Publications

2025

1. J. Microbiol. Meth.

   

   Integrating Kinetic Models, Gene Circuits, and Biofilm Dynamics for Enhanced Exopolysaccharide Production in Nitrifying Bacterial Consortia

   Indhuja Sakthivel, Boobal Rangaswamy, Bharathkumar Rajagopal, and 1 more author

   Journal of Microbiological Methods, 2025

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   Bacterial consortia enriched from domestic wastewater were studied through kinetic and genetic circuit modeling to optimize extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production and nitrogen removal. This study integrates kinetic modelling and synthetic biology to optimize consortia performance. Growth kinetics were simulated using extended Monod and Verhulst models, under controlled nitrogen flux (10 ppm NH₄Cl), yielding a maximum biomass concentration (OD₅₉₀ = 5.39) and an EPS production of 2.63 g/L by day 45. The Monod model described the specific growth rate (μ) as a function of nitrogen concentration (Sₙ), while the Verhulst model estimated biomass accumulation over time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the gradual development of biofilms, starting from scattered clusters, and progressing to dense structures. Nitrogen flux analysis revealed that 80% of ammonia was oxidized by autotrophic bacteria (AOB/NOB). PCR amplification confirmed the presence of the exoY gene, which was used to build a BUFFER-gate logic gene circuit for controlling succinoglycan production. Through focused genetic and kinetic optimization, this study demonstrates effective nitrification, providing a strong framework for wastewater treatment and biofilm engineering.

2. Manuscript in review

   Development and characterization of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. nanosuspension: A strategy to enhance bioavailability and antioxidant potential of plant bioactives

   Indhuja Sakthivel, Lathika Shanmugam, Bharathkumar Rajagopal, and 1 more author

   Nanotechnology for Environmental Engineering, 2025
3. Manuscript in prep.

   Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using endophytic bacteria isolated from Andrographis paniculata and its potential applications as anticancer and antibacterial agents

   Bharathkumar Rajagopal, Velusamy Abiraj, and R. Ragunathan

   2025
4. Manuscript in prep.

   Functional dynamics revealing metacommunity and organisation of microbial populations in lentic environment

   Surya Balakrishnan,  Bharathkumar Rajagopal^§, Abiraj Velusamy^§, and 1 more author

   2025

2024

1. Thesis

   In Vitro Toxicity Assessment of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Chinese Hamster Lung fibroblast cells (V-79)

   Bharathkumar Rajagopal

   Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh: Unpublished Master’s Thesis, 2024

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