Dr. Toji Thomas M.Sc., (NET-JRF-CSIR) Ph.D., P.G.D.C.A., B.Ed. (Asst. Professor)

                                                                                                             

Education

 

Ph.D. in Bioscience (M. G. University Kottayam) 2008

School of Biosciences, M. G. University Kottayam

Title of thesis:

“Isolation Purification and Characterization of Antibacterial Principle from Drynaria quercifolia”

Supervisors:

Dr. C. Sadasivan (Biophysics), Guide and Prof. (Dr.) G. Muraleedhara Kurup(Biochemistry) co-guide

 

       P.G.D.C.A. (National Computer Centre): 1999, First Class

       BEd. (Natural Science): 1998, First Class, M.G. Uty.

M.Sc. (Botany, Specialization in Biotechnology): 1997

Score: First Class

Mahatma Gandhi University

 

B.Sc. (Botany): 1995

Score: First Rank - Mahatma Gandhi University

  

   Pre-Degree (10+2) level: 1992

      Score: First Class

      Mahatma Gandhi University

 

School certificates : 1990: Secondary School (10th level)

Score: First Class

Kerala State

 

National Level Tests

 

UGC-CSIR (NET) - Life Science - test: qualified for Lectureship: 1996.

UGC-CSIR (NET) - Life Science -  test: qualified for JRF by CSIR and Lectureship: 1999

UGC-CSIR (NET) - Life Science - test: qualified for Lectureship: 2001

Qualified GATE Test by IIT Delhi, MHRD Govt. India in Life Science 1998

 

Sponsored Research:

 

I have taken up research projects with funding along with teaching in the present position. The details are as follows

 

Title of the Project : Phytochemical Evaluation of Antibacterial Principles from selected Ferns

Funding Agency : UGC, Rs. 60,000

Duration : Two Years (May 2005-May 2007).

Title of the Project : Characterization of antibacterial Principle from Acrostihum aureum L.

Funding Agency : UGC, Rs. 80,000

Duration : Two Years (May 2011-May 2013) ongoing project

 

Consultancy services

 

1. Software and Database development services for scientific, academic and general purpose

2. Plant Specimen identification service

3. Permanent slide preparations – serial and other types

Academic excellence in isolating and characterising….

 

A Novel antibacterial compound “(1E, 4E)-1,5-bis (4-hydroxy-3,5-dipropyl phenyl) penta-1,4-dien-3-one” isolated from Drynaria quercifolia

  

                       (1E, 4E)-1,5-bis (4-hydroxy-3,5-dipropyl phenyl) penta-1,4-dien-3-one

---

Present Research Interests

 

Antimicrobial studies: Preliminary studies on antibacterial evaluation of plants, phytochemial evaluation and characterization, MIC and MBC studies etc.

 

Characterization of bioactive compounds: Characterisation of antibacterial compounds using various spectroscopic techniques.

 

Development of database and software tools for systematics as well as general purpose softwares using visual programming languages:

I have already developed a database and software for pteridophyte taxonomical identification and an array of different softwares.

 

Teaching Experience

 

Total: 12 years (Regular: 10 years, Ad-hoc basis: 2 years)

Date of entry into Regular service: 08-01-2002

At Present teaching both undergraduate (BSc) and graduate (MSc) students of 16 hours per week.

Courses taught include the following:

Informatics, research methodology, Bioinformatics (Bsc)

Plant Breeding,Morphology, Tissue culture (BSc)

Cell Biology, Plant Pathology, Classical Genetics (BSc)

Microbiology (MSc)

Microtecchnique, Cell Biology (MSc)

Genetic engineering, Bioinformatics (MSc)

 

Research Guiding

 

Approved Research Guide of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India

 

 

Expertise in Handling Instruments

 

UV Spectrophotometer

Fluorescence Spectrophotometer

Buchi Rotoevaporator

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with PDA Detection

UV Gel Documentation System

Atomic Absprption

Atomic absorption spectroscopy

 

Membership in Academic Bodies:

• Member of International Society for Ethnopharmacology Denmark

• Life Member of Indian Mycological Society

• Member of Indian Fern Society

• Member of Kerala Botanical Society

Co-curricular and Administrative Activities

 

• Co-ordinator of Kalayalam Website of the college.

• College Nodal officer for All India Survey on Higher Education

• Member of Career and Placement Cell of the college, and Departmental Co-ordinator

• Staff Secretary, Botany Department.2002-

• Resource person of UGC-NET Coaching programmes in our College.

• Co-ordinator Chess Club

• Member of Religious instruction/moral classes in College for Degree Students.

• Secretary Botany Alumni Association 2002-2010.

• UGC-NET coaching expert at Department level orientation.

• Member Research and Consultancy Cell

 

Extension Activities

• Plant Specimen Identification for research works in various branches of life sciences.

• Software development for plant identification, library, admission, hostel, internal assessment, time table management etc

Papers Published: 15

 

1. In vitro evaluation of antibacterial activity of Acrostichum aureum Linn. (2012) Thomas T. Indian J Nat Prod Resour 3(1) 135-138.

2. Antibacterial action of gradient extracts of flower heads of Spilanthes paniculata Wall. Ex DC. (2011) Thomas T. Plant Sci Feed 1 (11) 186 - 189.

3. Preliminary antibacterial evaluation of fronds of Pteris quadriaurita Retz. towards bacteria involved in dermatological diseases (2011) Thomas T. J App Pharm Sci 1(8) 214-216.

4. Antibacterial evaluation of Angiopteris evecta (G. Forst.) Hoffm. towards bacteria involved in cutis diseases (2011) Thomas T. Int J Uni Pharma Life Sci 1(3) 1-7.

5. Preliminary antibacterial and phytochemical evaluation of Dryopteris cochleata (D.Don) C.Chr. (2011) Thomas T J Global Pharma Tech 3(6) 4-8.

6. Preliminary Antibacterial and Phytochemical Evaluation of Odontosoria chinensis (L.) J.SM. (2011) Thomas T J Pharm Herb Formul 1(5) 26-30.

7. Preliminary antibacterial evaluation of Lindsaea ensifolia Sw. against bacteria involved in skin diseases (2011) Thomas T Med Plants 3(1) 77-79.

8. Preliminary Antibacterial and Phytochemical Assessment of Osmunda regalis L. (2011) Thomas T Int J Pharm Biol Arch 2(1) 559-562.

9. Antibacterial Action of Rhizomes of Blechnum orientale L. (2010) Thomas T Indian Fern J 27(1) 73–77.

10. Antibacterial evaluation of Quassia Indica (Gaertn.) Nooteb. In Steenis towards bacteria involved in skin siseases (2010) Kassim A. J and Thomas T J Global Pharma Tech 2(10) 48-52.

11. A novel antibacterial compound (1E, 4E)-1,5-bis (4-hydroxy-3,5-dipropyl phenyl) penta-1,4- dien-3-one from Drynaria quercifolia (2010) Thomas T Kuriakose S Kurup G M and Sadasivan C Proceedings of Kerala Science Congress Peechi

12. Antibacterial Action of Leaves of Aegle marmelos (2008) Ulahannan R K Thomas T and Sadasivan C. STARS Int J (Sci) 2(1) 134-138.

13. Antibacterial activity of Dicranopteris linearis under in vitro conditions (2007) Thomas T Kurup G M and Sadasivan C STARS Int. J (Sci) 1 (1) 191-195.

14. In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Lygodium flexuosum (2005) Anishmon V S and Thomas T Nig J Nat Prod Med 9 (1) 46-47.

15. Data Mining and Database Management Applications in Bioinformatics (2002) Thomas T STARS Int J 3(1) 12-16.

 

Books Authored and Published: 3

 

1. Toji Thomas, 2010. Fundamentals of Computer for Biology Students   Apex Infotech Publishing

    Company, Chennai. ISBN 978-81-910911-2-0

 

2. Toji Thomas, 2005. Essentials of Botanical Microtechnique 2^nd Edition. Apex Infotech Publishing

    Company, Chennai. ISBN:978-81-910911-1-3

 

       3. Toji Thomas, 2004. Essentials of Botanical Microtechnique. Apex Infotech Publishing Company,

            Chennai. ISBN: 978-81-910911-0-6

              * Reference textbook of B.Sc Botany Programme (Essentials of Botanical Microtechnique)  – under

              Choice based credit semester system – Scheme and Syllabus – implemented with effect from 2009

              admission onwards of Calicut University ( U O No. GA. I/J1/5125/07 Dated, 25.06.2009).

              * Reference textbook of Bsc Plant Science Programme (Essentials of Botanical Microtechnique) - under

              Choice based credit semester system - scheme and syllabus implemented with effect from 2009

              admission onwards of calicut university (No. GAI/J1/1178/08 Dated, 15.10.2009).

   

Seminar/workshops/conferences/ courses attended:

 

UGC sponsored   Refresher Course in Environmental Sciences   conducted by Academic Staff College, University of Kerala from 1-02-2012 to 22-02-2012.

 

"Workshop on Bioinformatics" organised byUG Board of Studies-Botany Mahatha Gandhi University Kottayam on 16th January 2012.

 

"National Conference on Bioprospecting of Plant Genetic Resources of Western Ghats " at Dept. of Botany St. Thomas College Palai on 22, 23 November 2011.

 

 “International Symposium on Genomics of Crops, Medicinal Plants and Microbes” at Department of Botany University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram on 29,30 and 31^st May 2011.

 

“International Conference on Folk and Herbal Medicine” at Mohanlal Sukhadia University Udaipur (Rajasthan) on 25, 26 and 27^th November, 2010.

 

Two day Workshop on “Methodology course Science stream “ Sponsored by Kerala Higher Education Council Govt. of Kerala at St. Thomas College on 18^th and 19^th November 2010.

 

National Seminar on “Current concepts in Biotechnology” at University College Thiruvananthapuram on 24^th March 2010.

 

National Seminar on “Science and Religion Dialogue: An Interface between the Mastery of Science and the Mystery of Religion” at St. Thomas College Palai on 8^th and 9^th March 2010.

 

NAAC sponsored National Seminar on “Quality Evaluation in Higher Education: The New Approach” at St. Thomas College Palai on 1^st and 2^nd March 2010.

 

National Level Seminar on “Emerging Trends in Plant Biotechnology” at Government Arts College Coimbatore on 4^th and 5^th February 2010.

 

22^nd Kerala science Congress organised by KSCSTE, KFRI, DST at Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi from 28 to 31 January 2010.

 

National Seminar on ‘GM Crops and Food Security’ organised by Kerala Biotechnology Commission and Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment at Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram. on 17^th November 2009

 

UGC sponsored Refresher course in Biostatistics and Research Methods conducted by Academic Staff College, University of Kerala from 1-15-10-2007 to 05-11-2007.

 

National Seminar on Science and Religion Two Paths to One Reality organised by John Templeton Foundation USA and Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam on 3^rd and 4^th November 2006.

 

National Seminar on ‘Science and Religion Two Parts to One Reality’ organised by John Templeton foundation USA and Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam on 3^rd and 4^th November 2006 at st. Thomas College Palai.

 

UGC sponsored Orientation programme conducted by Academic Staff College, University of Kerala from 23-09-2006 to 20-10- 2006

 

Papers Presented in Seminars

 

“Preliminary antibacterial and phytochemical evaluation of Christella dentata (Forssk.) Brownsey & Jermy” at International Symposium on Genomics of Crops, Medicinal Plants and Microbes” at Department of Botany University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram on 29,30 and 31^st May 2011.

 

“Antibacterial evaluation of Costus speciosus (Koenig) J.E. Smith towards bacteria involved in skin diseases” Proceedings of International Level Seminar on “International Conference on Folk and Herbal Medicine, at Udaipur on 25^th Novemver 2010.

 

“Antibacterial evaluation of flower heads of Spilanthes paniculata Wall. ex DC. towards bacteria involved in skin diseases” at UGC Sponsored National Level Seminar on “Emerging trends in Plant Biotechnology, at Coimbatore on 5^th February 2010

 

“A novel antibacterial compound (1e, 4e)-1,5-bis (4-hydroxy-3,5-dipropyl phenyl) penta-1,4-dien-3-one from Drynaria quercifolia” at Kerala Sceienc Congress at Peechi on 29^th January 2010.

 

Articles in Popular Science Periodicals

 

Databases in Bioinformaics Sasthrapadham August 2006, pp 14-17.

‘Protein Molecules’ Sasthrapadham October 2010, pp 12-17.

‘Diesel Production Directly from Cellulose’ Sasthrapadham May 2010, pp 5-13.

‘Genetic Engineering of Bt-Brinjal’ , Sasthrapadham July 2010, pp 9-16.

'Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance' , Sasthrapadham, May 2012, pp 18-22.

 

Acknowledgement in paper publications by various authors for plant specimen identification

 

1. Shibumon George, Benny P.J. and Baby Augustine 2009. Antibacterial screening of seed and pericarp of medicinally important fruits of South India. STARS: Int. Journal (Sciences) 3, 98-102.

2. Shibumon George Ph.D Thesis in Biochemistry M.G. University 2010.