Our Research
Microbiota, Endocrine-disrupting chemicals & Diabetes
​
The major focus of our lab is on understanding the synergism between endocrine-disrupting chemicals and gut microbiota and its influence on host glucose metabolism. We are working on to establish biomarkers and to identify the molecular variation at microbiota and host metabolism (gut-brain axis) during diabetes of different etiology (diabetes associated with traditional risk factors and diabetes associated with environmental chemicals). We are utilizing mice models, glucose 6-phosphatase knockout mice, cell lines and fecal samples from human diabetes patients for the study. In parallel, we are working on the synergistic effect of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and gut microbiota on the efficacy of oral hypoglycemic drugs.
​
We have also expanded on understanding the interplay between endocrine disrupting chemicals and gut microbiota in type-1 diabetes children.
​
Team members involved: D. Karthika, V. Samrat Ashok, Ashok Sundar & G. Velmurugan
Exploring novel microbial niches in human body: Tissue Microbiota
​
Traditionally, the internal organs in human body expect gut, oral cavity are considered as sterile organs. But recent studies revealed the presence of microbiota in uncommon human niches including blood, breast tissue, liver, pancreas and tumour tissues. Their presence is confirmed in heathy individuals too. Their physiological role in these novel sites are largely unexplored. We are interested on understanding their role in human physiology and disease pathology.
​
Currently, we are investigating the diversity of microbiota in tumour and tumour adjacent tissues in breast cancer. We are working on next generation sequencing tools to understand the bacterial diversity and functional roles. The microbial profiling will be correlated with metastasis, recurrence and other clinical features of breast cancer. Further, we are planning to work on organoids to explore their functional role in pathophysiology of breast cancer.
​
Team members involved: S. Srinidhi Narayani & Dr. Gowdham
Environmental chemicals on etiology of antimicrobial resistance (Eco-AMR)
​
Among the microbes in the earth, the human microbiota contributes less than 0.1%. For complete understanding, we need to investigate the role of microbiota in different environmental niches. We are interested in expanding this area to other unexplored microbial niches included deep sea and extreme environments. Our interests include exploration of rumen microbiota of stray cows for microplastic degrading potential. Utilization of microalgal species for carbon sequesteration and understanding their role on global climate change.
At present, we are working on drinking and waste water microbiota and their interaction with environmental chemicals, plant growth, animal and human diseases (Waste Water Epidemiology). This overall assessment will lead to achieve "One Health".
​
Team members involved: Dr. A. Parthasarathy
Image reproduced from Flemming & Wuertz, 2019. Nat. Rev. Microbiol.
Bacterial genetics
​
The above mentioned studies were focused on understanding the changes in the whole microbiota community and its role in ecosystem and human health. As the next step, we are interested in exploring the gene regulation mechanisms in bacteria residing under extreme conditions and in human microbiota.The bacterial genetics has largely restricted to a very few model organisms like E.coli, Pseudomonas, etc.,
​
We are working on understanding the role of heavy metals on virulence and antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria. Initially, at present we are largely investigating with Pseudomonas aeruginosa but will expand to other pathogenic strains including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The study involves in vitro experiments, animal models and validation with human samples. We are in the process of establishing the anaerobic culture facility in our lab to explore the genetics of anaerobic bacteria.
​
Team members involved: S. Srinidhi Narayani
Image reproduced from Kiran Kalia, Devang B. Khambholja, in Handbook of Arsenic Toxicology, 2015
A Hunt for microbes with peculiar activities
​
We are using metagenomics and fecal and blood metabolomics strategies for identifying microbiota based biomarkers for disease diagnosis and progression. We are aiming to develop gut-microbiota derived probiotics and fecal transplantation as therapy for diseases.
We are also involved in multi-omics analysis of host genetics, epigenetics, microbiomics and metabolomics to derive precision medicine. The development of tissue organoids harbouring native microbiota to screen for drugs in one of our ambitious projects.
​
Further our interests are to develop bacterial biosesnors and bioremediation solutions for environmental issues.
​
Team members involved: Dr. G. Buvaneswari, Dr. M. Gowdham, Karthika, Ashok & Srinidhi
Human Epidemiology & Public Health
​
Though not directly related to the focus of our research, the human epidemiological studies provide an understanding of the prevalence of disease and its risk factors. In our experience, the knowledge derived from these studies has became the rationale for investigation of the role of microbiota. We have been and will continue to be part of the community-based epidemiological studies lead by KMCH Research Foundation. Particularly the KMCH-Nallampatti Non-communicable disease study is more close to our heart and provides the rationale for our investigations and serves as the accessible live biobank for sample collection.
​
We are also involved in development of registries for Type-2, Type-1 diabetes patients and breast cancer patients. These registry will be helpful in identifying and collecting samples for microbiota research. We are planning to expand this registry at community level and also for other diseases in upcoming years.
