Personal Information

Dr. Rameshkumar Marimuthu Ragavan
MSc (Microbiology, University of Madras, Chennai), PhD (Microbiology, Presidency College, Chennai), Postdoctoral Fellow (YRG CARE, Chennai), Scientist B (ICMR-NIE, Chennai), Postdoctoral Fellow (Tel Aviv University, Israel)
918056746164
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Molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance.
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Bacterial immunity against Bacteriophages, Bacteriophage genetics and therapeutics.
Educational Qualifications
- PhD, Microbiology (2011-2017), Presidency College (Autonomous), Affiliated to University of Madras, Chennai – 05, Tamil Nadu, India.
- MSc, Microbiology (2008-2010), Presidency College (Autonomous), Affiliated to University of Madras, Chennai – 05, Tamil Nadu, India.
- BSc, Plant Biology & Biotechnology (2005-2008), Presidency College (Autonomous), Affiliated to University of Madras, Chennai – 05, Tamil Nadu, India. [FIRST RANK]
Work Experience
- Postdoctoral Fellow (2017-2019), Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE), VHS Hospital Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Scientist-B (2019-2023), Laboratory Division, ICMR- National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Ayapakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Postdoctoral Fellow (2023-2025), Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Assistant Professor (April 2025 - to date), Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Rajasthan, India.
Awards Received
- Anand Rao Memorial Award - November 2023
- Dr. Narasingam Arunagirinathan’s Best Research Scholar Award –September 2016.
- Dr. Hansel Fletcher and Dr. A. Wilson Aruni Scholarship Award - December 2014.
- Scholarship Award from HIV SCIENCE 2014 – January 2014.
- Best Paper Award (Poster) - December 2013.
- First Prize for Poster Presentation - February 2013.
- Dr. P. Rajendran’s Young Scientist Award - December 2012.
- Kunnath Pharmaceutical Award - September 2012.
Professional Membership
- Life Member, Indian Association of Applied Microbiologists (LM- 180).
- Life Member, Society for Biotechnologists (India) (L-640).
- Life Member, Indian Science congress Association (ISCA-L23737).
My Research Area
My research focuses on understanding bacteriophage–bacteria interactions, with a particular emphasis on anti-phage defense systems. We aim to uncover novel molecular mechanisms by which bacteria protect themselves against diverse families of phages. Additionally, our work explores the genomes of bacteriophages to identify and characterize new functions of phage-encoded proteins.
In parallel, my lab is engaged in the systematic isolation and characterization of novel phage clones from a range of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These phages will be developed as potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics, with applications in combating antimicrobial-resistant bacterial pathogens in clinical, agricultural, and environmental contexts.
Reviewer of Peer-reviewed Journals
- Journal of Infection and Public Health (Q1)
- Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (Q1)
- Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health (Q2)
- Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance (Q1)
S. No. | Authors | Title of Article | Journal/Conference Details | Journal/Conference | Publication Year |
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1 | Mahata T, Kanarek K, Goren MG, Rameshkumar MR, Bosis E, Qimron U, Salomon D. | Gamma-Mobile-Trio systems are mobile elements rich in bacterial defensive and offensive tools. | Nature Microbiology. 2024, 23:1-6. IF: 20.5 | Journal | 2024 |
Attended
Invited Lectures / Paper presentation / Symposium and workshop attended:
Invited Lecture
- Drug-resistant Bacterial Infections in Human Mouth in Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai on 19th January 2019.
- Delivered a talk on All India Radio (AIR) on Global Warming- New Microbes & Diseases, this was broadcast on 16.8.10.
Paper Presentation (Abroad)
- GAPS14-encoded Mrr Restriction Endonuclease Protects Against Bacteriophages. EMBO Workshop: The Immune System of Bacteria, held on April 8-10, 2025, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Paper Presentation (India)
- FDA approved antiviral drugs and phytocompounds as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 protein targets. 3rd International Conference on “Global Trends in Sustainable Technology and its applications in Applied Sciences” held on 30th-31st October 2023, REVA University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
- Molecular characterization of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from HIV patients, Southern India. 22nd ADNAT International Symposium on Antibiotic Resistance – One Health Perspective held on March 5-9, 2019, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India.
- Report of NDM-1 and NDM-5 genes among Gram-negative bacterial isolates from HIV patients in South India. 15th IAAM National Conference on Microbes across Boundaries (MAB-2017) at Vivekananda College of Arts and Sciences for Women, Tiruchengode, from 22nd and 23rd September 2017.
- Screening of β-lactamase inhibitors from phytochemicals using in silico and in vitro approaches14th National Level Conference of Indian Association of Applied Microbiologists on Transitional and Translational Scenarios in Biological Sciences Organized by Department of Microbiology, Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College, Coimbatore on 9th and 10th September 2016.
- Molecular detection of TEM, CTX-M and integron 1 genes among bacteria from tap water collected from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. 13th National conference of Indian Association of Applied Microbiologists on Sustainability, Challenges and Advances in Biological Sciences organized by Departments of Biological Science, Muthayammal College of Arts and Science on 18th and 19th December 2015.
- Molecular detection of extended spectrum β-lactamase producing multi drug resistant bacteria with special reference to metallo and AmpC β-lactamase production among HIV patients from South India. 102nd Indian Science Congress Association, Organized by University of Mumbai on 3-7th January 2015.
- Molecular detection of β-lactamases producing genes (TEM, SHV, CTX-M, PER & OXA) with special reference to Integron 1 and 2 among multidrug resistant bacteria from HIV patients in South India. 12th National Conference of Indian Association of Applied Microbiologist on Global Trends and Challenges in Biosciences, Organized by Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women on 5th and 6th December 2014.
- Multi Drug Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Urinary Tract Infected HIV Patients and Docking Studies on Detection Of Β-Lactamase Inhibitors from Phytochemicals. International Symposium on Genetic Analysis Translational and Developmental and Annual Meeting of Society for Biotechnologists (India), Organized by Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, West Bengal, India 21st to 23rd November 2014.
- Molecular detection of TEM, SHV and CTX-M among extended spectrum β-lactamases producing bacteria with special reference to Class 1 Integrons from HIV patients in South India. 55th National conference on Empowering Mankind with Microbial Technologies, Organized by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India 12th -14th November 2014.
- Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMT) drug resistance with Co Resistance to Extended Spectrum β-Lactam antibiotics among bacterial isolates from HIV infected patients. 2nd International Science Symposium on HIV SCIENCE 2014 Organized by YRG CARE, Chennai, India, 30th January -1st February 2014.
- Molecular Detection of Bla CTX-M Gene from Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing Bacterial isolates from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients, Regional Rural Science Congress jointly Organised by the Indian Science Congress Association and SRM University in SRM Universdity, Kattankulathur, India,12th – 13th December 2013.
- Molecular Detection of Bla CTX-M Gene from Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing Bacterial isolates from HIV/Non-HIV patients, 11th IAAM National Conference on Recent Developments in Microbiology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, 29th – 30th November 2013.
- Screening the β- Lactamases (ESBL, MBL and AmpC) Producing Bacterial Isolates from Clinical Samples by Combination Disc Method. National Conference on Microbiology and Biotechnology: Rising to the Challenges of Times, Department of Microbiology, Madras Christian College, Chennai, 18th & 19th February 2013.
- Antibacterial activity of bark extract of Terminalia arjuna (roxb.) Against ESBL producing pathogenic bacteria from Urinary Tract Infections. 10th IAAM National Conference on Exploring the Potentials of Microbes for Biosciences, Biotechnology & Medicine, National Center for Environmental Nuclear Research, SRM University, Chennai, 17th – 18th Dec. 2012.
- Detection of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing Bacteria from Urinary Tract Infections from Chennai. Annual Meeting of the Society for Biotechnologists (India) & National Conference on “Current Scenario in Biotechnology”. K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, 27 – 29th Sep. 2012.
Workshop Attended
- Participated in the 6th Edition of Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) Workshop organized by YRG Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE), Chennai and Sri Ramachandra institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai from 26 to 28th April 2019.
- Participated in the Hands-on Workshop on Antibiotic Resistance: Let’s Get Practical, Organized by Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (India) with Association for the Promotion of DNA Fingerprinting and other DNA Technologies (ADNAT) from 8 to 11th March 2019.
- Participated in the National Workshop on Cheminformatics in Modern Drug Discovery, Organized by Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility Centre, Queen Mary’s College (Autonomous), on 13th and 14th December 2018.
- Participated in the BIRAC Workshop on Bio-Entrepreneurship. Grant Writing and IPR Management, Organized by Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu on 7th and 8th January 2016.
- Participated in the Workshop cum Continue Medical Education (CME) program on Genomics for Personalized and Precision Medicine, Organized by Frontier Mediville on 6th June 2015.
- Participated in the National Seminar cum Workshop on Microbial Phylogenetics & Proteomics Organized by Department of Biotechnology Alagappa University, Science Campus, Tamil Nadu during February 12 - 14, 2014.
- Participated in Hands on Training in Essential Molecular Techniques in Clinical Applications, Held at Frontier Mediville, Gummidipoondi, Tamil Nadu during 17th – 19th, October, 2012.
- Participated in One Day National Seminar Cum Workshop on Applied Plant Genomics,held at Presidency College (Autonomous), Chennai on 13th, July, 2012.
- Underwent Internship training at Arvind Remedies Pvt. Ltd., Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India as a Microbiologist (Quality Control) from 2nd June 2009 to 1st June 2009.
Title | Attachment File | Other Link |
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Google Scholar | https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=chDTUjYAAAAJ&hl=en |