PI · DBT, New Delhi

Thermophilic Chemoautotrophic Bacteria for CO₂ Valorization

Development of novel thermophilic chemoautotrophic bacterial workhorses for the valorization of CO₂ into fatty acids. This project aims to harness deep subsurface extremophiles for next-generation carbon capture and biorefinery applications.

PI · Ministry of Earth Sciences

Deep Ocean Microbiome of the Central Indian Ocean Basin

Metagenomic assessment of microbial diversity, functionality, and metabolic activities in polymetallic nodules and associated sediments and water of the Central Indian Ocean Basin.

Co-PI · DBT, New Delhi

Regulatory Networks and Human Disease — BIC, IIT Kharagpur

National Network Project understanding the structure, function, and evolution of regulatory networks with a special emphasis on human diseases, under the Bioinformatics Centre at the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Kharagpur.

Co-PI · DBT, New Delhi

National Network Project — Department of Biotechnology, IIT Kharagpur

Collaborative national network project under the Department of Biotechnology, focused on advancing biotechnology research infrastructure and interdisciplinary collaboration across IIT Kharagpur.

Deep Biosphere

Investigating microbial life within the deep, hot, terrestrial subsurface — including carbon and energy metabolism in extreme and oligotrophic environments, acetogenesis, and isolation of extremophilic microorganisms from deep granitic and basaltic systems.

Microbial Genomics & Metagenomics

Applying next-generation sequencing and metagenomic approaches to characterize microbial community composition, diversity, and functional potential across a range of extreme and contaminated environments.

Geomicrobiology

Understanding the interactions between microorganisms and geological systems, including microbial roles in arsenic mobilization in Bengal delta aquifers, acid mine drainage, and biogeochemical cycling in subsurface crustal environments.

Bioremediation

Developing microbial strategies for the remediation of heavy metals, radionuclides, hydrocarbons, and plastics from contaminated environments, including landfill waste, petroleum-impacted soils, and arsenic-contaminated groundwater.

Astrobiology

Exploring the limits of life in extreme terrestrial environments as analogs for potentially habitable extraterrestrial settings, with a focus on chemolithotrophs and deep subsurface microbial ecosystems.

Microbial CO₂ Capture & Utilization

Investigating the CO₂ fixation capabilities of chemoautotrophic microbial communities from deep subsurface rocks for potential application in third-generation biorefineries and sustainable carbon utilization technologies.