Ph.D.: Bose Institute, Calcutta (1996)
Post- doctoral Research: University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA., Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, USA.
2003-Till date, Scientist, Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar.
My laboratory is working on microbial genomics towards translational research. In this regard, useful microbes with biotechnological potential have been characterized from hot springs and marine environments for bioprospecting of novel genes and metabolic pathways. In this endeavour, we have characterized an environmental Bordetella isolate as a potential resource for the evolution of Bordetella bronchiseptica hybrid strain for the development of whole cell livestock vaccine. Further, we are using metagenomic approach to unveil the community composition and functional correlation of microbiome in pristine environment. Following polyphasic approach, 20 new microbes have been discovered from unmanaged ecosystem. Our future goal to address the genome scale reconstruction of metabolic model with these microbes for the functional analysis of genes involved in synthesis of metabolites, pharmaceuticals and ecological adaptation.
Awards:
Recognitions:
Microbial Genomics, Gene Function and Regulation
Research Interest
My laboratory is working on microbial genomics towards translational research. In this regard, useful microbes with biotechnological potential have been characterized from hot springs and marine environments for bioprospecting of novel genes and metabolic pathways. In this endeavour, we have characterized an environmental Bordetella isolate as a potential resource for the evolution of Bordetella bronchiseptica hybrid strain for the development of whole cell livestock vaccine. Further, we are using metagenomic approach to unveil the community composition and functional correlation of microbiome in pristine environment. Following polyphasic approach, 20 new microbes have been discovered from unmanaged ecosystem. Our future goal to address the genome scale reconstruction of metabolic model with these microbes for the functional analysis of genes involved in synthesis of metabolites, pharmaceuticals and ecological adaptation.
I. To study the mechanism of thiosulfate oxidation in an obligately mixotrophic bacterium Thiomonas bhubaneswarensis strain S10 (DSM 18181T).
This study described the mechanism of electron transport during thiosulfate oxidation by T. bhubaneswarensis DSM 18181T. Whole genome sequence analysis revealed the presence of complete sox (sulfur oxidation) gene cluster (soxCDYZAXB) including the sulfur oxygenase reductase (SOR), sulfide quinone reductase (SQR), sulfide dehydrogenase (fcc), thiosulfate dehydrogenase (Tsd), sulfite dehydrogenase (SorAB) and intracellular sulfur oxidation protein (DsrE/DsrF). In addition, genes encoding respiratory electron transport chain components viz. complex I (NADH dehydrogenase), complex II (succinate dehydrogenase), complex III (Ubiquinone-cytochrome c reductase) and various types of terminal oxidases (cytochrome c– and quinol- oxidase) were identified in the genome (Figure). Using site-specific electron donors, inhibitors, and by analyzing the cytochrome spectra, we identified the shortest thiosulfate dependent electron transport chain in T. bhubaneswarensis DSM 18181T. Our results showed thiosulfate supports the electron transport activity in a bifurcated manner, donating electrons to quinol (bd)- and cytochrome c (Caa3)- oxidase; these two sites (quinol oxidase and cytochrome c oxidase) also showed differences in their phosphate esterification potential (P/O). Further, it was evidenced that the substrate level phosphorylation is the major contributor to the total energy budget in this bacterium.
II. Functional characterization of microbiome and their correlation with physicochemical properties of geothermal springs by metagenomic approach
This study made significantly to understand the composition of microbiome in the geothermal springs and their correlation with the physicochemical properties of the hot springs by using the metagenomic approach. Metagenome sequence data showed a dominance of Bacteria over Archaea; the most abundant phyla were Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria. The distribution of major genera and their statistical correlation analyses with the physicochemical parameters predicted that the temperature, aqueous concentrations of ions (such as sodium, chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate), total hardness, dissolved solids and conductivity were the main environmental variables influencing microbial community composition and diversity (Figure). In conclusion, we have reported the phylogenetic and functional diversity of microbial communities in the hot springs.
III. Genomic characterization of two novel chromosomally integrating conjugative elements ICEMfuInd1a and ICEMfuInd1b from a marine bacterium Marinomonas fungiae JCM 18476T.
The coexistence of two Integrating conjugative elements (ICEs) of the SXT exclusion group in the same genome is very rare and limited information is available on natural isolates harbouring such SXT/R391 ICEs arrays. Our studies with Marinomonas fungiae JCM 18476T has identified the coexistence of two new SXT/R391-like ICEs (ICEMfuInd1a and ICEMfuInd1b) in the genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the two ICEs either evolved independently or high degrees of recombination events have masked their common evolution from SXT-like ancestors. Further, we found that the typical entry exclusion mechanism mediated by the TraG/EeX protein pair was likely defective in preventing the conjugative transfer of a second copy of the same S (SXT) group ICE in M. fungiae due to mutations. Our analysis showed the presence of 16 and 25 variable genes in the hotspots of ICEMfuInd1a and ICEMfuInd1b respectively, many of which were not reported earlier for SXT/R391 ICEs (Figure). Sequence analysis predicted these hotspot regions were shaped by acquisition of genes through homologous recombination between the SXT and R391 related ICEs or mobile genetic elements present in disparate marine bacteria.
Microbial Genomics, Gene Function and Regulation
Publications
Microbial Genomics, Gene Function and Regulation
Name of project | Agency | Duration | |||
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The development and implementation of sensors and treatment technology for fresh water systems in India. Funded by Newton-Bhabha Fund. Letter no: F. No. DST/TM/INDO-UK/2K17/30 (c). |
Indo-UK | 2018-2021 | |||
Molecular characterization of biofilm produced by coral associated bacteria isolated from Andaman Sea“. Letter no.BT/PR7661/AAQ/3/629/2013. | DBT, New Delhi | 2014-2017 | |||
Screening for Bio-molecules from microbial diversity collected from different ecological niches. Letter no: D.O.No.BT/PR9712/NBD/ 52/91/2007. | DBT, New Delhi | 2007-2011 | |||
To study the Biodiversity of Microbes in the Deep water Corals of Andaman and Nicobar Island. Letter no: MoES/11MRDF/1/59/P/08-PC-III. | Ministty of Earth Sciences | 2009-2012 | |||
Characterization of Arsenate resistant of Pannonibacter nandii strain HT23 (DSM 23407 T) and development of a whole cell arsenate biosensor. Letter No: 37(1510)/ 11/EMR-11. | CSIR | 2011-2014 |
subrata [at] ils [dot] res [dot] in
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Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar-751023, India, Ph: 0674-2303328
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