Multifunctional combustion-synthesized nano-ceria: insights into ex-vivo goat cartilage tissue internalization and bioimaging Hema Brindha Masanam, Ashwin Kumar Narasimhan, Ganapathy Krishnamurthi, Sruthi Ann Alex Nano Express, 2025 The internalization of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2−x NPs) in articular cartilage presents a novel approach to enhance imaging modalities for monitoring osteoarthritis (OA). This study introduces a bimodal cerium oxide-based nano-contrast agent synthesized via a one-step combustion method, aimed at addressing the limitations of earlier synthesis techniques that lacked dual functional properties for bioimaging. The combustion method produces high-yield nanoparticles that exhibit exceptional x-ray attenuation and redox properties, while also enhanced optical characteristics due to quench annealing processes. CeO2−x NPs quench annealed at 700 °C (C7 NPs) were identified as effective bimodal contrast agents for cartilage imaging. Characterization of C7 NPs revealed distinct fluorescence emissions: greenish-blue (λ em = 381 nm) and yellowish-pink (λ em = 406 and 454 nm) under UV-C and UV-A excitation, indicating efficient down-conversion due to their unique size and energy band structures. The x-ray attenuation properties were assessed using tissue-mimicking phantoms, demonstrating values between 502 and 783 HU·ml/mg at low x-ray tube voltages, utilizing a custom-built benchtop micro-CT system. Ex vivo optical imaging conducted on goat articular cartilage tissues confirmed the effective internalization of C7 NPs (∼20 nm) within the transitional zone. This study is the first to report the internalization of combustion-synthesized CeO2−x NPs in goat articular cartilage explants, underscoring their potential as bimodal agents for x-ray and optical imaging in articular cartilage tracking.
Gamification of Physiotherapy Using Real-Time Motion Capture Subhiksha Swaminathan, Bharani Priya Balamurugan, Raees Khan, Sruthi Ann Alex 2025 International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Sustainable Healthcare Icbmesh 2025 Proceedings, 2025
Automated Colour Sensing for Multiplexed Assay Atharv Kulkarni, Mohammed Sadriwala, Trushit Thiya, Sruthi Ann Alex 2025 International Conference on Sensors and Related Networks Sennet 2025 Special Focus on Digital Healthcare 64220, 2025
Nanobiohybrids: A promising approach for sensing diverse environmental water pollutants Angelene Hannah Jebarani D., Sruthi Ann Alex Nanobiohybrids for Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Energy Recovery, 2023 Water resource management has become the need of the hour with continuous depletion of good quality water. Sensors are important tools for monitoring the environmental water quality and quantifying the presence of various harmful pollutants (pesticides, heavy metals, and micro-organisms). Biosensors designed with functional biological molecules as recognition elements use a transducer, which converts a biological response into electrochemical, optical, gravimetric, magnetic, or thermal signals that can be easily quantified. The advent of nanotechnology has revolutionized material design and properties of sensing platforms. Materials in the nanoscale dimension possess interesting characteristic features such as high surface-area-to-volume ratio, high conductivity, functionalizability, shock-bearing ability, color tunability, photo-reactivity, and magnetization. Nanomaterial-integrated biomolecules with enhanced functional properties are termed as nanobiohybrids. The amalgamation of the tuneable characteristics of nanomaterials with functional biological molecules by means of functionalization and/or immobilization creates sophisticated transducers for enhancing the analytical performance of sensors. The resultant nanobiohybrid sensor systems are robust, exhibit relatively short response time with improved specificity and have higher sensitivity enabling detection of even trace volumes of analyte molecules. Recent advancements in research and engineering also promote the possibilities of device miniaturization, portability, and incessant monitoring of water quality. This chapter intends to discuss the impact of various toxic pollutants in water, the importance of nanomaterials in design of novel nanobiohybrids, the different nanomaterials relevant for use in design of sensors for environmental analysis, and finally the different transduction mechanisms that enable the detection and quantification of toxins in water.
Studies on the removal of acid violet 7 dye from aqueous solutions by green ZnO@Fe3O4 chitosan–alginate nanocomposite synthesized using Camellia sinensis extract Namrata Roy, Sruthi Ann Alex, N. Chandrasekaran, Krishnan Kannabiran, Amitava Mukherjee Journal of Environmental Management, 2022 In the present study, ZnO-Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized using the leaves of Camellia sinensis and immobilized in crosslinked alginate-chitosan polymer beads and tested for their photocatalytic applications. The prepared nanocomposite was used for the simultaneous adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of acid violet 7 (AV7) dye. The optimization of reaction conditions ensured higher dye removal efficacy up to 94.21 ± 1.02% using the nanocomposite under UV-C irradiation of 365 nm. The kinetics of the adsorption study fitted well with the pseudo-first-order reaction. The Langmuir model fitted better to the adsorption isotherms compared to the Freundlich and Temkin models. The mechanism of degradation was studied by analyzing the treated AV7 solution. The removal efficiency in tap water, groundwater, and lake water was 83.23 ± 0.4%, 69.13 ± 1.6%, and 67.89 ± 0.3%, respectively. The residual toxicity of the degraded AV7 solution was tested on model organisms like freshwater algae, Scenedesmus sp., and plant model, Allium cepa, demonstrating the lower toxicity of the degraded AV7 product. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis of the experiments was also carried out.
Development of biogenic bimetallic Pd/Fe nanoparticle–impregnated aerobic microbial granules with potential for dye removal Hemamalathi Kubendiran, Sruthi Ann Alex, Mrudula Pulimi, N. Chandrasekaran, Y.V. Nancharaiah, et al. Journal of Environmental Management, 2021 The objective of this study was to develop bimetallic core-shell Pd/Fe nanoparticles on the surface of aerobic microbial granules (Bio-Pd/Fe) and to evaluate their dye removal potential using a representative dye, methyl orange (MO). The aerobic microbial granules (1.5 ± 0.32 mm) were grown for 70 days in a 3-L glass sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with a 12-h cycle time. The Bio-Pd/Fe formation was catalyzed by the Bio-H2 gas produced by the granules. The developed Bio-Pd/Fe was further used for MO removal from aqueous solutions, and the reaction parameters were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The XRD, SEM, EDAX, elemental mapping, and XPS studies confirmed the formation of Bio-Pd/Fe. Under the optimized removal conditions, 99.33% MO could be removed by Bio-Pd/Fe, whereas removal by Bio-Pd, Bio-Fe, aerobic microbial granules, and heat-killed granules were found to be quite low (68.91 ± 0.2%, 76.8 ± 0.3%, 19.8 ± 0.6%, and 6.59 ± 0.2%, respectively). The mechanism of removal was investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy, redox potential analysis, HR-LCMS analyses of the solution phase, and XRD and XPS analyses of the solid sorbent. The degradation products of MO exhibited m/z values corresponding to 292, 212, and 160 m/z. The remnant toxicity of the intermediate degradation products was analysed using freshwater algae, Scenedesmus sp. And Allium cepa, as indicator organisms. These assays suggested that after the treatment with Bio-Pd/Fe, MO was transformed to a lesser toxic form.
A comprehensive update on antibiotics as an emerging water pollutant and their removal using nano-structured photocatalysts Namrata Roy, Sruthi Ann Alex, N Chandrasekaran, Amitava Mukherjee, Krishnan Kannabiran Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2021 Diverse antibiotic drugs have been used for the treatment of bacterial infections; however, their overuse, improper handling, and limitations in treatment facilities can result in their accumulation and biotransformation in the water systems. These bio-accumulated antibiotics can lead to more detrimental effects due to the emergence of multi-resistant bacterial genes at the micro-level, which in turn enhance the chances of bacterial survival. The current review discusses the prevalence of this contaminant in India and different countries around the globe. Since prevention of antibiotic release is the most effective strategy for controlling water pollution, the importance of several governing bodies and their guidelines for antibiotic use and release have been discussed. As a solution to the increasing threat of antibiotics in treated wastewater and natural waters, various treatment strategies have been explored, of which photocatalytic degradation is one of the significant treatment options. In particular, the review focuses on the multiple approaches of photocatalytic degradation in a stand-alone system and in combination with other techniques and nanomaterials. Different photo-active materials, reactor systems, oxide molecular release, kinetic mechanisms, influence of different parameters and characterizations involved have been discussed in detail in order to understand the optimum conditions for photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics.
Biological Studies of Nanocomposites for Implants and Drug Delivery SA Alex, PJ Shiny, S Gnanavel, A Rajeshwari Resorbable Polymers for Bioimplants and Fixation Devices, 315-348 , 2025 2025
Gamification of Physiotherapy Using Real-Time Motion Capture S Swaminathan, BP Balamurugan, R Khan, SA Alex 2025 International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Sustainable … , 2025 2025
Automated Colour Sensing for Multiplexed Assay A Kulkarni, M Sadriwala, T Thiya, SA Alex 2025 International Conference on Sensors and Related Networks (SENNET … , 2025 2025
Multifunctional combustion-synthesized nano-ceria: insights into ex-vivo goat cartilage tissue internalization and bioimaging HB Masanam, AK Narasimhan, G Krishnamurthi, SA Alex Nano Express 6 (2), 025003 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Europium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticle-impregnated Hyalgan®(CartiOxgel): an intra-articular contrast agent for X-ray CT and optical imaging HB Masanam, S Jafari, AK Narasimhan, P Premanth, M Salomi, VR Lazar, ... RSC advances 15 (29), 23374-23395 , 2025 2025 Citations: 4
Nanobiohybrids: a promising approach for sensing diverse environmental water pollutants AH Jebarani D, SA Alex 2023 Citations: 2
Studies on the removal of acid violet 7 dye from aqueous solutions by green ZnO@ Fe3O4 chitosan–alginate nanocomposite synthesized using Camellia sinensis extract N Roy, SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, K Kannabiran, A Mukherjee Journal of environmental management 303, 114128 , 2022 2022 Citations: 35
Development of biogenic bimetallic Pd/Fe nanoparticle–impregnated aerobic microbial granules with potential for dye removal H Kubendiran, SA Alex, M Pulimi, N Chandrasekaran, YV Nancharaiah, ... Journal of environmental management 293, 112789 , 2021 2021 Citations: 23
Toxicity evaluation of nano-TiO2 in the presence of functionalized microplastics at two trophic levels: Algae and crustaceans V Thiagarajan, SA Alex, R Seenivasan, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Science of the Total Environment 784, 147262 , 2021 2021 Citations: 57
A comprehensive update on antibiotics as an emerging water pollutant and their removal using nano-structured photocatalysts N Roy, SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee, K Kannabiran Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 9 (2), 104796 , 2021 2021 Citations: 131
Interactive effects of micro/nanoplastics and nanomaterials/pharmaceuticals: their ecotoxicological consequences in the aquatic systems V Thiagarajan, SA Alex, R Seenivasan, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Aquatic Toxicology 232, 105747 , 2021 2021 Citations: 65
In-situ coating of Fe/Pd nanoparticles on sand and its application for removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution KVG Ravikumar, H Kubendiran, R Gupta, A Gupta, P Sharma, SA Alex, ... Journal of Water Process Engineering 36, 101400 , 2020 2020 Citations: 7
A review on tetracycline removal from aqueous systems by advanced treatment techniques G Gopal, SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee RSC advances 10 (45), 27081-27095 , 2020 2020 Citations: 335
The Protein Corona: Applications and Challenges SA Alex, D Chakraborty, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee 2019 Citations: 1
Effect of negative functionalisation of gold nanorods on conformation and activity of human serum albumin SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee IET Nanobiotechnology 13 (5), 522-529 , 2019 2019 Citations: 3
Bimetallic gold nanorods with enhanced biocorona formation for doxorubicin loading and sustained release D Chakraborty, L Mohan, SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Biomaterials science 7 (1), 63-75 , 2019 2019 Citations: 23
A comparative multi-assay approach to study the toxicity behaviour of Eu2O3 nanoparticles S Chaudhary, P Sharma, S Kumar, SA Alex, R Kumar, SK Mehta, ... Journal of Molecular Liquids 269, 783-795 , 2018 2018 Citations: 34
Comprehensive study on biocorona formation on functionalized selenium nanoparticle and its biological implications D Chakraborty, P Chauhan, SA Alex, S Chaudhary, KR Ethiraj, ... Journal of Molecular Liquids 268, 335-342 , 2018 2018 Citations: 32
Using gold nanorod-based colorimetric sensor for determining chromium in biological samples SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Journal of Molecular Liquids 264, 119-126 , 2018 2018 Citations: 19
A facile gold nanoparticle–based ELISA system for detection of osteopontin in saliva: Towards oral cancer diagnostics D Chakraborty, TS Viveka, K Arvind, V Shyamsundar, M Kanchan, ... Clinica Chimica Acta 477, 166-172 , 2018 2018 Citations: 59
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
A review on tetracycline removal from aqueous systems by advanced treatment techniques G Gopal, SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee RSC advances 10 (45), 27081-27095 , 2020 2020 Citations: 335
Combined toxicity of two crystalline phases (anatase and rutile) of Titania nanoparticles towards freshwater microalgae: Chlorella sp V Iswarya, M Bhuvaneshwari, SA Alex, S Iyer, G Chaudhuri, ... Aquatic toxicology 161, 154-169 , 2015 2015 Citations: 160
Cytotoxicity of aluminum oxide nanoparticles on Allium cepa root tip—effects of oxidative stress generation and biouptake A Rajeshwari, S Kavitha, SA Alex, D Kumar, A Mukherjee, ... Environmental Science and Pollution Research 22 (14), 11057-11066 , 2015 2015 Citations: 132
A comprehensive update on antibiotics as an emerging water pollutant and their removal using nano-structured photocatalysts N Roy, SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee, K Kannabiran Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 9 (2), 104796 , 2021 2021 Citations: 131
Simple colorimetric sensor for Cr (III) and Cr (VI) speciation using silver nanoparticles as a probe M Elavarasi, A Rajeshwari, SA Alex, DN Kumar, N Chandrasekaran, ... Analytical Methods 6 (14), 5161-5167 , 2014 2014 Citations: 78
Interactive effects of micro/nanoplastics and nanomaterials/pharmaceuticals: their ecotoxicological consequences in the aquatic systems V Thiagarajan, SA Alex, R Seenivasan, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Aquatic Toxicology 232, 105747 , 2021 2021 Citations: 65
A facile gold nanoparticle–based ELISA system for detection of osteopontin in saliva: Towards oral cancer diagnostics D Chakraborty, TS Viveka, K Arvind, V Shyamsundar, M Kanchan, ... Clinica Chimica Acta 477, 166-172 , 2018 2018 Citations: 59
Toxicity evaluation of nano-TiO2 in the presence of functionalized microplastics at two trophic levels: Algae and crustaceans V Thiagarajan, SA Alex, R Seenivasan, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Science of the Total Environment 784, 147262 , 2021 2021 Citations: 57
Simple fluorescence-based detection of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) using unmodified gold nanoparticles M Elavarasi, SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Analytical Methods 6 (24), 9554-9560 , 2014 2014 Citations: 53
Developing acetylcholinesterase-based inhibition assay by modulated synthesis of silver nanoparticles: applications for sensing of organophosphorus pesticides DN Kumar, A Rajeshwari, SA Alex, M Sahu, AM Raichur, ... RSC advances 5 (76), 61998-62006 , 2015 2015 Citations: 43
Studies on the removal of acid violet 7 dye from aqueous solutions by green ZnO@ Fe3O4 chitosan–alginate nanocomposite synthesized using Camellia sinensis extract N Roy, SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, K Kannabiran, A Mukherjee Journal of environmental management 303, 114128 , 2022 2022 Citations: 35
Acetylcholinesterase inhibition-based ultrasensitive fluorometric detection of malathion using unmodified silver nanoparticles DN Kumar, SA Alex, RSS Kumar, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 485, 111-117 , 2015 2015 Citations: 35
A comparative multi-assay approach to study the toxicity behaviour of Eu2O3 nanoparticles S Chaudhary, P Sharma, S Kumar, SA Alex, R Kumar, SK Mehta, ... Journal of Molecular Liquids 269, 783-795 , 2018 2018 Citations: 34
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-mediated immobilization of silver nanoparticles for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides DN Kumar, SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee RSC advances 6 (69), 64769-64777 , 2016 2016 Citations: 33
Comprehensive study on biocorona formation on functionalized selenium nanoparticle and its biological implications D Chakraborty, P Chauhan, SA Alex, S Chaudhary, KR Ethiraj, ... Journal of Molecular Liquids 268, 335-342 , 2018 2018 Citations: 32
A comprehensive investigation of the differential interaction of human serum albumin with gold nanoparticles based on the variation in morphology and surface functionalization SA Alex, D Chakraborty, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee RSC advances 6 (58), 52683-52694 , 2016 2016 Citations: 32
State-of-the-art strategies for the colorimetric detection of heavy metals using gold nanorods based on aspect ratio reduction SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Analytical Methods 8 (10), 2131-2137 , 2016 2016 Citations: 31
Development of biogenic bimetallic Pd/Fe nanoparticle–impregnated aerobic microbial granules with potential for dye removal H Kubendiran, SA Alex, M Pulimi, N Chandrasekaran, YV Nancharaiah, ... Journal of environmental management 293, 112789 , 2021 2021 Citations: 23
Bimetallic gold nanorods with enhanced biocorona formation for doxorubicin loading and sustained release D Chakraborty, L Mohan, SA Alex, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Biomaterials science 7 (1), 63-75 , 2019 2019 Citations: 23
Significance of surface functionalization of Gold Nanorods for reduced effect on IgG stability and minimization of cytotoxicity SA Alex, S Rajiv, S Chakravarty, N Chandrasekaran, A Mukherjee Materials Science and Engineering: C 71, 744-754 , 2017 2017 Citations: 23