RESEARCH SCHOLARS

Research Interest/Area:

Microbiology, Microbial pathogenesis, Antimicrobial resistance, Biotechnology, Molecular biology, Biochemistry, Applied Botany.

Research:

Project title: Modulation of quorum sensing in selected Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria using novel molecules

Summary: The aim of this study is to assess the modulation of quorum sensing Chromobacterium violaceum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in presence of inhibitors and inducer by time dependent gene regulation mechanism. Further to establish quorum sensing targeted antibiotic therapy using selected antibiotics and novel quorum sensing inhibitors. Cuurently there is high interest in manipulating bacterial quorum sensing signaling systems for diverse applications such as ecological control in agriculture, food industry and antivirulence in medicine. We want to study the modulation of the quorum sensing mediated genes in the presence of inhibitors and inducers at a temporal scale. Hence, this study proposes to determine novel strategies involving quorum sensing mediated targets using certain inhibitory molecules for the improved drug efficacy by identifying the genes regulated in the Gram-negative pathogen system. Naturally derived quorum sensing inhibitors are molecules that agonize or antagonize quorum sensing which can structurally mimic the AHLs/ signalling molecules, and such competitive binding is effective to block activation of AHL-mediated virulence in the opportunistic pathogens. In addition to that, quorum sensing inhibitors can also affect the integrity of biofilms and thus, will make the bacteria more susceptible to conventional antibiotics. This serves as an advantage as it can help to minimize the possibility of the bacteria from becoming resistant. The knowledge generated may be applied in healthcare set up for the management of Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and similar bacterial infections.

Publication

1. Kanekar S, Devasya RP. Growth-phase specific regulation of cviI/R based quorum sensing associated virulence factors in Chromobacterium violaceum by linalool, a monoterpenoid. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2022 Feb;38(2):1-1.
2. Kanekar S, Fathima F, Rekha PD. Carvone–a quorum sensing inhibitor blocks biofilm formation in Chromobacterium violaceum. Natural Product Research. 2021 Oct 13:1-6.
3. Saral A, Kanekar S, Koul KK, Bhagyawant SS. Plant growth promoting bacteria induce anti-quorum-sensing substances in chickpea legume seedling bioassay. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants. 2021 Jul 17:1-9.
4. Shastry RP, Kanekar S, Pandial AS, Rekha PD. Isoeugenol suppresses multiple quorum sensing regulated phenotypes and biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Natural Product Research. 2021 Mar 4:1-5.
5. Ghate SD, Arun AB, Rao SS, Kumar SA, Kandiyil MK, Saptami K, Rekha PD. Genome analysis of a halophilic bacterium Halomonas malpeensis YU-PRIM-29 T reveals its exopolysaccharide and pigment producing capabilities. Scientific reports. 2021 Jan 18;11(1):1-4.
6. Vipin C, Saptami K, Fida F, Mujeeburahiman M, Rao SS, Arun AB, Rekha PD. Potential synergistic activity of quercetin with antibiotics against multidrug-resistant clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PloS one. 2020 Nov 6;15(11):e0241304.
7. Rao SS, Saptami K, Venkatesan J, Rekha PD. Microwave-assisted rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles using fucoidan: Characterization with assessment of biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2020 Nov 15;163:745-55.
8. Noumi E, Snoussi M, Alreshidi M, Rekha PD, Saptami K, Caputo L, De Martino L, Souza L, Msaada K, Mancini E, Flamini G. Chemical and Biological Evaluation of Essential Oils from Cardamom Species. Molecules. 2018 Oct 30;23(11):2818.
9. Kamat V, Nayak SP, Adiga G, Rajeena AC, Kanekar SU, Rekha PD. Design, facile synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of hybrid 1, 3, 4-thiadiazole linked chalcone confined via sulphur bridge. Heterocyclic letters. 2018 Jan 1;8(3):671-8.
10. Santosh R, Selvam MK, Kanekar SU, Nagaraja GK. Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Studies of Some Heterocyclic Compounds from Triazole‐Linked Chalcone Derivatives. Chemistry Select. 2018; 3(23):6338-43.
11. Snoussi M, Noumi E, Punchappady-Devasya R, Trabelsi N, Kanekar S, Nazzaro F, Fratianni F, Flamini G, De Feo V, Al-Sieni A. Antioxidant properties and anti-quorum sensing potential of Carum copticum essential oil and phenolics against Chromobacterium violaceum. Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2018: 1-9.
12. Santosh R, Selvam MK, Kanekar SU, Nagaraja GK, Kumar M. Design, Synthesis, DNA Binding, and Docking Studies of Thiazoles and Thiazole‐Containing Triazoles as Antibacterials. ChemistrySelect. 2018; 3(14):3892-8.
13. Rekha PD, Vasavi HS, Vipin C, Saptami K, Arun AB. A medicinal herb Cassia alata attenuates quorum sensing in Chromobacterium violaceum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Letters in applied microbiology. 2017; 64(3):231-8.