- Mohandas, S.P., Balan, L., Gopi, J., Anoop, B.S., Mohan P, S., Philip, R., Cubelio, S.S., Singh, I.S.B., 2021. Biocompatibility of polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate films generated from Bacillus cereus MCCB 281 for medical applications. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 176, 244–252. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.006 view
- Mohandas, S.P., Balan, L., Jayanath, G., Anoop, B.S., Philip, R., Cubelio, S.S., Bright Singh, I.S., 2018. Biosynthesis and characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoate from marine Bacillus cereus MCCB 281 utilizing glycerol as carbon source. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 119, 380–392. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.07.044 view
- Ajeeshkumar, K.K., Asha, K.K., Vishnu, K. V., Remyakumari, K.R., Shyni, K., Reshma, J., Navaneethan, R., Balan, L., Mathew, S., 2017. Proteoglycans Isolated from Bramble Shark Cartilage (Echinorhinus brucus) Inhibits Proliferation of MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells by Inducing Apoptosis. Biochem. Pharmacol. 6, 7. doi:10.4172/2167-0501.1000226 view
- Mohandas, S.P., Balan, L., Lekshmi, N., Cubelio, S.S., Philip, R., Bright Singh, I.S., 2017. Production and characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate from Vibrio harveyi MCCB 284 utilizing glycerol as carbon source. J. Appl. Microbiol. 122, 698–707. doi: 10.1111/jam.13359 view
Linu Balan
Research Scholar
Polyhydroxybutyrate from Marine bacteria and their potential applications in human and veterinary medicine
The current study involves isolation & screening of PHB producing bacteria from Marine environment, development & standardization of downstream process, characterization of PHB and their use in human and veterinary applications. The aim of the work is to develop a benchmark products using PHB suitable for biomedical applications. During the development of the product, the technology can be developed and transferred to the industry. Also, the product range can be diversified giving a great opportunity for future research.
Professional Experience
- Research Scholar (Oct2013-present)
- Senior Research Fellow, CUSAT (Mar2018-Sep2019)
- Junior Research Fellow, CUSAT (Apr2017-Mar2018)
- Senior Research Fellow, Ministry of Earth Sciences – Centre for Marine Living Resources and Molecular Ecology (Jan2013-Mar2017)
- Junior Research Fellow, Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Port Blair (Jun2012-Jan2013)
- Senior Research Fellow, Marine BioResource Centre Jamnagar, Gujarat (Nov2010-May2012)
Ad-Hoc Reviewer in Peer Reviewed Journals:
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology (American Society for Microbiology)
- Microbiology Spectrum (American Society for Microbiology)
Awards/ Honours/ Fellowships/ Scholarships:
- GATE
- NET (Lectureship)
Publications
- Balan, L., Mohandas, S.P., Priyaja, P., Philip, R., Bright Singh, I.S., 2020. Polyhydroxyalkanoate Producing Bacteria from North Eastern Arabian Sea (NEAS), in: Joshi, K.K., Varghese, M., Kaladharan, P., Sreenath, K.R., S., L., Sanil, N.K., Hatha, A.A.M., Shinoj, P., Padua, S., Gills, R., Jayakumar, C. V. (Eds.), Marine Ecosystem Challenges & Opportunities (MECOS 3). Marine Biological Association of India, Kochi, Kerala, India, p. 421. view
- Mohandas, S.P., Balan, L., Bhaskaran, A., Philip, R., Bright Singh, I.S., 2016. Production and characterization of PHA from Bacillus cereus MCCB 281 and its biomedical application-A preliminary study, in: 4th International Conference on Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (ICNT2016).
- Mohandas, S.P., Balan, L., Lekshmi, N., Cubelio, S.S., Philip, R., Bright Singh, I.S., 2015. Production and characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate from bioluminescent Vibrio harveyi MCCB284 isolated from Phallusia nigra, in: International Conference on New Horizons in Biotechnology (NHBT-2015). Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, p. 164.
- Balan, L., Mohandas, S.P., Philip, R., Bright Singh, I.S., 2014. Screening and Isolation of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Producing Bacteria from Goa Coast, in: MECOS2 Marine Ecosystems Challenges and Oppurtunities- International Symposium. Marine Biological Association of India, Kochi, pp. 274–275. view
GenBank Submissions: 28
- Training programme titled “Recent Trends & Developments in Bioplastics and their Applications” conducted by Centre for Bio-Polymer Science and Technology (CBPST), CIPET, Kochi
- Training on Marine Bacterial Diversity at Central Salts and Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar
- Training on Methodologies for study of Plankton and Benthos at Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai.
- On-board sample collection on FORV Sagar Sampada, undertaken to study the Benthic Productivity, Harmful Algal Blooms, Environment and Productivity, and Marine Mammals and travelled 409 nautical miles from Mangalore to Cochin
- Training on Applications of Plant Physiology in Biotechnology at Water Management (AGRI) Division, Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Calicut.
- Training on Applied Techniques in Biotechnology at CARD-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pathanamthitta
Supervising Guide
Prof. I. S. Bright SinghTechnical Skills:
Molecular Biology- gDNA/RNA/Plasmid Extractio, PCR, Primer Designing, Cloning
Microbiology & Bioprocess Technology- Bacterial isolation, Optimization, handling bacterial and fungal pathogens, Operation of manual (100L- Scigenics) and automatic (5L-Sartorious) fermentors,Downstream processing techniques, Sample Preparation for SEM, TEM and FAME
Materials science- Nanoparticle Preparation-o/w and w/o/w emulsion methods, Characterization- SEM, TEM
Proteomics- Quantification of Proteins, Protein Purification, ELISA,SDS-PAGE, Native PAGE, Western Blotting, Zymography
Chemistry-Water Quality Analysis
Bioinformatics Tools
Dr. Prem Kumar, a Senior Scientist in the Finfish Culture Division at the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE), is recognized for his contributions to finfish aquaculture and sustainable fish farming practices. His research focuses on advancing breeding, seed production, and grow-out techniques for economically important finfish species, essential for enhancing fish farming efficiency and profitability. Dr. Kumar has been instrumental in developing improved methods for breeding and rearing native fish species, supporting biodiversity conservation while boosting aquaculture productivity in India.
Dr. David Verner-Jeffreys is a Senior Scientist at WorldFish and an esteemed expert in aquatic animal health and aquaculture biosecurity. With a background in fish pathology and disease management, Dr. Verner-Jeffreys has dedicated his career to developing solutions that enhance disease prevention and sustainable health practices in aquaculture systems globally. His research focuses on combating infectious diseases that impact fish farming, particularly in developing countries, where aquaculture plays a crucial role in food security and livelihoods.
Dr. M. Shashi Shekhar, is a distinguished expert in aquatic animal health and environmental management in brackishwater aquaculture. With extensive experience in fish and shrimp health management, his work addresses critical challenges in disease prevention, environmental sustainability, and biosecurity, contributing to the growth and resilience of India’s brackishwater aquaculture sector. By emphasizing biosecurity, environmental monitoring, and eco-friendly health management practices, Dr. Shekhar has contributed to enhancing the resilience and sustainability of shrimp and fish farming.
Dr. K.V. Rajendran is a prominent aquaculture scientist at the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE) in India, recognized for his expertise in fish health management and aquatic animal disease control. With a focus on advancing disease diagnostics, biosecurity, and sustainable health practices in aquaculture, Dr. Rajendran’s work has greatly contributed to improving the resilience and productivity of India’s aquaculture sector. His research addresses major challenges related to fish and shellfish health, particularly in diagnosing and managing viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases that impact farmed species.
Dr. T. Raja Swaminathan is a renowned scientist at the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) in Kochi, India, with expertise in fish health management, aquaculture biosecurity, and disease diagnostics. His work focuses on addressing challenges related to aquatic animal health, particularly in ensuring sustainable and safe practices in India’s aquaculture industry. Dr. Swaminathan is recognized for his contributions to the detection and control of fish and shellfish diseases, which are critical for enhancing productivity and reducing economic losses in aquaculture.
Dr. Neeraj Sood, a distinguished scientist at the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR) in India, is recognized for his work in fish genetics, conservation, and sustainable aquaculture practices. His research focuses on the genetic characterization and conservation of fish biodiversity, which is critical for protecting valuable genetic resources and promoting sustainable aquaculture. By identifying and cataloging fish species and their genetic diversity, Dr. Sood has contributed to the preservation of native fish species, ensuring that these resources can support resilient and productive aquaculture systems in India.
Dr. B. Santhosh, a leading scientist at the Vizhinjam Regional Centre of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), is known for his impactful contributions to marine aquaculture and coastal fisheries development in India. His work focuses on advancing sustainable practices in mariculture, particularly in seed production, hatchery technology, and the cultivation of high-value marine species like finfish, shellfish, and sea cucumbers. Dr. Santhosh’s research has played a critical role in supporting livelihood opportunities for coastal communities by promoting aquaculture as a viable and environmentally sustainable industry.
Dr. Victoria Alday-Sanz is a renowned aquaculture expert at National Aquaculture Group (NAQUA) in Saudi Arabia, recognized globally for her work in shrimp health management, biosecurity, and sustainable aquaculture practices. With a background in veterinary science and extensive experience in aquatic animal health, Dr. Alday-Sanz has played a critical role in advancing shrimp farming practices to enhance productivity while maintaining rigorous biosecurity standards. Her work is instrumental in addressing major health challenges in shrimp aquaculture, particularly in the prevention and management of viral and bacterial diseases that can impact large-scale operations.
J.M.P.K. Jayasinghe is a distinguished figure in aquaculture, known for his contributions to sustainable fish farming practices, particularly in Asia. With a focus on innovative aquaculture technologies and resource management, he has dedicated his career to improving the productivity, efficiency, and environmental sustainability of aquaculture systems. Jayasinghe has been involved in developing best practices that help small-scale and commercial farmers enhance yields while minimizing the environmental impact, which is crucial for both economic growth and ecological health.
Dr. Vasant Kripa is the former Secretary of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) in Chennai, India, and a highly respected scientist in marine biology, coastal aquaculture, and environmental management. With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Kripa has been instrumental in developing policies and practices that promote sustainable and responsible coastal aquaculture in India. Her work has focused on balancing the growth of aquaculture with environmental conservation, ensuring that coastal ecosystems remain resilient and productive.
Dr. K.M. Shankar is the Vice Chairman of the Asian Fisheries Society, Indian Branch, and former Dean of the College of Fisheries in Mangalore, India. A highly respected figure in fish health management and aquaculture, Dr. Shankar has contributed significantly to advancing aquaculture science, particularly in aquatic animal health, biotechnology, and sustainable fisheries. His research focuses on pathogen detection, disease management, and biosecurity in aquaculture, addressing key challenges to improve productivity and sustainability in the industry.
Prof. Arun K. Dhar is a Professor and Director of the Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory at the School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, USA. An expert in aquaculture pathology and virology, Prof. Dhar is highly regarded for his research on diseases affecting shrimp and other aquatic species. His work focuses on identifying, understanding, and managing viral pathogens that pose significant threats to aquaculture industries globally.
Dr. Iddya Karunasagar is a distinguished Indian microbiologist and food safety expert, known for his pioneering work in aquatic microbiology, aquaculture health, and public health. His research focuses on seafood safety and disease management in aquaculture, with significant contributions to understanding and controlling microbial pathogens, such as Vibrio species, which affect marine organisms. His work has helped develop diagnostic tools and strategies that promote sustainability in aquaculture and ensure safer seafood.
Dr. Pramoda Kumar Sahoo is the Director-cum-ICAR National Professor at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA). A leading expert in fish health management and aquatic animal diseases, Dr. Sahoo’s work focuses on advancing disease control, immunology, and molecular biology in freshwater aquaculture. His research is pivotal in improving the health, resilience, and sustainability of India’s aquaculture industry, which plays a vital role in food security and rural livelihoods.
Dr. Rohana Subasinghe is the Managing Director of FutureFish, a consultancy specializing in sustainable aquaculture and fisheries development. With over 30 years of experience in aquaculture, aquatic animal health, and international fisheries, Dr. Subasinghe is a globally recognized expert dedicated to promoting sustainable practices that support food security, environmental protection, and socioeconomic growth.
Dr. Eduardo Leano is the Director General of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), an intergovernmental organization focused on sustainable aquaculture development in the Asia-Pacific region. With a strong background in aquatic animal health and pathology, Dr. Leano has dedicated his career to advancing sustainable aquaculture practices, improving disease management, and promoting biosecurity within the industry.