PREVIOUS MAJOR RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
In vitro interaction between whey protein, lactoferrin and bifidobacteria
In vitro interaction of lactoferrin and bifidobacteria was studied and the possible mechanism was investigated.
Results showed that lactoferrin had the ability to promote the growth of bifidobacteria and played role in autoaggregation and surface hydrophobicity process. Under microscope, lactoferrin binding was appeared at one pole of bacterial cell instead of entire surface. 50-kDa lactoferrin-binding protein was detected and was purified from the extracted surface proteins of bifidobacteria. The binding region of lactoferrin molecule was appeared to be N-lobe. The binding was suggested to be specific for lactoferrin.
Structure-function and mechanism of action of a potent antibacterial peptide derived from
Haemaphysalis longicornis
This study was carried out to investigate the structural characterization, cytolytic activity and mechanisms of action of a potent antibacterial peptide. The potent peptide was identified as a conserved antimicrobial domain having anti-parallel beta sheet but adopt alpha helix in a membrane mimicking condition. The antimicrobial mechanism of the peptide followed defensin-like chronological events such as binding to lipopolysaccharides, outer membrane permeabilization and cytoplasmic membrane permeabilization. The peptide can also bind with bacterial intracellular components such as DNA.
Potential of ovomucin enzymatic hydrolysates as multifunctional bioactive agents
Ovomucin is a highly glycosylated glycoprotein contributing 2.0 to 4.0 % of the total egg albumin protein. Ovomucin consists of a carbohydrate-poor subunit (α-ovomucin) that has ~11-15% carbohydrate and a carbohydrate-rich subunit (β-ovomucin) that has
~50-57% carbohydrate. In this research, high purity (more than 93%) ovomucin was isolated and hydrolyzed by various food grade enzymes. The resulting soluble hydrolysates were tested for bio- activity such as antioxidative, antihypertensive and adhesion ability to pathogenic bacteria. Some of the hydrolysates showed significant bio-activity.
Attempt to regulate biological activity of the cells in hair follicle using microbial metabolites
In this study, Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAAS) microbes were grown on agricultural by-products using solid-state-fermentation techniques. The resulting metabolites were extracted and tested for their ability to induce or retard anagen progression and to elongate the anagen phase of hair cycle. Some of the metabolites were found to retard the anagen phase progression of hair cycle. In addition, couple of microbial metabolites identified as potent agents for the elongation of the anagen phase of hair cycle.
RESEARCH EXPERTISE
- I am experienced in working with diversified protein (milk proteins, insect proteins, egg proteins, marine transferrin family proteins, bacterial proteins). I carried out experiments for isolating the target proteins, for enzymatic digestion of them and also for estimating their bioactivity such as growth stimulating factor for probiotics including mechanism, antimicrobial activity including structure-function relationship, antihypertensive activity, antioxidant activity.
- I have hands on experience in different proteomic tools such as chromatographic separation, MALDI-TOF Mass spectrometry, Bioinformatics, Western and far-western blotting, Protein labeling, Elisa etc. I am also experienced with basic molecular biology work.
- I am also experienced in conducting various biochemical assays using fluorescence spectrometer, luminometer, in performing cytolytic assay, in carrying out microscopic analysis using confocal laser scanning microscope and transmission electron microscope.
- I have expertise on handling various pathogenic and fastidious microorganisms, parasites (Babesia) and fungi (especially those are generally recognized as safe).
- I am experienced in working with mouse model and also in carrying out histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry of mouse dorsal skin.