1. Doctor of Philosophy (, Biotechnology (2009- 2014)
Research Conducted: Department of Biotechnology (Recognized by DBT-Govt. of India),
The University of Burdwan, West Bengal, India.
Specialization: Microbial Biotechnology, Molecular Diagnostics and Typing, Sequencing, Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics.
2. Master of Science (M. Sc.), Biotechnology (2006-2008) Vidyasagar University, India.
3. Bachelor of Science (B. Sc. Hons.), Biotechnology (2003- 2006), The University of Burdwan, India.
4. Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm.) (1997-1999), Institute of Pharmacy, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal Pharmacy Council, India.
Predictive analysis of structural interaction among HIV-1 proteins and Class I MHC molecule: A computational approach for therapeutic target Ankita Bhaduri, Balaka Biswas, Souymadeep Roy, Mousumi Saha, Agniswar Sarkar Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 2025 Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains a significant global health challenge because it can impair the host’s immune system and establish long-lasting infections. HIV-1 evades immune detection by modulating major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules, which are essential for presenting viral antigens to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The specific molecular interactions involved in this process remain unclear, which poses a challenge for the advancement of targeted therapies. In this study, we employed a systematic computational approach to explore the structural relationships between selected HIV-1 accessory proteins (nef, tat, rev,vpu) and human MHC-I molecules. Analyses included protein sequences evaluation to identify conserved domains and structural motifs, as well as prediction of secondary structures, transmembrane topology, and 3D-modelling for prediction of potential interaction sites. Structural alignments and molecular docking simulations demonstrated substantial conformational compatibility between HIV-1 proteins and MHC-I molecules, particularly in regions critical for immune modulation. The outcomes of this research provide novel insights into the structural mechanisms that underpin HIV-1-mediated immune evasion. This study identifies protein interfaces and conserved motifs related to MHC-I interference, providing insight for designing antiviral strategies to improve immune recognition and control viral persistence.
Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Analysis Among Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas spp. Isolated from Solid Waste Dump Sites and Dairy Farms Tuhina Das, Arkaprava Das, Neha Das, Rittika Mukherjee, Mousumi Saha, Dipanwita Das, Agniswar Sarkar Acta Microbiologica Hellenica Switzerland, 2025 The excessive use of antimicrobials drives the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in bacterial strains, which harbor resistance genes to survive under diverse drug pressures. Such resistance can result in life-threatening infections. The predominance of MDR Pseudomonas spp. poses significant challenges to public health and environmental sustainability, particularly in ecosystems affected by human activities. Characterizing MDR Pseudomonas spp. is crucial for developing effective diagnostic tools and biosecurity protocols, with broader implications for managing other pathogenic bacteria. Strains were diagnosed through 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing, complemented by phylogenetic analysis to evaluate local and global evolutionary connections. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed extensive resistance across multiple classes, with MIC values surpassing clinical breakpoints. This study examined the genetic diversity, resistance potential, and phylogenetic relationships among Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain DG2 and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain FM3, which were isolated from solid waste dump sites (n = 30) and dairy farms (n = 22) in West Bengal, India. Phylogenetic analysis reveals distinct clusters that highlight significant geographic linkages and genetic variability among the strains. Significant biofilm production under antibiotic exposure markedly increased resistance levels. RAPD-PCR profiling revealed substantial genetic diversity among the isolates, indicating variations in their genetic makeup. In contrast, SDS-PAGE analysis provided insights into the protein expression patterns that are activated by stress, which are closely linked to MDR. This dual approach offers a clearer perspective on their adaptive responses to environmental stressors. This study underscores the need for vigilant monitoring of MDR Pseudomonas spp. in anthropogenically impacted environments to mitigate risks to human and animal health. Surveillance strategies combining phenotypic and molecular approaches are essential to assess the risks posed by resilient pathogens. Solid waste and dairy farm ecosystems emerge as critical reservoirs for the evolution and dissemination of MDR Pseudomonas spp.
Predictive analysis of binding affinity among human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) proteins and class-I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) molecules Balaka Biswas, Ankita Bhaduri, Mousumi Saha, Dipanwita Das, Agniswar Sarkar Indian Journal of Microbiology Research, 2025 Medical Publisher in Delhi, India - IP Innovative Publication Pvt Limited, Medical Journals Publication, Open Access Journals, Print Journals,Indian Journals, Surgery, Microbiology, Anaesthesia, Anatomy Biochemistry Books and Journals, Skills for Employability,Best Journal Publishers-IP Innovative Publication Pvt Limit
Ecology and remediation of soil: The steps toward modern soil biotechnology Rakesh Goswami, Sriya Choudhury, Bidyut Bandyopadhyay, Agniswar Sarkar, Mousumi Saha Soil Microbiome of the Cold Habitats Trends and Applications, 2023 With the development of modern soil science, studies and research for soil biology have gained enormous interest among the scientific community. Soil biotechnology is not only associated with plant ecology or soil pathogens but is also interconnected with the regulation of waste management treatment and the remediation of environmental pollutants, contaminants and toxins. Biogeochemical cycles and microbes associated with these are correlated with different physical and biological parameters of soil, which have a vast commercial and environmental footprint. Soil biotechnology is considered one of the more effective strategies over conventional systems for waste management, recycling and other treatment approaches. Apart from biogeochemical cycles, aspects of soil biotechnology must include sustainable agriculture, the soil–plant ecosystem, plant nutrient availability, aerobic–anaerobic respiration and bioremediation. This part of science has vast innovative applications, which help in harnessing bioenergy in organic matter, wastewater treatment, industrial effluent treatment, degradation of xenobiotics, control of plant pathogens, processing of organic solid waste, improvement of drinking water quality, etc. In the present scenario, inter-disciplinary research has vast implications for better understanding and acquiring knowledge in soil science. Microbes present in soil and environment can be used for the conservation and remediation of soil and its associated ecosystem. Molecular tools and genetic engineering can be utilised to perceive the population of soil microbes, which can then be utilised to improve soil health, agrosystem and plant productivity. Soil biotechnology has several benefits over traditional methods, like appropriate monitoring of soil condition, soil microbiota mutualism, soil pollution diagnosis and control, and analysis of soil ecosystem stability. Hence, studies on soil biotechnology are one of the major thrust areas in present-day scientific research. Thus, in this book chapter, elaborative and complied information on various consequences of soil biotechnology was focused with a major emphasis on better livelihood, food security, bioremediation, clean energy production and industrial application to achieve a few of the goals of sustainable development.
Review on multiple facets of drug resistance: A rising challenge in the 21st century Mousumi Saha, Agniswar Sarkar Journal of Xenobiotics, 2021 With the advancements of science, antibiotics have emerged as an amazing gift to the human and animal healthcare sectors for the treatment of bacterial infections and other diseases. However, the evolution of new bacterial strains, along with excessive use and reckless consumption of antibiotics have led to the unfolding of antibiotic resistances to an excessive level. Multidrug resistance is a potential threat worldwide, and is escalating at an extremely high rate. Information related to drug resistance, and its regulation and control are still very little. To interpret the onset of antibiotic resistances, investigation on molecular analysis of resistance genes, their distribution and mechanisms are urgently required. Fine-tuned research and resistance profile regarding ESKAPE pathogen is also necessary along with other multidrug resistant bacteria. In the present scenario, the interaction of bacterial infections with SARS-CoV-2 is also crucial. Tracking and in-silico analysis of various resistance mechanisms or gene/s are crucial for overcoming the problem, and thus, the maintenance of relevant databases and wise use of antibiotics should be promoted. Creating awareness of this critical situation among individuals at every level is important to strengthen the fight against this fast-growing calamity. The review aimed to provide detailed information on antibiotic resistance, its regulatory molecular mechanisms responsible for the resistance, and other relevant information. In this article, we tried to focus on the correlation between antimicrobial resistance and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study will help in developing new interventions, potential approaches, and strategies to handle the complexity of antibiotic resistance and prevent the incidences of life-threatening infections.
Water quality assessment of East Kolkata Wetland with a special focus on bioremediation by nitrifying bacteria Mousumi Saha, Agniswar Sarkar, Bidyut Bandyopadhyay Water Science and Technology, 2021 East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) is designated as International Ramsar site and are the hotspot for large-scale wastewater aquaculture practices. However, the continued surveillance of physicochemical properties of water and application of an eco-friendly approach are essential to ensure safe aquaculture practices. In the present study, we assessed the seasonal variation in physicochemical parameters of water across EKW and investigated the role of nitrifying bacteria as probiotics. We statistically analyzed various physicochemical properties of water samples from EKW. Results of the statistical analysis indicated a significant variation in all the physicochemical parameters across the selected water bodies of EKW (p < 0.01). We isolated and enumerated Nitrosomonas sp. and Nitrobacter sp. and assessed their ability to degrade trichloroethylene (TCE). The role of Nitrosomonas sp. and Nitrobacter sp. were further investigated and established through a small-scale experiment. Two microbial isolates, NSW3 and NBW2, displayed superior TCE degradation ability at pH 5, and the application of these strains as probiotics were found to improve the quality of water and survival rate of fishes in the treated experimental tanks. Our findings suggest that the application of the above mixed bacterial cultures in aquaculture could be an effective and environment-friendly approach for safe and productive aquaculture operations.
Genotypes of glycoprotein B gene among the Indian symptomatic neonates with congenital CMV infection Agniswar Sarkar, Dipanwita Das, Sabbir Ansari, Rajendra Prasad Chatterjee, Lopamudra Mishra, Biswanath Basu, Sanat Kumar Ghosh, Mala Bhattacharyay, Nilanjan Chakraborty BMC Pediatrics, 2019 BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus [CMV] is a causative agent of congenital infection worldwide and often leads to neurological deficits and hearing loss in newborns. Infants born with symptomatic congenital Cytomegalovirus infection [cCMV] are at significant high risk for developing adverse long-term outcomes. In this study, we look into the sequence variability of surface glycoprotein B [gB] encoding region in newborns with symptomatic CMV infection for the first time in Eastern region of India. METHODS: 576 suspected newborns from seropositive mothers were subjected to the study and ELISA was used to confirm CMV infection. Different genotypes and their subtypes were determined using multiplex nested-PCR. Viral load of different glycoprotein B [gB] genotypes was measured using RT-PCR. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis was then performed using Bayesian interference. RESULTS: The overall frequency of cCMV infection was 18.4%, where 16.0% neonates were symptomatic. Among the different gB genotypes, gB1 had the highest frequency [23.5%] and gB4 showed the lowest occurrence [5.8%]. 23.5% of symptomatic neonates had mixed genotypes of gB, probably indicating matrenal reinfection with CMV strains in Indian population. Significant genotypic clades [gB1-gB2-gB3-gB5] were grouped closely based on gene sequences, but the gB4 sequence was in the outlier region of the phylogenetic tree indicating the genetic polymorphism. CONCLUSION: This is the first study on cCMV genotyping and its phylogenetic analysis from Eastern Indian neonatal population. The study holds importance in the assessment of cCMV seroprevalence in global perspective. gB protein can be used as a potential therapeutic target against CMV infection.
Identification and typing of Aeromonas hydrophila through 16S rDNA-PCR fingerprinting Evgenia Dunaevskaya Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development, 2012 16S rRNA is a conserved biomolecule within a cell. Sequencing data was analyzed and examined by sequencing the corresponding 16s rDNA regions of isolates from different sources. Specific culture media and different biochemical tests primarily confirmed isolates as Aeromonas hydrophila; those were designed and tested following PCR assays and identified by 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. To automate the method few online and offline computational tools have been used. The method has proven useful for identification of Aeromonas species. Our results emphasize the need to take into account the intragenomic diversity of the 16S rRNA gene. Different software and programme used in this study are freely available online in different website.
RAPD marker as an ideal tool for evolutionary genetics for the analysis of Aeromonas hydrophila Biotechnology an Indian Journal, 2012
RAPD-PCR and SDS-PAGE analysis of Aeromonas hydrophila for defining molecular characterization Biotechnology an Indian Journal, 2012
Isolation and characterization of lead resistant micro-organism from industrial effluent: (A bioremediation approach) Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 2012
Physical characteristics, productive and reproductive performances of comparatively high yielding Deshi Cattle of West Bengal, India Livestock Research for Rural Development, 2007
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Dynamic Pricing with Bi-LSTM Load Forecasting: A Path towards Grid Stability P Mondal, S Sengupta, A Sarkar, A Roy, C Sain, F Ahmad, A Boumaiza IEEE Open Journal of Industry Applications , 2026 2026
Metagenomics: A Modern-day Tool for Exploring the Diverse Microbial Communities of East Kolkata Wetland M Chakraborty, S Das, S Chaurasia, M Saha, A Sarkar Microbiology and Biotechnology Research: An Overview Vol. 1, 8-21 , 2025 2025
Predictive Analysis of Binding Affinity among Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Proteins and Class-I Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC-I) Molecules B Biswas, A Bhaduri, M Saha, D Das, A Sarkar Preprints , 2024 2024
Epigenetic orchestration of the DNA damage response: Insights into the regulatory mechanisms A Mondal, A Sarkar, D Das, A Sengupta, A Kabiraj, P Mondal, R Nag, ... International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology 387, 99-141 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Ecology and remediation of soil: The steps toward modern soil biotechnology R Goswami, S Choudhury, B Bandyopadhyay, A Sarkar, M Saha Soil Microbiome of the Cold Habitats, 199-212 , 2023 2023
14 Ecology and R Goswami, S Choudhury, B Bandyopadhyay, A Sarkar, M Saha Soil Microbiome of the Cold Habitats: Trends and Applications, 199 , 2023 2023
Phylogenetic Characterization of Nitrifying Bacteria Isolated from East Kolkata Wetland M Saha, A Sarkar, B Bandyopadhyay conference BioSangam 2022: Emerging trends in Biotechnology (BIOSANGAM 2022 … , 2022 2022
Review on multiple facets of drug resistance: a rising challenge in the 21st century M Saha, A Sarkar Journal of xenobiotics 11 (4), 197-214 , 2021 2021 Citations: 230
Water quality assessment of East Kolkata Wetland with a special focus on bioremediation by nitrifying bacteria M Saha, A Sarkar, B Bandyopadhyay Water Science and Technology 84 (10-11), 2718-2736 , 2021 2021 Citations: 14
Genotypes of glycoprotein B gene among the Indian symptomatic neonates with congenital CMV infection A Sarkar, D Das, S Ansari, RP Chatterjee, L Mishra, B Basu, SK Ghosh, ... BMC pediatrics 19 (1), 291 , 2019 2019 Citations: 19
Dynamics of culturable microbial fraction in an inceptisol under short-term amendment with municipal sludge from different sources. TR Trisha Roy, DR Biswas, AG Avijit Ghosh, AK Patra, RD Singh, ... 2019
Productivity and profitability of tomato due to irrigation frequency and mulch A Mukherjee, S Sarkar, A Sarkar International Journal of Vegetable Science 24 (1), 43-57 , 2018 2018 Citations: 22
Spread of human immunodeficiency virus 1 among men who have sex with men is emerging as a genuine social concern and affecting the general populace-case reports from Eastern India A Chatterjee, A Sarkar, S Ansari, S Siddhanta, S Banerjee, R Sarkar, ... World Journal of Virology 5 (4), 183 , 2016 2016
Abstract P5-03-03: Designing a novel platinum chemotherapeutic (IO-125) for treatment of breast cancer A Sengupta, M Roy, A Sarkar, S Mylavarapu, S Modi, N Gupta, H B, ... Cancer Research 76 (4_Supplement), P5-03-03-P5-03-03 , 2016 2016
Diagnostic dilemma in reckoning cytomegaloviral infection is prompting increased mortality among abandoned newborns of India A Chatterjee, L Mishra, A Sarkar, RP Chatterjee, S Ansari, M Bhattacharya, ... International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences 5 (12), 43-47 , 2016 2016 Citations: 2
Congenital cytomegaloviral infection causing severe pulmonary hypertension in a newborn with a HIV seropositive mother–a case report from Eastern India A Chatterjee, S Ansari, A Sarkar, L Mishra, M Bhattacharya, KG Sanath J AIDS Clin Res 7 (567), 2 , 2016 2016 Citations: 9
Characterization of molecular mimicry between UL18 glycoprotein of human Cytomegalovirus [HCMV] and class-I MHC molecule through pattern-based analysis: an In-silico approach A Sarkar, A Chatterjee, S Ansari, N Chakraborty J Health Med Informat 7 (230), 2 , 2016 2016 Citations: 2
Phenotypic and molecular characterization and pathology of Flectobacillus roseus causing flectobacillosis in captive held carp Labeo rohita (Ham.) fingerlings H Adikesavalu, A Patra, S Banerjee, A Sarkar, TJ Abraham Aquaculture 439, 60-65 , 2015 2015 Citations: 35
Molecular phylogeny of Myxobolus orissae (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) infecting the gill lamellae of mrigal carp Cirrhinus mrigala (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) TJ Abraham, S Banerjee, A Patra, A Sarkar, H Adikesavalu, G Dash Molecular Biology Research Communications 4 (1), 15 , 2015 2015 Citations: 12
Prospects of diaper disposal and its environmental impacts on populated urban area like Dhaka City SH Rahat, AT Sarkar, SAA Rafie, S Hossain 2nd International Conference on Advances in Civil Engineering 2014, 26-28 , 2014 2014 Citations: 25
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Review on multiple facets of drug resistance: a rising challenge in the 21st century M Saha, A Sarkar Journal of xenobiotics 11 (4), 197-214 , 2021 2021 Citations: 230
Bioremediation of lead by lead-resistant microorganisms, isolated from industrial sample S Chatterjee, A Mukherjee, A Sarkar, P Roy Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology 3 (03), 290-295 , 2012 2012 Citations: 66
Identification and typing of Aeromonas hydrophila through 16S rDNA-PCR fingerprinting M Saha Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development , 2012 2012 Citations: 39
Phenotypic and molecular characterization and pathology of Flectobacillus roseus causing flectobacillosis in captive held carp Labeo rohita (Ham.) fingerlings H Adikesavalu, A Patra, S Banerjee, A Sarkar, TJ Abraham Aquaculture 439, 60-65 , 2015 2015 Citations: 35
Detection of 232bp virulent gene of pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila through PCR based technique:(a rapid molecular diagnostic approach) A Sarkar, M Saha, P Roy Adv Microbiol 3 (01), 83-7 , 2013 2013 Citations: 28
Prospects of diaper disposal and its environmental impacts on populated urban area like Dhaka City SH Rahat, AT Sarkar, SAA Rafie, S Hossain 2nd International Conference on Advances in Civil Engineering 2014, 26-28 , 2014 2014 Citations: 25
Productivity and profitability of tomato due to irrigation frequency and mulch A Mukherjee, S Sarkar, A Sarkar International Journal of Vegetable Science 24 (1), 43-57 , 2018 2018 Citations: 22
Genotypes of glycoprotein B gene among the Indian symptomatic neonates with congenital CMV infection A Sarkar, D Das, S Ansari, RP Chatterjee, L Mishra, B Basu, SK Ghosh, ... BMC pediatrics 19 (1), 291 , 2019 2019 Citations: 19
Effect of phosphorus on yield and nodulation of greengram ( Phaseolus radiatus ), blackgram ( P. mungo ) and rice bean ( Vigna umbellata ). A Sarkar, AK Mukherjee 1991 Citations: 17
Characterization of Aeromonas hydrophila through RAPD-PCR and SDS-PAGE analysis A Sarkar, M Saha, A Patra, P Roy Open Journal of Medical Microbiology 2 (2), 37-40 , 2012 2012 Citations: 16
Water quality assessment of East Kolkata Wetland with a special focus on bioremediation by nitrifying bacteria M Saha, A Sarkar, B Bandyopadhyay Water Science and Technology 84 (10-11), 2718-2736 , 2021 2021 Citations: 14
Molecular phylogeny of Myxobolus orissae (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) infecting the gill lamellae of mrigal carp Cirrhinus mrigala (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) TJ Abraham, S Banerjee, A Patra, A Sarkar, H Adikesavalu, G Dash Molecular Biology Research Communications 4 (1), 15 , 2015 2015 Citations: 12
Integrated horticulture development in eastern Himalayas AN Sarkar MD Publications Pvt. Ltd. , 1994 1994 Citations: 12
Isolation, characterization and protein profiling of lead resistant bacteria S Chatterjee, J Das, S Chatterjee, P Choudhuri, A Sarkar British Microbiology Research Journal 4 (1), 116-131 , 2013 2013 Citations: 10
Congenital cytomegaloviral infection causing severe pulmonary hypertension in a newborn with a HIV seropositive mother–a case report from Eastern India A Chatterjee, S Ansari, A Sarkar, L Mishra, M Bhattacharya, KG Sanath J AIDS Clin Res 7 (567), 2 , 2016 2016 Citations: 9
Development of molecular identification of nitrifying bacteria in water bodies of east Kolkata wetland, West Bengal M Saha, A Sarkar, B Bandhopadhyay Journal of Bioremediation & Biodegradation 5 (1) , 2013 2013 Citations: 8
Introduction to establish the comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences with amoA and nxrA for nitrifying bacteria isolated from East Kolkata wetland: an international … M Saha, A Sarkar, B Bandhophadhyay 2014 Citations: 7
Reasons for low employability of engineering graduates AK Sarkar, SK Choudhury Business Today (April 10, 2014 , 2014 2014 Citations: 6
Rice bean-a new crop for sustaining pulse production in India. AK Mukherjee, A Sarkar 1991 Citations: 3
Epigenetic orchestration of the DNA damage response: Insights into the regulatory mechanisms A Mondal, A Sarkar, D Das, A Sengupta, A Kabiraj, P Mondal, R Nag, ... International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology 387, 99-141 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2