Broad Research Interest:  Microbial Biotechnology, Nano-biotechnology, Nano-fertilizers, Nano-adsorbents, Fungal Secretome, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Microbial degradation of plastics, Polyhydroxyalkanoates production by microbes, Plant-microbe interactions, Rhizosphere biology.

Note: Interested candidates are welcome to join my research group. Candidate having own fellowship (CSIR-NET-JRF, DST-Inspire, PDF etc.) are encouraged to apply and can join anytime in a year. Please contact by sending email to jpanwar@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in. 

Ongoing Research:

1. Microbial assisted plastic degradation: We aim to identify novel microbial isolate(s) having potential for plastic-degradation and to elucidate the mechanism behind plastic-degradation which could significantly expand their applicability in controlling the worldwide problem of plastic pollution.

2. Myco-remediation of waste water: Our lab is interested to test the potential of metal-tolerant soil fungi towards multiple heavy metal ions and dye removal and to explicate the in-depth mechanistic aspects that could provide possible solution to control the wastewater pollution at industrial scale. For this, we intend to design & develop column based system for continuous operations in order to fulfil the real time industrial scale perspectives.

3. Polyhydroxyalkanoates production by microbes: We aims to explore the potential of novel extremophiles towards PHA production by utilizing cheaper carbon source and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

4. Mycosynthesis of nanoparticles (NPs): Our lab has developed efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly protocol towards mycosynthesis of metal and metal oxide (viz. silver, iron oxide and zinc oxide) NPs and tested their applications as nano-fertilizer, nano-adsorbents, catalyst and antimicrobial agents. We intend to elucidate the actual synthesis mechanism by identification and detailed characterization of proteins involved in NPs synthesis and/or in their stability. The proteomic studies provide valuable and novel information regarding protein-NPs interactions.

5. Applications of NPs: Our research work is directed to study the potential of NPs as antimicrobial agents and deciphering the molecular mechanism behind antimicrobial activity. We are also interested to understand the agricultural importance of nanoparticles. In addition, efforts are on to develop the nano-adsorbent system for continuous removal of heavy metals from textile industry effluents. 

6. Applications of fungal secretome: Unveiling the potential of extreme environmental fungal isolates for efficient production of various industrial enzymes is another research area of interest. It will lead to the development of optimized and cost effective protocols for enhanced enzyme production for commercial uses.