PRAKASH KUMAR B

PRAKASH KUMAR B Professor in Biochemistry School of Biosciences Mahatma Gandhi University,P.D Hills Kottayam Pin- 686 560 E-mail: pkbshenoy@gmail.com, prakashkumar@mgu.ac.in Phone: 09447959320

Presently working as a Professor in Biochemistry in School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.

Educational Qualification

• Ph.D, from Sree Chithira Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology for the work on`Biochemical correlates of cardiac fibrogenesis in response to Magnesium deficiency and Cerium`.Ph.D awarded in June 1997.
• Master’s degree in Biochemistry from Department of Biochemistry University of Kerala in 1991 with first class (71%).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from University of Kerala in 1989 with distinction (87%).

Details of Ph.D programme

• Ph.D, from Sree Chithira Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology for the work on `Biochemical correlates of cardiac fibro genesis in response to Magnesium deficiency and Cerium`.
• Year of Award : 1997
• Name of Guide : Dr. K Shivakumar, Scientist E Division of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology,Sree Chithira Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences & Technology Medical College Campus Tvm – 695 011
• Broad area of work : Biochemistry.

Administrative experience

• 5 years as Project Coordinator to DBT BUILDER Programme in School of Biosciences: Manpower management of 3 Assistant Professors, 1 Technical Assistant and 9 Research Scholars who were appointed in this programme. I was in charge of the monitoring research works, introducing new programme purchase of equipments, maintenance of cash books, preparing reports, preparing audit reports. The programme also helped in establishing a good instrumentation facility, Animal cell culture facility and Animal house for the use of all research scholars in the University
• 1 year as member and 6 months as the Joint Director of NAAC Cell of Mahatma Gandhi University it was possible for me to help Prepare the AQAR as well as the Self study Report to be submitted to NAAC for the accreditation process. In addition I was also involved in verifying API scores of faculty members of the University Department who had applied for promotions as the performance based appraisal system introduced by the UGC
• 3 years as Course Coordinator for students of Master Programme in Biochemistry and 1 year as the Course coordinator for M.Phil programme in Biosciences in School of Biosciences. This involved maintain student’s performance records, coordinating conduct of Examinations (preparing question papers, evaluation of answer sheets, preparing marksheets, meeting with parents) and declaration of results.
• Presently I am also functioning as the Honorary Director of the Inter University Center for Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture (IUCOFSA) and am involved in setting up a live laboratory for organic farming (reclamation of a paddy field which has not been cultivated for more than six years), initiating an Organic farming literacy programme in the District of Kottayam, Kerala, Setting up a Rain shelter for training on small scale organic farming of Vegetables

Work experience and knowledge in the field of Biosciences

Total Years of Teaching Experience: Since June 1995 (21 Years and 8 months)
Research experience: 1 Ph.D awarded, 1 submitted, 8 students registered for Ph.D
No: Papers Published: 21;
Citation indices             All
Citations                        175
h-index                            7
i10-index                        6

Teaching: The work involves conduct of Lectures, practical sessions, and supervision of project work of the students. My main area of teaching interest includes Basic Biochemistry, Protein Chemistry and Enzymology.

Research areas: The area of my research interest include

• Isolation and characterization of Inhibitors for Lipoxygenase / Cycloxygenase pathway which play an important role in process of inflammatory response.
• Inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines in control of inflammatory process
• Studies on use of three dimensional model for tumor growth in vitro to analyze the effect of anti tumor and anti inflammatory bioactive molecules on tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis
• Identification of bioactive molecules for controlling obesity

Date of approval as research guide in M.G University: 10/ 11/ 2006, as per University order AC.AVI/1/4756/RG/06 dtd. 10/ 11/ 2006

No: Ph.D produced: 01
Ph.D thesis submitted: 01
Registered for Ph.D: 08

Service Details

• November 28th 2014 to Present: Professor, School of Biosciences
• January 22nd 2010 to November 28th 2014: Reader/Associate Professor, School of Biosciences
• June 5th 2007 to January 21st 2010: Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, St.Thomas College,Pala
• Upto June 5th 2007 from 5th June 1995: Lecturer/ Lecturer senior scale/ Lecturer Selection Grade, Department of Biochemistry, St.Thomas College, Pala

Details of Academic Seminars/Conferences attended

National

• 97th Indian Science congress held at University of Kerala from 3rd -7th January 2010. Also Chaired the Symposium on Biochemistry I in the section of Medical Sciences (including physiology)
• 36th National Conference of Association of Clinical Biochemists of India from 5th-7th November 2009 held at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and research center, Kochi.
• Nineteenth midyear meeting of the Indian Academy of Sciences held in Indian Institute of Sciences as a teacher participant from 3-5 July 2008
• Workshop on DNA Finger printing techniques organized by at NBFGR Cochin Unit held at CMFRI campus Cochin during 06 – 16 March 2006.
• Resource generation Camp for innovative teaching and research in Chemistry organized by Homi Bhabha center for Science education and Indian Association of Chemistry teachers at St.Thomas College from 6-7 January 2007.
• UGC Sponsored National Workshop on “Advanced Techniques in Biotechnology” organized by the Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Holy Cross College, Nagercoil from 26th to 28th March 2005.
• National Symposium on Tropical Diseases and Aids held at Thiruvananthapuram on 22nd & 23rd March 1995

State level

• 22nd Kerala Science Congress held at Kerala Forest Research Institute from 28th – 31st January 2010.
• 20th Kerala Science Congress held at Thiruvananthapuram during 28 to 31 January 2008
• UGC Sponsored Seminar on Nutrigenomics: An innovative solution to lifestyle disorders organized by Department of Industrial Microbiology, Government College, Thiruvananthapuram from 24th to 26th September 2008
• Lecture workshop on Current topics in Chemistry organized by Department of Biochemistry, St.Thomas College, Pala and sponsored by Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, Indian National Science academy, New Delhi and The National Academiy of Sciences, Allahabad on 10 and 11 April 2008
• UGC Sponsored Refresher Course organized by Department of Marine Biology Microbiology & Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology from 1-12-2004 to 21-12-2004.
• UGC Sponsored Refresher Course in Life Sciences organized by Academic Staff College, University of Kerala from 8-3-2000 to 29-3-2000.
• UGC Sponsored Orientation Course in Multidiscipline organized by Academic Staff College, University of Kerala from 21-1-1999 to 24-2-1999.

Workshops conducted

• National level workshop on Molecular Docking and Drug Discovery at School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University from 23-25 March 2015
• Organized a Workshop on Basic Techniques in Applied Biosciences (B-TAB) in the Department, February 19-21st, 2004 at St.Thomas College, Pala

Workshop attended

• National level workshop on Molecular Docking and Drug Discovery at School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University from 23-25 March 2015
• Hands on training course in “Use of Cell Culture technology for studying Apoptosis and Angiogenesis” held at the Department of studies in Biotechnology,University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore from 24/1/2011 to 31/1/2011.

Conference Organized

• International Conference on Emerging Trends in Organic farming and sustainable Agriculture from December 29-31 2016 at Mahatma Gandhi University,Kottayam

List of publications

• Mohan MC, Abhimannue AP, Prakash KB. Identification and characterization of berberine in Tinospora cordifolia by liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS Q-tof) and evaluation of its anti inflammatory potential. Pharmacog J. 2017;9(1):73-82.
• Jenny Jacob, Bashi M. Babu, Mohind C. Mohan, Anu P Abhimannue, B. Prakash Kumar. Inhibition of proinflammatory pathways by bioactive fraction of Tinospora cordifolia . Feb 2017 · Inflammopharmacology
• Dhanya Krishnan Radhakrishnan, Sunitha Mary Chacko, Prakash Kumar Bhaskara, Sukumaran Sandya, Nevin Kottayath Govindan. Polyphenolic extract from coconut kernel modulates apoptotic genes, reactive oxygen species production, and prevent proliferation of human colon cancer cell line.International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology Accepted: 9th September, 2016
• Anu P. Abhimannue, Mohind C. Mohan, Esha Kuriakose, Prakash Kumar B. In silico screening of bioactive molecules from Elephantopus scaber Linn. for binding with cardiac potassium ion channels, Kir2.1 and Kir3.1,. Accepted for publication in International Journal of Practical Biochemistry and Biophysics Vol 1 Issue 1; 2016
• Chinmayee Acharya, Chitta R. Panda, B. Prakash Kumar, Abhisek Sasmal,Suman Shekhar, Akhil K. Sen. Physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of sodium alginate/gelatine basedsilver nanoformulations. Polymer Bulletin Accepted 30 June 2016 DOI 10.1007/s00289-016-1738-8
•  Chithambaram Sujatha Anusha, Bhaskara Prakash Kumar, Hariharan Sini,Kottayath Govindan Nevin Antioxidant Aerva lanata Extract suppresses proliferation and induce Mitochondria mediated Apoptosis in Human Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. Journal of Experimental and Integrative Medicine 2 (2015) 1213–1221
• Anu P.Abhimannue, Mohind C.Mohan, Prakash Kumar B.Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis factor-α and Interleukin 1β production in Lipopolysaccharide stimulated Monocytes by Methanolic extract of Elwphantopus scaber Linn and Identification of Bioactive components Appl Biochem Biotechnol (2016) doi 10.1007/s12010-
  016-2004-0
•  Sunitha M Chacko, Kottayath G Nevin, R Dhanyakrishnan, B Prakash Kumar.Protective effect of p-Coumaric acid against doxorubicin induced toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell lines. Toxicology Reports 2 9 (2015) 1213-1221.
•  Prakash Kumar B, Anu P.Abhimannue, Mohind C.Mohan, Jenny Jacob, Bashi M.Babu INHIBITION OF LIPOXYGENASE BY ELEPHANTOPUS SCABER EXTRACT AND DETERMINATION OF I TS INHIBITION PATTERN. J Adv Sci Res, 2015, 6(1): 01-05
•  Jenny Jacob, Prakash Kumar B. Dual COX/LOX inhibition: screening and evaluation of effect of medicinal plants of Kerala as Anti-inflammatory agents Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2015; 3(6): 62-66
• Jenny Jacob, Prakash K.B., Anu P. Abhimannue, Mohind M., Bashi M. Babu Inhibition of lipoxygenase enzymes by extracts of Tinospora cordifolia: A study of enzyme kinetics Journal of Natural Products, Vol. 7(2014): 203-209
•  Jenny Jacob, Prakash Kumar B Ayurvedic Herb, Tinospora cordifolia: Validation of Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Activity by Effect on Inflammatory Mediators, TNF-α and Lipoxygenase isozymes. Journal of Pharmacy Research 2013, 1(9), 861-864
• Prakash Kumar B, Jenny Jacob, Jomy Augustine Dual Inhibition of Lipoxygenase/Cyclooxygenase by An Ayurvedic Herb, Tinospora cordifolia(WILLD.); Possible Explanation for Anti-inflammatory Activity Journal of
  Pharmacy Research Vol.4.Issue 6. June 2011
•  Cincy George, Sunny Kuriakose, Prakash Kumar B & Tessymol Mathew. 2010 Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial applications of water soluble Silver nanoparticle encapsulated β cyclodextrin. J. Supramolecular Chemistry First published on: 09 June 2010 (iFirst) URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10610278.2010.487565
•  K SanthoshKumar, B Prakash Kumar, M.M.Mathew 2009 Effect of carbofuran on defence related enzymes in the calli of Cucumis sativus Linn. Plant Cell Biotechnology and Molecular Biology 10(3&4): 101-106
•  Jenny Jacob, Sabine Ittoop. Prakash Kumar B. 2008. Cuminum Cyminum,Vernonia Anthemintica, Carum Carvi: Comparative Evaluation of Anti-bacterial Activity. STARS Vol 2 No 2 129- 133.
•  Prakash Kumar, B., Sunita D` Souza, L., Shivakumar, K., Rathinam, K. 1995.Cerium stimulates protein biosynthesis in rat heart in vivo. Biological Trace Element Research. Vol: 50, 237-242.
• Prakash Kumar, B., Shivakumar, K., Kartha, C. C., Rathinam, K. 1996.Magnesium deficiency and Cerium promotes fibro genesis in rat heart. Bull.Environ. Contam. Toxicol. Vol: 57, 517-524.
• Prakash Kumar, B., Shivakumar, K., Kartha, C. C. 1997. Magnesium deficiency related changes in lipid per oxidation and collagen metabolism in vivo in rat heart. Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. Vol: 29 (1), 129-134.
•  Prakash Kumar, B., Shivakumar, K.1998. Alterations in collagen metabolism and increased fibro proliferation in Cerium treated rats: implications for pathogenesis of endomyocardial fibrosis. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. Vol:63, 73-79.
• Prakash Kumar, B., Shivakumar, K.1997.Depressed antioxidant defense in rat heart in experimental Magnesium deficiency- Implications for pathogenesis of myocardial lesion. Biological Trace Element Research. Vol: 60,139-144.
•  Shivakumar, K., Prakash Kumar, B. 1997. Magnesium deficiency enhances oxidative stress and collagen synthesis in vivo in the aorta of rats. Int. J.Biochem. Cell Biol. Vol: 29 (11) 1273-1278.

Conference Proceedings

• Chinchu J U, Mohind C Mohan, Prakash Kumar B. Ayurvedic decoction varanadi kashayam inhibits adipogenesis through downregulation of adipokine expression in 3T3-L1 cells 30 th Kerala Science congress, Govt.College, Brennen, 28-30 January 2018
•  Anu P Abhimannue, Mohind C Mohan, Prakash Kumar B. Bioactive components from Elephantopus scaber Linn with inhibitory potential on proinflammatory markers 30 th Kerala Science congress, Govt.College, Brennen, 28-30 January 2018
•  Mohind Mohan, Prakash Kumar B. In silico approach to study the anti inflammatory activity of Yogaraja Guggulu vatika. Oral presentation at the International Seminar on recent Biochemical approaches in therapeutics RBAT- IV held at Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom
  organized by Society for Biological Chemists Kerala Chapter January 23-25,2018
•  Prakash Kumar B. Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α): Search for new lead molecules. Invited Talk at the International Seminar on recent Biochemical approaches in therapeutics RBAT- IV held at Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom organized by Society for Biological Chemists Kerala Chapter January 23-25, 2018
•  Robin Augustine, Nandakumar Klarikkal, Prakash Kumar B, Sabu Thomas.Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the Fiber Diameter and Morphology of Electrospun Polycaprolactone. Poster Presented at II nd International conference on nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Application ICN- 2012 organized
  by Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Mahatma Gandhi University on 12 th – 15 th January 2012
•  Anju Paul, Prakash Kumar B, Nandakumar K, Sabu Thomas. Electrospun Fibrous Mat as potential scaffolds for tissue engineering: A review. Poster Presented at II nd International conference on nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Application ICN- 2012 organized by Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Mahatma Gandhi University on 12 th – 15 th January 2012
•  Robin Augustine, Deepa Mohanan, Prakash Kumar B, Radhakrishnan E K Nandakumar Klarikkal Sabu Thomas. Pectinates Infiltrated non-woven polycaprolactone membranes as antibacterial wound dressings. Poster Presented at II nd International conference on nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Application ICN- 2012 organized by Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Mahatma Gandhi University on 12 th – 15 th January 2012
•  S. Shilpa, Prakash Kumar B, Parvathy Ashok. Production and Structural Elucidation of Polyhydroxybutyrate(PHB) using Whey protein as the sole Carbon Source by the soil Bacterial isolates. Poster presentation at 23 rd Kerala Science Congress held at Center for Earth Science studies, Thiruvananthapuram from 29-31 January 2011
•  Jenny Jacob, Prakash Kumar B, Screening and phytochemical profiling of medicinal plants from Kerala for dual inhibition of LOX and COX-2 enzymes. Poster presentation at 23 rd Kerala Science Congress held at Center for Earth Science studies, Thiruvananthapuram from 29-31 January 2011
•  Anagha.S., Meenu. Maria Geroge., Prakash Kumar B. 2010. Dry cell powder of Azotobacter elicits phenolic compound production in callus suspension cultures of Ocimum basilicum. Accepted for publication in Proceedings of 22 nd KERALA SCIENCE CONGRESS Peechi, Thrissur. 28-31 January 2010.
• Jenny Jacob, Prakash Kumar B, Vasudevan Namboothiri. 2010. Effective microorganisms: evaluation of potential application in waste water treatment. Paper presented at National Seminar on Water Pollution and control measures Sponsored by U.G.C and KSCSTE held at Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta on
  28-30 July 2010.
•  Prakash Kumar B, Roopa John., Shilpa S. 2010. Use of chitinolytic microorganisms in control of phytopathogens. Paper presented at National Seminar on Water Pollution and control measures Sponsored by U.G.C and KSCSTE held at catholicate College, Pathanamthitta on 28-30 July 2010.

List of ongoing projects

• In vitro studies on the therapeutic potential of free radical scavengers from
  Kokilaksham kashayam on macrophage cells in regulation of chronic
  inflammation No 235/WSD-BLP/KSCSTE/2016- 17 dated 20/03/2017 Rs 25.70
  lakhs funded by KSCSTE
• Project coordinator for DBT sponsored BOOST TO UNIVERSITY INTERDISCIPLINARY LIFE SCIENCE DEPARTMENTS FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (BUILDER) Programme sanctioned to School of Bioscience for a total outlay of Rs 4.5 CRORES

List of completed projects

• Project coordinator for DBT sponsored BOOST TO UNIVERSITY INTERDISCIPLINARY LIFE SCIENCE DEPARTMENTS FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (BUILDER) Programme sanctioned to School of Bioscience for a total outlay of Rs 4.5 CRORES
• Minor Research project from UGC has been sanctioned as per order number(MRP (S)- 415/08 09/KLMG027/UGC-SWRO dated 30 March 2009) for project titled SCREENING OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR DUAL INHIBITION OF LIPOXYGENASE (LOX) AND CYCLOOXYGENASE (COX).
• “In vitro studies on inhibition of eicosanoid metabolism for control of arthritis by extracts of stem of Tinospora cordifolia” at a total cost of Rs. 21.17 lakhs(Rupees Twenty One lakhs Seventeen thousand only) funded by DBT New Delhi, BT/PR14926/PBD/17/720/2010
•  Evaluation of methanolic extracts Elephantopus scaber for inhibitors of 5- lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at a total cost of 17.72 lakhs (rupees fifteen lakhs seventy two thousand only) By KSCSTE, Kerala as per order No 015/SRSLS/2010/CSTE

Invited Talks & Lectures

•  Talk on Integrated approaches in Life science Education: New Biology at Department of Zoology, S.B College, Changanacherry, Kerala, as Part of Science day lecture on 28th February 2017.
•  Resource Person for ICMR Sponsored National Workshop –cum-Training Programme on “ Plant Drug Discovery and Development” on April 7-9, 2016 held at Center for Medicinal Plant Research, Arya Vaidya Salal, Kottakal, Kerala
• Resource person for Directorate of Collegiate Education funded Two day National Seminar on “Modern Trends in Phytochemistry” on February 1st and 2nd 2016 held at Post Graduate Department of Botany Maharajas’s College,Ernakulam
• Chaired a Session for National Conference on Heavy Metals in Environment sponsored by DoECC, MoES & CSIR, organized by School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam held from 28th to 30th November 2013.

Other Details
1. Fellowships awarded:
a) Kerala University Merit Scholarship 1986- `89.
b) U.G.C. – J.R.F. & Lectureship December 1991.
c) C.S.I.R. – S.R.F. May 1995.

2. Member of Boards of Journals:
1. Member Editorial Board for International Journal of Practical Biochemistry and Biophysics
2. Reviewer for Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry,Nanobiomedicine and Engineering