P. Ramachandran

The PVR Research Group is driven by the application of reaction methodologies, particularly catalyzed reactions, to solve challenging problems in organic and medicinal chemistry, and Engineering. Their background is rooted in organometallic chemistry, especially in organoborane and titanium-catalysis. The collaborative nature of PVR's research provides an environment for not only learning the latest developments in organic methodologies and catalysis, but in cutting edge research in medicinal and materials chemistry/engineering.

The current focus in medicinal chemistry is the development of potent antibiotics to treat "urgent categories" of bacteria designated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are focusing on treatment for (i) Clostridioides difficile (C. diff .), (ii) Nisseria gonorrhoeae , and (iii) MRSA. Our lead molecule for the treatment of C. diff . infection (CDI), AAMLA-4, has advanced to pre-clinical trials and PVR has co-founded Arta Therapeutics, Inc. in West Lafayette, IN, to continue the translational research with AAMLA-4. PVR functions as the Chief Scientific Officer of Arta to advance this research. Arta will also be supporting our ongoing anti-pancreatic cancer research.

On this front, joint work with Professor Chittaranjan Das of Purdue Chemistry for the chemoproteomic analysis of the mode of action (MOA) of AAMLA-4, as well as a joint project with Professor Mo Seyedsayamdost of Princeton University probing the biding sites via an enzymatic approach will provide pointers for future modifications. These projects provide the PVR group members an opportunity to get involved in biochemistry projects.

The two facets of PVR's collaborative 'materials chemistry' projects are (i) new battery development in collaboration with Prof. Vilas Purdue Chemical Engineering and (ii) a project probing "Novel Energetics Materials" in collaboration with Prof. Steve Son of Purdue Mechanical Engineering and Prof. Davin Piercy of Purdue Materials Engineering Departments (supported by Army Research Office).

A new materials chemistry project has just been initiated in collaboration with Prof. Babak Ansori of Purdue Mechanical Engineering exploring the cutting-edge applications of MXenes.

Professor Ramachandran is an active member of Purdue Interdisc. Life Science (PULSe) and several of the Purdue Discovery Park Centers, which foster collaboration among faculties of different Departments and Colleges. He is a member of Purdue Energetics Center, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery (PIDD), and Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D), and has access to several of the Discovery Park campus-wide facilities.

Education

• B.S., Calicut University, India, 1974
• M.S., Calicut University, India, 1976
• Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India, 1983
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Purdue University, 1986

Awards

• Presidential Safety Award, 2016
• Team Award, 2015
• Vikram Sarabhai Chair Professor of Chemistry, 2014
• Fellow of the American Chemical Society, 2012
• Undergraduate Advising Award, 2012
• Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2007
• Boron in the Americas Award, 2006
• Research Scientist, Purdue University , 1987

Publications

List of publications