Research Projects

This proposal aims to synthesize and study the detailed antibacterial properties of molecules derived from natural alkaloids such as tryptanthrins and β-carbolines. Although these two scaffolds have received increased attention, their detailed reactivity profile and biological activity remain under-explored. Recent lab investigations have identified that spirothiopyran containing tryptanthrin has significant anti-bacterial activity against multidrug resistant staphylococcus aureus (s. aureus ATCC29213). The researchers plan to synthesize a series of heterocyclic compounds using the various reactive sites of tryptanthrin molecule and evaluate their activity against multidrug resistant s. aureus strains. Multicomponent dipolar cycloadditions, base-catalyzed reactions, and conjugation reactions will be used to synthesize heterocyclic molecules through green routes from tryptanthrin and beta-carboline. The study also examines the antibacterial activity of malononitrile adducts of tryptanthrin, which possess fluorescent properties. The study also examines the possibility of using these as antibacterial fluorescent probes. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major concern affecting global health care systems, and drug-resistant s. aureus is a notorious pathogen that can acquire resistance to multiple antibiotics. studies on small antibacterial molecules active against drug-resistant s. aureus are progressing rapidly, and the researchers expect to synthesize and develop new antibacterial molecules using these scaffolds.