One Health: Cascading and microbiome dependent effects on multitrophic health
In this interdisciplinary project, we study how common biotic and abiotic factors (heavy metals, plant secondary metabolites, pesticides) influence the composition and functions of the microbial communities of soil, plants, animals and humans. My task in this project is to perform comparative bioinformatic, statistical analysis of microbiome data across source compartments to understand, how microbiome changes affect the health of each compartment and across the food chain in the One Health framework. In the long term, the knowledge gained can contribute to understanding and correcting negative impacts of stressors on habitats in global food chains.
In this interdisciplinary project, we study how common biotic and abiotic factors (heavy metals, plant secondary metabolites, pesticides) influence the composition and functions of the microbial communities of soil, plants, animals and humans. My task in this project is to perform comparative bioinformatic, statistical analysis of microbiome data across source compartments to understand, how microbiome changes affect the health of each compartment and across the food chain in the One Health framework. In the long term, the knowledge gained can contribute to understanding and correcting negative impacts of stressors on habitats in global food chains.
Ecology, species barriers and role of host-microbiome in emerging viral diseases
Despite the potential link between invasive viruses in gut lumen and gut microbiome a major component of gut immune defense, this connection remains largely unexplored. To understand how the diarrhea causing viruses such as Astroviruses (AstV), Adenoviruses (AdV) influence the gut microbiome, we investigate naturally AstV infected fruit bats from Panama and AdV infected mouse lemurs from Madagascar. This integrative project has been providing a unique opportunity to get insights of diarrhoea causing viruses-microbiome interplay, which has broader relevance given the increasing emerging viral diseases.
Despite the potential link between invasive viruses in gut lumen and gut microbiome a major component of gut immune defense, this connection remains largely unexplored. To understand how the diarrhea causing viruses such as Astroviruses (AstV), Adenoviruses (AdV) influence the gut microbiome, we investigate naturally AstV infected fruit bats from Panama and AdV infected mouse lemurs from Madagascar. This integrative project has been providing a unique opportunity to get insights of diarrhoea causing viruses-microbiome interplay, which has broader relevance given the increasing emerging viral diseases.
Genetic variations of selected pathogens in the house mice hybrid-zone
The main objective of this project was to enhance understanding of host parasite coevolution using host hybrid zone (HZ) as a natural laboratory. We found clear genetic structure of a very specific nematode parasite of the house mouse, Syphacia obvelata, and evidenced for the first time hybrids of Syphacia in the mouse hybrids. On the contrary, in more generalist nematode Trichuris muris, no signs of genetic structure were observed with respect to the host subspecies. We actualized the idea that variability in parasite life history traits such as specialism vs generalism influences their genetic variability and spatial population structure.
The main objective of this project was to enhance understanding of host parasite coevolution using host hybrid zone (HZ) as a natural laboratory. We found clear genetic structure of a very specific nematode parasite of the house mouse, Syphacia obvelata, and evidenced for the first time hybrids of Syphacia in the mouse hybrids. On the contrary, in more generalist nematode Trichuris muris, no signs of genetic structure were observed with respect to the host subspecies. We actualized the idea that variability in parasite life history traits such as specialism vs generalism influences their genetic variability and spatial population structure.
Fecal Steroids metabolites detection for monitoring Reproductive state in Ungulates and Big cats
The objective of the study was to develop rapid, reliable and sensitive technique to detect sex steroids metabolites in Indian Endangered Animals for monitoring reproductive state for effective management and assisted reproductive techniques. We detected 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one a progesterone metabolite in Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica), Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), and some ungulates and other mammalian species through HPLC, GC-MS. Based on such finding, we developed EIA (Enzyme Immuno Assay) against 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one which is rapid, reliable, simple, group specific and less hazardous in comparison to RIA (Radioimmuno assay). The developed EIA could be used in a wide range of animals for monitoring fertility status and pregnancy detection by measuring fecal steroid metabolites.
The objective of the study was to develop rapid, reliable and sensitive technique to detect sex steroids metabolites in Indian Endangered Animals for monitoring reproductive state for effective management and assisted reproductive techniques. We detected 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one a progesterone metabolite in Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica), Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), and some ungulates and other mammalian species through HPLC, GC-MS. Based on such finding, we developed EIA (Enzyme Immuno Assay) against 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one which is rapid, reliable, simple, group specific and less hazardous in comparison to RIA (Radioimmuno assay). The developed EIA could be used in a wide range of animals for monitoring fertility status and pregnancy detection by measuring fecal steroid metabolites.