Puja B K

Doctoral research focuses on microbial biotechnology, protein biochemistry, and enzymology, with an emphasis on the production and functional characterization of bioactive compounds derived from lignocellulosic biomass. Extensive experience in isolation and screening of xylanase-producing bacterial strains, biochemical characterization, molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene analysis, enzyme optimization using conventional and statistical approaches, structural and compositional characterization of biomass-derived compounds, and bioactive potential evaluation through multiple assays. Strong skills in molecular biology techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing.

Doctoral Researcher - University of North Bengal

(2021 - 2026)

Doctoral research focusing on microbial biotechnology, protein biochemistry, and enzymology with emphasis on production and functional characterization of bioactive compounds derived from lignocellulosic biomass.

• Isolation and screening of xylanase-producing bacterial strains followed by biochemical characterization and molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene analysis
• Optimization of xylanase production using low-cost agro-residues as substrates employing both One-Factor-at-a-Time (OFAT) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approaches
• Enzyme purification using ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and ion-exchange chromatography with protein purity analysis through SDS-PAGE and zymogram analysis
• Enzymatic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass-derived xylan into xylooligosaccharides (XOS)
• Structural and compositional characterization of xylan and XOS using FTIR, SEM, XRD, NMR, TLC, and LC-MS
• Investigation of bioactive potential through antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer assays
• In vivo studies using mouse models over two-month period to assess physiological and microbiome-related effects supported by biochemical analyses and 16S metagenomic sequencing

PhD - Microbial Biotechnology - University of North Bengal (2021-01 - 2026-12)

M.Sc. - Microbiology - University of North Bengal (2017-01 - 2019-12)

BSc - Microbiology - University of North Bengal (2014-01 - 2017-12)