Expertise

In my laboratory, we have studied more than ten potent probiotics from different food sources for their probiotic and safety attributes. Some of these probiotics are genome sequenced and analyzed for their functional characters. In addition, we also studied health benefits of these probiotics in in-vivo models, found anti-arthritis, anti-IBD, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and anti-salmonella effects. Moreover, we have identified antimicrobial peptides (AMP) from Bacillus, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria through genomics and bioinformatics approach.  Further, we confirm that AMP with antimicrobial activity as Lasso peptide class II in Bifidobacterium breve and Bacillus licheniformis.

Lasso peptide is a group of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) with C-terminal tail of its trapped in the macrocyclic ring by seven to nine N-terminal amino acid residues and this linked topology benefits them with high thermal and proteolytic stability and differentiates them from the other RiPPs. Lasso peptides have the broad spectrum of activities such as, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, ant-viral, anti-cancerous, and anti-enzymatic activitity. In our laboratory we further characterizing the lasso peptide class II from Bacillus licheniformis and Bifidobacterium breve for its potential antimicrobial activity. These lasso peptides have exhibited the antimicrobial activity by inhibiting the RNA biosynthesis. Further studies are underway to determine the structure and function of lasso peptide through genome editing and bioinformatics analysis.

Similarly, we are focusing on the antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is raising a huge concern in the world due to its widespread use and the short duration of antibiotics to acquire resistance. AMR is the ability of pathogens and other bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic to which they were previously susceptible, enabling the organisms to proliferate and survive. Because microbes acquire genetic alterations to lessen the lethal effects of antibiotic therapy, and AMR cannot be prevented. The bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and are most commonly found are Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Hence, our lab is investigating the role of probiotics bacteria in developing an antimicrobial peptide which can be further employed to combat the AMR bacteria.

In addition, we are also working on millets for its prebiotic activity. Millets are rich source of nutrients such as dietary fibers and minerals. Furthermore, we are developing a product for anti-aging using probiotics and millet as symbiotic source.

Area of interest

Food Biotechnology; Molecular Biology, Bionanotechnology & Bioinformatics

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