School of Basic Science

Department of Microbiology

The focus of recently started Department of Microbiology which previously established as part of Department of Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences in 2015 at Central University of Punjab, Bathinda is to foster research in the field of medical microbiology with a direct application to understand, prevent and cure the human diseases The department is involved in the community service and awareness programs related to medical microbiology and biochemistry. The Department aims to:

  • Provide state of the art educational and research facilities to the students
  • Combat the diverse problems related to human, animal and plant health due to   
    micro-organisms and to prevent and treat diseases.
  • Utilize the microbes for sustainable solutions to several global issues.
  • To deliver expert microbiological diagnostic services to the public
  • Promote R&D activities in the emerging areas of microbiology.

Faculty

  1. Dr. Monisha Dhiman, Professor and HoD
    Profile     Publications
  2. Dr Somesh Barnwal, Assistant Professor and Ramalingaswami Fellow
    Profile     Publications
  3. Dr. Pramod Kumar Kushawaha, Assistant Professor and DST-INSPIRE Faculty
    Profile     Publications
  4. Dr. Chandra Dev Pati Tripathi, National Post-Doctoral Fellow (DST-SERB)
    Profile     Publications
  5. Dr. Nasir Salam, Assistant Professor
    Profile     Publications

Academic Programmes Offered

  • 2020-22
    • M.Sc Microbiology
    • Ph.D Microbiology
  • 2019-21
    • M.Sc Life Sciences (Specilization in Microbial Sciences)
    • Ph.D Microbial Sciences

Syllabi

Research Thrust Areas

  • Cancer Biology
  • Medical Microbiology and Immunology
  • Drug and Vaccine development.
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology of various human diseases.

Research Highlights/ Areas

  • Host-pathogen interactions
  • Cell autonomous immunity
  • Intestinal Inflammation
  • Chemotherapy induced toxicity
  • Signaling pathways during Inflammation and oxidative stress in various human diseases
  • Molecular and Cellular Microbiology of Enterobacteriaceae
  • Role of cell-matrix interaction in gastrointestinal disease

Laboratory Facilities
Department of Microbiology is equipped with state-of-the-art scientific laboratory. Apart from the basic equipments such as Gradient PCR, Centrifuges, analytical balances, incubator, shakers, spectrophotometer and microplate reader, the department also has access to the high end equipments such as Confocal Microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope, Automated DNA Sequencer, GC-MS, Flow-cytometer and ICP-MS.

Dr. Monisha Dhiman
Professor and Head of the Department

Awards:

  1. Award of Excellence for Brilliant and consistent high standards of workmanship in the field of scientific research, from Bank of India on International Women’s Day, 08 March 2019.
  2. Recipient of Faculty Research Award (2019) from Central University of Punjab, Bathinda on 10th Foundation Day under the category cumulative Impact Factor more than 15 of research publications in the academic year 2017-18).
  3. Recipient of Outstanding Researcher Award-2019 from Central University of Punjab, Bathinda on 10th Foundation Day.
  4. Prof AR Rao Memorial Young Scientist Award from Society for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine (SMRM) organized by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), February 2017.
  5. Merit certificate-2017 for commendable work in Community Development Cell on 8th Foundation Day of Central University of Punjab, Bathinda.
  6. SERB, Young Investigator Award, DST, 2013

Research Projects: 

  1. Chemotherapeutic Drug Induced Cardiomyocyte Toxicity: Evaluation of Ethno-Botanical Plants to Minimize the Cardiac Damage. Funding Agency: Dept. of Science and Technology (DST) Fast Track, Young Investigator Award.
  2. As Co-PI: Mitochondrial Oxidative DNA Damage-Repair in Alzheimer’s disease: AP-endonuclease (APE1/Ref-1) as a Potential Therapeutic Target. Funding Agency: Dept. of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi.
  3. Molecular Mechanisms of Pollen-Mediated Stress in Human Epithelial Lung cell line. Central University of Punjab, Bathinda as Research Seed Money. Rs. 3 Lakhs for 2 years (2014-16).

Peer-reviewed publications

  1. Kumar S and Dhiman M. (2018) Inflammasome activation and regulation during Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis. Microbial  Pathogenesis. Dec;125: 468-474. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.10.012. Epub 2018 Oct 10. Review. Impact Factor (IF): 2.33
  2. Upadhyay, S., Vaish S., Dhiman, M. (2018) Hydrogen Peroxide Induced Oxidative Stress and its Impact on Innate Immune Responses in Lung Carcinoma A549 Cells. Mol Cell Biochem.  Jun 25. doi: 10.1007/s11010-018-3380-2. [Epub ahead of print]  (IF): 2.66
  3. Cholia RP, Dhiman M, Kumar R, Mantha AK (2018). Oxidative stress stimulates invasive potential in rat C6 and human U-87 MG glioblastoma cells via activation and cross-talk between PKM2, ENPP2 and APE1 enzymes. Metabolic Brain Disease. Aug;33 (4):1307-1326. (IF): 2.63
  4. Singla R, Prakash K., Gupta KB, Upadhyay S, Dhiman M, & Jaitak V  (2018).  Identification of novel indole based heterocycles as selective estrogen receptor modulator. Bioorganic Chemistry, 79: 72–88. (IF): 3.92

    Pubmed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=monisha+dhiman

Publications in Conference Proceedings          

  1. M Dhiman and  NJ Garg (2015) NADPH-Oxidas an essential enzyme for the expansion and activation of CD8+ T cells during Trypanosoma cruzi infection. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 93 (4), 537. (IF): 2.57  
  2. NJ Garg and M Dhiman (2010) NADPH-Oxidase: Role in Progression of Myocarditis during Trypanosoma cruzi Infection and Chagas Disease. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 49, S142.  (IF): 5.75                                                                                       
  3. M Dhiman and NJ Garg (2010). Activation of NADPH-Oxidase-reactive oxygen species-inflammatory cytokines pathway contribute to acute myocardial pathology in mice infected by Trypanosoma cruzi. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 83 (5), 381. (IF): 2.57                                                                                        
  4. M Dhiman, E Nakayasu, YM Hosakote, RK Brobey, J Wen, IC Almeida, NJ Garg (2007). Development of Nitrosyl-plasma Proteome in Chagas Disease: Identification of Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers.  Free Radical Biology and Medicine 43, S164.   (IF): 5.75
  5. M Dhiman, J Pando, JG Estrada-Franco, F Ramirez-Aguilar, NJ Garg  (2007) Myeloperoxidase Activation and Increased Protein Nitration/oxidation in Chagasic Patients. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 43, S45-S46. (IF): 5.75                                                                    

Book chapters

  1. Shishir Upadhyay, Kunj Bihari Gupta, Sukhchain Kaur, Rubal, Sandeep Kumar, Anil K. Mantha and Dhiman M* (2018). Resveratrol: A Miracle Drug for Vascular Pathologies Functional foods and Human Health.Springer Publishers.
  2. Kaur S, Dhiman M, and Mantha AK (2018). Ferulic Acid: A Natural Antioxidant with Applications toward Neuroprotection against Alzheimer’s disease. Functional foods and Human Health. Springer Publishers.
  3. Dhiman M*, Thakur S, Upadhyay S, Kaur A and Mantha A K (2014) “Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Cardiovascular Diseases: Two Sides of the Same Coin”. Free Radicals in Human Health and Disease, Oxidative Stress and Human Health. Springer Publishers.
  4. Kaur N, Sarkar B, Mittal S, Dhiman M, Taglialatela G, Perez-Polo R.J., Mantha AK. (2014) “Oxidative Stress Events and Neuronal Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: Focus on APE1/Ref-1 Mediated Survival Strategies.” Free Radicals in Human Health and Disease, Oxidative Stress and Human Health. Springer Publishers.
  5. Gupta S, Dhiman M, Wen JJ, Garg NJ. ROS signaling of inflammatory cytokines during T. cruzi infection.  Advances in Parasitology(2011) 76:153-70.   IF): 6.00. Louis M. Weiss, Herbert B. Tanowitz

*Corresponding author

Workshops/Conferences
Organized

  1. Organized one day seminar and panel discussion on the occasion of world cancer day titled ‘Recent Trends in Cancer Therapy’ on February 04, 2014 at Central University of Punjab.
  2. Organized one day symposium on ‘Recent Trends in Molecular Medicine’ at Central University of Punjab on December 05, 2014.
  3. Served as Resource person in a Refresher course conducted by Centre for Plant Sciences from February 01 to 15 February 2016.
  4. Served as Resource person in DBT-Sponsored Training Course in Medical Genetics and Bioinformatics organized by Centre for Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, March 2016
  5. Organized One day outreach workshop in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and SERB, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for Prime Minister’s Fellowship Scheme at Central University of Punjab, Bathinda campus on May 03, 2017.
  6. Organized Seminar in collaboration with National Institute of Social Defence, New Delhi, on “Socio-Legal and other Challenges for the Prevention of Drug Abuse in India: Existing Approaches and Agenda of Reform” on August 24-25, 2017.
  7. Organised Two day workshop on “Functional Proteomics” at Central University of Punjab on October 08-09, 2018.
  8. Served as Resource person in Department of Biotechnology and Medical Sciences, Baba Farid College, Bathinda, Punjab, in Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspire Research (INSPIRE) Internship Science Camp under the INSPIRE Internship Program, Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, 27th December, 2018.
  9. Part of organizing committee to organize One-day Outreach Symposium on 05 April, 2019 under the auspices of Chandigarh Chapter of National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI).
  10. Organized Two days’ Teachers Workshop on ‘Olympiad experiments at School Level’ to train the teachers is being organized by Central University of Punjab, Bathinda in association with Society for Promotion of Science and Technology in India on 27-28 April, 2019.

Dr Somesh Barnwal
Assistant Professor and Ramalingaswami Fellow
Awards:

  1. Recipient of Faculty Research Award, 2019 from Central University of Punjab, Bathinda on 10th Foundation Day under the category cumulative Impact Factor more than 15 of research publications in the academic year 2017-18).
  2. Prestigious Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship of the Department of Biotechnology for the year 2013-2014.
Research Projects: 
  1. Role of Integrin binding protein, Kindlin in colon cancer progression (Department of Biotechnology) ₹ 8.8 million grant including fellowship from July 2015 to June 2020.
  2. Role of Nischarin in the regulation of intestinal apical epithelial junction Rs 49.20 Lakhs (36 Months)Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi India
  3. Identification and characterization of the functional significance of gastric cancer stem cells Rupees 10 Lakhs, University Grant Commission, New Delhi, India
  4. Role of OmpU of Vibrio cholerae in the disruption of Intestinal Junctional barrier Rupees 3 Lakhs, Research Seed Money grant (RSM), Central University of Punjab (CUP), Bathinda

Publications:

  1. Somesh Baranwal*, Shiv G. Rawat, and Pooja Gupta miR-301, pleiotropic microRNA in Regulation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and colitis-associated cancer Opinion article Frontiers in Immunology doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00522.
  2. Maziveyi M, Dong S, Baranwal Somesh, Alahari SK. Nischarin regulates focal adhesion and Invadopodia formation in breast cancer cells. Molecular Cancer. 2018 Feb 7; 17(1):21. doi: 10.1186/s12943-018-0764-6.
  3. Baranwal Somesh* Commentary: HNRNPLL, a newly identified colorectal cancer metastasis suppressor, modulates alternative splicing of CD44 during epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2017 Oct 16; 5:91. doi:10.3389/fcell.2017.00091
  4. Patel NJ, Sharon C, Baranwal Somesh, Boothello RS, Desai UR, Patel BB. Heparan sulfate hexasaccharide selectively inhibits cancer stem cells selfrenewal by activating p38 MAP kinase Oncotarget. 2016 Dec 20; 7(51):84608- 84622. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.12358. 5.168
  5. Book Review Article: Gastrointestinal Physiology and Diseases Methods and Protocols Baranwal Somesh* Front Cell Infect Microbiology 2017; 7: 319. Published online 2017 Jul 14. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00319 4.125
  6. Dong S, Baranwal Somesh, Garcia A, Serrano-Gomez SJ, Eastlack S, Iwakuma T, Mercante D, Mauvais-Jarvis F, Alahari SK. Nischarin inhibition alters energy metabolism by activating AMP-activated protein kinase. J Biological Chemistry 2017 Oct 13; 292(41):16833-16846. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M117.784256

Dr. Pramod Kumar Kushawaha
Assistant Professor and DST-INSPIRE Faculty

Awards

2010 & 2012: Appreciation Award from CSIR-Central Drug Research institute, Lucknow for publishing research papers in Journal of Immunology
2014: DST-INSPIRE Faculty Award

 Research Project 

  1. Functional characterization of the guanylate binding proteins- interferon- γ- inducible 65- KD GTPases in host immune response to Leishmania pathogenesis. (Rs. 35 Lakh – DST INSPIRE Award)
  2. Extensive analysis of Interferons (IFNs) Induced GTPases p-65 guanylate binding proteins Involved in host cell autonomous immunity  (19Lakhs, DST)

Publications:

  1. Bais SS, Ratra Y, Khan NA, Pandey R, Kushawaha PK, Tomar S, Medigeshi G, Singh A, Basak S (2019): Chandipura Virus Utilizes the Prosurvival Function of RelA NF-κB for Its Propagation. J Virol. 2019 Jun 28;93(14).
  2. Tripathi CP, Kushawaha PK, Sangwan RS, Mandal C, Misra Bhattacharya S, Dube A (2017): Withania somnifera chemotype NMITLI 101R significantly increases the efficacy of antileishmanial drugs by generating strong IFN-γ and IL-12 mediated immune responses in Leishmania donovani infected hamsters. Phytomedicine. Nov. S0944-7113(16)30216-1. Impact Factor -2.93.