Welcome to Molecular Microbiology Lab
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Molecular Microbiology lab was conceived in 2005 to explore on Molecular taxonomy, Microbial diversity, Metabolism of heavy metal resistance, Extremophiles and Molecular Diagnostics.
Principally the lab attempts to report novel microorganisms through Polyphasic taxonomy approach. Supported with facilities for DNA melting curve analysis (Tm), FAMEs, Isoprenoid Quinones and Peptidoglycan, certain bacteria like Erwinia is under investigation to establish its taxonomic position.
A range of sources viz., Western Ghats and The Himalayas are explored for novel microbes. Population dynamics of archaea from Human waste digesters are studied through DGGE analysis. Besides the gut microbes of Honey bees, Termites and Mosquitoes are also investigated for potential probiotics, cellulolytic and disease transmission control organisms.
Heavy metals like arsenic and chromium severely threaten biota and human health. The mechanism of arsenic metabolism in bacteria is investigated through transposon-mediated mutagenesis and inverse PCR techniques. Our study investigates three arsenic tolerant strains, Shewanella sp. ANA-3, Micrococcus luteus BPB1 and Deinococcus indicus, for their ability to mobilize arsenic from ground water. Attempts are also underway to understand the molecular mechanism of chromium from isolates secured from tanneries of Tamil Nadu.
Endophthalmitis is a potential vision-threatening inflammatory condition, where delay in treatment may result in vision loss. The bacterial community of endophthalmitis cases through 16S rRNA gene library has been investigated. In addition, specific singleplex PCR assays targeting the tuf gene of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus genera, with m-PCR targeting Sa442 gene of Staphylococcus aureus, cpsA gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and rplU gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were developed for rapid identification in vitreous fluid and aqueous humor samples of patients.
Since the bacteria colonizing the conjunctiva are responsible for post-operative endophthalmitis, the 16S rRNA gene library approach is applied to reveal the microbial communities of these parts of the eye, which will lead to an improved understanding of the causative organisms, which, in turn, would help to formulate appropriate antibiotic therapy and eventually decrease the severity of the infection.
In addition, a nested multiplex PCR was developed for the detection of virulent Salmonella typhi in the blood specimens of patients suspected of typhoid fever.
