Gut Microbiota and Host Health
The animal gut harbors complex microbial ecosystems that profoundly influence digestion, immunity, and overall well‑being. We combine culture‑based and metagenomic approaches to characterise these communities. Our work on the gut microbiome of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) revealed abundant proteolytic bacteria with significant enzymatic potential, while studies on the Bombay duck (Harpadon nehereus) identified hydrolytic enzyme‑producing strains whose profiles mirrored the fish’s carnivorous diet — highlighting the adaptive co‑evolution of gut microbes and host. These insights inform the development of probiotic interventions and enzyme discovery pipelines.
Rhizosphere Microbiota and Plant Health
The rhizosphere, the nutrient‑rich zone around plant roots, is another key frontier. We isolate and characterise plant growth‑promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from crops like chrysanthemum, assessing traits such as auxin production, phosphate solubilisation, nitrogen fixation, and stress tolerance. Genome analysis of Pantoea dispersa PGPR‑24 has uncovered genetic pathways for root colonisation and nutrient mobilisation, positioning such strains as sustainable biofertilisers that reduce chemical inputs while restoring soil health.
Extremophiles: Diversity at the Edge
Extremophiles, organisms that thrive in conditions lethal to most life, are a special focus. We have isolated alkalitolerant bacteria from household products and industrial waste that secrete alkaline‑active hydrolases (proteases, amylases) stable above pH 13, offering robust biocatalysts for detergents, leather processing, and waste treatment. From oil‑contaminated soils, we recover biosurfactant‑producing strains that remain active under high salinity, temperature, and alkalinity, providing tools for bioremediation and industrial emulsification. These extremophiles expand our understanding of biochemical adaptation and serve as reservoirs of stress‑tolerance genes and novel metabolites.
Food Microbiota and Consumer Health
Traditional foods are living libraries of microbial diversity. Metagenomic analysis of date palm sap, for instance, has revealed a dominance of lactic acid bacteria including Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Zymomonas, pointing to rich autochthonous communities with probiotic and biopreservation potential. Systematic sampling of borhani, laban, mattha, and sugarcane juice further allows us to link microbial diversity to functional food safety and consumer health.
Across these domains, our work follows a discovery‑to‑impact arc: from cataloguing organisms and their omics (2O), through understanding the pathways and protective metabolites they produce (3P), to grasping the ecological and evolutionary principles that maintain equilibrium (4E) - all in service of One Health (1H). We welcome conversations with researchers interested in microbial diversity, extremophile biotechnology, or the ecology of host‑associated and environmental systems.