Kerala’s growing research ecosystem took center stage at the National Research Conference on Tuesday as scientists and scholars presented advances involving predictive healthcare, basic genetics and transdisciplinary knowledge systems.
A major highlight was a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research that could revolutionize early diagnosis for Kerala’s aging population. Scientists have identified distinct blood-based metabolic signatures that may enable non-invasive detection and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease.
Aneesa PA from the Center for Neurosciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology presented her work at the Health Sciences session and described the first comprehensive plasma metabolomic profiling of Alzheimer’s patients from Kerala. Supported by a Nava Kerala Chief Minister Postdoctoral Fellowship, the study addresses the urgent need for early diagnosis in a state where an estimated 4-6% of people over the age of 60 suffer from dementia.
Influencing factors
Dr. Aneesa emphasized 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 disturbances associated with key disease pathways, including taurine metabolism, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings point to the potential development of non-invasive biomarkers for early disease diagnosis and monitoring that could significantly reduce diagnostic delays and alleviate the increasing burden on caregivers in the aging society of Kerala.
With Alzheimer’s disease currently affecting more than 55 million people worldwide and estimated to rise to 152.8 million by 2050, Kerala faces a disproportionate burden due to an advanced demographic transition. Researchers have claimed that nearly 20-25% of India’s elderly population lives in the state.
The Life Sciences session turned its attention to the basic mechanisms of inheritance as HA Ranganath of the Center 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.
A seminar on Arts and Humanities, delivered by KP Mohanan, retired professor of IISER Pune, explored the emerging paradigms of knowledge creation. He contrasted textbook-oriented historical study with a broader exploration of the past that draws from mathematics, science, philosophy, and other disciplines. He added that scholars from various disciplines, including biology, physics, linguistics, and forensic science, could make meaningful contributions to historical inquiry through flexible and integrative thinking.
Published – 10 Feb 2026 20:49 IST