Research Interests
Nutrition and Health: A healthy diet is a combination of macro and micronutrients consumed in appropriate proportions to support energetic and physiological needs. Modified diets are diets with variations in the percentage of macronutrients. This change in the energy source leads to a change in metabolism and the body's regular functioning. Studies to understand the impact of diet composition on physiological, molecular and wound healing processes.
Sustainable Agriculture: With the increasing demands for biomass, the constraints of fresh water availability and fertile lands limits its production. Saline and arid tolerant grasses and legumes have potential for biomass production. Agroforestry and intercropping help minimize the effect of salinity and enhance nutrient recycling for biomass production. The use of organic farming techniques and smart technologies help water efficiency, energy, and increase agricultural production. The current research have relevance to renewable energy and sustainable food production.
Molecular Biology: Microbial responses to environmental carcinogens and mutagens help understand the underlying mechanisms of mutagenesis. Electron microscopy ultrastructural analysis and gene expression studies provide an insight into the functional characterization proteins.
Ongoing Projects
Cloning and expression of collagen.
Dr. S. Ramachandran, Dr. Pallab Sanpui, Dr. Mainak Dutta,
Department of Biotechnology, BITS Pilani, Dubai campus, Dubai, UAE.
Duration: Jan 2023 – Dec 2024; Total sanctioned: AED: 536,000, Human BioSciences Inc, USA.
Completed Projects
Seed grant project in collaboration with International Centre of Biosaline Agriculture, (ICBA):
"Optimization of Selected High Yield Grass Species for Biomass and Bioenergy Applications Using Saline and Recycled Wastewater
PI: Dr. S. Ramachandran, Co-PIs: Dr. Khalil Ammar, Dr. Dionysia Angeliki Lyra, ICBA, (ICBA); Dr. C. Babu, (TNAU); Dr. Neeru Sood, Dr. Trupti Gokhale, Dr. B.G. Prakash Kumar, (BPDC).
Duration: Feb 2017- Feb 2020; Total sanctioned: BPDC: AED: 120,000 and ICBA: AED 125,000
Research Guidance
Ph.D Supervisor:
▪ Ms. Sirisha Nuti, Role of modified diets and recombinant collagen on wound healing in animal models, (ongoing)
▪ Mr. Khalil Ul Rahman, Management of sustainable agricultural production systems under arid and saline conditions. (2022, completed)