Daulat Rahman/Guwahati

Most of the biomarkers used for cancer identification are discovered in the Western world. As Indian races are different from the Western population, biomarkers specific to the Indian population will be more helpful for cancer management in Indian conditions. Towards this end, a scientist at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Dr. Hifzur Rahman Siddique has recently reported one biomarker identified among gall bladder cancer patients in India.

Dr. Siddique who holds the position of Project Head at the Molecular Cancer Genetics and Translation Research Laboratory, has earned the distinction of a promising young scientist in India doing path-breaking research work in the field of identifying various causes of different types of cancer.

Dr. Siddique’s earlier research done in association with Prof Keigo Machida of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and other collaborators have discovered that the protein-forming cancerous cells in the human body cause the growth of tumors in the liver. Excess alcohol consumption or Hepatitis infection results in the formation of these malignant cells in the human body.

Dr. Hifzur Rahman Siddique in his laboratory

“My present research focuses on identification molecules responsible for cancer therapy resistance and its potential therapy through the exploration of small molecule inhibitors and bioactive molecules from the medicinal or edible plants and identification of cancer biomarkers for the detection of cancers at early stages,” Dr Siddique has told Awaz-The Voice. 

Understanding and addressing chemoresistance, which limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy in cancer treatment, have been central to Dr. Siddique’s endeavours. Driven by the challenge of managing advanced cancer and overcoming resistance, he has dedicated his research to delve into the mechanisms of chemoresistance and uncover novel therapeutic molecules.

Throughout his research journey, Dr. Siddique has focused on unraveling the contributions of various cells, genes, and proteins to cancer initiation, progression, and chemoresistance. By investigating cancer stem cells, transcription factors, stem cell factors, and non-coding RNA, Dr Siddique’s laboratory employs diverse in vitro and animal models alongside human clinical samples to gain comprehensive insights.

Dr. Hifzur Rahman Siddique

Dr Siddique got the Young Scientist Award in 2010 from the Society of Basic Urologic Research, USA, the Farha Deba Award from the Indian Academy of Bio-Medical Sciences in 2017, Innovative Researcher of the Year in Bangkok from the Society of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in 2019.

On the publication front, Dr Siddique’s work has been published in more than 100 articles in Journals like Hepatology, Nature Communications, Cell Death Discovery, Seminars in Cancer Biology, Coordination Chemistry Reviews; Clinical Cancer Research, Cancer Research International Journal of Cancer, Stem Cells, Chemosphere, ACS Applied Nanomaterials, Life Sciences, Cancer and Metastasis Reviews etc. He is an editorial board member of 15 prestigious Journals such as Frontiers in Oncology, Frontiers Genetics, Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery, Cancer Therapy and Oncology International Journal, etc.

Dr. Siddique has been awarded many recognitions, including the Sir Syed Innovation Award-outstanding Researcher of the Year 2022, by the AMU. He got THE Advanced Material Scientist Award, in Sweden; the APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Award, India; the SPER-Innovative Researcher Award, in Bangkok, Thailand, SN Nahar Distinguished Teacher of the Year award, by the AMU. He was elected as a fellow of the Biotech Research Society of India (BRSI), India; one of the members of the Board of Governors of BRSI, and a Life member of the National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad.

Dr. Hifzur Rahman Siddique receiving an award

Born in southern Assam’s Karimganj district Dr Siddique was raised in a small town and he displayed an early interest in science and research, which ultimately paved the way for his illustrious career. He availed his primary schooling from his village in Karimganj district. He did his BSc from Karimganj College under Assam University. After completing his Master's education at Aligarh Muslim University, Dr. Siddique earned his doctorate from the prestigious CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow (India's only Toxicological Research Institute).

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His passion for research and innovation drove him to further explore post-doctoral research in the USA to increase his scientific knowledge and skills in cancer research. His research in the USA became the headlines of many newspapers, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Street, etc. He was selected as one of the three "Featured Prostate Cancer Research" works by the USA Department of Defence in the "2014 Research Highlights" section. Based on his pioneering work, he got an invitation from the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) to present this work as a proffered talk at the 102nd Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. After intensive training in the US, Dr Siddique’s love and passion for serving his country forced him to return to India in 2017 and join AMU- an institute of national eminence.