Sreenath, K. R.

Biography

After obtaining Bachelors in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry from College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy , Kerala, I took Masters in Veterinary Science (Animal Biotechnology) from National Dairy research Institute, Karnal, Haryana under the mentorship of Dr A.K. Mohanty, the research focus during my masters was on oviduct specific glycoproteins (Oviductin) from ruminants( goat and buffalo), Oviductin gene was characterized and native oviductin protein purified to established its significance during fertilisation via IVF experiments. After which I obtained my PhD from the same institute under the mentorship of Dr. J.K. Kaushik, the area of my research was on different types of lysozymes from ruminants (buffalo, cow and Sheep) wherein mammarygland, abomasal and testis specific lysozyme genes were characterisaed and expressed recombinantly and purified, we also established the significance of testis specific lysozymes and its role in sperm egg binding and fertilization. I joined CMFRI as a scientist on March 2010. My area of work is functional proteomics and genomics, one of our focus areas is molecular mechanisms associated with reproduction in crustaceans and fin fishes, The Gonad Inhibiting Hormone (GIH) from Penaes monodon has been cloned and characterized, soluble recombinant GIH has been expressed in prokaryotic expression system for the first time. Our lab also works on diseases diagnostics and health management, where we research and develop molecular and immune-diagnostics (Q-PCR, Nested- PCR, LAMP) and vaccines (recombinant and DNA). Transgenic animal model is another area of interest in the lab. In the recently completed NAIP funded project on “Bioprospecting of genes and allele mining for abiotic stress tolerance” we have identified and functionally validated stress tolerant genes from specific stress tolerant microalgae isolated from Salt pans, hot springs and acidic environments.

Research Interest

Hard Coral and Fish Taxonomy, Coral Reef Ecosystem, Climate change, GIS based modelling and mariculture engineering.