Environmental Genomics Laboratory
Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology,
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
RESEARCH AREAS
The group focuses on assessing various abiotic and biotic factors affecting microbial diversity in agricultural systems by employing traditional techniques of enumeration as well as state-of-the-art molecular microbiology approaches. We aim to develop strategies for promoting environmental sustainability in view of the critical levels of ecosystem deterioration. Following are the current areas of interest of the group:
Plant-Microbe Interactions for Climate Action
We are constantly working towards agricultural sustainability by maintaining soil health through its biotic component, the microbiome. This is attempted by bridging the age-old gap between basic sciences and applied sciences in the area. From designing efficient consortia and developing their formulations, to tracking the strains in plant growth experiments and establishing their mechanisms of action via target and non-target impacts, our research can be comfortably tagged as “holistic.” Some of the specific topics we work on are as follows:
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Rhizosphere engineering by top-down and bottom-up approaches for plant growth promotion and stress mitigation
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Surveillance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes in agroecosystems
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Development of next-generation bioformulations
Microbial Innovations and One Health
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Beyond plant host models, we also explore broader applications of microbiomes for environmental sustainability, often through interdisciplinary collaborations. Our research spans from monitoring soil and plant health to understanding and suppressing the risks of human pathogens under both agricultural and clinical settings. Past and ongoing directions of interest include:
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Assessment of soil and plant health using satellite hyperspectral imaging
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Analysis of the impact of different agricultural practices on soil health
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Designing of microbe-based solutions for the management of human pathogens
