Dr. N. Selvamurugan, Professor in Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering is appointed as Adjunct Professor at the Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York. Dr. Selvamurugan is mentoring the Tissue Engineering and Cancer Research Laboratory (TECRL) which has multifunctional research activities located in the Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering. His areas of research interest are in stem cells, bone, breast cancer and biomaterials. His laboratory dissected the physiological and pathological importance of microRNAs during stem cell differentiation towards osteoblasts as well as in breast cancer mediated bone loss. A functional role of transcription factor that plays a significant role in breast cancer progression was identified using cell culture and mouse model systems in TECRL.

TECRL developed novel scaffolds and hydrogels which were found to be promising in treating bone defects and the products have been filed for patents in India. TECRL is currently receiving funds from the Indian government agencies such as ICMR, CSIR, DST and DBT. Dr. Selvamurugan has published a number of research papers in peer reviewed International journals. One of his research papers obtained the highest impact factor of 27.417. The h index of his research publication is 28. Dr. Selvamurugan has strong research collaborations with National and International Institutes/Universities (Central Leather Research Institute, National Institute of Nutrition, Madras University, New York University, University of Pennsylvania). He is also serving as a grant review member in the Indian funding agencies and as a review member in several International journals.

A number of students have been well trained in research in TECRL and they are placed for higher studies and job in Singapore, UK and USA. TECRL aims at training undergraduate, post graduate and Ph. D. students in research and it promotes research activities and translates them into patentable products and research publications. “With continued support from the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (formerly known as SRM University) management, training and guiding students towards research, translating research into research papers and products for human welfare are the major goals of the laboratory” says Dr. N. Selvamurugan. For more details, visit http://mysrm.srmuniv.ac.in/tecrl/