A research team at Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU), Gandhinagar, has received a grant of approximately ₹1.3 crore from the Gates Foundation under its Grand Challenges Support programme. The funding is to be used to find solutions for heavy menstrual bleeding that are affordable, scalable and minimally invasive.
Led by Dr Rohini Nair (Assistant Professor at GBU), the project aims to develop affordable, scalable, and minimally invasive RNA-based diagnostics and treatment solutions for women suffering from Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB) — a widespread but often overlooked women’s health issue.
The research will be carried out in collaboration with Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC), Ahmedabad, under the leadership of Dr Rohina Aggrawal, Dean and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. While Dr Aggrawal’s team will handle patient identification and clinical assessments, Dr Nair’s laboratory will focus on molecular and genomic research.
Using methods such as single-cell RNA sequencing, the study aims to map the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind HMB and other related conditions such as repeated implantation failure and endometriosis. The objective is to identify key biomarkers and biological pathways tied to abnormal menstrual bleeding, enabling early diagnosis and more effective treatments.
Highlighting the significance of the research, Dr Nair noted that HMB — and broader categories of abnormal uterine bleeding — affect millions of women worldwide, often leading to anemia, fatigue, reduced productivity, and diminished quality of life. These problems are especially acute in under-resourced areas where timely diagnosis and effective treatment are lacking.
According to Prof. Sudhir Pratap Singh, Dean of Research at GBU, this funding is a major milestone for the university and signals a growing commitment in India toward impactful, science-driven research in women’s health.
