Tanim Jabid Hossain, PhD

Microbial biochemist and academic specializing in microbial genomics, metabolomics, probiotics, and pathogen biology.

Associate Professor

Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong

Founder and PI

Laboratory for Health, Omics and Pathway Exploration (HOPE Lab)

Biography

Seeking to elucidate the dynamic interactions among organisms, the environment, and metabolites, my research focuses on how microbial life influences human health and environmental sustainability. By investigating metabolic pathways, probiotic activities, pathogenic mechanisms, and their ecological impacts, I aim to uncover sustainable, evidence-based solutions to pressing health and environmental challenges. My work spans microorganisms, microinvertebrates, and their roles in processes such as biogeochemical carbon cycling and inter-organismal interactions. A core aspect of this research includes the development of One Health-oriented probiotics, functional foods and microbiome-driven systems, alongside food microbiology and evidence-based probiotic formulation strategies that support human, animal, and plant health through sustainable, biologically informed approaches.

During my academic journey, I completed a Ph.D. in the Glycometabolome Lab under the guidance of Dr. Tadashi Suzuki at RIKEN, Japan, as part of a joint doctoral program with Saitama University. This transformative experience ignited my fascination for microbial metabolic pathways, particularly protein glycosylation and the catabolism of glycoconjugates. My research focused on understanding N-linked glycans and their structural variations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and exploring the degradation of C-linked glycoconjugates by prokaryotes, providing insights into microbial glycan processing pathways.

As an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, I am dedicated to integrating teaching with research. I teach microbiology, spectroscopy, natural products, and related disciplines at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Beyond academics, I foster collaborative, mentorship-driven learning environments, aiming to develop independent, critical-thinking researchers while continuously learning alongside them.

In my research, I employ biochemical, genetic, and omics-driven approaches to study organisms with beneficial and pathogenic roles. These include probiotics, plant growth-promoting microbes, zoonotic and phytopathogens, and extremophiles, with a focus on their bioactive metabolites, ecological functions, and interspecies interactions. A key area of my work involves multidrug-resistant pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), where I explore innovative interventions such as antimicrobial peptides, bacteriocins, exopolysaccharides, and other food-grade bioactive compounds to mitigate resistance and enhance global health outcomes.

Throughout my career, I have been involved in multidisciplinary research spanning metabolomics, genomics, and bioinformatics. My work seeks to bridge fundamental research with practical applications, such as bioprocess optimization, environmental sustainability, food safety and food preservation technologies. From investigating symbiotic ecosystem interactions to isolating industrially relevant enzymes, my research advances understanding of complex biological systems and their functional dynamics.

Driven by a strong commitment to advancing scientific knowledge, I continue to explore the biochemical and ecological roles of living systems while developing sustainable, health-oriented solutions. Equally important is my dedication to mentorship and capacity building, creating a research environment where students grow into independent scientists and impactful contributors, ensuring that our work advances both science and society.

Education

PhD in Science & Engineering (Glycobiology) 

RIKEN-Saitama University Graduate Program, Japan

MS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Professional  Experiences

Associate Professor

Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh 

2022 – Present

Assistant Professor

Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh 

2017 – 2022 

Lecturer

Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh 

2014 – 2017 

International Program Associate

Glycometabolome Team, RIKEN, Japan 

2012 – 2015

Executive

Production Department, Square Toiletries Ltd 

2011 – 2012

Executive

Quality Assurance Department, ACI Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

2010 – 2011          

Research Experiences

PhD Research

Title: Analysis of the catabolic pathways of glycoconjugates  

Institute: RIKEN-Saitama University Joint Program, Japan

Major Topics:

Catabolism of protein-N-glycans in Sacchormyces cerevisae

Structure-analysis of free-N-glycans (FNGs)

Bacterial degradation of C-Mannosyl Tryptophan

MS Research

Title: Chemical and microbiological quality assessment of raw and processed (pasteurized and UHT-treated) liquid market milks of Bangladesh

Institute: Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong

Major Topics:

Chemical analysis: nutritional composition, determination of acidity and adulteration

Microbial analysis: bacterial enumeration and biochemical characterization

Student supervision

Major Topics:

Biocatalysis, One Health Probiotics

Functional metabolites

Microbial Symbiosis, Ecology

PhD students: 2

Postgraduate students: 2

MS thesis students: 7

Undergrad students: 10

Research Interest

Research Field

Microbial Biochemistry, Genomics, Glycomics

Functional foods, Nutraceuticals, Microbial pathogenesis 

Area of Interest

One-Health Probiotics
Food and Nutritional Microbiology
Sustainable applications in health and food

Ecology, Symbiosis

Phytopathogens, Zoonoses

Biocatalysis, Glycoconjugates

Genome sequence, Bioinformatics

Peer reviewed for

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta

npj Science of Food

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

Current Microbiology

Applied Food Biotechnology

Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity 

etc.

Profiles on external sites

Institutional

Researchgate

Linkedin

Google scholar

Contact

tanim.bmb@gmail.com

tanim.j.hossain@cu.ac.bd