In a moment of immense pride for the Indian scientific community, Professor Bushra Ateeq from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has been honoured with one of the nation's most coveted scientific accolades. She has been named the recipient of the 35th G D Birla Award for Scientific Research for the year 2025. This award recognises her exceptional and pioneering contributions to the field of Biological Sciences, particularly her translational work in oncology.
A Distinguished Career in Translational Biomedical Research
Professor Bushra Ateeq serves as a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at IIT Kanpur and also holds the position of Dean of International Relations. Her research credentials are further bolstered by her role as a Senior Fellow of the DBT–Wellcome Trust India Alliance. At IIT Kanpur, she spearheads a highly translational biomedical research programme with a clear, patient-centric mission: to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.
Her laboratory's work has been instrumental in reshaping the understanding and treatment approaches for some of the most challenging cancers, notably prostate and colorectal cancers. Her research is not confined to fundamental biology but is deliberately designed to bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and clinical application.
Groundbreaking Discoveries in Cancer Therapy
The body of work that earned Prof Ateeq this prestigious award encompasses several critical discoveries that have the potential to alter cancer treatment protocols. Her research has provided crucial insights that challenge existing paradigms and offer new hope.
One significant finding from her team demonstrated the detrimental effects of commonly used anti-androgen drugs in cases of advanced prostate cancer. This revelation is vital for reconsidering treatment strategies for advanced-stage patients.
In the quest for more effective treatments, Prof Ateeq's group identified Casein Kinase 1 inhibitors as a promising adjuvant therapy. This discovery opens a new avenue for combination treatments that could improve outcomes. Furthermore, her work has successfully uncovered the biological mechanisms that lead to elevated levels of a protein called SPINK1 in prostate cancer, a factor associated with disease aggression.
Drug Repurposing: A Masterstroke in Innovation
Perhaps one of the most innovative aspects of her research involves the clever repurposing of an existing drug. Her team found that artemisinin, a World Health Organization-approved anti-malarial drug, could be used to restore drug sensitivity in castrate-resistant prostate cancer. This form of cancer is notoriously difficult to treat as it stops responding to standard hormone therapies. Finding a new use for a safe, widely available drug like artemisinin represents a potentially faster and more affordable route to a new treatment option, showcasing a brilliant example of scientific ingenuity.
The G D Birla Award for Scientific Research is a testament to Prof Bushra Ateeq's dedication to science that makes a tangible difference. Her work exemplifies how deep scientific inquiry, when directed towards pressing human health issues like cancer, can lead to paradigm-shifting discoveries that redefine how diseases are understood and combated. This award not only celebrates her past achievements but also shines a light on the promising future of cancer research emerging from Indian institutions like IIT Kanpur.
