Medical Probiotics Lab

Probiotics hold significant promise by providing benefits for both intestinal and extraintestinal health and disease.
Probiotic strains are known for their robust ability to withstand harsh gastrointestinal conditions,
promoting beneficial effects such as immune modulation, pathogen inhibition, and gut microbiota balance.

Their probiotic potential extends beyond the gut, impacting lung cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders.
By producing bioactive compounds, probiotic strains can modulate the host’s overall health,
offering a versatile and effective approach to disease prevention and treatment across various bodily systems.

Team

Lab Members

Currently, five PhD scholars are pursuing their research: Ms. Deepthi G. Nair,
Ms. Vaishnavi Ketna, Ms. Vaishnavi T, Mr. Raja Prabu R,
and Ms. Adeline Celina R.

They are characterizing Bacillus species from diverse sources, including soil, marine water,
fermented food, and human feces. Their research explores the probiotic attributes of
Bacillus strains as adjuvant therapy for various disease conditions, such as:

  • Reducing cholesterol synthesis
  • Producing biosurfactants to combat oral pathogens
  • Controlling neurodegenerative diseases
  • Regulating lung cancer progression

Past Members

The postgraduate and undergraduate students investigated Bacillus strains through a range of studies.
Their research included:

  • Assessing the antimicrobial potential of these strains against various gut pathogens
  • Evaluating their probiotic attributes
  • Screening for extracellular enzymes and virulence factors profiling
  • Identifying bioactive compounds

Projects

The students of Biotechnology evaluated Bacillus strains through the following research activities:

  • Detection of siderophores
  • Antimicrobial potential of Bacillus strains on ESKAPE pathogens
  • Screening of virulence genes
  • Screening of extracellular enzymes such as amylase, protease, and lipase
  • Evaluation of potential strains for use as probiotics
  • Computational analysis of macrolides derived from the Bacillus subtilis group
    against the siderophore receptor of Staphylococcus aureus

Admissions