Jodhpur, India | 16th September 2025 – Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur are making groundbreaking progress in understanding harmful bacteria and their connection to diseases that affect millions worldwide. Under the leadership of Dr. Neha Jain, Associate Professor in the Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, IIT Jodhpur, the Functional Amyloid Biology Lab is tackling some of the toughest challenges in healthcare today – bacterial infections that resist treatment, diseases of the brain, and public health risks caused by microbes.

The lab is working on different aspects of bacterial amyloids, focusing on how novel proteins and engineered nanomaterials can be utilized to block biofilm formation (project funded by CSIR and ICMR; manuscripts in review high impact journals). Another recent finding from the lab deciphers how bacterial amyloids trigger the human immune system and may contribute to the severity of the diseases (project funded by the International Brain Research Organization, carried out in Prof. Cagla Tukel’s lab at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA)

The researchers have recently discovered novel amyloid inhibitors that could prevent both bacterial and human amyloid buildup. Amyloids are special kinds of proteins that can clump together and form harmful deposits in the body. These clumps are a major reason why some bacterial infections are hard to treat, as bacteria use amyloid structures to protect themselves. Similarly, in humans, amyloid buildup in the brain is linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

This is a significant milestone in their study as the same inhibitor can be used for both systems. Also, understanding the activation of the immune system by bacterial amyloids will allow early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease, which is currently a bottleneck in the treatment. The lab’s recent findings also uncover the process of amyloid formation in lab conditions and unraveling this process may provide insights into the amyloid formation and help to understand the initiation of the disease at an early stage.

Inhibitors are substances that can stop or slow down a biological process.

• The researchers have found new substances—called amyloid inhibitors—that can stop the formation of these harmful amyloid clumps.
• These inhibitors are important because they can help in two ways:
  1. By preventing bacteria from building protective shields, making infections easier to treat.
  2. By stopping or slowing the accumulation of amyloids in the brain, which may reduce or prevent neurological diseases.

In short, this discovery could lead to treatments that fight infections and protect brain health at the same time. It’s a breakthrough that addresses both healthcare challenges with a single solution.

The work has direct implications for society. Most of the infections get worse due to biofilm formation. In the lab, Dr. Neha’s team is designing advanced methodologies and prototypes at low cost to reduce the biofilm burden and provide better facilities to the general public.  The team also actively reach out to the local communities through science awareness programs to educate people about better and hygienic living conditions (the outreach work has been published in the Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education).

Targeting Hidden Microbial Defenses

Bacteria are known to protect themselves by building slimy layers called biofilms. These shields make it extremely hard for doctors to fight infections, especially in hospitals where superbugs threaten patient safety. Dr. Jain’s research is focused on breaking these defenses using advanced methods that target amyloids—key proteins that bacteria rely on to create biofilms. By weakening this shield, antibiotics can work better, helping doctors treat infections that were once considered untreatable. This research offers hope for those suffering from chronic illnesses and infections that are expensive and hard to manage.

A New Link Between Gut Health and Brain Diseases

The lab is also exploring how bacteria in our gut may influence brain disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Through collaborations with international research centers, the team is uncovering how bacterial proteins trigger inflammation and worsen neurological conditions. Understanding this connection could lead to early detection methods and new treatments, helping patients live healthier and longer lives.

Making Healthcare Affordable and Accessible

What sets this research apart is its focus on practical solutions that can be easily implemented. Dr. Jain’s team is developing cost-effective sensors and light-activatable modalities and community education programs to reduce infections, and overcome antibiotic resistance, especially in underprivileged areas. By making science simple and affordable, the research directly contributes to improving public health and empowering doctors with better tools.

Global Recognition, Local Impact

Dr. Neha Jain’s work has earned international recognition, Due to the impact of the work carried out in the lab, Dr. Neha has been granted the prestigious EMBO Global Investigator Award and INSA Young Associate Award. The team strive to work in a direction that leads to the betterment of society.

“I believe science must serve society,” says Dr. Jain. “Our work is about more than lab results—it’s about protecting lives, helping families, and creating healthier communities. We are committed to finding solutions that are both innovative and affordable.”

With this cutting-edge research, IIT Jodhpur is leading the way toward a future where healthcare is safer, more efficient, and accessible to all. The institute’s work is aligned with India’s vision of inclusive growth, ensuring that scientific advancements bring real benefits to people across the country.

For more information and updates on this exciting research, please contact the media team at IIT Jodhpur.

For further details, watch the full episode on Sparks of IIT Jodhpur | Dr. Neha Jain | Breaking Biofilms, Saving Lives 

Video Byte and Photos in this Drive Link

 

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