Dr. Abhishek Baghela
Scientist D
Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
Research Area
- The group is focused on molecular identification, phylogenetics, DNA barcoding, and genetic engineering of fungi. As a constitutive part of National Fungal Culture Collection of India (NFCCI), ARI laboratory offers services to academia, research institution and industry in molecular identification of fungi. The group is also interested to study the kinetochore dynamics in different fungi, and their possible application for development of novel antifungal drug targets in future.
Dr. Dhananjay Bodas
Scientist D
Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
Research Area
- Micro-nano fabrication technologies; biomedical microdevices; micro-nano fluidics; biosensors
- Research interest fall broadly in the area of micro fabrication technology. More specifically micro-nanofluidics and its applications in life sciences.
Basic research in understanding flows at micro-nano scale using simulation as well as emulation.
Application research involves using microfluidics for isolation, separation and/or detection of bio-macromolecules.
Dr. Sumit Singh Dagar
Scientist D
Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
Research Area
- The research group is interested in studying diversity, ecology and taxonomy of various anaerobic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, methanogens) from different habitats for their potential exploitation in various fields like ligno-cellulose degradation, bio-fuel production, and other industrial applications.
- They use conventional, molecular biology and bioinformatics tools to isolate, characterize and identify these microbes. In addition, they screen them for their efficient enzymatic system for industrial applications.
- The group is also interested in maintaining and supplying anaerobic cultures to interested research institutions and universities.
Dr. Prashant Dhakephalkar
Director
Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
Research Area
- Investigating the microbial diversity associated with extreme, pristine and other habitats for taxonomic novelty and industrial applications (especially Bioenergy, Petroleum Biotechnology and Bioremediation).
- Group is involved in collecting samples from a variety of extreme and pristine habitats including (but not limited to) volcanic mud, deep subsurface high temperature oil reservoirs, submarine methane hydrate sediments, high altitude lake sediments, etc.
- Documentation of the bacterial and archaeal diversity associated with such environments using molecular tools such as PCR-DGGE-Sequencing of house-keeping genes (e.g. SSU rRNA, mcrA, dsr, rpob, etc.) or metagenome sequencing using NGS platform.
- Microbial cultures, in isolation or as consortium, are used to develop technologies in the field of bioenergy, petroleum biotechnology, bioremediation or production of valuable enzymes/ biomolecules. Microbial metabolism underlying such industrial application is investigated using whole genome, transcriptome and proteome analysis
Assistant Professor, Chemistry
IISER, Pune
Research Area
- Enzyme mechanisms, Chemical biology of microbes
- Vitamin biosynthesis as a tool to understand the chemistry of the microbial world. She is interested in food justice and sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Yogesh A. Karpe
Scientist D
Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
Research Area
- Group studies the molecular mechanisms of virus replication and pathogenesis. Animal viruses currently being studied in laboratory are Chikungunya virus and Hepatitis E virus.
- They are interested in isolation of new bacteriophages, study diversity and genomic characterization of phages and examine them for properties which may be useful for pathogen detection and bio-control purpose on food industry, poultry and environmental applications.
Dr. Jyutika M. Rajwade
Scientist E
Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
Research Area
- Research interest is in finding out applications of nanomaterials in health and agriculture. A variety of metals-based nanoparticles are being explored for their antimicrobial activity which would be useful for achieving control of pathogens. Several biomolecules are being explored as molecular recognition elements which would aid in detection/isolation of bacteria from environmental samples. A platform technology based on use of molecular recognition elements – tagged magnetic nanoparticles for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing is developed. An alternate ‘one-step’ method is also developed for isolation of bacterial genomic DNA and its utility in several downstream applications is being explored.
- Naturally occurring polymeric nanostructures are being explored for applications in nanobiotechnology
- As part of applications of nanotechnology in agriculture the potential of nanomaterials as micronutrient delivery systems for increasing micronutrient density in grain is being assessed.