CURRENT ACADEMIC ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Teaches Microbial Biotechnology and Microbiology for undergraduate course students and Recombinant DNA technology for postgraduate students.
- Conducts Advanced Genomics Practical for undergraduate students and Molecular Biology Practical for postgraduate students.
- Carries out research in the field of Microbiology and Mycology. The focus is on quorum sensing, antibiotic resistance, microbial diagnostics and wound healing in diabetic ulcers.
Thokur Sreepathy Murali is Professor and Head, Department of Public Health and Genomics at Manipal School of Life Sciences.
He:
SUBJECTS CURRENTLY TEACHING
| Subject | Semester / Year |
|---|---|
| Basics of Biotechnology | B.Sc. First Semester |
| Microbiology | B.Sc. Fourth Semester |
| Microbial Biotechnology | B.Sc. Fifth Semester |
| Recombinant DNA Technology | M.Sc. Third Semester |
| Advanced Genomics Practical | B.Sc. Fifth Semester |
| Molecular Biology Practical | M.Sc. First Semester |
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
| Degree | Specialisation | Institute | Year of passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Botany | University of Madras | 2005 |
Experience
| Institution / Organisation | Designation | Role | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences | Professor & Head | 2023 | |
| Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences | Professor | 2022-2023 | |
| Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences | Associate Professor | 2015-2022 | |
| Division of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences | Assistant Professor | 2008-2015 | |
| RKM Vivekanand College, Chennai | Lecturer (Management Staff) | 2007- 2008 |
- Project Investigator: ‘Biological, mechanistic and functional analysis of extracellular vesicle RNA in diabetic foot ulcer pathogenesis’ Approved by Department of Science and Technology – SERB. (2023-2026)
- Project Investigator: ‘Pathogenic bacterial fitness analysis in wound microenvironment’ sponsored by Manipal Academy of Higher Education – Intramural grant (2019-2022)
- Project Investigator: ‘Microbial synergy and altered virulence in polymicrobial biofilms’ sponsored by Manipal-McGill Centre for Infectious Diseases – Seed Grant (2017-2018)
- Project Investigator: ‘Analysis of metabolites of endophytic fungi from C3, C4 and CAM plants for therapeutic applications’ sponsored by DST – FASTTRACK Scheme. (2011-2014)
- Co-Investigator: ‘Evaluating the anthraquinone derivatives for inhibition of biofilm formation and dispersion’ sponsored by VGST, Karnataka (2021-2023)
- Co-Investigator: ‘Microfluidic Based Detection of Microbial Communities and Antibiotic Responses in the Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (MIDARDI)’ sponsored by IGSTC (2016-2022)
Professional Affiliations & Contributions
- Life Member of Society for Biological Chemists (India)
- Life Member of Mycological Society of India
- Won the Best Teacher Award in 2009 and 2021
Awards and Recognitions
- Prof. K.G. Mukerji Memorial Award for Middle-Aged Scientists, Mycological Society of India - 2022
- Endeavour Executive Fellowship at Deakin University, Australia – 2018
- British Mycological Society’s Small grant fellowship
- Core Committee Member – Manipal Centre for Infectious Diseases
AREAS OF INTEREST, EXPERTISE AND RESEARCH
Area of Interest
Microbial Diversity, Microbial pathogenesis, Fungal Ecology, Infectious Diseases
Area of Expertise
Wound Microbiome, Microbial interactions, Endophyte Biology
Area of Research
Molecular microbiology, Microbial metabolomics, Extracellular vesicles
Professional Affiliations & Contributions
- Life member of Society for Biological Chemists (India).
- Won the Best Teacher Award in 2009.
- Nominated as Council Member of Mycological Society of India
Molecular characterisation of bacterial & fungal communities in the Diabetic Foot Ulcer
2014-01-01 Kavitha S
Research. The study looked at pathogenic bacterial and fungal communities associated with diabetic foot ulcer that may play a significant role in the process of wound healing.
Influence of Host Factors and Microbial Community in Diabetic Wound Healing
2014-01-01 Bharath Prasad
Research. Bacterial infection in diabetic foot ulcers exacerbates the wound healing process. However, in addition, the host factors may play certain role in determining the wound progression and closure.
Quorum Sensing and Multidrug Resistance in Polymicrobial Biofilms
2017-23 Anjali Warrier
Research. Bacterial biofilms contribute significantly to the chronicity of the wound. We study the role of quorum sensing and how certain natural molecules can inhibit biofilm formation by targeting quorum sensing in polymicrobial biofilms.
Mechanistic Insights on Microbial Interactions in Biofilm Development and Pathogenesis
2019-ongoing Apoorva Jnana
Research. Microbial interactions can significantly contribute to diabetic foot ulcer pathogenesis. We aim to characterize the key genes involved in biofilm formation using mutagenesis and their role in polymicrobial interactions. Further the effect of polymicrobial interactions on host neutrophils is studied.
Pathogenic Microbial Fitness Analysis in Wound microenvironment
2019-ongoing Chandni Sachdeva
Research. The microbial interactions that occur in polymicrobial wounds can significantly affect the course of wound progression. Microbial metabolites elicited during these interactions play a major role in deciding these outcomes and also have a role in antibiotic responses.