Pioneering Precision Macromolecules for Health & Environment
Led by Prof. Raja Shunmugam at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, our laboratory invents precision-engineered polymer architectures, site-specific cancer theranostics, and high-performance sensors for national defense and environmental remediation.
Research thrusts
Precision Synthetic Macromolecules
Exploiting living and controlled polymerization methodologies, notably Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) and ATRP/RAFT. We synthesize functional norbornene-based block and random copolymers with tailored sequence control, narrow dispersity, and distinct macromolecular topologies.
Smart Drug Carriers & Cancer Theranostics
Designing multifunctional polymeric prodrug nanocarriers conjugated with platinum, doxorubicin, camptothecin, or ruthenium complexes. Our systems feature dual-imaging modalities (T1-weighted MRI + fluorescence), receptor-mediated endocytosis, and mitochondria-targeted drug release.
Self-Assembling Functional Nanomaterials
Directing amphiphilic copolymers into hierarchical nanostructures including reversible twisted rods, cylindrical micelles, spherical vesicles, and hyperbranched assemblies. These nanoscale superstructures serve as gasotransmitter (H₂S) regulators and bio-imaging conduits.
Latest publications
Explorer
#1402026Asmita Nandi, Ajal K. Prakash, Nusrath Fathima, Adrija Sadhu and Raja Shunmugam*. Biotin-Functionalized Multi-Stimuli-Responsive Polymeric Prodrug for Receptor-Mediated and Mitochondria-Targeted Codelivery of Camptothecin and Protocatechualdehyde. ACS Biomacromolecules
#1392026Chandan Kumar, Sangita Rajwar, Shaunak Das, Debina Bhattacharyya, Manoj Jakhar, Jayasri Das Sarma & Raja Shunmugam*. A Photoresponsive Azo-Functionalized 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone Polymer for Selective Fluoride Sensing in Environmental and Biological Media. ACS Sensors
#1382026Sangita Rajwar, Chandan Kumar, Shreya Ghosh, Sandeep Yadav, Rima Bhattacharya, Amirul Islam Mallick* & Raja Shunmugam*. A Smart Polypeptide-Based Photoresponsive Nanotherapeutic against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. ACS Applied Bio Materials
Lab news
All news- October 2025
Ph.D. Defense: Dr. Dwaipayan Pal
Hearty congratulations to Dr. Dwaipayan Pal for successfully completing and defending his Ph.D. thesis on morphological responses and smart formulations.
- May 2024
Ph.D. Defense: Dr. Narayan Das
Congratulations to Dr. Narayan Das for successfully defending his Ph.D. thesis on reaction-based norbornene fluorescent probes and helical nano-assemblies.
- December 5, 2023
Best Oral Presentation: Dr. Moumita Gupta
Dr. Moumita Gupta won the Best Oral Presentation Award at the International Conference on Advances in Chemistry (ICAC 2023), The American College, Madurai.