Overview

There are over 20 projects that are currently being done by the faculty and staff of the department. Some of there are in collaboration with international as well as with other Indian institutes and companies.

• Construction of suitable biosorbent material for the removal of radionuclides from nuclear industry waste.

   

  Low and medium level waste generated by the nuclear industry contain large number of radioactive isotopes of different metals. The volume of this waste coupled with surfactants and interfering radicals creates problem for conventional cleanup operations using synthetic resins. In our recently concluded project funded by Department of Atomic Energy, Govt of India, we have demonstrated that a non-conventional Biosorption Techniques could be employed for the effective removal of radioisotope from nuclear waste even in the presence of EDTA or nitrate. This technique require the generation/ selection of suitable biomass using molecular biology techniques which may be packed in glass or ss column for continuous operation.

   

• Removal of heavy metals and pesticides from industrio-urban waste.

   

  Several Industries including the agriculture sector industries generate hazardous waste containing toxic metals and pesticides. The larger volume and pH of the effluent and the presence of other ions present makes the chemical or electrical processes used for pollution control very expensive. Our team has required expertise & experience to use biomass based Biosorption technique for removal of these pollutants from water bodies and make it usable.

   

• Development of whole cell bacterial biosensor for detection of residual drugs

  In the present project we aim to create a whole cell bacterial biosensor for antibiotic detection and bioavailability testing by gene manipulation. Since promoter sequences are modular and decide gene action, we intend to construct chimeric plasmids in which heavy metal specific promoter sequence drive the expression of reporter systems like GFP/Lux, and to transform selected bacterial strains with these. When the transformed biosensor bacteria are exposed to samples containing the target antibiotic, the antibiotic specific promoter will trigger visual GFP/Lux expression by producing light directly proportional to the concentration of the inducer antibiotic .

• Development of whole cell bacterial biosensor for detection of bioavailability and concentration of metal pollutants.

  Environmental pollution by toxic compounds, particularly heavy metals and their radionuclides arise due to various anthropogenic activities and are posing a major threat to both humans and ecological balance. Quantification of heavy metal concentration for pollution monitoring normally requires expensive equipments and often needs substantial sample pretreatment. Also such methods cannot distinguish pollutants that are biologically available and unavailable. Toxic heavy metals in environment can only have an impact on living organisms to the extent they are bioavailable. Unavailable forms are potentially, but not acutely toxic. Hence a test of bioavailability is important in bioremediation, waste dumping, waste treatment optimization, environmental impact assessment and in prioritizing clean up tasks. Employing designer microorganisms for environmental monitoring is a good alternative in this regard. When whole cell biosensors are employed for this purpose, detection of the target compound is possible in pico molar concentrations.

• Development and charaterization of exopolysaccharides from cyanobacteria for industrial applications

   

  Many cyanobacteria known to be able to synthesize outer most slimy layer composed of complex polysaccharides and secrete polysaccharides into the culture medium during cell growth. These released materials can be easily recovered from the culture medium are of great interest in view of their possible uses in several industrial applications. Although the rate of production is low when compared to the heterotrophs, the complex nature and structurally diverse polysaccharides from these organisms can be considered for the mass production. Several strains of cyanobacterial based exopolysaccharides have been used as bioemulsifyers, subsititure to agar-agar, secondary recovery of petroleum, cosmetic material as skin-whitening agents etc.

   

• Development of high affinity biosorbents by surface display of metal binding proteins

   

  The project is to develop profit oriented economically feasible to implement by all metal handling industries including DAE establishments for the treatment of low and medium level metal containing effluents and nuclear wastes using enhanced whole-cell biosorption technology. It is aimed at to proceed from the proof-of concept to field testing stage. The development of such an efficient and affordable technology for nuclear waste treatment is essential.  In this project we will develop a technology for the display of metal binding proteins at the cell surface of cyanobacteria. The strains will be tested for immobilization for the development of bioreactor to remove the radioactive and non-radioactive metal from industrial effluents. The process parameters will be optimized for scaling up.  The proposed project may provide a cost effective, quick and more metal binding capacity and it will find an essential alternative method for online treatment in DAE and metal handling industries for safe discharge of wastewater.

   

• Isolation of bioactive compounds from cyanobacteria for pharmaceutical applications

  The cyanobacteria as a source for pharmaceutically important compounds have been appreciated as early as 1500BC. The current observation indicates that several strains were known to produce potent anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral compounds. The cyanobacteria such as Microcystis, Nostoc, Anabaena and Oscillatoria produces a variety of secondary metabolites. Cynobacteria could be a promising group of organisms from which can be used to isolate novel, biochemically active natural products which could find potential pharmaceutical applications.

• Development of suitable matrix for cell or enzyme immobilization

  Immobilization of microbial cells and biocatalysts such as enzymes is essential for industrial application. The conventional immobilization techniques have limitations of low mechanical strength, leakage of cells from matrix high cost, and cytocompatibility with polymeric matrices etc. In the present project we develop novel biocompatible silica gel as immobilization matrix and its characterization for the purpose of metal accumulation using the immobilized cyanobacteria. The immobilized cells will be evaluated for the mechanical stability and metal accumulation properties. The method could be a cheaper and versatile technology for heavy metal/radionuclides bioremediation.

• PCR based diagnostics for comprehensive detection of malarial parasite.

  PCR designing using the parasite 18 s ribosomal RNA gene with the intention to develop and field test a Nested PCR assay for the human malarial parasite.

• Dipstick and nucleic acid elisa for species specific detection of malarial parasites based on 18S ribosomal RNA.

  Species specific probes as well as genus specific probes are present which detect Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax based on the 18s ribosomal sequence. We plan to formulate a dipstick and nucleic acid ELISA based procedure for rapid and effective screening of plasmodium infected human blood

• Characterization of apicoplast genome and metabolic pathways in Plasmodium vivax from INDIAN isolates.

  A novel extrachromosomal DNA containing plastid – like structure called Apicoplast has been identified in the apicomplexians. There is indication that these could be involved in future theraupetics. The Plasmodium vivax apicoplast has not been characterized till date. We are attempting to amplify and sequence discreet regions of its genome with a view to compare with the existing apicoplast information. We are also looking into the Plasmodium nuclear genome encoded proteins that are targeted to Apicoplast and are involved in various housekeeping or metabolic activites and are important for the survival of the parasite in the human host. This work is funded by Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi, India.

• Molecular Characterization of Diazotrophic Plant growth-promoting Endophytic Bacteria

  An efficient plant growth promoting endophytic is still being sought which can be used as commercial biofertilizer to enhance plant growth and yield. Endophytic bacteria may enhance plant growth directly through fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, mineral phosphate solubilization, production of phytohormones and/or ACC deaminase activiy, and indirectly by acting as biocontrol agent through production of antifungal or antibacterial agents, siderophore production, nutrient competition and induction of systemic acquired host resistance, or immunity. Our laboratory aims to isolate and characterize nitrogen fixing endophytic bacteria isolated from desert of Rajasthan, for growth promoting activities followed by understanding the colonization process. We work on various endophytic bacterial isolates recovered from Pearl millet and other plants. Trial is going on to tag desired bacterial strain with molecular marker (green-fluorescent protein) to track colonization of endophytic bacteria inside host plant. Our long term goal is understand molecular mechanism involved in plant-endophytic bacteria interaction. This project is sponsored by Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India.

• Gene Expression and Regulation of ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) Deaminase gene

  Successful isolation and characterization of plant growth promoting (PGP) associative/endophytic bacteria with ACC deaminase activity will be beneficial in improving plant growth and yield in various environmental conditions especially under abiotic stress. Applications of ACC-deaminase PGP associative bacteria to plants will help enhance yield and plant growth in diverse environmental conditions. In-depth characterization of efficient ACC-deaminase PGP bacteria and understanding of regulation of ACC deaminase at molecular level will help manipulate conditions to improve plant growth and yield under stress condition in sustainable manner. This project is funded by Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, India.

• Regulation of malaria transmission among humans – Molecular characterization of Anopheles peroxidases and there role in modulation gut epithelial immunity

  We aim to understand the regulation of malaria parasite development by mosquito innate immunity. We characterized two peroxidases in the digestive gut of mosquito which modulate innate immunity against natural symbiotic bacteria. Gene silencing of these peroxidases suppress Plasmodium development (Kumar et al., 2010. Science 327: 1644-48). Now we are studying the combined effect of mosquito peroxidases and other innate immune molecules on Plasmodium development through gene silencing methodology. In addition, we are also developing ways to manipulate novel mosquito immuno-active molecules which can block Plasmodium development and subsequent transmission among humans. These strategies may save the life of millions around the globe and reducing malaria burden on human population.

• Regulation of malaria transmission among humans –Mosquito immunity against Plasmodium development

  Our research program broadly focuses on the innate immune systems of mosquito disease vectors. We are interested in understanding the mechanisms of the mosquito’s innate immune system in the defense against human pathogens such as Plasmodium. A major focus is concentrated on mosquito immune signaling pathway against parasite development. We are also looking for some natural products that are safe, however kills mosquito population and are able to cure mosquito born diseases. 

• Biochemical study of secondary metabolism from medicinally important Indian desert plants

  Plants synthesize secondary metabolites such as flavonoids as a strategy of defence against pathogens and pests. These diverse compounds, in turn, assume significance for humans in the form of medicinally pertinent natural products. How the desert plants, faced with extreme environmental stresses, store and utilize these metabolites in times of need is directly dependent on the catalytic machinery at its disposal. I am working on the characterization of relevant enzymes from such plants, with a view to elucidate their functions in planta, and explore their usefulness for food processing/pharmaceutical industry. 

• RubisCO and Carbon concentration mechanisms: Evolution and genetic modifications

  RubisCO is a highly critical plant enzyme, which lies at the juncture of inorganic and organic world. RubisCO catalyzes the fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbohydrates. However, the substrate identification capability of RubisCO is ambiguous and under high oxygen concentrations it tends to accept oxygen as a substrate and initiates the wasteful process of photorespiration. In addition, the carboxylation efficiency of RubisCO is very low; hence a majority of plant resources, including a great amount of precious nitrogen is utilized in the synthesis of RubisCO.  RubisCO, therefore is a highly researched upon enzyme worldwide and attempts to generate a RubisCO with higher carboxylation efficiency (Super RubisCO) is a popular idea among photosynthesis researchers. It is presumed that RubisCOs from lower organisms could be convenient templates for carrying out the techniques of genetic modification (In vitro evolution).  Towards this approach, RubisCO genes from an early diverging cyanobacterium, Gloeobacter violaceous is being cloned, studied and proposed to be genetically modified. In addition, cyanobacteria could have been the first organisms to evolve mechanisms to concentrate inorganic carbon around RubisCO involving a complex array of proteins. The coevoluton of RubisCO along with several proteins involved in carbon concentration is also our subject of interest. Our long term goal is to generate an efficient RubisCO and/or simulate carbon concentration mechanisms in model systems so as to increase photosynthetic efficiency of plants thus also reducing green house gases in the atmosphere. A project on this subject has been sanctioned by Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India.

• Signaling Mechanisms and Nitrate Assimilation in the Cyanobacteria, Spirulina Platensis

  In higher plants, in general, phytochromes together with other signaling molecules like, G- proteins, kinases, phosphatases, phosphatidyl inositol, cAMP, Ca2+ ions, 14-3-3 proteins constitute the local and long-range signal transduction pathways that regulate physiological and developmental processes.It has also been well established that, that in higher plants, inorganic nitrogen has crucial effects on growth and development, providing cellular components and modulating gene expression. Not only the nitrogen assimilatory genes but also substantial numbers of genes with other functions have been shown to be selectively regulated by the availability of nitrogen. Accumulating evidence suggests that nitrogen (nitrate) itself is the primary signal molecule triggering the activation of transcription of nitrate assimilation and related genes.

  Although cyanobacteria constitute a significant part of our flora inhabiting vast stretches of oceans, rivers, ponds and lakes, little is known about how they are able to respond and environmental fluctuations. What are the mechanisms for perceiving the environmental and nutritional signals? Questions to be addressed in this project include, what are the signaling pathways/ signaling molecules involved in regulating cyanobacterial nitrogen/ carbon metabolism? Are there common/ similar signaling molecules involved in higher plants and cyanobacteria? 

• Cancer cell immune system interaction in the presence of anticancer drugs and immune potential agents

  Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide but its treatment still remains a challenge. In the present work it is proposed to study the cancer cell immune system interaction in the presence of anticancer drugs and immune potential agents. For it cancer cell lines (Eg. K 562) and lymphoid cell lines (Eg. HL 60) in the exponential phase will be subjected to drug treatment and stimulation by immuno-potential agents. The proliferation kinetics of these cell lines as well as cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines will by quantified with and without co-culturing using cell counting and MTT assay. This will be done in presence and absence of anticancer drugs and immuno-potential agents.It may be helpful to suggest optimal treatment conditions for complete elimination of cancer and to understand cancer immune system interaction.

• Nanotechnology for enhanced utilization of native phosphorus by plants and higher moisture retention in arid soils

  It is a multi-centric project funded by World Bank under National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) scheme of Indian council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The other consortium partners associated with this project are CAZRI, Jodhpur; IIT, Mumbai; PAU, Ludhiana and IISS, Bhopal. The total amount sanctioned is Rs. 3.726 Crore. The project aims on Biosynthesis of Zn, Mg, Fe and P nanoparticles; Enhancing the utilization of native phosphorus by plants using nanoparticles and Enhancement of exo-polysaccharides for soil binding and moisture retention by microbes through nanoparticle (Mg, Zn, Fe, P) stimulation. At BITS, Pilani centre, we are working towards screening, isolation and identification of micro-organisms possessing properties for nanoparticle formation, standardization of method for the recovery of nanoparticles from bio-nano factories and characterization of biologically synthesized nanoparticles. Studies are also premeditated to check the effect of biosynthesized nanoparticles on nutrient use efficiency and anabolic metabolism in selected plant models both in vitro and in vivo. The project shall generate new knowledge in ‘nano particle farming” which shall address to the current emerging issue of decreasing resource use efficiency with emphasis on nutrients and water. This shall help to meet the challenges in technology development and keep pace with the changing scenario of Indian agriculture.

• To Investigate the Effect of Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) siRNA in a FASN expressing cancer cell line

  This is a collaborative research project between  BITS Pilani and Vision Research Foundation-Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai. The research project is funded by ICMR (New Delhi). Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a key enzyme that catalyses palmitate synthesis. In normal cells, this lipogenic enzyme is expressed at basal levels. However, cancer cells rely on the de novo fatty acid synthesis by FASN for their high membrane turn over. FASN over-expression in the ocular cancer, retinoblastoma (RB), has been reported.  The research team has also studied the anti-cancer effects of chemical inhibitors of FASN in RB. In this project, it is proposed to silence FASN mRNA  in retinoblastoma cancer cells using FASN siRNA  and investigate the resulting de-regulations in gene expression. The researchers  also hope to understand the molecular effectors of FASN in non-cancerous cells and cancerous cells. 

• Identification of potential molecular inhibitors of all catalytic domains of Fatty acid synthase (FASN) at the enzyme activity and gene expression level.

  Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a lipogenic multi-enzyme complex having seven catalytic domains. FASN is expressed at basal levels in normal cells, while several cancer cells over-express FASN, making it a potential therapeutic target in cancers. Through this DBT-funded collaborative research project between  BITS Pilani and Vision Research Foundation-Sankara Nethralaya  (Chennai)  the researchers  are  studying the 3D structures of FASN through bioinformatics tools.  In-silico approaches are being used to screen novel chemical inhibitors of FASN, and these will be experimentally validated in retinoblastoma cancer cells in vitro.

• Cardiovascular Disease in human population: Mathematical modeling and analysis of its incidence, risk factors, and preventive strategies

  This is a UGC-sponsored collaborative project with Dept Mathematics, BITS Pilani. The project proposes to mathematically model the incidence of cardiovascular disease in diabetes along with clinical co-morbidities (hyperlipidemia, hypertension). Numerical simulations on the model and biomedical correlations are being undertaken. The mathematical models would simulate different risk scenarios and suggest preventive strategies.