Laboratory of the Biochemistry and Pathogenesis of Microbes

Focus

While investigating pathogenic microbes that pose a threat to our health is crucial, understanding of the beneficial microbes is no less important as they provide us with essential health benefits. We seek to study (1) microbes that confer beneficial effects on our health such as the probiotics, and (2) microbes that are beneficial to the environment such as the plant growth promoting agents. By focusing on these areas, we aim to contribute to a better understanding of the important roles played by the beneficial microbes in both human and environmental health.

We also have particular interests in exploring microbial symbionts that inhabit diverse ecosystems, including rhizobacteria and endophytes, gastrointestinal microbiota, vertebrate microbial symbionts, and microorganisms that thrive in extreme environments. Our aim is to investigate the roles and functions of these microbial communities in different ecosystems to gain a deeper understanding of their interactions with their hosts and the environment. We employ advanced analytical techniques and methodologies to identify and characterize these microbial communities, such as genomics and metagenomics, to unravel the complex relationships between the microbes and their hosts. Ultimately, our research seeks to shed light on the ecological, evolutionary, and biotechnological significance of these microbial symbionts, and their potential applications in various fields, including agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.

Moreover, we also attempt to isolate and characterize microbes that produce extracellular metabolites which have important applications in industrial bioprocesses including enzymes involved in glycoconjugate metabolism, or those depolymerizing macromolecules. By gaining insights into the microbial production of these compounds, we hope to develop new strategies for optimizing their production and incorporating them into industrial processes. Our goal is to contribute to the advancement of bioprocessing technologies and facilitate the development of sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for industrial applications.

Additionally, we incorporate the use of bioinformatics tools to perform in-depth analysis of the genomes and protein-sequences of our isolates revealing beneficial metabolites that are encoded in the probiotic isolates, or the potentially harmful molecules present in the pathogenic organisms.

Our fifth focus is on the zoonotic pathogens particularly those of the food origins, their antimicrobial resistance, and the associated aspects of food safety with regards to the One-Health issues. Our objective is to make a meaningful contribution towards the development of an effective control measure against the spread of the pathogens. We strive to identify the key transmission-points and provide information to facilitate the formulation of effective strategic approaches. The ultimate goal is to promote the well-being of both human and animal populations. 

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