Department of Science and Technology
Agharkar Research Institute
AGHARKAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Dr. Tushar Lodha

Google Scholar / Social Media

Name : Dr. Nischitha R

Designation : Scientist B

Brief Background :

Worked on the morphological and molecular characterization of microbes (particularly endophytic fungi) from grass species and studied their diversity distribution both by traditional culture-dependent (Incubation methods) and culture- independent by next-generation sequencing, metagenomics with statistical (ANOVA, PCA, PCoA, Jaccard’s similarity index, Shannon and Simpson diversity and evenness indices, correlation factors, Rarefaction curve, Matrices similarity index and DMRT) interpretation of fungal diversity.

In addition, having good wet lab experience like microbial molecular biology, microbial culture, general microbiology, DNA extraction, Gel Electrophoresis, DNA amplification, sequence editing and phylogenetic analysis with biological activity – in-vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, antagonistic, phytotoxicity and plant growth promotion potential of bioactive metabolites in the crude extracts of endophytic fungi as well as the host plant and seed health assay.

Further investigation with interaction of the target endophytic fungi with host bioactive compounds by in silico docking to determine biological properties of compounds of fungal and plant origin.

Contact Details :

nischitha@airpune.org, nischithalraj9@gmail.com

+91-20-25325105

ORCHID ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4906-2969
Scopus Author ID : https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57216993911
Research Gate : https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nischitha-R-2
  • B. Sc. (Seed Technology, Botany, Chemistry)- Sahyadri Science College, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, Karnataka.
  • M.Sc. (Applied Botany), Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, Karnataka (Specialization: Mycology, medicinal plant in Applied Botany).
  • Ph.D. (Botany), Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, Karnataka
  • Ph.D. thesis title: “ENDOPHYTIC FUNGAL ASSEMBLAGES IN CERTAIN GRASSES OF SUB FAMILY PANICOIDEAE AND THEIR BIO-PROSPECTING”
  • COMPUTER TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME (CTTP) – Sahyadri Shikshna Grameena Abihivruddi Samste at Shrunga Computer Education, Shimoga
  • Assisting with the delivery of diversity of endophytic fungi in the host plant and their interaction in the production of metabolites, impact and offset assessments and monitoring and management services related to project approvals and natural areas.
  • Hands-on knowledge of microbial molecular biology, microbial culture, general microbiology, DNA extraction, Gel Electrophoresis, DNA amplification, sequence editing and phylogenetic analysis
  • Proven experience in undertaking fungal isolation, characterization and metabolite profiling with bioprospection- antimicrobial, antioxidant assay with plant growth promotion and phytotoxic assessment in crop plants and seed heath assay in relation to disease caused by pathogenic fungi.
  • Proven experience in the chemical profiling with the interpretation of molecular in silico docking analysis

Publications:

  1. Nischitha R and Shivanna MB (2023)- In vitro and in silico studies on plant growth promotion of endophytic fungi of Ischaemum ciliare Retz. Journal of plant pathology (Accepted). 
  2. Nischitha R and Shivanna MB (2023). Comparative metagenomic analyses of endophytic fungi assemblages in shoot and root regions of Heteropogon contortus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India, Section B: Biological Sciences (Accepted). 
  3. Nischitha R and Shivanna MB (2022)- Evaluation of antioxidant potential of endophytic fungus Penicillium citrinum and host Digitaria bicornis by spectrophotometric and electrochemical methods. Archive of Microbiology, 204(206), 1-13. (IF-2.55).https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-022-02795-z. SCOPUS, UGC care list, Web of Science and SCI indexed.
  4. Nischitha R, Shivanna MB (2022) – Chemical diversity and In silico docking of antibacterial potent compounds of Chaetomium subaffine Sergeeva endophytic in Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. Process Biochemistry, 112, 124-138. (IF- 4.88). (doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2021.11.013). SCOPUS, UGC care list, Web of Science and SCI indexed.
  5. Anusha T. N., Nischitha R, Shivanna MB (2021). Diversity of Mycoflora in Root and Rhizosphere Regions of Alloteropsis Cimicina (L.) Stapf. Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities, 8 (S1-Feb), 31-35. https://doi:10.34293/sijash.v8is1-feb.3928, (IF- 3.02). SCOPUS, UGC care list, Web of Science.
  6. Nischitha R, Shivanna MB (2021). – Metabolite fingerprinting, in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and in-silico docking in Alloteropsis cimicina and its endophytic fungus Penicillium pinophilum. Molecular biology reports. 48, 4021-4037 (IF- 2.3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06410-0 SCOPUS, UGC care list, Web of Science and SCI indexed.
  7. Nischitha R, Shivanna MB (2021). Antimicrobial activity and metabolite profiling of endophytic fungi in Digitaria bicornis (Lam) Roem. & Schult. and Paspalidium flavidum (Retz.) A. Camus. 3 Biotech 11(2), 1-15. (IF- 2.23). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020-02590-x SCOPUS, UGC care list, Web of Science and SCI indexed.
  8. Nischitha, R., Vasanthkumari, M. M., Kumaraswamy, B. E., & Shivanna, M. B. (2020). Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and chemical profiling of Curvularia tsudae endophytic in Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. 3 Biotech, 10(7), 1-12. (IF- 2.5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020- 02250-0, SCOPUS, UGC care list, Web of Science and SCI indexed.
  9. Nischitha R, Shivanna MB (2020). – Influence of seasons on endophytic fungal assemblage in Alloteropsis cimicina (L.) Stapf. and Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. of the sub-family panicoideae. Current Research in Environmental & Applied Mycology (Journal of Fungal Biology) 10(1), 10– 25. (IF- 0.45). https://doi 10.5943/cream/10/1/2 SCOPUS, UGC care list, Web of Science and SCI indexed. and SCI indexed.

Awards/ Medals received:

  1. Awarded by NFSC UGC (JRF and SRF) No. RGNF- 2017- 18-SC-KAR-38457.
  2. Best oral award for Nischitha, R. and M. B. Shivanna. Occurrence of endophytic fungal species in some grasses of sub-family panicoideae growing in Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka. International conference on “Recent Scenario in Plant Science Research-Climate Change and its Associated Variations” to be held during 23rd- 25th March 2018. In Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu.PP-10, P-104.
  3. Best poster award for Nischitha, R. and M. B. Shivanna. Antimicrobial activity of Cochliobolus australiensis (Tsuda & Ueyama) Alcorn. endophytic in Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. in forest regions of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. National conference on “Fungal Biology: Present trends and future prospects & 44th Annual Meeting of the Mycological Society of India” in Jammu University on November 16- 18, 2017 Organized by Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu. PP-55, P-110.

Journal reviewer

 1.      Indian Phytopathology

 2.      Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

Life member

  1. Association of Fungal Biologists