HOPE Lab Companion Site

WELCOME TO HOPE LAB

Laboratory for Health, Omics and Pathway Exploration

HOPE Lab is a team of dedicated biochemists and microbiologists united by a shared passion for unraveling the intricate biological pathways and molecules that shape life. Motivated by the pressing need to address global health and environmental challenges, our work spans multiple disciplines, reflecting the interconnections between life and nature. Our commitment is to advance health and environmental sustainability through a holistic understanding of organisms, biological systems, and metabolites critical to human and ecological well-being. While our research spans diverse areas, these efforts are driven by a common goal: to uncover the fundamental processes that drive life and apply this knowledge to improve health and protect the environment. Our research endeavors are guided by a three-fold inquiry:

• Which organisms, metabolites, and pathways play a role in our health promotion? 

• Which organisms pose risks to our health and the environment, and what harmful compounds do they produce?  

• How can we harness the beneficial entities to mitigate potentially harmful compounds, thus collectively improving our overall well-being? 

In pursuit of answers, we undertake diverse projects involving a spectrum of organisms, spanning from beneficial to pathogenic. Utilizing biochemical and genetic methodologies, we aim to explore biological processes within cells, delving into areas such as biotransformation and biocatalysis, ecology and symbiosis, physiology and pathology, host-pathogen interactions, and more. By integrating insights across these domains, we strive to bridge fundamental research with practical applications that address critical challenges in health, agriculture, and the environment. 

Further, we make  sincere efforts to communicate our research findings to the general public, the non-scientist audiences, via facebook, linkedin and blog posts with the goal to help them understand the importance of beneficial organisms and biomolecules for our wellbeing and for the ecosphere. 

We welcome constructive feedback and insights related to our ongoing research. Moreover, we are open to any potential collaboration proposals that align with our research focus, which includes but is not limited to microbial biochemistry, biotechnology, ecology, genomics and pathogenesis. Thank you for your kind attention and interest in our work.

Focus

"Illuminating Pathways to Wellness"

At HOPE Lab, our research primarily focuses on understanding the pathways and metabolites that influence the health and wellness of various organisms and their environments. We aim to study both beneficial organisms and harmful entities. While investigating the pathogenic organisms that pose threats to human health is critical, understanding beneficial organisms is no less important as they provide us with essential benefits. Specifically, we focus on (1) organisms that confer health benefits, such as probiotics, (2) organisms that promote environmental well-being, such as plant growth-promoting agents, and (3) organisms with industrial and biotechnological significance, such as those producing functional metabolites. By studying these diverse groups, we aim to deepen our understanding of the critical roles played by these organisms in supporting human health, environmental sustainability, and industrial innovation.

In alignment with our multifaceted research approach, we've structured our efforts into three units:  

Biochemistry and Pathogenesis of Microbes (BPM)

BPM unit at HOPE Lab is dedicated to in-depth investigations of the biochemical and pathogenic aspects of bacteria and fungi. Our research encompasses both beneficial and harmful microorganisms, aiming to unravel their intricate roles in human health and environmental well-being.  

Bioprocess and Functional Metabolites (bioFM)

Within the bioFM unit, our aim is to explore the biological processes occurring within different organisms, focusing particularly on their bioactive molecules. The unit focuses on isolating and characterizing natural compounds with important applications in industrial bioprocesses, offering sustainable solutions for various industries. 

Biotechnology, Informatics, and Genomics (BIG)

The BIG unit is at the forefront of bioinformatics, and omics research. Here, we employ advanced analytical techniques and methodologies, such as genomics and metagenomics, to unravel the complex relationships between microorganisms and their hosts. Our goal is to shed light on the ecological, evolutionary, and biotechnological significance of microbial symbionts and their potential applications across diverse fields.

A key interest of HOPE Lab lies in multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), which pose significant challenges to global health by complicating treatment strategies. Understanding the mechanisms underlying MDR and ARGs is essential for developing effective interventions. Our research aims to explore the genetic determinants of resistance, identify transmission pathways, and investigate novel antimicrobial compounds to combat MDR strains. These include antimicrobial peptides, bacteriocins, exopolysaccharides, etc. which offer promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics and have the potential to overcome resistance mechanisms.

Additionally, we focus on exploring microbial symbiosis within diverse ecosystems, including rhizobacteria and endophytes for plant health, gastrointestinal microbiota for human and animal wellness, and extremophiles for novel biochemical applications. Our research seeks to understand the roles and functions of these microbial communities, shedding light on their intricate interactions with hosts and the environment. We employ advanced techniques such as genomics, metagenomics, and bioinformatics, to unravel the complex relationships between microbes and their ecosystems.  By integrating insights from these studies, we aim to bridge fundamental discoveries with practical applications in agriculture, medicine, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. 

Moreover, we 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.

Our research also includes genome and proteome analysis to identify beneficial metabolites encoded in probiotic isolates or harmful molecules present in pathogenic organisms. This approach helps us discover novel compounds with potential applications in health and biotechnology.

Our fifth focus is on the zoonotic pathogens particularly those of the food origins, which are critical to food safety and One-Health issues. Our objective is to contribute meaningfully to the development of effective control measures to curb the spread of these pathogens. We aim to identify key points of transmission and provide actionable insights to support the formulation of strategic interventions. Ultimately, our goal is to protect both human and animal health while advancing global well-being.

Click here for more on the projects of HOPE Lab.