Personal Information

Dr. Khem Raj Meena

Assistant Professor
Department of Biotechnology

M.Sc., Ph.D. (Biotechnology)

khemraj_meena@curaj.ac.in

91

Antibiotics,  Antimicrobials, Antimicrobial Resistance, Microbiology, Microbial Enzymes, 

Academics credentials

Ph.D. (Biotechnology) from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla (2018)

Thesis title: Purification, characterization and applications of lipopeptide from  Bacillus subtilis KLP2015

Supervisor: Dr. (Prof). SS Kanwar

               M.Sc. (Biotechnology) from North Bengal University (W.B) (2011).

               B.Sc. (Biotechnology) from Rajasthan University, Jaipur (2009)

Fellowships/Awards      

Dr. DS Kothari Post-Doctoral Fellowship (UGC, New Delhi) awarded in 2019 to conduct Research in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi (Offer declined)

CSIR-NET awarded in 2015 by CSIR, New Delhi

ARS-NET awarded in 2013 by ASRB, New Delhi

DBT-JRF awarded in 2011 by DBT, New Delhi

Third prize in poster competition at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla (2015)

Third Prize in quiz competition at HPU, Shimla

Memberships

  • Life member of the Indian Science Congress (Membership No. L30933).
  • Member of European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; Membership No. 517556
  • Member of British Society of Chemotherapy (Member No. 108038)
  • Member of Biotech Research Society of India (Membership No. LM 2781)

Major Research Interest of the Laboratory 

Development of novel types of antimicrobial peptides for the management of drug-resistant Salmonella enterica

Resistant pathogenic bacteria, Salmonella, pose a significant threat to public health worldwide. Up to 10 million deaths could occur annually by 2050 due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Our lab is interested in developing novel peptides and FraB deglycase-based control drug-resistant Salmonella strain by producing antivirulence compounds/path blockers. Our laboratory is also focusing on synthesizing new types of peptides to inhibit  ‘superbug’ pathogenic strains using novel approaches.

Understanding the molecular mechanism of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of drug-resistant bacteria

To develop new peptides to tackle pathogenic/environmental strains, it is first important to understand the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance. Therefore, our lab is also interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying antibiotic/drug resistance. 

 

Exploring the bacterial diversity of Pushkar Lake and Ana Sagar Lake and its functional genomics study 

Pushkar Lake is an unexplored place for the study of bacterial diversity, including their potential applications. Pushkar Lake is a major pilgrimage site where many devotees come to worship Lord Brahma, followed by a sacred bath to purify them and offer good wishes. In our study, we extend our work by isolating and characterizing bacteria from Pushkar lake water to profile antimicrobial resistance, investigate functional genomics, and assess microbial pathogenicity. 

 

  • DST-SERB, Govt. of India funded project (Rs. ~ 37 lac); 2022-26
  • DST-Rajasthan funded research project ( Rs. 13 lac); 2025-27
  • Seed Grant- Central University of Rajastha ( Rs. 12 Lac); 2024-25

Attended

  • Attended an online Training Program on “Microbial Bioinoculants in Organic Agriculture: Practices and Prospects” during 23-26 May 2022 at ICAR-NBAIM, Mau Uttar Pradesh.
  • Delivered an oral presentation titled “ Lipopeptide biosurfactant(s) and their potential applications” on 28.02.2022 during a web seminar at AP Goyal Shimla University, Shimla
  • KVK Persauni Kisan Mela held on 20-21 March, 2021 and Dr. Khem Raj Meena exhibited a mushroom stall and won third prize for CBS&H, Pusa.
  • Invited as a resource person by Directorate of Extension Education, RPCAU, Pusa to deliver a lecture to progressive farmers on 24.03.2021
  • Invited as a resource person by UGC- Human Resource Development Centre, Patna University, Patna to deliver a lecture on 13.03.2021 on the topic Crop residue management: Waste to wealth on 2nd Faculty Induction Program held from 18.02.2021 to 25.03.2021.
  • Contributed as a Jury member in the Young Scientist Conference organized during 22.12.2020 to 24.12.2020 as a part of India International Science Festival 2020 (IISF 2020) organized by Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India.
  • Attended and paper entitled “Mushroom Production Technology in India: A Approach for waste to wealth “presented in a 6th International Virtual Congress organized by ‘International Science Community Association’ from August 5-10, 2019. 
  • Attended a National Workshop on “Mammalian Cell Culture Techniques” organized by Department of Biotechnology H. P. University Shimla-5, Sponsored by H. P. University Shimla-5, May 20-23, 2015.
  • Attended a National Workshop on “FPLC: Protein purification and tools for proteomics” organized by organized by Department of Biotechnology H. P. University Shimla-5, Sponsored by M/S Wipro GE Healthcare, Chandigarh, Nov 20-21, 2014
  • Attended a National Workshop cum Training Program on “Protein Structure Prediction and Molecular Docking” organized by Bioinformatics Centre, Himachal Pradesh University Shimla-5, sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, October 27-31, 2014
  •  Attended a National Workshop on “Advancements in Analytical Techniques” organized by Department of Biotechnology H. P. University Shimla-5, Sponsored by Waters India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, Oct 15-16, 2014
  • Meena KR and Kanwar SS (2017). Biocontrol and anticancer property of the lipopeptide isolated from B. subtilis KLP2015. 53rd Punjab Science Congress 2017, IET Bhaddal, Ropar organized by the Punjab Science Academy, Punjab, Feb 7-9, 2017.
  • Meena KR and Kanwar SS (2016). Biocontrol and anticancer property of the lipopeptide isolated from B. subtilis KLP2015. India International science Festival 2016, New Delhi organized by the National Physical Laboratory, sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology, GOV, India, Ministry of Earth sciences and VIBHA, Dec 7-11, 2016.
  • Meena KR and Kanwar SS (2014). Lipopeptides from a Bacillus thuringiensis as bio-control agent (Reference no. 3038). 16th European congress on biotechnology. Edinburgh, Scotland, July 13-16, 2014 (Accepted).
  • Meena KR, Kumari L and Kanwar SS (2013). Lipopeptides from Bacillus sp. useful as a versatile weapon. (Code. EMBD 090). 54th annual conference of association of microbiologists of India, November 17-20, 2013.
  • Kumari L, Sharma S, Bansal N, Jarial R, Sharma A, Meena KR and Kanwar SS (2013). Characterization and process optimization of microbial cholesterol oxidase. (Code. IMET 019 090). 54th annual conference of association of microbiologists of India November 17-20, 2013.
  • Meena KR and Singh S (2012). Thermostable lipases and their potential. International Science Congress at Bon Maharaj Engineering College, Vrindavan, India, December 8-8, 2012 (Published).
  • Meena KR, Dhiman R, Sharma A and Kanwar SS (2016). Applications of lipopeptide(s) from a Bacillus sp. an overview. 3rd international virtual congress (IVC-2016) organized by international science community association. August 05-10, 2016.
  • Dhiman R, Meena KR, Sharma A and Kanwar SS (2016). Anticancer and antifungal properties of lipopeptide(s) from a Bacillus sp. 3rd international virtual congress (IVC-2016) organized by International Science Community Association, August 05-10, 2016.
  • Meena KR, Jyoti P, Sharma A and Kanwar SS (2014). Lipopeptides from a Bacillus thuringiensis: Bio-control as well as therapeutic agent. 55th Annual Conference of AMI AMI-EMMT-2014 TNAU, Coimbatore, November 12-14, 2014.

 

 

 

Organized

Organized one Winter School at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar

Organized a SCD conference in Central University of Rajasthan

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