IISc Unveils Groundbreaking Research: Catalysts for Next-Gen Sustainable Energy and Drug Discovery

P Possessing a legacy of innovation, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) continues to redefine frontiers in materials science and life-saving therapeutics through cutting-edge research highlighted in the latest updates from this academic powerhouse. Recent discoveries from IISc labs are accelerating progress in clean energy technologies and next-generation pharmaceuticals, marking transformative steps toward solving global challenges. With multidisciplinary teams spearheading experiments under state-of-the-art facilities, the institute stands at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs with tangible real-world impact.

Recent findings presented at IISc’s semi-annual research symposium underscore two principal thrusts: advanced catalytic systems for carbon-neutral energy production and novel molecular scaffolds targeting drug-resistant diseases. These developments reflect a strategic focus on sustainability and global health—two domains where India’s scientific leadership is poised to make pivotal contributions.

Revolutionizing Catalysts for Clean Energy Conversion

The catalyst, engineered at the atomic level, enables the conversion of carbon dioxide into ethylene—an essential feedstock for plastics—with over 90% selectivity under ambient conditions, a historic leap in green chemistry. “This catalysts-as-precision-tools approach marks a paradigm shift,” noted Professor Rangan. “Traditionally, catalysts were static; ours respond dynamically to reaction environments, unlocking energy-efficient pathways hitherto inaccessible.” The team leverages computational modeling combined with in situ spectroscopy to fine-tune atomic arrangements, drastically reducing energy input and side reactions.

Such innovations directly address the imperative to decarbonize industrial processes. With global carbon emissions from chemical manufacturing exceeding 1.8 billion tons annually, scalable CO₂-to-fuel technologies represent a critical lever. Early pilot tests at IISc demonstrate that the catalyst operates reliably over hundreds of cycles—essential for industrial deployment—without degradation.

90% ethylene selectivity, surpassing conventional catalysts - Proven stability across multiple reaction cycles, vital for practical use Further, the research fosters cross-institutional collaboration, with engineers now prototyping integrated reactors at IISc’s Clean Energy Innovation Hub, positioning India as a rising hub for sustainable chemical manufacturing.

Life-Changing Therapies: Targeting Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens

Parallel breakthroughs in medicinal chemistry at IISc’s Department of Molecular Medicine focus on design of small-molecule inhibitors targeting multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and cancer cells. Researchers have identified two synthetic compounds—designated ISC-441 and ISC-552—that selectively disrupt essential metabolic pathways in siege-like pathogens and malignant cells, offering a beacon against escalating antimicrobial resistance.

Dr. Meera Venkatesh, lead author on the work, explained: “By exploiting unique structural vulnerabilities in resistant strains, we’ve engineered compounds that bypass traditional resistance mechanisms.” In lab models, ISC-441 reduced biofilm formation in MDR *E. coli* by 87% at submicromolar concentrations, outperforming existing agents.

The compounds’ mechanism centers on inhibiting a novel bacterial enzyme complex previously deemed undruggable. Using AI-driven virtual screening and cryo-electron microscopy, teams mapped critical binding pockets with unprecedented precision. The result is a series of privileged scaffolds adaptable to multiple targets, accelerating preclinical development timelines.

Trials within IISc’s high-containment facilities confirm the compounds’ low cytotoxicity, a critical advantage over broad-spectrum antibiotics prone to collateral damage in healthy tissues. Early assessment suggests favorable pharmacokinetics, enabling oral bioavailability—essential for treating systemic infections. These developments align with global health strategies calling for new antibiotics and targeted cancer therapies.

As antibiotic resistance threatens 10 million lives annually, IISc’s roadmap offers rare optimism, blending precision chemistry with translational foresight.

Each breakthrough bears a tangible footprint: carbon capture prototypes now feed into urban pilot programs; candidate therapeutics enter preclinical trials with partner biotech firms. The institute’s commitment to open science—avoiding proprietary bottlenecks—accelerates global access, aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

IISc’s recent collaborations with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Biotechnology underscore national priorities, turning basic research into scalable solutions for climate resilience and public health security. As the world confronts converging crises—climate breakdown, pandemic threats, energy insecurity—IISc’s latest advances illustrate science’s power to pivot from knowledge creation to actionable transformation. With continued investment and collaborative ambition, the institute’s laboratories may well lay the groundwork for a cleaner, healthier future.

Visceral impact lies not only in technical excellence but in the promise of tangible outcomes: fewer emissions, longer lives preserved, and smarter pathways toward sustainability. In each innovation, IISc reaffirms its role as a vanguard of India’s scientific renaissance—where curiosity ignites change, and knowledge becomes action.