Faculty

Research Interest/Area

Exopolysaccharides; biomolecules, chronic wounds, host-pathogen interactions, biofilm, quorum sensing, microbial genomics and microbiome

Research

Dr. Rekha P.D, the Director of the Yenepoya Research Centre at Yenepoya University, has made significant contributions to the field of research during her tenure at the institution. Her research work encompasses various areas of study, with a focus on biopolymers in wound healing, biofilm dynamics, virulence in uropathogens, host-pathogen interactions, quorum sensing, and microbial genomics. She has conducted extensive studies to understand the role of different biopolymers in promoting wound healing processes both acute and chronic wounds. Her research explores the development of novel formulations and biomaterials that can effectively facilitate wound healing and tissue regeneration. This research holds significant potential for clinical applications and has the potential to improve patient outcomes. Dr. Rekha’s research also involves understanding the dynamics of biofilms and virulence among uropathogens to explore the host adaption mechanisms of uropathogens. Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms that can form on various surfaces, including medical devices, and are notoriously difficult to treat. Her research contributes to the development of strategies to combat biofilm-related infections using quorum sensing based targets with aim of combating antimicrobial resistance due to biofilm related infections. Furthermore, Dr. Rekha with her team investigates the intricate interactions between host and pathogen, focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in normal and cancer cells. This research provides insights into the host’s defense mechanisms against invading pathogens and aids in the development of targeted therapeutic interventions including prebiotic based approaches. Her work has the potential translational value with local and global significance and can pave the way for the development of innovative approaches to combatting infectious diseases.

Publications                                                                                                                                            Full list:

1.  Nagaraj A, Rekha PD*. Development of a bioink using exopolysaccharide from Rhizobium sp. PRIM17. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2023 Apr 15; 234:123608.
2. Rekha PD*, Shastry RP, Asif H, Ghate S, Arun AB, Athmika N. Genomic potential for exopolysaccharide production and differential polysaccharide degradation in closely related Alteromonas sp. PRIM-21 and Alteromonasfortis 1T. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 2023 Jan; 116(1):39-51. doi: 10.1007/s10482-022-01796-8.
3. Yuvarajan S, Asif H, Arun AB, Saptami K,Rekha PD*, Urease-negative uropathogen Kalamiella piersonii YU22 metabolizes urea by urea carboxylase and allophanate hydrolase enzyme system, Microbiological Research, 2022; 263, 127142, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2022.127142
4. Kanekar S, Rex DAB, Chandrashekharan A, Rekha PD*. Competitive interaction of thymol with cviR inhibits quorum sensing and associated biofilm formation in Chromobacterium violaceum. International Microbiology 2022 Aug;25(3):629-638. PMID: 35554762. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10123-022-00247-8
5. Rekha PD*, Hameed H, Muhammed AP Manzoor, Suryavanshi MV, Ghate SD, Arun AB, Rao SS, Athmika, Bajire SK, Mujeeburahiman M, Young C-C. First Report of Pathogenic Bacterium Kalamiella piersonii Isolated from Urine of a Kidney Stone Patient: Draft Genome and Evidence for Role in Struvite Crystallization. Pathogens 2020, 9(9), 711; doi:10.3390/pathogens9090711

1. Validation of a formulation with bioactive bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS-A21) as novel biomaterial for wound care. BIRAC-ETA; 2021-23 (PI).
2. Development of lateral flow-based paper analytical device for detection of sphingomyelinase in urine for early phase of leptospirosis. ICMR-DHR; 2021-24 (Co-I).
3. Enhancing the sustained release of growth factors from platelets using natural sulphated polysaccharides for treating chronic wounds. ICMR; 2020-22 (PI).
4. Precise & accurate examination of Bacterial Lithoganic Urine Biomarkers (BaLUB) for kidney stone disease. SERB-NPDF, 2019-21 (Co-I).
5. Modulation of quorum sensing in selected gram – negative pathogenic bacteria using novel molecules. ICMR; 2019-22 (PI).
6. Dynamics of biofilm formation and virulence factors in urinary catheter associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa ICMR; 2019-21 (PI).
7. Establishment of MedTech Design and Rapid Prototyping facility: BIRAC/NBM-PMU/EST-DEV_Yenepoya/2018 (Co-PI).
8. Fibrinolytic system and miR 200a in EMT and pulmonary fibrosis. DBT; 2018-21 (Co-I).
9. A novel strategy for enhancing the efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in diabetic wound care. DST SERB (CRG); 2017-21 (PI).
10. Development of a wound healing material from the exopolysaccharides produced by two novel strains of marine bacteria. DBT; 20217-21 (PI).
11. Electron Beam Irradiation for improving the functional properties of Marine Bacterial Exopolysaccharide. DAE/BRNS; 2013-15 (PI).
12. Novel natural Quorum Quenching Molecules for the Inhibition of Quorum Sensing in Gram negative Bacteria. DBT-RGYI; 2010-14 (PI).
13. Pretreatment of Cellulosic Biomass Using Electron Beam Irradiation for Enhanced Ethanol Fermentation by Microbial Enzymes. DAE/BRNS; 2009-12 (PI).
14. Enhancing Carotenogenesis (Zeaxanthin and Lycopene) in Marine Bacteria by Electron Beam Irradiation for Industrial Applications. DAE/BRNS; 2009-2013 (Co-I).