Applied and Industrial Microbiology Lab

Our lab applies the basic principles of microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioprocess engineering and modeling techniques to solve two major problems

Microbial and Enzymatic approaches for the production of industrial metabolites

One of the primary objectives of our laboratory is to understand the molecular and physiological basis of survival of microbes in extreme conditions. For this, we have chosen three microbes namely.

unravelling the mechanism and biological significance of flippases and scramblases on phospholipid translocation across biological membranes

Understanding the mechanism and biological significance of phospholipid translocation (flip-flop movement) of phospholipids across biological membranes

Phospholipids (PL) are the building blocks of cellular membranes. They possess the unique feature of having a hydrophobic tail and hydrophilic head group that helps them to arrange themselves in the form of an ultra thin and elastic bilayer, thus forming the membrane. However, these molecules face the problem of translocation across the biomembranes due to the energy barrier they have to overcome during the movement of their hydrophilic head group across the hydrophobic core of the biomembranes. The transbilayer movement of phospholipids across the model membranes in vitro is very slow (half time of translocation ~ hours to days). Nevertheless, lipid translocation across the cellular membranes is crucial during some physiological processes such as membrane fusion, exocytosis, endocytosis, apotosis, blood coagulation, activation of cells due to an immunoresponse and synthesis of new membranes. The phospholipid translocators in the biological membranes fall into four major classes, (i) Aminophospholipid translocase (APT), (ii) Multidrug resistance transporters (MDR), (iii) Phospholipid scramblases and (iv) Biogenic membrane flippases. The first two groups are present in the plasma membrane and translocates phospholipids in an ATP dependent manner, thus maintain the asymmetric distribution of plasma membrane (PM) PL. The third type is present in the PM and brings about a bidirectional and non-specific translocation of plasma membrane phospholipids when activated by a 103 fold increase in cytosolic Ca2+. The last group of proteins is present in the biogenic membranes (The membranes that synthesize other membranes in the cell e.g. the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells and inner cell membranes of prokaryotic cells). Our laboratory focuses mainly on the scramblases and biogenic membrane flippases.

Biogenic membrane flippases

Human phospholipid scramblases

Production of biomaterials and nanoparticles various industrial and medical applications

Recently, the plant-mediated nanoparticles (NPs)have drawn more attention dueto the physicochemical traits of nanoparticles. A green solvent medium, reducing agent and a non-hazardous substance for the stabilization makes the process eco-friendly and biocompatible procedures for the synthesis of NPs.The NPs were synthesizedusing different parts of hydrophytes, mesophytes and xerophytesplant alike callus, fruit, leaves, flower, root, peel, seed and stem. As, plant extracts are rich in amino acids, as well as secondarymetabolites, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, polysaccharides,polyphenols, steroids, terpenoids and vitamins. These metaboliteshave important parts reducing metal salt and capping, inhibit theaggregation and stabilization of synthesized NPs.Mostly, organic compounds in the plant extract through chelationinactivate metal ions. Metal ions are grabbed and covered by organiccompounds; as well as forms NPs from metal ions. The monodispersedmorphology and yield of NPs can be altered by regulatingthe reaction environments. The plant extracts mediated NPssynthesis is parted into three steps. Firstly, reduction and metal ionnucleation were happening. Secondly, NPs were combined togetherto form metal particles. Finally, NPs shape formed. The obtainedNPs are centrifuged and obtained precipitates were washed with anappropriate solvent to remove impurities.

Nano Particle Synthesis

Nano Fibre Fabrication

Biopolymer Production

Industrial Applications


Biomembranes