'Nano device to cure cancer'; Thiruvananthapuram native Jeladhara making headlines with rare feat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A nano device to precisely detect and destroy cancer-causing cells. This news might give millions a sigh of relief. Dr. Jeladhara Shobanan, a postdoctoral associate at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, is the brain behind the invention. A patent is pending. The 32-year-old, a native of Kesavadasapuram in Thiruvananthapuram, now lives in Houston.

It is a tiny device, less than 500 microns in size. It is delivered into the body through silica. It includes a drug called a photosensitizer and an ultra-sensitive oxygen sensor. In the presence of light, the photosensitizer will produce and release a type of harmful oxygen (singlet oxygen). The sensor will collect this oxygen and destroy damaged cells. The nano device will be able to work precisely without damaging neighbouring cells. It can be monitored in real time. It is 270 times more sensitive to light than current sensors.

Jeladhara also discovered a method based on a liquid biopsy platform for early detection of cancer. Even if there are fewer than ten cancer cells in the blood, they can be detected. This discovery was honoured with the Chemistry Prize by the Japanese Photochemistry Association. She has also done her research on the release of toxic substances from nanomaterials used in electronic devices and medical imaging.

Right after completing her schooling at Pattom Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jeladhara yearned to make a mark as a scientist. She pursued chemistry at Women's College, did her post-graduate studies at MG University and research at the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune and the University of Hyderabad.

Jeladhara took a PhD in Environmental Materials Science from Hokkaido University, Japan and later moved to the US in 2022. Jeladhara’s father is Shobanan (retd. Air Force officer), mother is Beena. Mohit is her brother.