Dr. Jisha M.S.
Associate Professor
School of Biosciences
M. G. University, Kottayam
Kerala- 686560
Phone-0481-2731035(O)
09497664697 (Mob.)
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
ACADEMIC PROFILE
Associate Professor in Microbiology, 2010 onwards, School of Biosciences, Mahatma
Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India – 686 560
Reader in Microbiology, 2007 onwards, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi
University, Kottayam, Kerala, India – 686 560
Lecturer in Microbiology, 2003 onwards, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi
University, Kottayam, Kerala, India – 686 560
Lecturer
in
Microbiology
in
the
Government
College
of
Engineering,
Thiruvananthapuram (11/8/2000 to 16/12/2003).
Ph. D in Microbiology (1997) from Indian Agricultural Research Institute,(IARI) New
Delhi, India.
M.Sc. in Microbiology (1993) University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad, Karnataka
B. Sc. (Agri.) (1990) Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala, India
PRIZES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
1. M. Sc. Microbiology 1st rank (1993)
2. Recipient of ICAR Junior Research fellowship (1991-1993).
3. Recipient of UAS, Dharwad merit gold medal for M. Sc. in Microbiology(1993)
4. IARI Senior Research fellowship for doing Ph. D in Microbiology (1993-1997)
5. Winner of President Guide Award
Professional Experience:
Three years of experience as Agricultural Officer in the Agricultural Dpartment, Kerala.
11/9/1997 to 10/8/2000).
Thirteen years of research experience
Research projects undertaken:
1. Bioremediation of synthetic detergents funded by KSCSTE
2. Molecular characterization of phosphate solubilising bacteria isolated from rhizoshere
bacteria funded by UGC
Ongoing Research project
1. Molecular Basis of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) Bioremediation & Bioreactor
Designing funded by KSCSTE
Ph.D Produced
1. Molecular characterization of phosphate solubilising Gluconacetobacter sp. and
Burkholderia sp. isolated from rhizosphere soil of Kerala (2009)
2. Biodegradation of anionic surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) and Analysis
of its metabolic products (2011)
3. Bioremediation of the anionic surfactant linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) by
Pseudonomas sp. isolated from soli (2011)
4. Petroleum degrading potentials of single and mixed microbial culture isolated from
Vembanad Lake and induction of genetic changes to derive an improved strain.
(Thesis submitted on 9th Nov. 2011).
5.
Study on Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma harzianum on
biocontrol
of diseases of Vanilla in Kerala state (Synopsis submitted on 24th Oct. 2011)
Ongoing Ph. D programmes:
1. Induction of systemic resistance in plants by Pseudomonas sp.
2. Ecological impact of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate
3. Evaluation of biocontrol activity of phosphate solubilizing
Pseudomonas sp.
isolated from the rhizosphere
4. Bioprospecting endophytic diazotrophic bacteria for biocontrol of rice (Oryza sativa)
sheath blight.
5. Analysis of microbial diversity of mangrove ecosystem using 16S rDNA based
metagenomic approach.
6. Isolation of efficient pesticide degrading bacteria from the environment and
development of a molecular toolbox for monitoring in contaminated environment
M. Phil. and M. Sc. Dissertations Supervised till date:
1.
The ecology of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms isolated from rhizosphere
soil (2005).
2.
Effect of UV mutation on strain improvement of Azotobacter sp. Isolated from
rhizosphere soil (2005).
3.
Effect of detergents on soil microflora . (2006).
4.
Antagonistic effect of Trichoderma sp. against Phytophthora - the root pathogen
of black pepper (Pepper nigram L) (2006).
5.
Transformation of GUS gene in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] by
Agrobacterium tumefaciens .(2007)
6.
Bioremediation of SDS- biosurfactants and alkylsulphatases as contributory
factors in remediation. (2007)
7.
Toxic effects of sodium lauryl sulphate to grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).
(2007)
8.
Response of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] to phosphate solubilizing
bacteria isolated from rhizosphere. (2007)
9.
Plasmid- mediated Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate degradation by Pseudomonas
aeruginosa S7 (2008)
10.
Antagonistic potential of Pseudomonas fluorescence and Control of bacterial
blight
of
Anthrium
caused
by
Xanthomonas
axonopodis.
Pv.
Dieffenbachiae.(2008)
11.
Toxic Effects of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS) on Grass Carp
(Ctenopharyngodon idella) (2008)
12.
Characterisation of Biosurfactant produced by Linear Alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS)
degrading Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (2009)
13.
Kerosene Degradation potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from Vembanad
Lake. (2009)
14.
Biodegradation of Quinalphos an organophosphorus insecticide by Pseudomonas sp.
(2009)
15.
Studies on the diversity of endophytic fungi from Rice (Oryza sativa) and their
antagonistic activity against R. solani. (2010)
16.
Partial purification and analysis of f alkylsulphatase enzyme required for
the
biodegradation of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) (2011)
17.
Isolation and characterization of endophytic bacteria from rice (Oryza sativa).(2011)
List of Publications
Journal articles:
1. Nutrient uptake and yield of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L. Moench) inoculated
with phosphate solubilizing bacteria and cellulolytic fungus in a cotton stalk amended
vertisol (1996) Microbiological Research, 151:213-217.
2. Effect of phosphate solubilizing Microorganisms (PSM) on mineral phosphate
solubilization and on productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum) (2005). Asian Journal
of Microbiol. Biotech and Env. Sci.7 (4): 1-4.
3. Effect of selected pesticides on phosphate solubiliaing microorganisms (2006). Asian
Journal of Microbiol. Biotech and Env. Sci 8(3) 685-687.
4. Role of phosphate solubilizing bacteria as biofertilizer and antifungal agent. (2006).
Pollution Research. 25(3): 59-62.
5. A study of physico-chemical characteristics of Cassava starch factory effluents
(2006). Pollution Research 25(3): 46-47.
6. Effect of UV mutation on the Nitrogenase activity and pesticide tolerance of
Azotobacter sp isolated from Rhizosphere soil. (2007). Pollution Research.26(4):773776.
7. Anaerobic degradation of coconut husk leachate using UASB reactor (2007).Journal
of Environmental Biology 28.(3) 611-615
8. Selected pesticides inhibit
phosphate solubilising activity of Gluconacetobacter
sp.and Burkholderia plantarii (2007).Asian Journal of Bioscience 2(2)149-155.
9. Yield and Nutritient uptake of Soya bean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) as influenced by
phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (2008).World Journal of Agricultural
sciences.4(1) 835-838.
10. Response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata(L)walp) to phosphate solubilising bacteria
isolated from rhisosphere(2008) Asian Journal of Bioscience 3(1)95-98.
11. Buffering
reduces
phosphate
solublizing
ability
of
selected
strains
of
bacteria.(2008).Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 4(1):110-112
12. Phosphate solubilizing Gluconacetobacter sp. Burkholderia sp. and their potential
interaction with Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp).(2009) International Journal
of Agricultural Research, 4(2): 79-87..
13. Deleterious effects of commercial detergents on soil microflora. (2009). Journal of
Ecology, Environment and Conservation.,15(4): 805-809
14. Stress Response of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) exposed to sublethal
concentrations of Sodium dodecyl sulphate.(2010). Journal of Fisheries technology,
47(2) :157-162
15. Plasmid mediated biodegradation of the anionic surfactant Sodium Dodecyl sulphate
(SDS) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa S7. Bull. Environ. Contam Toxicol. (2011)
86(1):110-113.
DOI 10.1007/s00128-010-0162-2. Impact factor 1.37
16. Biodegradation of the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate by pseudomonas
aeruginosa MTCC 10311 . Accepted for publication in Journal of Environmental
Biology and is expected to be published in volume 33 (2012). Impact factor 0.48
17. Gluconic acid production as the principal mechanism of mineral phosphate
solubilization by Burkholderia sp. (MTCC 8369) Accepted in Journal of tropical
agriculture. Impact factor.0.3
In seminars
1. Associative effect of Phosphate solubilising Bacteria and cellulolytic fungus on
phosphorus uptake and yield of Sorgham(Presented at MICON-International at CFTRI,
Mysore on 9-12 November 1994)
2. Optimization of factors for efficient solubilization of mineral phosphate. (Presented at
XII Swadeshi science congress, 2002).
3. UGC Sponsored National seminar on Marine Biology-Advances and prospects held at
CUSAT on 10th November, 2006
4. Young Scientist Award for the paper entitled “Role of Biosurfactants in SDS
remediation” at Swadeshi Science Congress 2008 held at RGCB,
Thiruvanathapuram
5. Bioremediation of SDS: Biosurfactants as a contributory factor in Bioremediation.
(Presented at the 20th Kerala Science congress 2008).
6. Biodegradation of the anionic detergent Linear akylbenzene sulphonates (LAS)
[Presented at the International Conference BIOCAM-2008 held at CUSAT].
7. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) - Toxicity study & it’s bioremediation. (Presented
at 21st Kerala Science Congress 2009).
8. Isolation of kerosene degrading bacteria and it’s biosurfactant from vembanad Lake: its
scope in bioremediation. (Presented at 21st Kerala Science Congress 2009).
9. Suppression of bacterial blight of anthurium (Anthurium andreanum) by a fluorescent
pseudomonas (Presented at First Asian PGPR Congress for sustainable agriculture 21-24
June 2009)
10. Antagonistic effect of Trichoderma spp. Against Phytophthora- the foot rot
pathogen of
black pepper (Piper nigramL) (Presented at First Asian PGPR Congress for sustainable
agriculture 21-24 June 2009)
11. Response of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). to phosphate solubilising bacteria
isolated from rhizosphere (Presented at Swadeshi Science Congress, 2010)
12. Characterisation of biosurfactant produced by Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate degrading
bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (Presented at Swadeshi Science Congress, 2010)
13. Bioremediation of synthetic Detergent and Designing of Bioreactor (Presented at 50th
Annual Conference of Association of Microbiologists of India.)
14. Plasmid mediated Bioremediation of the Anionic surfactant Linear Alkylbenzene
sulphonate (LAS) (Presented in the 22nd Kerala Science Congress, 2010)
15. Antifungal activity of phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from rhizosphere.
(Presented in the 22nd Kerala Science Congress, 2010).
16. Isolation and characterization of Anionic Surfactant degrading Bacteria from soil.
(Presented in the 1st Kerala Women’s Science Congress at Ernakulam)
17. Molecular identification of pathogenic bacteria from the midgut of Culex spp. Using 16S
rDNA barcodes. ( Presented in the national seminar on frontiers in biotechnology, 2010)
18. Biocontrol of Fusaarium wilt of Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) using Trichoderma
arrzianum. (Presented in the 2nd International seminar and workshop on “Sustainable
utilization of tropical plant biomass” held at Kerala University campus, Kariavattom,
Thiruvananthapuram)
19. Cytotoxic alterations induced by sublethal concentration of the anionic surfatcant linear
alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Presented in
the International seminar ASIAN PACIFIC AQUACULTURE 2011, Kochi, India held
on January 18 -20, 2011
20. Best poster award (Life Science) “Structural and biochemical characterisation of
biosurfactant required for the biodegradation of the anionic surfactant linear alkylbenzene
sulphonate (LAS)”. 23rd Kerala Science Congress held on January 29-31, 2011.
21. Molecular characterization of
Psaeudomonas nitroreducens (MTCC10463) and
Psaeudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC10463) capable of degrading the anionic surfactant
Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS). Presented in the National symposium on
emerging trends in Biotechnology, organized by Department of Biotechnology CUSAT,
held on 1-2 september, 2011.
22. Biocontrol potential of rice endophyte Fusarium oxysporum against Rice Sheath Blight
pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Presented in the International workshop and seminar
"Phytophthora 2011 organised by Rubber Research Institute of India, held on 12-17
Sept. 2011.
23. Pseudomonas and Bacillus mediated control of bacterial blight of anthurium. Presented in
the International workshop and seminar "Phytophthora 2011 organised by Rubber
Research Institute of India, held on 12-17 Sept. 2011.
24. Environmental impact of acute exposure of the anionic surfactant linear alkylbenzene
sulphonate (LAS). Presented in the
International Symposium on Environmental
Risk Assessment 2011 (ISERA 2011) organized by School of Lifesciences, Bhatathiyar
University, Coimbatore, held on October 17 – 19, 2011
25. Kerosene biodegradation by autochthonous bacteria. Presented in the
International
Symposium on Environmental Risk Assessment 2011 (ISERA 2011) organized by
School of Lifesciences, Bhatathiyar University, Coimbatore, held on October 17 – 19,
2011
26. Biodegradation of the anionic surfactant linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) by
immobilized Pseudomonas sp. Presented in the 21st Swadeshi Science Congress held on
November 7-9, 2011
Seminars and workshops organized:
1. Coordinator National seminar on Modern trends in Biosciences on 14-15 February
2007-held at school of biosciences M.G.University
2. Joint convenor-Series of invited talks on life sciences to celebrate Birth Bicentenary
of Charles Darwin.
Specialized trainings undergone:
1. Training in Upgradation of communication skills organized by Ministry of
Agriculture at Acharya N.G.Ranga Agricultural University at Hyderabad from 23- 29
July, 2000.
2. Induction training programmes for teachers sponsored by Directorate of Technical
education, Kerala at Government engineering college, Thrissur from 14- 27
November, 2000.
3. UGC Sponsored Orientation Program at Academic staff College, University of
Kerala from18th July 2002 to14 August 2002.
4. Workshop on Applications of statistics in Biological experiments held at School of
Biosciences, M.G. University during April 7-9, 2005
5. UGC Sponsored Refresher course in Life Sciences at Cochin University of Science
and Technology from 19th February to 10th March 2007.
6. UGC Sponsored workshop on capacity building of women managers in higher
education at CMS College, Kottayam from 17-21 February to 2009.
7. University workshop on research projects at M.G.University on April 2.
8. DST sponsored workshop for young scientists on live cell functional imaging and
neurotransmitters receptors functional regulation at CUSAT on March 11-13,
2010.
9. Training on Microbial Gene Manipulations at CPBMB, College of Horticulture on
May 3-15,2010
Administrative and other responsibilities
1. Chairman, M.Sc. Food sciences and Technology, M.G. University (2004-2007).
2. Chairman, M.Sc microbiology, M.G. University.
3. Member of the expert committee for setting syllabus for B.Sc Microbiology
4. Member, Board of Examiners in M.Tech Environmental Engineering.
Membership in Professional Bodies
1. Member -Association of Microbiologists (India).
2. Member- Society for Biotechnologist (India).
3. Member Society for Fisheries Technologist (India)
THRUST AREAS
Biodegradation of xenobiotics
Natural and anthropogenic activities result in accumulation of wide range of toxic
xenobiotic compounds in the environment, and thus causes a global concern. Principal
xenobiotics include pesticides, fuels, solvents, polycyclic hydrocarbons, poly aromatic,
chlorinated and nitro aromatic compounds, synthetic surfactants etc. Surfactants particularly
anionic surfactants are used on a large scale basis world wide in every day house hold use,
industrial cleaning and textile manufacturing. SDS and LAS are major ingrediants of synthetic
detergents and surfactants. Thus the ecological impacts of this detergent are studied.
Biodegradation is one of the natural process that help to remove xenobiotic chemicals from the
environment by microorganisms. Kerosene, mainly from house boats cause a severe pollution of
the Vembanad Lake- an ecologicaly significant back water in Kerala. Soil bacteria with the
ability to degrade several pesticides have been isolated. The studies have revealed the microbial
degradation process to detoxify pesticide contaminants can be effectively used to overcome the
pollution problems. One should think on alternative remediation system for the benefit of human
being and the safe environment. Biodegradation of these xenobiotics is one of the most cost
effective methods amongst remedial approaches. So the effective utilization of surfactant
degrading, kerosene degrading and pesticide degrading organisms are under inverstigation.
Plant growth promoting microorganisms
Phosphorus is one of the most important plant nutrients, which is required in optimum
amount for proper growth of plants and soil microorganisms. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria
(PSB) solubilize insoluble phosphate and make it available for plant growth, development and
reproduction. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) control the phytopathogens by a number
of mechanisms including colonization, competition, production of siderophores, antibiosis,
synthesis of enzymes that inhibit phytopathogen growth and stimulation of systemic resistance.
Among these PGPR, fluorescent pseudomonads occur commonly in the rhizosphere of plants
and help suppression of disease establishment and spread. Induced systemic resistance (ISR) is a
state of enhanced defensive capacity developed by a plant when appropriately stimulated. The
search for alternatives to chemical control of plant pathogens has gained momentum in the recent
years due to the emergence of fungicideresistant pathogens and health concerns for the producer
and consumer. Hence we focuses on isolation of phosphate solubilizing Pseudomonas sp. from
rhizosphere which can be used as both biofertilizer and biofungicide which results in disease
suppression and growth enhancement of crop plants. The mechanism of biocontrol activity, the
role of endophytes in biocontrol and development of systemic resistance in plants is also under
study