Dr. Sudhir P. Singh

About

I am a molecular biologist by training. I have interest in biocatalytic transformation of caloric sugars into high-value functional biomolecules with multifarious health benefits, e.g. prebiotic, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic properties. We have explored diverse ecological niches for the metagenomic profiling, gene mining and discovery of novel genes encoding enzyme variants of superior catalytic properties. We intend to espouse directed evolution and genome editing strategies for the development of improved biocatalyst systems useful in the production of value-added biomolecules of industrial significance.

Background

• June 2015-April 2024: Scientist at Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (A national institute under Department of Biotechnology, Government of India), SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
• Jan 2012-June 2015: Project Scientist at National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (A national institute under Department of Biotechnology, Government of India), SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
• May 2010-Jan 2012: Research Associate at National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (A national institute under Department of Biotechnology, Government of India), SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
• Ph.D. in the area of plant molecular biology from CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (Degree awarded by University of Lucknow in 2011).

Honours and Awards

• Fellow, International Society of Energy, Environment, and Sustainability (FISEES) (2024)
• Fellow, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (FNAAS) (2023)
• Sudhir B. Chincholkar Award, BRSI (2022-23)
• Finalist, The NASI-Scopus Young Scientist Awards (2022)
• Selected member of the National Academy of Sciences, India (2020)
• Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award to the team, SRISTI (2019)
• Professor Hira Lal Chakravarty Award, ISCA, DST (2017-18)
• School of Biosciences-Madurai Kamaraj University Genomics Award, BRSI (2016-17)
• Young Scientist Award, International Bioprocessing Association, France (2016-17)
• International Travel Grant, SERB, DST (2017)
• Early Carrier Research Award Project, SERB, DST (2017)
• University Grand Commission Faculty Selectee (2015)
• Young Scientist research project, SERB, DST (2012)
• Beam-time Award, Canadian Light Source (CLS), Canada (2011)

Research Group Overview

My team has investigated diverse ecological niches, revealing in-depth metagenomic profiles of thermal springs, cold lakes, ethnic fermented food products and acidic mine samples. The metagenomic data resources were mined to discover novel genes encoding enzymes with superior catalytic properties and of high-value to biotech industries, e.g., D-allulose 3-epimerase, trehlose synthase, xylose isomerase, amylosucrase, L-rhamnose isomerase, cellobiose 2-epimerase, xylanase, endoglucanase type-I-pullulanase, β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase, glutamate decarboxylase, endopolygalacturonase, and pectate lyase. Deploying these, we achieved the biosynthesis of many high-value biomolecules, e.g., D-allulose, trehalose, trehalulose, turanose, D-allose, epilactose, xylooligosaccharides, cello-oligosaccharides, pectic-oligosaccharides, α-arbutin, γ-aminobutyrate (GABA), and type-III & V resistant starch, by utilizing low-cost feedstock. To the best of my knowledge, the findings on the bioproduction of high-value rare sugars, D-allulose, trehalose, trehalulose, D-allose, epilactose, turanose, and α-arbutin are the first reports from India. Further, enzymatic processes have been developed for the biomanufacturing of high-value biopolymers, dextran and levan, and prebiotic oligosaccharide molecules, e.g. malto-gluco-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides, and 4-galactosyl-kojibiose, utilizing raw table sugar, jaggery, molasses, and whey by-product. An acid-active endopolygalacturonase has been characterized for juice clarification applications. An acid-active β-Galactosidase has been characterized for its employment to hydrolyse lactose in liquid whey, which not only improves the biodegradability of this abundant dairy industry waste but also enhances its sweetness, flavor, and nutritional value. A highly alkaline tolerant pectate lyase has been characterized for bioscouring applications, i.e. removal of pectin, a non-cellulosic impurity, from plant fibers, making it useful for the textile industry.

PhD guided: 05

Publications

Total Research papers (SCI): 76

Patents: 12 (granted)

 Selected Papers:

• Sharma N, Patel SN, Rai AK, Singh SP* (2024) Biochemical characterization of a novel acid-active endopolygalacturonase for pectin depolymerization, pectic-oligomer production, and fruit juice clarification. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 131565
• Sharma S, Patel SN, Singh SP* (2024) A novel thermotolerant L-rhamnose isomerase variant for biocatalytic conversion of D-allulose to D-allose. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 108:279
• Thakur M, Rai AK, Singh SP* (2023) Structural characteristics, physicochemical properties and digestibility analysis of resistant starch Type-V prepared from debranched corn starch and fatty acid complexation. ACS Omega 8, 25799−25807
• Agarwal N, Jyoti, Thakur M, Mishra BB, Singh SP* (2023) Preparation and characterization of biodegradable films based on levan polysaccharide blended with gellan gum. Environmental Technology & Innovation 31, 103231
• Kumar J, Sharma N, Singh SP* (2023) Genome-resolved metagenomics inferred novel insights into the microbial community, metabolic pathways, and biomining potential of Malanjkhand acidic copper mine tailings. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 30, 50864–50882
• Thakur M, Rai AK, Singh SP* (2022) An acid-tolerant and cold-active β-galactosidase potentially suitable to process milk and whey samples. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 106, 3599-3610
• Sharma N, Sahoo D, Rai AK, Singh SP* (2022) A highly alkaline pectate lyase from the Himalayan hot spring metagenome and its bioscouring applications. Process Biochemistry 115, 100-109
• Sharma N, Kumari N, Thakur M, Rai AK, Singh SP* (2022) Molecular dissemination of emerging antibiotic, biocide, and metal co-resistomes in the Himalayan hot springs. Journal of Environmental Management 307, 114569
• Agarwal N, Singh SP* (2021) A novel trehalose synthase for the production of trehalose and trehalulose. Microbiology Spectrum 9: e01333-21
• Patel SN, Kaushal G, Singh SP* (2021) D-allulose 3-epimerase of Bacillus origin manifests profuse heat-stability and noteworthy potential of D-fructose epimerization. Microbial Cell Factories 20(60), 1-16
• Joshi N, Kaushal G, Singh SP* (2021) Biochemical characterization of a novel thermo-halo-tolerant GH5 endoglucanase from a thermal spring metagenome. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 118:1531–1544
• Thakur M, Sharma N, Rai AK, Singh SP* (2021) A novel cold-active type I pullulanase from a hot-spring metagenome for effective debranching and production of resistant starch. Bioresource Technology 320, 124288
• Kaushal G, Singh SP* (2020) Comparative genome analysis provides shreds of molecular evidence for reclassification of Leuconostoc mesenteroides MTCC10508 as a strain of Suionicum. Genomics 112(6), 4023-4031
• Joshi N, Sharma M, Singh SP* (2020) Characterization of a novel xylanase from an extreme temperature hot spring metagenome for xylooligosaccharide production. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 104:4889–4901
• Patel SN, Kaushal G, Singh SP* (2020) A novel D-Allulose 3-epimerase gene from the metagenome of a thermal aquatic habitat and D-Allulose production by Bacillus subtilis whole-cell catalysis. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 86 (05), e02605-19