Research

Our lab works on different bio and synthetic-charged nanopolymers, nanoparticles and assesses their antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. Currently, we work with polyethyleneimine, a cationic biopolymer in the form of nanofibers. We assess their antibiofilm, antimicrobial, and wound healing characteristics in vitro and in vivo. Our lab also works with molecules that re-sensitize or revitalize the antibiotics.

Phage therapy is another research interest of our lab, we isolate and enrich highly specific phages against ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) pathogens and other important pathogens.  And we work with the vision to create a phage repository in the Tamil Nadu region. We have isolated phages against four of six pathogens so far. 

Also, we work on alternative antimicrobials such as herbal (plant) extracts, green synthesized nanoparticles, composite nanoparticles and nanoparticle-embedded thin-films and aim to develop efficient antimicrobial wound healing scaffolds. 

Phage sequences submitted in the gene bank: 

1. Pseudomonas phage vB_PaeM_M12PA, complete genome (GenBank: PP668090.1 ) (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/2719956143)

2.  Escherichia phage vB_EcoP_CU10EC, complete genome (GenBank: PQ435408.1 ) (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/2849418365)

Current Extramural Project:

Effective elimination of ESKAPE Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections using phage-displayed nanobodies and lytic phage synergy - ICMR small grant 2024 (2025-2028)

Schematic of PEI nanofiber and its antimicrobial and wound healing studies. Aarcha SM et al., 2021. (ACS Applied Biomaterials)

Schamtic of Green synthesized nanoparticles thin films and their reusability studies. Nashath K et al., 2022. (Materilas Letter)