Research & Supervision
Academic Supervision Activity (Undergraduates)
Assessing the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Juniper Leaf Essential Oil and its Nanoparticles Against Clinical Isolates
Students: Hony Azad, Rayan Barham, Banu Salam, Honya Hadi
Our project in brief: This project focuses on evaluating the antimicrobial effectiveness of Juniper Leaf Essential Oil (JL-EO) and its corresponding nanoparticles against various clinical isolates. The JL-EO under investigation is derived purely from the leaves of Juniperus communis. The utilization of nanoparticles enhances the exploration of innovative approaches to harness the antimicrobial properties of essential oils, offering promising insights for future applications in the field of healthcare, particularly as antimicrobial agents against clinical isolates.
A Novel Medium for Cultivating Probiotic Organisms: Redefining Cultivation Practices
Students: Larin Abdalqadir, Chawan Sdiq, Azhin Star
Our project in brief: We aim to revolutionize the traditional cultivation methods for probiotics, specifically those readily available in pharmacies, such as PROFORTIS - Probiotic & Prebiotic (U-Health, Pharma, Turkey). These probiotics contain a diverse array of 12 different species. Our approach involves utilizing Eosin Methylene Blue agar (EMB), conventionally used for Gram-negative bacteria, to isolate and grow these probiotic strains. Recognizing that lactic acid and probiotic strains are challenging to isolate using traditional culture media, this project offers a simplified approach by employing a one-step process using the modified EMB agar. Subsequently, we will cultivate the probiotic strains on deMan, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) broth medium to induce the production of secondary metabolites. These metabolites will then be explored for their potential as antimicrobials against harmful pathogens. Additionally, we will embark on synthesizing nanoparticles, employing the secondary metabolites as precursors, thereby expanding the scope of innovative applications in the field of probiotics and nanotechnology.
Antimicrobial Potential of Phenolic Compounds Extracted from Three Varieties of Iraqi Date Seeds and its Nanoparticles Against Clinical Isolates
Students: Lewin Aram, Shania Nawzad, Amal Saeed, Hilin Guladin
Our project in brief: This project is crucial as it addresses the critical need to discover new ways to combat harmful microbes when regular medicines become ineffective. Given Iraq's abundant date palm trees, which are common and vital in the country, the easily accessible and environmentally friendly seeds from varieties such as Zahdi, Khazrawi, and Bahri serve as a valuable source for extracting beneficial compounds. The extracted compounds will be then utilized as catalysts in synthesizing metallic nanoparticles (Ag, Cu, and Zn). The resulting nanoparticles will be studied for their antimicrobial activities against pathogenic microbes. This proposed approach holds promise for developing improved treatments to address the challenge of ineffective conventional medicines against harmful microbes.
Academic Supervision Activity
Master student:
Rafeef Ahmed Yass; “Evaluation of the presence of heavy metals and pathogens in leafy vegetables within the Sulaymaniyah Region.”
Hawnaz Najmalddin; “Analyzing enzyme activities from the active dry Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their bread quality improvement.”
Bikhal Hussein Fattah,” Stability of silver bio nanoparticles from coculture of Fusarium solani and Comamonas aquatica and their antitumor and antimicrobial evaluation.”
Karzan A. Qurbani, “Co-cultivation of Fusarium and Comamonas as a potential strategy for remediation of heavy metals in contaminated soils and water in Tanjaro region.”
Abd-Almohaimen Ahmed, “Synthesis of silver nanoparticles by filamentous fungus Fusarium oxysporum and study their inhibitory effect against pathogenic microbes.”
Ph.D students:
Mohammad Al-Gelani,” Production of single cell protein from the wastes of Cynodon dactylon L. using mixed culture of nonpathogenic strains of Bacillus sp and Fusarium solani.”
Reyam Faris, “Dual effect of myco-synthesized silver nanoparticles: Anti-biofilm activity against multidrug resistant pathogens and anti-proliferation of HeLa cells.”
Pari H. Sharif, “Analysis of Commercial Nuts and Nut-Based Products (Bakery, Confections, Cereal, Ice-Cream and traditional Kurdish Foods): Microbiological, Chemical and Quality Management.”
Zhala Muhammad, "Molecular, phytochemical, and biological study of wild Bene - Pistacia species - in multiple locations of Kurdistan Region."
Lana M. Amin, “Bioconstruction of bimetallic core-shell nanoparticles: Synthesis, properties and applications.”