MDU, Rohtak secures Rs. 25 Lakh Grant for Advanced Celiac Disease Research

Rohtak, June 23, 2026: The Haryana State Council for Science, Innovation, and Technology has sanctioned a grant of Rs. 25 lakh to Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak (MDU) for a significant research aimed at the timely detection and improved treatment of Celiac disease, a serious condition caused by gluten allergy.

The three-year project, titled “Screening Prolidase as Biomarker and Salivary Microbiome Therapeutics for Celiac Disease”, will be led by Prof. Amita Suneja Dang from the Centre for Medical Biotechnology. Prof. Pooja Suneja, Head, Department of Microbiology (MDU), and Dr. Praveen Malhotra, Senior Professor and Head, Department of Gastroenterology, PGIMS-Rohtak, will serve as co-principal investigators.

This project comes at a time when cases of Celiac disease are steadily rising in North India. Experts consider North India a "Celiac belt" due to the high consumption of wheat-based foods in the region. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the consumption of gluten-containing foods triggers the body's immune system to attack the small intestine. Initially, the disease manifests through symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, weakness, and persistent fatigue; however, if not detected in time, it can weaken bones, affect fertility, and damage the nervous system. In many cases, it also increases the risk of other autoimmune diseases, such as Type-1 diabetes.

A major challenge regarding this disease in India is the lack of timely diagnosis. Symptoms such as malnutrition, anemia, and stunted growth in children are often mistaken for common health issues, leaving a large number of patients unaware of the disease for years. To address this issue, MDU's research team will search for biomarkers that could enable the diagnosis of the disease without a biopsy in the future. The project will study the role of the prolidase enzyme and examine genetic variations in the PEPD gene to understand the genetic susceptibility to the disease.

The most innovative aspect of the research is the study of microorganisms present in saliva. Scientists will identify naturally occurring bacteria capable of breaking down gluten. If successful, this effort could lead to the development of probiotic-based adjunctive therapies, potentially alleviating the burden of a lifelong, strict gluten-free diet for Celiac patients.

Prof. Amita Suneja Dang noted that there is currently no drug-based treatment for Celiac disease, and patients must rely on a gluten-free diet for their entire lives. Consequently, this research could not only facilitate early diagnosis but also pave the way for new treatment possibilities.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Milap Punia termed this research grant a significant achievement for the university. He remarked that the project, focused on Celiac disease, is not merely an academic endeavor but a significant initiative aimed at improving the lives of millions of patients.

The Vice-Chancellor added that MDU is fostering an environment conducive to research in health, biotechnology, and areas beneficial to society, and such projects are earning the university new recognition at the national level.