The Biopharmaceutical group based at the Centre for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR) focuses on 3 core research themes, notably cancer, functional foods-diabetes and marine pharmaceuticals. The inherent programs and subsequent projects are run under the National Research Chair Program of Theeshan Bahorun, National Research Chair under the Mauritius Research Council and Professor in Applied Biochemistry.

The research group uses a multidisciplinary approach including fundamental and applied research supported by clinical intervention, animal, biochemical, cellular and molecular technologies in the prevention of oxidative linked chronic disease conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular dysfunctions.

Their objectives are to analyse and identify potent extracts/compounds (from terrestrial and marine flora, marine fauna, functional foods, dietary factors) for molecular action mechanism studies in cellular systems (cancer and diabetes models) established. Complementary works using animal models like balb/c mice (cancer) and human subjects in clinical trials (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases) have allowed them to validate significant data and to propose alternative therapies to mitigate the incidence of cancer, diabetes and cardiac ischemia. The group has developed competencies in techniques pertaining to extraction and analyses of active polyphenolics, in vitro and in vivo antioxidant assays, mammalian cell cultures, molecular biology of signal transduction pathways and clinical marker analyses amongst others.

The biopharmaceutical unit comprises one professor, one academic researcher, one post doctorate, one research assistant and 7 PhD students. The effectiveness and success of the themes and projects under the programs are fully evidenced by outputs at publication level, training of MPhil/PhDs, international conference participation and organization, international collaborations and sustained local and international funding.  

With support of :