Mentored by Dr Inderjeet Kaur, Saurabh’s research is focused on exploring how lipids affect the growth and health of the retina in premature babies. Changes in these lipids are being examined to understand how they influence energy use, inflammation, and vision problems, with the goal of identifying ways to protect the developing retina and prevent serious eye diseases in preterm infants.
Why the study matters: This study is significant for preterm babies as it highlights how improving the balance of specific lipids (such as PUFAs and lipid diols) can support healthy eye development and reduce the risk of vision problems. A point-of-care biosensor was also developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad to detect early retinal changes, enabling easier and faster routine clinical diagnosis.
Excerpt from the research: Lipids are not just energy reserves; they are the architects of the developing retina, influencing cell signaling, vascular growth, and visual potential in preterm infants.
