National Institute Of Oceanography( NIO ) -

LokaBharathi, P.A.

Designation:  Chief Scientist
Location: Headquarters, Goa
e-mail:  loka@nio.org
Telephone:  91-832-2450281
Fax:  91-832-2450602

Publications

Academic Record:

Ph. D. Microbiology (AIX Marseille, FRANCE), 1979

M. Sc. Marine Biology (Cochin University), 1973

B.Sc. Zoology Main, Botany and Chemistry Subs (Kerala University), 1971

Career Record:

Scientist G (National Institute of Occeanography, Dona Paula, Goa), 2006 - till date

Scientist F (National Institute of Occeanography, Dona Paula, Goa), 2000- 2006

Scientist E-II (National Institute of Occeanography, Dona Paula, Goa), 1995 - 2000

Scientist E-I (National Institute of Occeanography, Dona Paula, Goa), 1990 - 1995

Scientist C (National Institute of Occeanography, Dona Paula, Goa), 1985 - 1990

Scientist B (National Institute of Occeanography, Dona Paula, Goa), 1980 - 1985

Research Scholar (University of Aix MarseilleIII, France), 1977 - 1980

JRF/SRF (National Institute of Occeanography, Dona Paula, Goa), 1974 - 1977

Professional Interests:

An aspect that I want to examine in depth is how marine bacteria could contribute to chemosynthetic production under autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions while mediating different redox reactions

Scholarships and awards:

National Merit Scholarship after Securing the 25th rank in Kerala state at the SSLC level ( ),

State Merit scholarship for Securing the 25th rank in Kerala state at the SSLC level ( ),

French Government Scholarship for Higher Studies leading to doctorate degree (French Government Scholarship),

Deputed to 13th Indian Antarctic Expedition ( ),

Nominated Secretry IO-CoML (Indian Ocean-Census of Marine Life) ( ),

Patents/ Monographs:

Patents:

* C. Raghukumar, C. Mohandass, T. Oliviera, S. Raghukumar, P.A. Loka Bharathi, Shanta Nair and D. Chandramohan A process for biological deinking of office waste paper. (submitted )
* P.A. Loka Bharathi, Shanta Nair and D. Chandramohan (2003) A process for the preparation of an extract with multiple properties from deep sea bacterium for use in food and cosmetics. US 6,669,9944 B2 dated 30 Dec,2003.

Book Review :

P.A.Loka Bharathi (1990): Microbial Ecosystem of Antarctica. Edited by W.F. Vincent. Cambridge University Press, New York, New Rochelle, Melbourne, Sydney. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences. 1990. 19 230.
Shanta Nair and P.A. Loka Bharathi.(1976):Ecological Toxicological Research? Effects of heavy metals and organohalogen London (1974). Mahasagar - Bulletin National Institute of Oceanography, 9 (1 &2 ), 97-98.

Chapters in Manuals :

Loka Bharathi, P.A. (2003): Bacterial Association with Marine Vegetation in Coastal biodiversity Training and Capacity building workshop Biodiversity of marine Microalgae and Macrophytes 26-29th August, 2003.
Loka Bharathi, P.A. Shanta Nair, Chandralata Raghukumar, C. Mohandass (2001): Standardisation of Methods for Microbiological and Biochemical Analyses for environmental studies for Deep Sea Mining.(2001) 4 pages.
Loka Bharathi, P.A. (2000):Quality System Procedure Manual Anaerobic Bacteria. Work Instruction for the estimation of Anaerobic bacteria. W1-317-318. ISO 9001 dated 25/10/2000.
Loka Bharathi, P.A.(1995): Ribosomal RNA as Molecular Chronometers and source of Phylogenetic Signature in Manual on Workshop on Extremophilic Microorganisms.6-7 Oct 16-Nov 4, 1995
Loka Bharathi, P.A.(1995): DNA and RNA Sequencing in Manual on Workshop on Extremophilic Microorganisms. 19-23.Oct 16-Nov 4, 1995
Loka Bharathi, P.A (1989): Anaerobic Processes in Training programme in Oceanography under Core project (October-December 1989).. ; 1989; 101-105

Any other information:

Comments :

Pradeep Ram, A.S., P.A. Loka Bharathi, Shanta Nair and D. Chandramohan.(2001) Bacteria blamed for high nitrate. In NEWSINDIA Oct 2001 p12 comments on the article. A deep sea bacterium with unique nitrifying property. Current Science 80 (9) 1222-1224
Loka Bharathi, P.A. Shanta Nair, M-J. De souza and D. Chandramohan,(1999).Aerobic Antarctic bacteria shun oxygen in Current Science p1518 comments on the article Truce with oxygen - Anaerobiosis outcompete aerobiosis in the Antarctic lacustrine bacteria. Current Science 76 (12)1585-1587.

Technical reports :

Loka Bharathi, P.A. Shanta Nair, Chandralata Raghukumar, C. Mohandass. Standardisation of Methods for Microbiological and Biochemical Analyses for environmental studies for Deep Sea Mining.(2001) 4 pages.
Loka Bharathi, P.A. , B. Nagender Nath, B. Ingole, G. Parthiban, S.G.P. Matondkar, Chandralata Raghukumar, N.H. Khadge, A.B.Valsangkar, A. Suryanarayana, S. Jai Sankar, & R. Sharma (2002): Impacts on Surface Productivity during Sediment Dispersal Experiment in Central Indian Basin. 174-185.
Raghukumar C and P.A. Loka Bharathi (2002). Restoration and recolonisation of benthic environment in the Central Indian Basin first monitoring report.Phase III(Ai) of Environmental Impact Assessment for nodule mining in Central India Basin. April 2002. Microbial and biochemical parameters 113-129.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Deep Sea Mining: Guidlines for Implementation and data Collection. NIO Technical Report (No.NIO/TR-2/98) July 1998. Compiled by Rahul Sharma with inputs from members of EIA studies in CIB. Microbiology/Biology)
Raghukumar, C., G. Sheelu, P.A. Loka Bharathi and Shanta Nair (1997) Microbial Life and Biochemical Composition of Deep Sea Sediments in A Report on Baseline Benthic Conditions in Indian Pioneer Area. Phase I Indian Deep Sea Experiment compiled by Rahul Sharma and B. Nagendernath 70-93.5 (2/3) 168-171.
Ecobiological, Toxicological and Environmental Impact Assessment studies of the effluent Discharge from MRL-CBR, in the Marine Environs off Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu; Sponsored by MRL, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. NIO/SP-12/97. June 1997.
Rapid Marine Environmental Impact Assessment of Treated Effluent Discharge from MRL - CBR- Near Nagapattinam, Tamil nadu - NIO SP-4/96. March 96.
Application of Biochemical & Molecular Techniques to Examine Ocean Trophic Dynamics (Indo US Collaborative Research Project) A compilation of methods. Aug 1994.
Evaluation of Marine Thiobacilli-like organisms for use in sulfide removal Technical Report NIO/SP - /91
Studies of sea water quality for water injection in PY?3 oil field. ONGC Madras. January 1991.
Examination of the water quality of some springs of Goa - Phase II. Dept of Tourism. Govt. of Goa. March 1990
Hydrographic studies in the Amba River estuary for wastewater disposal from a petrochemical complex. 1987 (Sponsored by Indian Petrochemicals Limited, Bombay).
Sea water quality for water injection in Heera oil field. ONGC, Bombay. February 1987.
Assessment of the magnitude of enviromnmental pollution prevalent in New Mangalore harbour and to suggest remedial measures. (1986) Sponsored by New Mangalore Port Trust.
Environmental quality and dispersion studies off Uran. 1986 (Sponsored by Oil and Natural Gas Commission).
Survey for KIOCL Submarine outfall off Mangalore 1986. (Sponsored by Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd., Bangalore).
Oceanographic studies off Sutrapada, Dec. 1985. (Sponsored by Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd. Veraval).
Survey of the proposed submarine pipeline route from Bombay High to Bombay. Vol. II. Sea Bed Survey. Sept. 1976 (Sponsored by ONGC).

Ph.D.s :

Sulfate reducing bacteria from the salt pans of Goa. Savita Kerkar (2004) Goa University
Particle Associated Trophic Dynamics Maria-Judith, B.D. De Souza May 2001.Goa University

MSc Dissertations :

Incidence of Plasmids in marine bacteria (2003): Department of Biotechnology. Srimad Andavaan Arts and Science College 9Affiliated to Bharathidasan University. Tiruchirapalli ?620005. Tamil Nadu
Characterisation of marine and estuarine Methanotrophs . Daphnie Faria(2003) Marine Science, Goa University .
Marine nitrifiers: Effect of cell-immobilization. Sridevi (2003) Marine Biotechnology Goa University .
Characterisation of Thiobacillus denitrificans like organisms from the salt pans of Goa. Veronica (2002) Marine Science, Goa University .
Retrievability of Estuarine and Marine Bacteria. Reshma Goltekar (2001) Marine Science, Goa University .
Metal tolerance in hypersaline sulfate-reducing bacteria Sashank V.K. Marine Science, Goa University (2000)
Effect of heavy metals on the growth and activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria Veena Sathe, Goa University(1987).
Ecological and Physiological Studies on Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in the MangroveSwamps Swati Oke, Jabalpur University (1986).
Studies on sulfate-reducing bacteria from the Mangrove Swamps Divya Saxena, Jabalpur University(1985)

Summer training to BSc/MSc students 9 (1+7+1)

General Microbial Ecology Pythia Barretto 29/3/ 2K to 1/7/2K (Xavier's College)
Effect of UV Radiation on Pigmented Bacteria. A. Talwalkar. Microbiology Department, Pune University, June 1997
Plasmids in Pigmented Bacteria Shoba R. Dasari, Goa Medical College, May 1998.
Nitrifying bacteria. Sandhya Royan., Microbiology, Goa University June 1998.
Potential of bacteria to express increased viability under low temperature and reducing conditions. S. Menezes. Microbiology, Goa University June 1998.
Plasmids in SRB / General summer training Vidisha Biotechnology, Goa University, May-June 1998
Study of Deep Sea Nitrifying Bacteria Reena Bhandare June 2000
a)Sulphide and ammonia mitigation in marine water b) Epiflora on Sargassum- Their Interactions-Training, Nilesh S. Pandit, Dept of Microbiology, School Of life Sciences, North Maharashtra Univesity, Jalgaon 15/5 to 15/6/2000
Summer training in Marine Microbiology and Biotechnology 23/05/2002 to 8/07/2002 Manish Chaurasia, Barkatullah University, Bhopal.

Others :

Training course in Marine Microbiology (OSTC) 20/6/98 to 30/6/98

Any other information:

Cruises and expedition : I have participated in a number of Oceanographic expedition including the 13th Indian Anarctic Expedition (Summer of 1993-1994)and the studies of bacteria in these environment have shown that bacteria originating from superoxygenated cold conditions could express their growth potential only when the environment turns anoxic.

Countries visited for scientific advancement/training:

France
I procured my PhD degree from the University of AIX Marseille, France in December, 1979 under Professors R. Matheron/L. Deveze. It is was here that I was introduced to the anaerobic bacteria and the delicate techniques of culturing them to delineate their interactions. I have been visiting the other universities in France susequently-Universite of Aix Marseille II(Prof Marty and Bianchi)and University of Breste (Professor D. Prieur) for scientific collaborations.

US
I have spent a year in Dr. Colwell?s Lab Universite of Maryland, College Park to participate and learn 5S rRNA sequencing . Later at Prof Kirchman?s Lab at University of Delaware I familiarized myself with the techniques of cloning chitinase gene and probing for the same in natural samples of sea water. I also had the opportunity to visit Prof Devereux?s Lab at Florida to discuss the newer techniques he had developed to probe for sulfate reducing bacteria.

Japan
Under the Indo-Japanese collaborative programme I visited Porf Higashihara ?s Lab at NIBH, Tsukuba this time to characterize some of the pigments produced by marine microbes.

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