About me

Professor (Dr.) Indu Shekhar Thakur,  FNASc, FNAAS, FIBA, FBRS, FNESA
Former Dean, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
(198 peer-reviewed publications according to Scopus, h-index = 30 (Scopus), Impact factor-418.206, Citation-3182, ResearchGate score=39.76)
Environmental microbiologist actively working in the field of Biodegradation and biovalorization. Areas of Interest/Specialization: Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Isolation, enrichment in the chemostat (in vivo recruitment of microorganism), identification and molecular characterization (proteomics and genomics) of microbial community for bioremediation and bioconversion of recalcitrant organic compounds, metals and inorganic compounds (Green House Gases) in the environment for value added products and biofuels. Molecular probes development through biomarkers for evaluation of fate and effect of microorganism, and detection of toxicants and ecoestrogens. Evaluation of toxicity at cellular and molecular level by animal cell culture based methods. Environmental risk assessment and Health hazards.
About me image

Expertise

Biodegradation

Microbes are wonderful creatures actively involved in the degradation of the various compounds on the earth. They are the backbone of biogeochemical cycle responsible for the circulation of carbon.

Biovalorization

Waste is no more a waste due to emerging field of biovalorization for the production of industrially valuable chemicals such as polyhydroxylkanoate, biosurfactant, biodiesel etc. using microbes. Our lab is constantly focusing on the bioconversion of the wastes into value added products.

OMICS approach

Our lab working on the omics characterization of the bacteria like genomic, proteomic, metabolomics and metagenomic. Evidently >90% microbes are unculturable which gave rise to the discovery of culture-independent approach.

Toxicology

Our group also works on the toxicological impact of emerging contaminants and ubiquitous pollutants on human cell lines. We try to elucidate the role of different molecular signals induced in response to toxicant exposure in these cell lines.

Publications

  • Kumar, M., Kumar, M., Pandey, A. and Thakur, I.S. 2019.Genomic analysis of carbon dioxide sequestering bacterium for exopolysaccharides production. Scientific Reports 9, 4270.
  • Thakur, I.S. and Medhi, K. 2019. Nitrification and denitrification processes for mitigation of nitrous oxide from waste water treatment plants for biovalorization: challenges and opportunities. Bioresource Technology 282, 502–513.
  • Mishra, A., Rathour, R., Singh, R., Kumari, T. and Thakur, I.S. 2019. Degradation and detoxification of phenanthrene by actinobacterium Zhihengliuella sp. ISTPL4. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 10.1007/s11356-019-05478-3.
  • Hiloidhari, M., Baruah, D.C., Kumari, M., Kumari, S. and Thakur, I.S. 2019. Prospect and potential of biomass power to mitigate climate change: A case study in India. Journal Cleaner Production 220, 931-944.
  • Tripathi, R., Gupta, A. and Thakur, I.S. 2019. An integrated approach for phycoremediation of wastewater and sustainable biodiesel production by green microalgae, Scenedesmus sp. ISTGA1. Renewable Energy 135, 617-625.
  • Maheshwari, N., Kumar, M., Thakur, I.S.and Srivastava, S. 2018. Carbon dioxide biofixation by free air CO2 enriched (FACE) bacterium for biodiesel production. Journal of CO2 Utilization 27, 423-432.
  • Kumar, M., Verma, S., Gazara, R.K., Kumar, M., Pandey, A., Verma, P.K. and Thakur, I.S. 2018. Genomic and proteomic analysis of lignin degrading and Polyhydroxyalkanoateaccumulating β-proteobacterium Pandoraea sp. ISTKB. Biotechnology for Biofuels11:154.
  • Hiloidhari, M.,Araújob, K., Kumari, S., Baruah, D.C., Ramachandra, T.V., Kataki, R. and Thakur, I.S. 2018. Bioelectricity from sugarcane bagasse co-generation in India‒An assessment of resource potential, policies and market mobilization opportunity for the case of Uttar Pradesh. Journal of Cleaner Production 182, 1012-1023.
  • Kumar, M., Singhal, A., Verma, P.K. and Thakur, I.S. 2017. Production and characterization of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from lignin derivatives by Pandoraea sp. ISTKB. ACS Omega 2 (12), 9156–9163.
  • Morya, R., Kumar, M. and Thakur, I.S. 2018. Utilization of glycerol by Bacillus sp. ISTVK1 for production and characterization of Polyhydroxyvalerate. Bioresource Technology Reports 2, 1-6.

Projects

  • Metaproteogenomics of microbial communities for bioremediation of pollutants in microcosm simulation (By UPOE, JNU, New Delhi, Duration 2015-2020).
  • Sequestration of carbon dioxide by chemolithotrophic bacteria in slurry bioreactor for production of biomaterials (DST, Govt. of India, 2015-2017).
  • Indo-US initiatives on clean energy and water research-21th Century Knowledge initiatives 3rd cycle (UGC Indo-US, 2015-2018).
  • Proteomic and genomic analysis of carbon dioxide sequestering bacteria for production of biofuel and biomaterials (UGC-BSR, 2015-2018).
  • Production of biofuel by carbon dioxide concentrating bacterium: A pilot scale demonstration (DBT, Govt. of India, 2015-2018).
  • In vivo recruitment of bacteria and its characterization for removal of CO2 from thermal power plant (DBT, Govt. of India, 2010-2014).
  • Molecular characterization of alkalophilic bacterial consortium for degradation of dioxin-like compounds in the environment (CSIR,Govt. of India, 2006-2009).
  • Optimization of biopulping and biobleaching processes for removal of colour and organic compounds from pulp and paper mill effluent (UGC, Govt. of India, 2006-2009).
  • Optimization of process parametersfor decolourization and detoxification of medium scale pulp and paper mill effluent (DBT, Govt. of India, 2006-2009).
  • Molecular characterization of pentachlorophenol-degrading bacterial consortium for treatment of chlorinated phenols in industrial effluent (DST, Govt. of India, 2005-2008).
  • Microbial anaerobic and aerobic process optimization for biodegradation and bioconversion of distillery effluent (UPOE, JNU, UGC, 2005-2008).
  • Alkalophilic bacterial consortium for treatment of pulp and paper mill (DBT, Govt. of India, 2000-2003).
  • Enumeration of microorganisms for bioremediation of recalcitrant xenobiotic (Pentachlorophenols) (DBT, Govt. of India, 1995-1998).
  • Structural, functional and genetic diversity of of 4-chlorosalicylic acid-degrading bacterial community (DST, Govt. of India, 1995-1998).
  • Purification of glycoprotein from Prosopis juliflora pollen and its  immunological characterization allergens (DST, Govt. of India, 1988-1990).
  • Production and immunological characterization of allergens of Prosopis   juliflora pollen modified with gluteraldehyde (GBPUA&T,Pantnagar, 1990-1992).
  • Aerobiology and immunology of allergen at Pantnagar and surroundings (GBPUA&T,Pantnagar, 1991-92).
  • Growth and enrichment of 4-chlorosalicylic acid degrading bacterial communities (GBPUA&T,Pantnagar, 1994-96).
  • Degradation of 4-chlorobenzoic acid by bacterial strain of a stable microbial community (GBPUA&T,Pantnagar, 1997-1998).

Team

Rashmi singh

Post doc

She is working on the interplay of various signaling molecule induced in human cell line in response to phthalate exposure. Her expertise includes isolation and culture of animal cells for in vitro experiments.

Rashmi Rathour

Ph.D. student (2015-present)

Her Ph.D. research work focused on the study of culture-dependent and independent approaches to investigate the role of bacterial diversity in biodegradation and bio-valorization of pollutants.

Raj Morya

Ph.D. student (2016-present)

Working on biodegradation and biovalorization of lignin and its monomers. Interest includes genomics, proteomics, metabolomics. Enjoys to spend leisure time by traveling different places and he plays cricket and basketball.

Juhi Gupta

Ph.D. student (2016-present)

Working on bio-remediation of toxic xenobiotic compounds along with the production of value added products. Work also includes exploring the microbial genomics and metagenomics.

Bhawna Tyagi

Ph.D. student (2017-present)

Working on CO2 sequestration and biomaterial production. work involves metagenomics, genomics and metabolomics.

Sh. Hoshiar Singh

Senior Lab assistant

Sh. Rama Kant

Lab assistant

Alumni

  • Manish Kumar: 2014-18, Characterization of carbon dioxide sequestrating bacterium for production of biomaterials
  • Kristina Medhi: 2013-18, Nitrification and denitrification processes for enhanced nitrogen
    removal and production of biomaterials by bacteria from wastewater.
  • Moni Kumari: 2012-17, Degradation and detoxification of persistent organic contaminants using plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and algal co-culture.
  • Madan Kumar: 2012-17, Biodegradation, bioconversion and detoxification of lignocellulosic waste by bacteria.
  • Asmita Gupta: 2011-16, Biodegradation and detoxification of wastewater contaminants and production of value-added products by bacteria.
  • Swati: 2011-16, Biodegradation of pyrene by bacteria isolated from landfill site: an integrated approach using toxicochemical and proteomic analysis.
  • Pooja Ghosh: 2010-14, Sequential treatment of land fill leachate by white rot fungi and bacteria: An integrated approach with process optimization and toxicochemical analysis.
  • Ritu tripathi: 2009-14, Isolation and characterization of microalgae from marble mining sites for carbon dioxide sequestration and biofuel production.
  • Manoj Kumar Singh: 2009-14, Secretome Analysis of Indigenous Fungus for Biodegradation and Bioconversion of Leucaena leucocephalaWood and Seed.
  • Jyoti Singh: 2009-14, Characterization of endolithic cyano-bacterium for   prospective production of biodiesel: A biological CO2 recycling approach.
  • Randhir Singh-2008-13, Proteomic and metabolic analysis of Chemo-lithotrophic bacteria for sequestration of carbon dioxide and production of biodiesel.
  • Mihir T Das: 2008-13, Phthalate induced estrogenic modulations: an in-vitro perspective in mammalian cell lines.
  • Smita Sundaram: 2008-13, Isolation, enrichment and molecular characterization of chemolithotrophic bacteria for carbon dioxide sequestration.
  • Monika Mishra: 2006-10, Isolation and molecular characterization of microorganisms for bioremediation and detoxification of lignocelluloses in pulp and paper mill effluent.
  • Garima Sharma: 2006-09, Decolorization and Detoxification of Distillery Effluent by Microorganisms.
  • Umesh C Naik: 2006-12, Molecular characterization of bacteria for bioremediation of metals in electroplating industry.
  • Prashant Jaiswal: 2004-09, Molecular characterization of bacteria for degradation and detoxification of dibenzofuran.
  • Ashwani Sharma: 2005-09, Bioremediation and detoxification of chlorinated phenol  of tannery effluent.
  • Anjali Singhal: 2005-08, Optimization of process parameters of biopulping for removal of colour and organic compounds in  pulp and paper mill effluent.
  • Shaili Srivastava: 2001-05, Bioabsorption and biodegradation of chromium and pentachlorophenol in tannery             effluent by microorganism.
  • Yogita Chuphal: 2001-04, Bioremediation and bioconversion of pulp and paper mill effluent by microorganisms.
  • Pratibha Singh: 2000-04, Decolourization and detoxification of pulp and paper mill effluent by microorganisms.
  • Sachi Shah: 1998-2002, Structural and functional characterization ofpentachlorophenol-degrading bacterial consortium for treatment of tannery effluent.
  • Sidharth Shukla: 1997-2001, Enrichment and characterization of microbial consortium for degradation of pentachlorophenol in tannery effluent.

Gallery

Contact

  • Lab No. 201, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, INDIA - 110067
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