Division of Bioresource and Biotechnology
Research activities in this division are focused on innovative and high-end research emphasizing on efficient utilization of marine aquatic resources for development of effective and alternative therapeutics against agents affecting human health. Apart from supporting an enormous biodiversity, marine ecosystem is a source to many bioactive compounds with anticancer and antimicrobial properties. It also serves as alternative source of energy (biofuel from microalgae). However, despite the potential, marine exosystems and marine organisms remain largely unexplored, understudied, and underutilized. Research areas include: understanding various aspects of marine ecosystems and bioresources, exploring the marine microbes and their potential in different bioprocesses, the marine plants and animals and their products as future drugs for humans, and aspects of marine environmental health management through integrated and multidisciplinary approaches.
Prof. (Dr.) SMITHA HEGDE
- DesignationProfessor, and Deputy Director
- Email smitha.hegde@nitte.edu.in
- Contact No..
- Joining date 10-04-2017
A plant biotechnologist by training, having 29 years of experience in academics and research. I have worked extensively on plant tissue culture, conservation, biodiversity and molecular markers in tree species and Pteridophytes. My team has screened several Pteridophytes for phytoremediation of heavy metals from contaminated soil and liquid systems. My current research interest is in vitro production of secondary metabolites of herbal medicinal plants.
- Doctor of Philosophy (Biosciences), LAB, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore University, 1998
- Master of Science (Zoology), Mumbai University, 1991
- Deputy Director, Nitte Centre for Science Education and Research, Mangalore (September, 2021- till date)
- Professor, Nitte Centre for Science Education and Research, Mangalore (April, 2017- till date)
- Associate Professor and research guide, Department of Post graduate studies in Biotechnology, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore (2013-2017).
- Associate Professor and Head, Department of Post graduate studies in Biotechnology, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore (2007 -2013).
- Lecturer, Department of Biotechnology, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore (2002-2007).
- CSIR-RA- Post-Doc, Laboratory of Applied Biology, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore (1999-2002).
- Plant molecular Biology.
- Genetic diversity and distribution studies of Pteridophytes.
- Abiotic and heavy metal stress induced studies in plant systems.
- In vitro propagation of trees and medicinal plants.
- Bioremediation and phytoremediation of toxic pollutants.
- Aranya Mitra awarded by the Karnataka State Forest Department, Mangalore during Vrukshotsava 2019, 2019.
- Individual Personality for contribution towards Plantations and Greenery on occasion of World Environment Day 2019, by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Mangalore, 2019
- Certificate of merit for best paper, at the DST sponsored National Teachers Science Congress, Ahmedabad, 2018
- Sofia Lecturing Research Award- 2017, Sofia University, Tokyo, Japan
- Sahyadri Ecologist Award for best paper, International Conference on Conservation and Sustainable management of Ecologically sensitive regions in Western Ghats, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Alva's College, Moodabidri, 2016.
- Karnataka State Eligibility for Lectureship (KSET) certificate, 2015.
- SS BIR Gold medal for outstanding work in Pteridology, 2014
- INSA-COSTED Travel fellowship to attend International Pteridophyte symposium, Guildford, UK, 2001.
- CSIR & Costed IBN Travel Grant to attend International Pteridophyte Symposium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK, 1995.
- Member secretary, Nitte University Green Initiative Project (NUGIP)
- Member secretary, Equal Opportunity Cell, Nitte University
- Member secretary, Gender Sensitization Cell, Nitte University
- Student welfare committee in-charge, NUCSER
- Ladies Hostel in-charge, NUCSER
- Academic committee in-charge, NUCSER
- Life member, The British Scholars Association India, Mangalore Chapter.
- Life member, St. Aloysius Alumini Association, Mangalore.
- Life member, Association of Microbiologists India
- Life member, Biological Chemists, IISc. Bangalore.
- Life member, Indian Science Congress
- Life member and Vice President, The Indian Fern Society
- Elected Life member, Plant tissue culture association, India (PTCAI)
Undergraduate
Biosafety and bioethics, Fundamental Genetics, Molecular Biology, Medical Genetics, Environmental Studies
Postgraduate
Medical Genetics, Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, Therapeutic Biomolecules
Biosafety and bioethics, Fundamental Genetics, Molecular Biology, Medical Genetics, Environmental Studies
Postgraduate
Medical Genetics, Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, Therapeutic Biomolecules
Guidance to research students:
• Currently enrolled PhD students: 04
• Completed and awarded PhD students: 07
• Guided PG research project students: 105
• Guided UG research project students: 06
Selected Journal Publications
Book chapter
- Hegde, S., Karunasagar, I. (2021) Building Research Competence in Undergraduate Students. Resonance 26, 415-427
- Morajkar S, Hegde S. (2021) Biodiversity, richness and spatial distribution of extant Pteridophytes in Kudremukh National Park, Western Ghats, India. Plant Sci. Today, Aug. 21 8(4):848-858
- Morajkar, S., Hegde, S. (2021) DNA Barcoding Identifies a Potential New Ecotype of Chinese Brake Fern, Pteris vittata L. Nano. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 91, 335-341
- Prabhu, S. G., Srinikethan, G., & Hegde, S. (2020). Pelletization of pristine Pteris vittata L. pinnae powder and its application as a biosorbent of Cd (II) and Cr (VI). SN Applied Sciences, 2(1), 1-9
- Prabhu, S., Srinikethan, G., & Hegde, S. (2019). Efficient biosorption of Pb (II) on Pteris vittata L. from aqueous solution using pulsed plate column technique. Separation Science and Technology, 1-13
- Sajeev, S., Melo, J. S., & Hegde, S. (2018). Gamma radiation-induced in vitro hormetic apogamy in the fern Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) link. Biosystems. 173, November 2018, Pages 221-224
- Prabhu, S. G., Srinikethan, G., & Hegde, S. (2018). Surface treated Pteris vittata L. pinnae powder used as an efficient biosorbent of Pb (II), Cd (II), and Cr (VI) from aqueous solution. International journal of phytoremediation, 20(9), 947-956
- Pallavi, B., Nivas, S. K., D'souza, L., Ganapathi, T. R., & Hegde, S. (2017). Gamma rays induced variations in seed germination, growth and phenotypic characteristics of Zinnia elegans var. Dreamland. Advances in Horticultural Science, 31(4), 267-273
- Severes, A., Hegde, S., D'Souza, L., & Hegde, S. (2017). Use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for enhanced lipid production in micro-algae-based biofuels. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 170, 235-240
- Hegde, S., & D'Souza, L. (2016). Auxin transport inhibitor 2, 3, 5 triiodobenzoic acid induced direct shoot morphogenesis in Millingtonia hortensis Lf. Current Science, 111(1), 25-26
Book chapter
- Book on "Birds of the Campus" Jagdish Gopal Painthankar, Vineeth Kumar, Gincy Joseph (2020) Nitte Deemed to be University, Mangalore. (Ed) Smitha Hegde. 100pp, ISBN: 978-81-946311-0-1
- Hegde, S., Nivas, S., & D'Souza, L. (2020). 2.1 Anacardium occidentale Cashew. Biotechnology of Fruit and Nut Crops, CABI, 2020, Page No: 19-26 ISBN:1780648278, 9781780648279
- Sangeeta S & Hegde S (2016). Tree, People and City: A study of green cover of rapidly urbanizing Mangalore City. Proceedings-Lake 2016: Conservation and Sustainable Management of Ecologically Sensitive Regions in Western Ghats, Sahyadri Conservation Series 65, ENVIS Technical Report 120, Environmental Information System, CES, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
(http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/lake2016/proceedings)
Extramural Funding
- Establishment of Technology Enabling Centre (TEC), Nitte University, Principal Investigator, funded by DST, 2019-2024
- Center for Developing sustainable Technologies for Mitigating Heavy Metal Pollution Under Changing Environment, Principal Investigator, funded by Vision Group of Science and Technology (VGST) 2020-2022
- DNA barcoding of Ferns of South India for genetic diversity studies, Co-Principal Investigator Funded by DST-SERB, 2017-2020
Dr. MADHU K. M.
- DesignationScientist (G-I)
- Email madhu.mani@nitte.edu.in
- Contact No..
- Joining date 11-10-2019
Secured Ph.D. in Biotechnology from CUSAT, and worked as Research Associate at IIT, New Delhi, Delhi University, Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, and College of Fisheries, Mangalore. Received an International Fellowship for Short-term Postdoctoral work at Research Institutes for Fisheries & Aquaculture, Hungary. After, worked as Research Associate at Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai and NUCSER. Joined as Scientist (G-I) in 2019 at NUCSER.
Doctor of Philosophy (Science), Cochin University of Science & Technology, 2008
Masters in Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, 2000
Scientist - Grade I, Nitte University Center for Science Education and Research, Mangaluru (2019-till date)
Research Associate, NUCSER, Mangalore (2017-2019)
Research Associate, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai (2015-2016)
Post-doctoral Fellow, Research Institutes for Fisheries & Aquaculture, HUNGARY (2014-2015)
Research Associate, College of Fisheries, Mangalore (2013-2014)
Research Associate, Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad (2009-2012)
DNA vaccines
Bioactive compounds; AMPs
Microbial Biotechnology
Member, Students Welfare Committee, NUCSER
Sports Advisor, NUCSER
Member Secretary, Youth Red Cross, Nitte DU
Member, Lab Equipment Committee, NUCSER
Undergraduate-
Fundamentals of Immunology, Fundamental Genetics
Postgraduate-
Microbial Genetics, Genetics
UG Students: 02 (completed)
Journal publications-
Dechamma, M.M., Madhu, K.M., Rajeish, M., Santhosh, K.S., Akhila, D.S., Maiti, B., Bossier, P., Karunasagar, I., Karunasagar, I. (2020) Differential expression of akirin gene in black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon in response to immunostimulant administration and infections with Vibrio harveyi and White spot syndrome virus. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society (In press).
Kini, S., Divyashree, M., Madhu, K.M., Mamatha, B.S. (2020) Algae and cyanobacteria as a source of novel bioactive compounds for biomedical applications. Advances in Cyanobacterial Biology- Book Chapter. Academic Press, Elsevier Publication, 173-194.
Divyashree, M., Madhu, K.M., Reddy, D., Kumavath, R., Barh, D. (2019) "Clinical Applications of Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs): where do we stand now?" Protein & Peptide Letters 26:1-15.
Divyashree, M., Madhu, K.M., Prakash, K.S., Deekshit, V.K., Shetty, V., Shetty, A.K., Karunasagar, I. (2019) Hospital wastewater treatment reduces NDM-positive bacteria being discharged into water bodies. Water Environment Research 1-7.
Radhika, P.K., Ghosh, S., Madhu, K. M., Nayak, B.B. (2019) Application of a rotating biological contactor and moving bed biofilm reactor hybrid in bioremediating surimi processing wastewater. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India section B: Biological Sciences 89(4):1471-1478.
Madhu, K.M., Ramakanth, N.V., Ravinder, K., Majumdar, K.C. (2016) Isolation, characterization and activity analysis of selected promoters of mud crab, Scylla serrata. International Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Studies 4:341-346.
Akhila, D.S., Madhu, K.M., Rai, P., Condon, K., Owens, L., Karunasagar, I. (2015) Antisense RNA mediated protection from white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Aquaculture 435:306-309.
Dechamma, M.M., Rajeish, M., Maiti, B., Madhu, K.M., Karunasagar, I. (2015) Expression of toll-like receptors (TLR) in lymphoid organ of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in response to Vibrio harveyi infection. Aquaculture Reports 1:1-4.
Akhila, D.S., Praveen Rai, Madhu, K.M., Krishna, K.B., Karunasagar, I., Karunasagar, I. (2015) Protection of Litopenaeus vannamei against white spot syndrome virus using bacterially expressed recombinant envelope proteins VP39 and VP28. The Israeli Journal of Aquaculture - Bamidgeh 67:1-11.
Ahanger, S., Sandaka, S., Anand, D., Madhu, K.M., Kondadhasula, R., Reddy, C., Marappan, M., Rajendran, K.V., Majumdar, K.C., Mishra, R.K. (2014) Protection of shrimp Penaeus monodon from WSSV infection using antisense constructs. Marine Biotechnology 16(1):63-73.
All Publications: Google scholar-
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=zlZnz2YAAAAJ
Conference publications- 02
Dr. DIVYASHREE M
- DesignationScientist (G-I)
- Email divyashree.m@nitte.edu.in
- Contact No..
- Joining date 11-10-2019
After competing my Ph.D., I have worked as Research associate and joined NUCSER as Scientist (G-I) in 2019. My research interest includes Infectious Disease Biology (Bacteriology), Antimicrobial Resistance, Food Microbiology and Biopolymers.
- Doctor of Philosophy - Allied Health Sciences (2017) – K S Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE University, Deralakatte
- MSc Microbiology (2009) - Manasagangotri, University of Mysore, Mysore
- Scientist G-I, Center for Science Education and Research, NITTE University, Mangalore (October 2019-till date)
- Research Associate, Center for Science Education and Research, NITTE University, Mangalore (April 2017-October 2019)
- Executive – Quality Control, Agila Specialities Private limited (Sterile Product Division) Bangalore (2010-2011)
- Infectious Disease Biology (Bacteriology)
- Antimicrobial Resistance in hospital and hospital wastewater
- Food Microbiology: gut microbiome, probiotics
- Biopolymer production: Polyhydroxyalkanoates a microbial plastic
- Sport Co-ordinator, NUCSER
- Member, Student welfare committee, NUCSER
- Member, I-CASA, NUCSER
Journal publications-
Divyashree, M., Deekshit, V.K, Kumar, K.B., Shetty, V., Chakraborty, A., Karunasagar, I. (2020). Occurrence of antibiotic resistance among Gram negative bacteria isolated from effluents of fish processing plants in and around Mangalore. International journal of environmental health research (In press)
Kini, S., Divyashree, M., Mani, M.K., Mamatha, B.S. (2020). Algae and cyanobacteria as a source of novel bioactive compounds for biomedical applications. Advances in Cyanobacterial Biology, 173-194.
Divyashree, M., Mani, M.K., Reddy, D., Kumavath, R., Ghosh, P., Azevedo, V., Barh, D. (2020). Clinical Applications of Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs): where do we stand now? Protein and peptide letters 27(2):120-134
Divyashree, M., Mani, M.K., Shama Prakash, K., Vijaya Kumar, D., Veena Shetty, A., Shetty, A. K., Karunasagar, I. (2020). Hospital wastewater treatment reduces NDM-positive bacteria being discharged into water bodies. Water environment research 92(4):562-568.
Shetty, V., Divyashree, M., Kumar, D.V., Shetty, A., Karunasagar, I. (2015). Emergence of New Delhi metallo-β-Lactamase (NDM-1)-encoding gene among gram-negative bacteria isolated from hospital effluents. Open Forum Infectious Diseases (Vol. 2, No. suppl_1). Oxford University Press.
All Publications: Google scholar-
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=rf9RyI4AAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate
