Scientists showcase advances in health care, genetics and knowledge systems at research conference

Kerala’s growing research ecosystem took centre stage at the National Research Conference on Tuesday as scientists and scholars presented advances spanning predictive health care, fundamental genetics, and transdisciplinary knowledge systems.

A major highlight was a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research that could transform early diagnosis for Kerala’s ageing population. Scientists have identified distinct blood-based metabolic signatures that may enable non-invasive detection and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease.

Presenting her work at the health sciences’ session, Aneesa P.A. from the Centre for Neuroscience, Cochin University of Science and Technology, described the first comprehensive plasma metabolomic profiling of Alzheimer’s patients from Kerala. Supported by the Chief Minister’s Nava Kerala Post-Doctoral Fellowship, the study addresses the urgent need for early diagnosis in a State where an estimated 4-6% of people aged above 60 are affected by dementia.

Influencing factors

Dr. Aneesa highlighted that metabolic profiles and disease risks are strongly influenced by geography, diet, lifestyle, and genetic background. Her research team’s study revealed stage-specific metabolic disruptions linked to key disease pathways, including taurine metabolism, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings point to the potential development of non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring, which could significantly reduce diagnostic delays and ease the growing caregiver burden in Kerala’s ageing society.

With Alzheimer’s disease currently affecting over 55 million people worldwide and projections rising to 152.8 million by 2050, Kerala faces a disproportionate burden due to its advanced demographic transition. Nearly 20-25% of India’s elderly population resides in the State, the researchers claimed.

The biological sciences session turned attention to the fundamental mechanisms of inheritance as H.A. Ranganath from the Centre for Human Genetics, Bengaluru, delivered a keynote lecture titled ‘Lyonisation of the X-Chromosome’. Dr. Ranganath delved into the growing integration of data science and artificial intelligence with classical biology, enabled by tools such as high-resolution spectroscopy and bioinformatics.

The arts and humanities session featuring a lecture by K.P. Mohanan, retired professor from IISER Pune, examined the emerging paradigms of knowledge creation. He contrasted textbook-driven historical study with a broader investigation of the past that draws upon mathematics, science, philosophy, and other disciplines. He added that scholars from diverse disciplines, including biology, physics, linguistics, and forensic science, could meaningfully contribute to historical inquiry through flexible and integrative thinking.