CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: Dr. J.P. Jose Merlin

Address: Assistant Professor, S/o K. Jeyaraj,
Department of Biochemistry, 9/53, Merlin Cottage,
E.S College of Nursing, Ottapanavilai,
E.S Nagar,
Kaliakkavilai (PO),
V.Salai,
Villupuram – 605 652. Kanyakumari – 629 153.
Tamil Nadu, India. Tamil Nadu, India.
Mobile: +91 9442-094520 Mobile: +91 9442-094520
E-mail: jose4bio87@gmail.com
Main Research
Interests Cancer Biology, Nanobiotechnology
Education
Ph.D., BIOCHEMISTRY (2012 – 2018)
Thesis title: Chemosensitation of ursolic acid
loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles
and caffeine loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid
nanoparticles in cancer cell lines in vitro and
xenograft model in swiss albino mice in vivo

Thesis supervisor: Dr. B. Venkadesh, Assistant Professor, PG & Research Department

of Zoology, Nandanam Government Arts College, Chennai 600 35,
Tamil Nadu, India. Email: drvenkadesh10@gmail.com

M. Phil., BIOCHEMISTRY (2009– 2011)

Thesis title: Anti cancer effect of ferulic acid and
paclitaxel loaded poly lactide co-glycolic acid in non
small cell lung carcinoma in vitro
Thesis supervisor: Dr. N. Rajendra Prasad, Assistant Professor, Department of
Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Annamalai University,
Annamalai Nagar 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India.

M.Sc. BIOCHEMSITRY (2007 – 2009)

Graduated with First class in Malankara Catholic College, Tamil Nadu, India.

B.Sc. BIOCHEMSITRY (2004 – 2007)

Graduated with First class in Malankara Catholic College, Tamil Nadu, India.

Synopsis of My doctoral research topic was entitled “Chemosensitation of ursolic acid loaded poly(lactic
Doctoral co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles and caffeine loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles in
Research cancer cell lines in vitro and xenograft model in swiss albino mice in vivo”.

The aim of the study was to prepare the nanoparticles, characterize the properties
of nanoparticles and to subjected to various cell culture techniques, molecular works and
biochemical estimations in HT-29 cells in vitro and xenograft model in swiss albino
mice in vivo (histopathological studies and biochemical estimations).

Cancer is one of the leading causes of adult deaths worldwide. Colorectal cance
(CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth most frequent cause of cancer
related death worldwide. Chemotherapy, a major treatment for cancer patients primary
for leukemia’s and inoperable solid tumors, adjuvant and neo adjuvant for operable solid
tumors often fails the patients due to inherent or acquired multidrug resistance
Nanotechnology has led to the development of drug delivery systems to achieve the
targeted transport of anticancer drugs. Incorporation of anticancer drugs into the
nanoparticles, reduces the adverse reactions and increases the therapeutic efficacy due to
changes in the pharmacokinetics or tissue distribution. Nanoparticles may be delivered to
specific sites by size dependant passive targeting or by active targeting.

Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is one of the most successfully used

biodegradable polymers because its hydrolysis leads to metabolite monomers, lactic acid

and glycolic acid. PLGA is synthesized through ring opening polymerization of two

different monomers, the cyclic dimers (1, 4-dioxane-2, 5-diones) of glycolic acid and

lactic acid. During polymerization, successive monomeric units (of glycolic or lactic

acid) are linked together in PLGA by ester linkages, thus yielding a linear, aliphatic

polyester as a product. Ursolic acid (UA), a plant extract used in traditional Chinese

medicine, exhibits potential anticancer effects in various human cancer cell lines in vitro

UA is a pentacyclic triterpene acid that can be extracted from a number of plants

including fruits and medicinal herbs, and has a variety of clinical applications. In

addition to its antioxidant, anti-hepatitis, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects

the most remarkable property of UA is its anti-tumor activity. UA inhibits cell growth

and induces apoptosis in several cancers, including colon cancer, breast cancer

leukemia, melanoma and prostate cancer. Caffeine (1, 3, 7-trimethylxanthine) is found in

both coffee and tea, so a great number of people are exposed to various doses of caffeine
 Caffeine significantly reduces cancer risk caused by environmental and dietary

carcinogens and the protective action of caffeine against a variety of chemica

carcinogens was established by several studies.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT STUDY

To prepare the nanoparticles (UA-PLGA NPs and Caf-PLGA NPs). To

characterize the drug loaded nanoparticles by DLS, TEM, SEM, FT-IT, DSC, XRD

analysis, drug encapsulation efficiency and in vitro drug release. To investigate the anti-

cancer effect of drug loaded nanoparticles by assessing 3-(4,5-dimethylthiaozol-2yl)-2,5-

diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), Sulforhodamine B Assay (SRB), reactive oxygen

species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), Apoptosis, Comet assay

cell cycle analysis, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant properties in HT-29 cell lines. To

study the effect of toxicity on expression of apoptotic markers (p53, p21 and Bcl 2) by

western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase PCR. To carry out in vivo studies in

mouse models by xenograft model and subject to histopathological studies, lipid

peroxidation and antioxidant properties in swiss albino mice.

Research Experience

M. Phil., 2009-2011 Anti cancer effect of ferulic acid and

paclitaxel loaded poly lactide co-glycolic
acid in non small cell lung carcinoma in
vitro
Ph.D., 2012-2018 Chemosensitation of ursolic acid loaded
poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle
and caffeine loaded poly (lactic-co
glycolic acid) nanoparticles in cancer cel
lines in vitro and xenograft model in
swiss albino mice in vivo
Teaching 1 Year 02-01-2017 to till date E.S College of Nursing, Villupuram.
Experience
Scientific Expertise:
Animal cell 1. Primary cell culture and sub-culture maintained in normal
culture 2. Determination of cell viability & cytotoxicity in MTT-assay
techniques: 3. Measurement of ROS, MMP, apoptotic morphological changes in fluorescent
microscope using different probe staining
4. Assessment of DNA fragmentation
5. Cell thawing and cryopreservation
6. Media preparation and filtration
7. Primary culture and maintained in whole blood culture and lymphocytes
8. Cell cycle analysis
Molecular 9. DNA and RNA isolation
Biology 10. Western blot analysis
techniques:
Cytogenetic 11. Fluorescent microscope dependent cellular & morphological assays
techniques: 12. Micronuclei assays
Analytical 13. UV-spectrofluorimetry analysis
techniques: 14. Operation of auto-analyzer machine for the estimation of various biochemical
parameters.
15. Colorimetric/UV-spectrophotometer technique for the assay of enzyme activity
and various biochemical parameters
Biochemical Phytochemical studies:
Techniques 1. Plant extraction and distillation
2. Measurement of in vitro free radical scavenging and antioxidant assays
Animal handling 3. Small animal handling and drug delivery for in vivo studies.
4. Drug administration, feeding, brain collection, blood collection, sacrificing of
small animals

Nanotechnology 1. Preparation of nanoparticles

2. Characterization of nanoparticles
3. Drug encapsulation effeiciency
4. In vitro drug release

Acquired skills General:

1. Writing research proposal
2. Experimental design and execution
3. Data analysis
4. Report writing

Computer Skills 5. Microsoft Office

6. Database searching
7. Statistical software, CASP, SPSS & Image-J
Publications LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
1. J.P. Jose Merlin, B. Venkadesh, Sheeja S. Rajan. Synthesis and
Characterization of Ursolic Acid Loaded Poly (Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid
Nanoparticles and Caffiene Loaded Poly (Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid
Nanoparticles in Colorectal Cancer Cell Line. Journal of Nanotechnology and
 Materials Science. Vol 5 (1), 121-127, 2018.

2. J.P. Jose Merlin, Venkadesh B, Sheeja S Rajan and Subramanian P

Multidrug Resistance foe Cancer Treatment: Delivery of ursolic acid and
caffeine by poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles. Journal o
Gastrointestinal Cancer & Stromal Tumors (2017), 2:2.

3. J.P Jose Merlin, B. Venkadesh, Sheeja S. Rajan, Sumesh Soman

Chemosensitation of ursolic acid loaded poly (lacticco-glycoilc acid
nanoparticles and caffiene loadedpoly (lactic-co-glycoilc acid) nanoparticle
in HT29 cell lines. International Journal of Medical Research and
Pharmaceutical Sciences (2016) 3 (6): 85-99.

4. J.P. Jose Merlin, B. Venkadesh, N. Rajendra Prasad, S.M.A. Shibli

Anupama V. Raj, Sebeela Mol, Sheeja S. Rajan. Anticancer activity o
Paclitaxel loaded poly-D, L-lactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles in non-smal
cell lung carcinoma cell line. Innovations in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutica
Technology (2015) 1 (1): 110-120.

5. J.P. Jose Merlin, B. Venkadesh, R. Hussain, Sheeja.S. Rajan. Biochemica

properties on chemosensitation of ferulic acid and paclitaxel in non-smal
cells lung carcinoma cells in vitro. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
(2014) 2 (6): 2181-2189.

6. J.P Jose Merlin, B. Venkadesh, R. Hussain, Sheeja S. Rajan. Biochemica

estimations of multidrug resistance (ferulic acid and paclitaxel) in non-smal
cells lung carcinoma cells in vitro. Biomedicine & Aging Pathology (2013) 3
47-50.

7. J.P Jose Merlin, B. Venkadesh, R. Hussain, N. Rajendra Prasad , S.M.A

Shibli, Anupama V. Raj, Sheeja S. Rajan. Paclitaxel loaded poly-d,l-lactide
co-glycolide nanoparticles: Enhanced anticancer effect in non-small cell lung
carcinoma cell line. Biomedicine & Preventive Nutrition (2013) 3: 1-9.
 8. J.P. Jose Merlin, N. Rajendra Prasad, S.M.A. Shibli, Mol Sebeela. Ferulic
acid loaded Poly-d,l-lactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles: Systematic study o
particle size, drug encapsulation efficiency and anticancer effect in non-smal
cell lung carcinoma cell line in vitro. Biomedicine & Preventive Nutrition
(2012) 2: 69–76.

9. Sheeja S. Rajan, Albert Rajendran, B.S. Vishwanath, J.P Jose Merlin

Biochemical Characterization and Coagulation studies of Bungarus
Caeruleus venom. International Journal of Pharmacology and
Phytopharmacological Research (2014) 3 (4): 284-288.

10. Sheeja S. Rajan, Albert Rajendran, B.S. Vishwanath, J.P Jose Merlin
Coagulation studies of Bungarus caeruleus venom in-vivo. World Journal o
Pharmaceutical Research (2014) 2 (6): 2354-2364.

Papers presented 1. Paper presented International Conference on Natural products and Biochemica
in Conference Technology organized by Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Annamalai University, Chidambaram, India, from 10-12 January, 2011.
/Symposium/
2. Paper presented International Conference on Radiation-Nanotechnology and
Seminar Stem Cell Research in Radition Oncology in SRMC University Porur, Chennai
India, from 7-9 November 2010.

Workshops / 3. Participated National Workshop on Animal Cell Culture Techniques on March

Training 18-20, 2011, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Annamala
University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India.
Programs
4. Participated National Workshop on Animal Cell Culture Techniques on March
Attended 13-15, 2010, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Annamala
University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India.
Demographic Profile

Date of Birth 17th February, 1987

Gender Male
Father’s Name K. Jeyaraj
Marital Status Married
Nationality Indian
Languages English (read, write and speak)
Known Tamil (read, write and speak)
References 1) Dr. B. Venkadesh
Assistant Professor
PG and Research Department of Zoology
Government Nandanam Arts College, Nandanam
Chennai – 600 035, Tamilnadu, India.
Email: drvenkadesh10@gmail.com
Phone. +91 44- 24351048 (O), Mobile : +91 9894-440874 (M)

2) Dr. P. Subramanian
Professor
Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology
Annamalai University
Annamalainagar – 608 002, Tamil Nadu. India.
Email: psub@rediffmail.com
Phone: +91 4144-220346 (O), Mobile : +91 9443-271346 (M)

3) Dr. S. Lakshmi
Additional Professor,
Division of Cancer Research,
Regional Cancer Centre,
Thiruvananthapuram -695011, Kerala, India.
Phone No: +91 9995080455
Email: lakshmis@rcctvm.gov.in, rcc.lakshmi@gmail.com

4) Dr. P. Anantharaman
Associate Professor
CAS in Marine Biology,
Annamalai University
Parangipettai - 608502, Tamil Nadu, India.
Phone No: +91 9994545903
Email: anantharaman.p.4390@annamalaiuniversity.ac.in

Declaration I hereby declare that the above information is true and factual to the best of my
knowledge and belief.

Yours sincerely

(J.P. Jose Merlin)