Curriculum vitae

Present Position and Activities

Lecturer

Faculty in Molecular Biotechnology

Subjects handling: Biochemistry, Biophysics, Instrumentation, Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering, Proteomics and genomics, Drug design, Plant Biotechnology and Animal Biotechnology

Area of Research: Molecular Biotechnology  

Professional Appointments

Lecturer,

Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala , Trivandrum, Kerala

Aril, 2003 – till date

Associate Professor,      

Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity Deemed University,  Noida , UP.

Sept.2001 - April 2003

Lecturer,

June, 2001 – Oct.2001

Scientist and Principal Investigator

Centre for Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

DST sponsored project “Molecular cloning and characterization of snRNA gene U6 from filamentous fungi – Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus niger”

March, 1999 –June 2001

Research Associate  (UGC)                      

Centre for Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Project: Isolation, characterization, and expression of CGTase gene from a new isolate of Bacillus species.

 Oct.1995 -March1999

Research Associate  (CSIR)                                                                                       

Centre for Biochemical Technology, CSIR, Mall Road, New Delhi.

Jan.1995  – Sep.1995

Research Associate                                                                   

Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

Worked on ‘Genetic Engineering of Lathyrus sativus for obtaining Ox-DAPRO neurotoxin - free cultivar.’ The gene responsible for the degradation of the neurotoxin  (b-Oxalyl diamino propionic acid) was isolated, cloned and characterized. It was expressed in E.coli as fusion protein and Its mode of action on ODAP was studied. Transgenic L. sativus was produced with ODAP gene.  

Oct. 1992 – Dec.1994

CSIR Fellow Scientist    

Regional Research Laboratory, CSIR, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

Sept.1991 – Sept.1992

Doctoral Research                                                                                    

Regional Research Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research  (CSIR), Trivandrum, India.

• A Method was standardized for the bio-production of berberin by cell cultures of Cosciunium fenestratum using Two-stage culture system.

• Tetrahydroberberin oxidase was partially purified from the plant tissue and cell cultures of Coscinium fenestratum and studied its modulation.

• Standardized a protocol for the micro propagation of Lobelia nicotianifolia, a medicinal Plant.

1986 -1991

Teaching Experience

M.Sc. Biotechnology.                                                          2003- till date

Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala, Trivandrum

 M.Sc. Biotechnology.                                                          1995 – 2000

Centre for Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

BSc and MSc Biotechnology  , Bundelkhand University, Jhansy-             2000-2001

As Guest Faculty

For Postgraduate Course of Biotechnology, from 1996 to 2002 

Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala, India.

 Awards, Honors and Fellowships

Young Scientist Award            1998                Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India

Young Scientist Award            1995                Kerala Science Congress, Govt. of Kerala, India.

Research Associateship            1995               (UGC) Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

Research Associate                  1994               Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt.of                                                                         India

Fellow Scientist                        1991                Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt.of                                                                         India

Senior Research Fellow            1988                Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt.of                                                                         India

Junior Research Fellow             1986                Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt.of                                                                         India

Research Interests

            Structural Biology – Functional genomics and Proteomics

Production of industrially important compounds and proteins by genetic engineering of microbes and plants

Molecular characterization of novel genes and proteins

Protein engineering

            Screening of new bacterial cultures having novel characteristics.

            Screening of natural compounds for biological activities

Technical Expertise

Molecular Biology and recombinant DNA techniques – DNA and RNA isolation, gene cloning, Southern and western blotting, construction of genomic libraries and cDNA libraries, PCR and RT-PCR DNA sequencing, Sequence data analysis with different software.

Protein purification and analysis techniques, gene expression studies, enzyme purification and assay.

Separation techniques and Physical methods of analysis – TLC, Column Chromatography, GLC, HPLC, GPC and Electrophoresis – Protein and DNA, spectrophotometry

Education

Ph.D. in Biochemistry                1992            Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR),                                                                                                     Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

M.Sc. in Botany                        1986            University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Personal

Permanent Address:          Punnavilakom, Kariyam, Powdikonal PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India                                             Pin: 695587

Publications :             Separate List Attached