CURRICULUM VITAEDr. RAJESH KUMAR

944-A, Sector-43A, Chandigarh-160022

: +919257024083 Email & Chat: rajesh.mbu@gmail.com

AIM

To achieve a deserving position in a reputed research organization; allowing me to utilize my expertise/knowledge/skills for human wellness through scientific approaches.

ACADEMICS

ICMR-Post Doctoral Fellow (2010-2012)

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NUTRITION, HYDERABAD, INDIA

Doctoral Degree – Dairy Microbiology (2005-2009)

NATIONAL DAIRY RESEARXH INSTITUTE, KARNAL, INDIA

Post Graduation – Microbiology (2003-2005)

BUNDELKHAND UNIVERSITY, JHANSI

RESEARCH/WORK EXPERIENCE

1. Organisation: Northern Regional Office, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Chandigarh-160030.

April, 2012 - continue

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (ENVIRONMENT), Analysis of half-yearly environmental compliance reports, examination of environmental management plans for approvals, monitoring of progress regarding implementation of Environmental management measures, appraisal of fresh proposal for environment & site clearance, etc.

2. Organisation: Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology, NIN, Hyderabad

May, 2010 – March, 2012.

ICMR-POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW, worked on rDNA techniques, Real-Time qPCR, in-vivo & in-vitro experiments, Microencapsulation, Metagenomics, expression of site-specifically engineered genes and purification of recombinant and native proteins etc.

ICMR-PDF Project:

“Molecular Characterization of Reshuffled Bile Salt Hydrolase (Bsh) and Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Bsh+ and Bsh- Indigenous Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strains of Human Origin on Cholesterol Metabolism of Rats” under the supervision of Dr. Hemalatha R. (Head & Deputy Director).

3. Organisation: Proteomics and Structural Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, NDRI, Karnal

August 07, 2009 – April 30, 2010

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, worked on cloning, expression, microbial fermentation, immobilization and purification of recombinant proteins like aminopeptidase, carboxylpeptidase, anti-microbial peptides etc.

NAIP Project:

“Novel Approaches for Production of Nutraceuticals from Milk and Indian Herbs for their Potential Use in Functional Dairy Foods” under the supervision of Dr. J.K. Kaushik (Co-PI)

4. Organisation: Molecular Biology Unit, D.M Division, NDRI, Karnal

August 2005 – July 2009

Ph.D (MICROBIOLOGY) SCHOLAR, worked on screening of lactobacilli, Development of Bsh assays, cloning, sequence analysis, expression and purification of recombinant and native Bsh protein (Batch and continuous culturing). Carried out in-vivo & in-vitro trials for anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of Bsh+ probiotic Lactobacillus in SD rats.

“Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and expression of bile salt hydrolase (Bsh) from a potential indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus of human origin” under the supervision of Dr. V.K. Batish (Secretary, Probiotic Association of India).

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Purification and characterization of recombinant and native proteins with Gel filtration, Affinity, Ion-exchange, Hydrophobic interaction chromatography on FPLC system, Ultrafiltration, Rotophor (Isoelectric focussing), denaturing and nondenaturing PAGE. Localization and identification of proteins by Western blotting and Zymograms.

Cloning, characterization, sequence analysis of gene sequences and optimization of recombinant protein expression. RT-qPCR, RT-PCR, 16S rRNA sequencing, PCRs (Bsh/Species/Genus/Gradient/RAPD).

Nucleotide and amino acid sequence submission to NCBI. Efficient use of BLAST, FASTA, Clustal W implemented in Geneious Pro (5.6.4) for sequence analysis, characterization and Primer designing. Nucleic acids isolation and purification. Optimization of different Colorimetric Assays. Anaerobes (Bacterial) culturing in MK3 Anaerobic Workstation (Don Whitley).

Routinely designing and performing experiments on rats models for establishing the role of dietary inclusion of prebiotics, probiotics (immobilized and non-immobilized), synbiotics, neutraceuticals and health foods on health benefits like low serum cholesterol, anti-diabetic and anti-obese. Maintenance and Experimental handling (Survival bleeding, faecal analysis, Dissection etc) of rats for hypocholesterolemic studies. Plasma HDL-, LDL-, VLDL-, Total Cholesterol and TG estimation. Statistical analysis and Data interpretation.

Bacterial microencapsulation/immobilization, Molecular identification, maintenance, enumeration, preservation and propagation of bacteria from diverse nature of samples. Characterization of Lactobacillus strains for various in-vitro probiotic attributes, efficient handling of all kind of microbiological work.

Computer skillsOperating systems: Windows 7, Vista & XP.

Software tools: Geneious Pro (5.6), DNA Star, Gencheck, Sequin, SYSTAT etc.

MS office: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint.

Others: Installation, maintenance/troubleshooting of softwares and Windows.

Publications:

Research Article:

Kumar, R., Grover, S., Mohanty, A.K. and Batish, V.K. 2010. Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of bile salt hydrolase (bsh) gene from L. plantarum MBUL90 strain of human origin. Food Biotech. 24 (3): 215-226.[IF 0.7]

Kumar, R., Grover, S. and Batish, V.K. 2011. Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Two Putative Probiotic Bile salt hydrolase (Bsh) Producing Lactobacillus plantarum strains in Spargue-Dawley Rats” British Journal of Nutrition. 105: 561-573. [IF >3.0]

Kumar, R., Grover, S. and Batish, V.K. 2011. Molecular Identification and Typing of Putative Probiotic Indigenous Lactobacillus plantarum strain Lp91 of Human Origin by Specific Primed-PCR Assays. Probiotics & Antimicrobial Proteins. 3: 186-193. [IF 1.5]

Kumar M, Nagpal R, Kumar R, Hemalatha R, Verma V, Kumar A, Chakraborty C,Singh B,  Marotta F,  Jain S and  Yadav H. 2012. Cholesterol Lowering Probiotics as Potential Biotherapeutics for Metabolic Diseases. Experimental Diabetes Research. ISSN :1560-4284. [IF 1.53]

Kumar, R., Grover, S. and Batish, V.K. 2012. Bile salt hydrolase (Bsh) activity screening of lactobacilli: In vitro selection of indigenous Lactobacillus strains with potential bile salt hydrolyzing and cholesterol lowering ability. Probiotics & Antimicrobial Proteins. 4: 162-172. [IF 1.53]

Kumar, M., Shruti, R., --------Kumar, R (Corresponding author). 2012. Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Aloe vera gel improves Lipid profiles in hypercholesteroleamic rats. In Press Nutrition (doi 10.1016/j.nut.2012.09.006) [IF 3.01]

Kumar, R., Hemalatha R., et al., Molecular cloning, characterization and heterologous expression of bile salt hydrolase (Bsh) from Lactobacillus fermentum NCDO394. Accepted in Molecular Biology Reports. [IF 2.9]

Kumar, R., Grover, S., Kaushik, J.K. and Batish, V.K. IS-30 Related Transposon mediated insertional inactivation of bile salt hydrolase (bsh1) gene of Lactobacillus plantarum strain Lp20. Under revision Molecular Biology Reports. [IF 2.9]

Book Chapters

o Kumar, R., Singh, S., Grover, S., Hemalatha, R. and Batish, V.K.. Probiotics for better cardiovascular health. Accepted IK international publisher, New Delhi for the Book entitled “Microbes in the service of mankind: Tiny bugs with huge impact”.

o Kumar, R., Grover, S. and Batish, V.K. Bile Salt Hydrolase (Bsh) Activity as a Potential Molecular Biomarker for Probiotic Functionality. Accepted in Intech Open Access International Publisher for the Book project on “Genetic Diversity”.

Abstracts: (07)

“Anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of gut microbiota modulation by bile salt hydrolase (Bsh) active indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum dietary intervention on Spargue-Dawley rats” in IPS-2010 held at National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad (December 14-16, 2010). Authors: Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Grover, Hemalatha R. and V.K. Batish.

“Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and expression of bile salt hydrolase (bsh) gene from indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain of human origin” in 5th Probiotics and Prebiotics and New Foods held at University of Urbania, Rome (Sep 13-15, 2009). Authors: Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Grover and V.K. Batish.

“Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and expression of bile salt hydrolase (bsh) gene from indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain of human origin” in International Conference on Microbial Biotechnology held at Punjab University, Chandigarh (March 03-04, 2009). Authors: Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Grover, A.K. Mohanty and V.K. Batish.

“Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and expression of bile salt hydrolase (Bsh) gene from potential indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum isolates of human origin” in International Probiotic Conference held at Slovakia, Germany (June 04-07, 2008). Authors: Rajesh Kumar, A.K. Mohanty, Sunita Grover and V.K. Batish.

“Molecular cloning of bile salt hydrolase gene from a probiotic L. plantarum of human origin” in 2nd

International Conference on Trends in Cell and Molecular Biology at Jawaharlal Nehru university (JNU), Delhi (Jan 06-08, 2008). Authors: Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Grover and V.K. Batish.

“Bile Salt Hydrolase activity of some potential indigenous probiotic lactobacilli of human origin” in International Conference on Traditional Dairy Foods held at NDRI, Karnal (Nov 14-17, 2007). Authors: Rajesh Kumar and V.K. Batish.

Acession nos: (24)EU 477374; EU770692; EU784663; EU836149; EU822811; EU887663; FJ179486; FJ179487; GQ922598; GQ922599; GQ922600; GQ922601; GQ922602; HQ418479; HQ418480; HQ418481; HQ418482; ACG59259; ACF35257; ACF05268; ACF04740; ACA49878; ACF35782; ACG76118. Authors: Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Grover, A.K. Mohanty, J.K. Kaushik. V.K. Batish.

M.Sc Dissertation Training ( March 2005 - June 2005)

N.D.R.I KARNAL. IndiaProject Title: “Optimization of ultrafiltered retentate for manufacturing of CHAKKA by defined strain starters” under the supervision of Dr. S.K. Tomar (Sr. Scientist).

Summer Training ( June 2004 – July 2004)

MOHAN MEAKINS LTD, GHAZIABAD (U.P)DABUR INDIA LTD, SAHIBABAD (U.P)

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY

Oral Presentation

- “Anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of gut microbiota modulation by bile salt hydrolase (Bsh) active indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum dietary intervention on Spargue-Dawley rats” in International conference ‘Pharmacology and Translational Research-2010’ held at National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad (December 14-16, 2010). Authors: Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Grover, Hemalatha R. and V.K. Batish.

Poster Presentations

- “Anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of gut microbiota modulation by bile salt hydrolase (Bsh) active indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum dietary intervention on Spargue-Dawley rats” in IPS-2010 held at National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad (December 14-16, 2010). Authors: Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Grover, Hemalatha R. and V.K. Batish.

- “Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and expression of bile salt hydrolase (bsh) gene from indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain of human origin” in International Conference on Microbial Biotechnology held at Punjab University, Chandigarh (March 03-04, 2009). Authors: Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Grover, A.K. Mohanty and V.K. Batish.

- “Molecular cloning of bile salt hydrolase gene from a probiotic L. plantarum of human origin” in 2nd International Conference on Trends in Cell and Molecular Biology at Jawaharlal Nehru university (JNU), Delhi (Jan 06-08, 2008). Authors: Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Grover and V.K. Batish.

- “Bile Salt Hydrolase activity of some potential indigenous probiotic lactobacilli of human origin” in International Conference on Traditional Dairy Foods held at NDRI, Karnal (Nov 14-17, 2007). Authors: Rajesh Kumar and V.K. Batish.

Awards

- ICMR-Post Doctoral Fellowship (2010-2012) has been awarded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

- Institutional Senior Research Fellowship awarded during Ph.D programme (Aug 2005- Feb 2009) through Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

- Awarded best (Ist) poster presentation on “Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and expression of bile salt hydrolase (bsh) gene from indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain of human origin” in International Conference on Microbial Biotechnology held at Punjab University, Chandigarh (March 03-04, 2009).

- Awarded second best poster presentation on “Bile Salt Hydrolase activity of some potential indigenous probiotic lactobacilli of human origin” in International Conference on Traditional Dairy Foods held at NDRI, Karnal (Nov 14-17, 2007).

Conferences

- Actively Participated in 45th AMI conference held at NDRI Karnal (Nov 23 – 25, 2004).

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITY

Life time member of Probiotic Association of India. Delivered presentation and Lectures for students of DNA/VPNR clubs sponsored by DBT, Govt of India. Actively participated in as a leading member in annual sports held at NDRI, Karnal (2007, 2008 & 2009).

REFERENCES

Dr. Hemalatha R. (rhemalathanin@yahoo.com)

- Head & Deputy Director, Microbiology & Immunology Department, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Mob. No. 9246283362.

Dr. V.K Batish (vkbatish@gmail.com)

- Former Head & Er. Scientist, Molecular Biology Unit, Dairy Microbiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India. Mob. No. 9896329190.

Dr. J.K. Kaushik (jaikr1@gmail.com)

- Sr. Scientist, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India

Dr. A.K. Mohanty (ashokmohanty1@gmail.com)

- Sr. Scientist, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India

Date: 2012-11-30 (RAJESH KUMAR)Place: Chandigarh