infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial Natural Products

Dr. Wang has extensively studied bioactive compounds derived from plants and fungi to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi. His work, featured in leading journals like Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Food Chemistry: X, provides a comprehensive analysis of plant-based antimicrobial agents, their chemical compositions, and mechanisms of action. His studies on Zanthoxylum species and Sigesbeckia orientalis are pivotal in discovering new therapeutic agents.

Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infections

A significant aspect of Dr. Wang's research focuses on developing novel strategies to address multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections. His study on light-controllable chitosan micelles for bacterial biofilm treatment, published in Carbohydrate Polymers (IF=11.2), exemplifies his innovative approach. This research provides a promising avenue for combating MDR bacteria using advanced nanotechnology.

Phytochemical Analysis and Bioactivity

Dr. Wang has explored the phytochemistry of various herbs and their bioactivity against pathogens. His work includes detailed characterization of chemical constituents using LC-MS and their evaluation for antibacterial, antifungal, and nematicidal activities. Studies published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry and Heliyon highlight his expertise in bridging traditional herbal medicine with modern pharmacology.

Therapeutic Strategies for Infectious Diseases

With a focus on infectious diseases, Dr. Wang has proposed innovative therapeutic strategies to combat intracellular MDR bacteria. His study published in the Journal of Controlled Release (IF=10.8) offers groundbreaking insights into targeted drug delivery systems and their potential to improve therapeutic efficacy against challenging infections.

Bioactivity-Driven Drug Development

Dr. Wang’s research on bioactivity-driven isolation and characterization of antifungal and antibacterial compounds has significantly contributed to drug development. Studies on compounds such as diterpenoids, ent-kaurane diterpenes, and formononetin derivatives underscore his efforts in identifying potential therapeutic agents for osteoclast regulation and bacterial resistance management.

Conclusion

Dr. Zhao-Jie Wang's diverse and impactful research continues to advance the understanding of natural products, antimicrobial pharmacology, and innovative therapeutic approaches. His multidisciplinary expertise and commitment to addressing global health challenges have established him as a leading figure in the field of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry. Through his work, Dr. Wang aims to contribute to the development of safer and more effective treatments for drug-resistant pathogens, ensuring a brighter future for global healthcare.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Siegesoxylipin A‒J, previously undescribed phyto-oxylipins inhibition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci from Sigesbeckia orientalis

Diterpenoids of Caryopteris trichosphaera W. W. Sm. inhibiting MRSA and VRE in vitro and in vivo.

Oleanolic acid derivatives against drug-resistant bacteria and fungi by multi-targets to avoid drug resistance

Phytocannabinoid-like meroterpenoids from twigs and leaves of Rhododendron spinuliferum

New resorcylic acid derivatives of Lysimachia tengyuehensis against MRSA and VRE by interfering with bacterial metabolic imbalance