CVSTR ( Centre for In Vitro Studies and Translational Research)

• 11

  PUBLICATIONS

  (Scopus Indexed)

• 10

  PAPERS

  (Accepted/ Communicated)

• 13

  PATENTS

  Filed/Granted

SERVICES

• Anti-Cancer Studies
• Anti-oxidant Studies
• Molecular Bio Studies

In vitro means – in glass. It refers to the study that is conducted outside of a living organism, mainly in petri-dishes or tissue culture flasks, typically using cell culture or other artificial environments. In vitro testing is often used as a first step in assessing a drug’s potential efficacy and safety, as it allows researchers to observe how the drug interacts with cells in a controlled environment. In vitro studies can help to accelerate drug discovery and reduce reliance on animal experiments, while also providing important insights into the potential risks and benefits of new drugs.

The Centre for in vitro Studies and Translational Research (CVSTR) is one such advanced research laboratory working in in vitro techniques for anti-cancer studies including cytotoxicity screening, apoptosis, targeted drug delivery and molecular biology assays. CVSTR is headed by Dr. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, Professor (Research). Under his guidance, scholars are working on different in vitro tools and techniques. CVSTR came into existence in 2023 and is equipped with state-of-the-art facility for mammalian cell culture, including Bio-safety Cabinet, CO2 Incubator, Inverted Microscope, Plate Reader & Washer, Analytical weighing balance, Gel Electrophoresis, Centrifuge, etc.

In the realm of cell culture research, CVSTR excels in developing advanced in vitro models that closely mimic the complexity of human tissues and organs. These sophisticated cell culture systems serve as invaluable tools for studying cancer biology, drug screening and toxicology, accelerating the pace of medical research and discovery. The centre also specializes in doing anti-oxidant assays, focusing on Indian medicinal plants and their isolates. A lot of natural products and synthetic molecules are introduced in the research domain which are studied for their biological activities. With the aim of exploring the biological activities, CVSTR came into existence, with facilities that can be utilized to explore the biological activities of novel molecules and plants. Such moieties are identified, either based on their availability and/or exhaustive literature survey. Once their availability is ascertained, they are procured and studied for their antioxidant and anticancer activities. Once a lead (Positive/Active) is ascertained, the isolate is then taken up for further mechanistic studies.

In summary, CVSTR stands at the forefront of in vitro studies and translational research, with a clear mission to combat cancer and other health challenges through innovative applications of in vitro techniques. The centre strives to make significant contributions to scientific knowledge and translate its discoveries into tangible benefits for society, ultimately advancing the frontiers of novel drug discovery and development.

For any query mail us on – satyam.ka@chitkara.edu.in; Mob. No.- +91-8920139002

Workshop

• Attended a three-day International Conference entitled, “Current trends in toxicity & 43rd Annual Meeting of Society of Toxicity (STOX), India” held in LPU, Punjab from 16-18th Oct, 2024. Ms. Monika Sharma, Research Assistant, CVSTR, presented two posters at the conference.
• Dr. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, Professor (Research), CVSTR, was invited as Resource Person for One day Hands-on workshop on Basic Cell Culture, at Department of Health Research, Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit (DHR-MRU), KGMU, Lucknow, on June 10, 2024.
• Ms. Sushmita Jain, PhD scholar and JRF, CVSTR, attended the DST-SERB sponsored 7-day workshop on “Development and Characterization of Bionanomaterials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering”, organised at Sharda University, Noida from 27th May to 2nd June 2024.
• Attended one day faculty workshop on “Emerging and established techniques for purification and characterization of Phytoconstituents and synthetic molecules” held at Amity Institute of Phytochemistry and Phytomedicine (AIP&P), Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh on 14th Mar, 2024. Team CVSTR attended the workshop and had fruitful interactions with Prof. Hemanthkumar Manikyam, CTO, Svarn Herbals Pvt. Ltd.
• Two day hands on workshop was organised on “DNA Isolation, Gel electrophoresis, microscopy” at CVSTR from Feb 29th to Mar 1st 2024 for students. Dr. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, Professor (Research), CVSTR was the resource person.
• 5-day Science Carnival was organised by Dr. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, Professor (Research), CVSTR, on the occasion of National Science Day -2024 from Feb 26th to Mar 1st 2024, at Chitkara University, Rajpura. The event comprised of invited lectures, competitions, Science fun activities, workshops, etc.
• Dr. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, Professor (Research), CVSTR, conducted a One-day “Institutional Bio-Safety Committee Training cum Seminar” on 27th Feb 2024 at Einstein Hall, Chitkara University, Rajpura.
• Team CVSTR was active part of Organizing team of 1-day symposium entitled “Interventions & Innovations for Diabetes Management”, organised at Chitkara University, Rajpura on Nov 30, 2023.
• Ms. Shusmita Jain, PhD scholar and JRF, CVSTR, attended six-day workshop “Immuno-India 2023”, from October 1-6, 2023 at Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram.
• Ms. Monika Sharma, Research Assistant, CVSTR, participated in 5-days Faculty Development Program on “Innovation, IPR and Prior Art techniques” organized by Office of Patent Facilitation Licensing and Consultancy (OPFLC), CURIN, Chitkara University, Punjab from 19-23, August, 2023.
• Dr. Satyam Kumar Agrawal organised a two-day Seminar on “Global Science for Global Well being” on occasion of National Science Day -2023, from 27-28th Feb 2023, at Chitkara University, Rajpura.
• Ms. Monika Sharma, Research Assistant, CVSTR, attended two-day International Conference entitled, “One World One Health” held in Chitkara University Rajpura Campus from 6-7th Dec, 2022 and delivered an Oral presentation at the conference.
• Dr. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, Professor (Research), CVSTR, was resource person at two day FDP on “Blueprint of Writing Research & Funding Process” on 16 & 17th Sept 2022, at Einstein Hall, organised by Department of Optometry, CSHS, Chitkara University. The FDP was attended by around 20 Faculty and 40 scholars of Department of Optometry, CSHS; CSE and CURIN.
• Dr. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, Professor (Research), CURIN, organised a Workshop on “Ethical Guidelines for Human Research”, at Chitkara School of Health Sciences (CSHS) on 6th May 2022. The workshop was attended by around 20 Faculty and scholars of Department of Optometry, CSHS.
• Dr. Satyam Kumar Agrawal organised a three-day event on the theme “Integrated Approach in Science & Technology for Sustainable Future” on occasion of National Science Day -2022, from 10-12th Mar 2022, at Chitkara University, Rajpura.

Publications

• Overcoming drug resistance in ovarian cancer through PI3K/AKT signaling inhibitors. M Agrawal, Satyam Kumar Agrawal, K Chopra. Gene, 948, 2025, 149352.
• Essential oil from Ocimum carnosum induces ROS mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and intrinsic apoptosis in HL-60 cells. M Agrawal, AK Saxena and Satyam Kumar Agrawal. Toxicology in vitro, 104, 2025, 105988.
• A Privacy-Protected Federated Learning with Cross-silo Brain Tumour Dataset for Glioma Detection. S Sharma, K Guleria, A Dogra and Satyam Kumar Agrawal. SN Computer Science, 5, 2024, 1144.
• Essential oil from Ocimum viride exerts caspase-3 interceded apoptosis in human leukaemia HL-60 cells. M Agrawal, AK Saxena and Satyam Kumar Agrawal. South African Journal of Botany, 175, 2024, 193-200.
• Deciphering the role of mitochondrial DNA targeted therapy in hepatic cell carcinoma. M Agrawal and Satyam Kumar Agrawal. Gene Expression, 24(1), 2025, 46–55.
• Vallaris solanacea induces mitochondrial mediated apoptosis in HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. M Agrawal, AK Saxena and Satyam Kumar Agrawal. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 189, 2024, 114743.
• Role of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Pancreatic Cancer Research. Satyam Kumar Agrawal and SS Jain. In Smart Healthcare Systems, CRC Press, 2024, 222-235.
• Characterization of Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems: Retrospect and Future Prospects. Satyam Kumar Agrawal and P Kumari. In Biosystems, Biomedical & Drug Delivery Systems: Characterization, Restoration and Optimization, Springer Nature Singapore, 2024, 43-59.
• Blockchain in Internet of Medical Things: Insights on Healthcare Systems. SS Jain, SM Kothari and Satyam Kumar Agrawal. In Emerging Technologies and the Application of WSN and IoT, CRC Press, 2024, 129-143.
• The Role of IoMT Technologies in Revolutionizing Healthcare: A Comprehensive Overview. SS Jain, SM Kothari and Satyam Kumar Agrawal. In WSN and IoT: An Integrated Approach for Smart Applications, CRC Press, ISBN No: 9781003437079, 2024, 187-202.
• Implications of NRF-2 in Cancer Progression and Therapeutics. M Agrawal and Satyam K Agrawal. In: Chakraborti S. (eds) Handbook of Oxidative Stress in Cancer: Therapeutic Aspects, by Springer, Singapore, ISBN No: 978-981-16-1247-3, 2022, 1-17.

Patents

• Nano-Formulation for Cancer Treatment and Method thereof. Satyam Kumar Agrawal and Madhunika Agrawal, Patent application no. 202411055765; Filed date: 22/07/2024.
• Stand for Flasks. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, M Sharma and M Agrawal. Design No. 394840-001. Filed date: 11/09/2023; Granted – 23/02/2024.
• Glove for Enhancing Hand Functions. Sadbhawna, Satyam Kumar Agrawal, T Sharma, T Mongia, D Rani, A Vashisht, A Saini. Design No. 412119-001; Filed date: 30/03/2024; Granted – 17/05/2024.
• Universal Microtip Box. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, M Sharma and M Agrawal. Design No. 394841-001, Filed date: 11/09/2023; Granted – 03/11/2023.
• Assistive Glove for Enhanced Hand Functions. Sadbhawna and Satyam Kumar Agrawal. Patent application no. 202311073795; Filed date: 30/10/2023.
• Cell Culture flask for Hypoxia treatment. Satyam Kumar Agrawal. Patent application no. 202211043461; 49491/2022-DEL. Filed date: 29/07/2022.
• Hypoxia Flask. Satyam Kumar Agrawal. Design No. 368500-001. Filed date: 29/07/2022; Granted – 18/05/2023.
• Universal Cell Culture Flask Cap for Hypoxia Treatment. Satyam Kumar Agrawal. Design No. 368501-001. Filed date: 29/07/2022; Granted – 17/05/2023.
• IoT and AI based Animal Cage Activity Monitoring Device. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, M Agrawal and V Khullar. Patent application no. 202211040455; 45951/2022-DEL. Filed date: 14/07/2022.
• Cell Culture Platform for in vitro studies. Satyam Kumar Agrawal and M Agrawal. Patent application no. 202211039219; 44133/2022-DEL. Filed date: 07/07/2022.
• Cell Culture Platform for Cell attachment. Satyam Kumar Agrawal and M Agrawal. Design Patent application No. 367420-001. Filed date: 07/07/2022.
• Morris Water Maze Tank with Intelligent Monitoring. Satyam Kumar Agrawal, V Khullar and M Agrawal. Design Patent application No. 361484-001. Filed date: 29/03/2022.
• Automated System for Analyzing Morris Water Maze Test. V Khullar, Satyam Kumar Agrawal and M Agrawal. Patent application no. 202211010383; 11235/2022-DEL. Filed date: 26/02/2022.

Team

Dr. Satyam Kumar Agrawal
Professor (Research), CVSTR

Ms. Monika Sharma
Research Assistant, CVSTR

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