Academic Qualifications

• M.Sc. Madurai Kamaraj University
• Ph.D in Life Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University
• Post Doc: International Science and Technology award of STA (Science and Technology     Agency) from Government of Japan, Researcher in Higashi-Hiroshima 1999 – 2001

Areas of Specialization

            Microbial enzyme technology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology for waste utilization, Production of Alternate fuels and bioremediation

Membership in Professional Societies

• Academic Council Member, Thiruvalluvar University from 2013
• Life Member, Indian JSPS Alumni Association (IJAA)
• Life Member, Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI)
• Member, Society for Biological Chemists (SBC), India
• Member, Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry (2000 – 2005)

Projects completed and ongoing

• Biotechnology for Leather: Towards Cleaner Leather Processing” with  special reference to “Enzymes in Leather Processing”
• Biotechnology for and from Leather - Scale up of lipase from Aspergillus niger by submerged culture fermentation for applications in leather and other industries
• Molecular engineering of Aspergillus niger lipase for hydrolysis of biodegradable plastics
• Nanostructured urease biosensor for determination of heavy metals for food safety and environmental monitoring
• Scale up of a novel cutinase like enzyme (CLE) for industrial applications
• Screening and development of hyperthermophilic esterases from thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon for industrial applications
• Microbial production of plastic degrading enzymes for polymer monomerization
• Efficient site-specific conjugation of biologically active proteins with non-immunogenic polymers by novel bio-orthogonal chemistry approaches (ongoing)
• Exploring microbial diversity in traditional fermentations from India and Argentina and its potential for bioethanol production (ongoing)
• 12th Five year project of CSIR-CLRI on Zero Emission Research Initiative for solid wastes (ZERIS) focusing on “Microbial route for preparation of fuel from fleshings” and “Composting of animal hair” (ongoing)
• 12th Five year project of CSIR-CLRI on Value Engineering Research for Leather (VERIL) focusing on “Microbial α-amylase for fiber opening” (ongoing)

Publications

1. Krishna Priya G, Mohammed Abu Javid M, George A, Aarthy M, Durai Anbarsan S, Kamini NR, Gowthaman MK, Aravindhan R, Ganesh S, Chandrasekar R and Ayyadurai N (2016)
   Next generation greener leather dyeing process through recombinant green fluorescent protein
   Journal of Cleaner Production (10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.03.105)
2. Ajitha Pandi,   Sathya Ramalingam,   Jonnalagadda Raghava Rao,   Kamini Numbi Ramudu and Gowthaman Marichetti Kuppuswami (2016)
   Inexpensive α-amylase production and application for fiber splitting in leather processing
   RSC Advances 6: 33170-33176.
3. K. Thirunavukarasu, S. Purushothaman, J. Sridevi, M. Aarthy,  M.K. Gowthaman, Toshiaki Nakajima-Kambe, N.R. Kamini (2016)
   Degradation of poly(butylene succinate) and poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) by a lipase from yeast Cryptococcus sp. grown on agro-industrial residues
   International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 110: 99-107
4. M. Aarthy, P. Saravanan, N. Ayyadurai, M.K. Gowthaman and N.R. Kamini (2016)
   A two step process for production of omega 3-polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrates from sardine oil using Cryptococcus sp. MTCC 5455 lipase.
   Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic 125: 25 -33.
5. K. Thirunavukarasu, S. Purushothaman, M. K. Gowthaman, T. Nakajima-Kambe, C. Rose and N. R. Kamini (2015)
   Utilization of fish meal and fish oil for production of Cryptococcus sp. MTCC 5455 lipase and hydrolysis of polyurethane thereof
   Journal of Food Science and Technology 52: 5772-5780.
6. T. Shiny Renitha, J. Sridevi, M. K. Gowthaman, N. R. Kamini, B. Ramanaiah, P. Saravanan(2015)
   Wealth from waste – beef extract for microbiological media from tannery solid waste
   RSC Advances 5: 9891-9897
7. R. Ramesh, P. Puhazhselvan, J. Kumar, M.K. Gowthaman, S.F. D'Souza and N.R. Kamini (2015)
   Potentiometric biosensor for determination of urea in milk using immobilized Arthrobacter creatinolyticus urease
   Material Science and Engineering C 49: 786-792.
8. S. Pavithra, R. Ramesh, M. Aarthy, N. Ayyadurai, M.K. Gowthaman, N.R. Kamini
   (2014)
   Starchy substrates for production and characterization of Bacillus subtilis amylase and its efficacy in detergent and breadmaking formulations. Starch 66: 976-984.
9. P. Saravanan, T. Shiny Renitha, M.K. Gowthaman and N.R. Kamini (2014)
   Understanding the chemical free enzyme based cleaner unhairing process in leather manufacturing.
   Journal of Cleaner Production 79: 25-264.
10. M. AarthyP. SaravananM.K. GowthamanC. Rose, N.R. Kamini (2014)
    Enzymatic transesterification for production of biodiesel using yeast lipases: An overview
    Chemical Engineering Research and Design 92: 1591-1601.
11. A.A. Shah, S. Kato, N. Shintani, N.R. Kamini and T. Nakajima-Kambe (2014)
    Microbial degradation of aliphatic and aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters
    Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 98: 3437-3447.
12. R. Ramesh, M. Aarthy, M. K. Gowthaman, K. Gabrovska, T. Godjevargova  and N. R. Kamini (2014)
    Screening and production of a potent extracellular Arthrobacter creatinolyticus urease for determination of heavy metal ions.
    Journal of Basic Microbiology 54: 285-295.
13. A.A. Shah, T. Eguchi, D. Mayumi, S. Kato, N. Shintani, N.R. Kamini and T. Nakajima-Kambe (2013)
    Degradation of aliphatic and aliphatic–aromatic co-polyesters by depolymerases from Roseateles depolymerans strain TB-87 and analysis of degradation products by LC-MS
    Polymer Degradation and Stability 98: 2722-2729.
14. R.B. Naidu, D. Indhuja, K. Srinivasan, U. Mani, R. Gupta, N.R. Kamini and C. Rose (2013)
    Statistical medium optimization of an alkaline protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 10501, its characterization and application in leather processing
    Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 51: 336-342.
15. A.A. Shah, T. Eguchi, D. Mayumi, S. Kato, N. Shintani, N.R. Kamini and T. Nakajima-Kambe (2013)
    Purification and properties of novel aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters degrading
    enzymes from newly isolated Roseateles depolymerans strain TB-87.
    Polymer Degradation and Stability 98: 609-618.
16. R. Gupta, P. Dinesh, G.S. Satish, R.B. Naidu, N.R. Kamini, P. Saravanan and M.K. Gowthaman (2012)
    Scale-up of an alkaline protease from Bacillus pumilus MTCC 7514 utilizing fish meal as a sole source of nutrients.
    Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 22: 1230-1236.
17. T. Nakajima-Kambe, N.G. Edwinoliver, H. Maeda, K. Thirunavukarasu, M.K. Gowthaman, K. Masaki, S. Mahalingam and N.R. Kamini (2012)
    Purification, cloning and expression of an Aspergillus niger lipase for degradation of poly(lactic acid) and poly(ε-caprolactone)
    Polymer Degradation and Stability 97: 139-144.
18. Dinesh Prasad, R.K. Gupta, G. Mathangi, N.R. Kamini and M.K. Gowthaman (2012)  
    Advances in Production and Characteristics Features of Microbial Tannases: An   
    Overview. Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy 6: 145-165.
19. S. Abraham, N.R. Kamini and M.K. Gowthaman (2011)
    Process strategies for alkaline lipase production using Aspergillus niger MTCC 2594.
    Journal of Applied Pharmacology 01: 126 – 133.
20. Dinesh Prasad, R.K. Gupta, G.S. Venkataratnam, N.R. Kamini and M.K. Gowthaman (2011). Utilization of Bahera Fruits for Production of Tannase and Gallic Acid by Aspergillus heteromorphus MTCC 5466 and Synthesis of Propyl Gallate Thereof. Global Journal of Biotechnology & Biochemistry 6: 119-128, 2011.
21. Dinesh Prasad, Gupta, R.K., Kamini, N.R. and Gowthaman, M.K. (2011)
    Enzymatic synthesis of propyl gallate from gallic acid: An eco-friendly approach.
    Alternatives to Laboratory Animals 39: 91.
22. Y. Velichkova, I. Yavor, I. Marinov, R. Ramesh , N.R. Kamini, N. Dimcheva, E.  Horozova, T. Godjevargova (2011)
    Amperometric electrode for determination of urea using electrodeposited rhodium and immobilized urease.
    Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic 69: 16-175.
23. N.G. Edwinoliver, K. Thirunavukarasu, R.B. Naidu, M.K. Gowthaman, T. Nakajima Kambe and N.R. Kamini (2010)
    Scale up of a novel tri-substrate fermentation for enhanced production of Aspergillus niger lipase for tallow hydrolysis.
    Bioresource Technology 101: 6791-6796.
24. N.G. Edwinoliver, K. Thirunavukarasu, S. Purushothaman, C. Rose, M.K. Gowthaman and N.R. Kamini (2009)
    Corn steep liquor as a nutrition adjunct for the production of Aspergillus niger lipase and hydrolysis of oils thereof.
    Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 57: 10658–10663.
25. K. Thirunavukarasu, N.G. Edwinoliver, S. Duraianbarasan, M.K. Gowthaman, H. Iefuji and N.R. Kamini (2008)  
    Removal of triglyceride soil from fabrics by a novel lipase from Cryptococcus sp. S-2
    Process Biochemistry 43: 701-706.
26. J. Geraldine, N.G. Edwinoliver, N.R. Kamini and R. Puvanakrishnan (2007)
    Mixed substrate solid-state fermentation for production and extraction of lipase from Aspergillus niger MTCC 2594.
    Journal of General and Applied Microbiology 53: 247-253.
27. N. Saisubramanian, N. G. Edwinoliver, N. Nandakumar, N. R. Kamini and R. Puvanakrishnan (2006)
    Efficacy of lipase from Aspergillus niger as an additive in detergent formulations: a statistical approach.
    J. Industrial Microbiol. Biotechnology 33: 669-676.
28. K. Masaki, N. R. Kamini, H. Ikeda and H. Iefuji (2005)
    A cutinase-like enzyme from yeast, Cryptococcus sp. S-2 hydrolyses poly lactic acid and other biodegradable plastics.
    Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71: 7548-7550.
29. C.V. Ramesh, N.R. Kamini and R. Puvanakrishnan (2004)
    A novel synthetic peptide derivative from lactoferrin exhibits antimicrobial activity Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem.40: 271-275.
30. J. Geraldine Sandana Mala, N.R. Kamini and R.Puvanakrishnan (2001)
    Strain improvement of A.niger for enhanced lipase production
    J. Gen. App. Microbiol.  47: 181-186.
31. N.R. Kamini and H. Iefuji (2001)
    Lipase catalysed methanolysis of vegetable oils in aqueous medium by Cryptococcus sp. S-2.
    Process Biochem. 37: 405-410.
32. N.R. Kamini, T. Fujii, T. Kurosu and H. Iefuji (2000)
    Production, purifiication and characterization of an extracellular lipase from the yeast, Cryptococcus sp. S-2
    Process Biochem. 36: 317-324.
33. N.R. Kamini, C. Hemachander, J. Geraldine Sandana Mala and R. Puvanakrishnan       (1999)
    Microbial enzyme technology as an alternative to conventional chemicals in leather industry (Review).
    Current Sci. 76: 101-107.
34. J. Geraldine, A. Thangamani, N.R. Kamini and R. Puvanakrishnan (1999)
    Utilization of hydrocarbons for lipase production by Aspergillus niger mutants.
    Proceedings of the XXV IULTCS Congress, In: Chemicals and testing, p 673-678.
35. N.R. Kamini, J.G.S. Mala and R. Puvanakrishnan (1998)
    Lipase production from Aspergillus niger by solid state fermentation using gingelly oil cake. Process Biochem. 33: 505-511.
36. N.R. Kamini, J.G.S. Mala and R. Puvanakrishnan (1997)
    Production and characterization of an extracellular lipase from Aspergillus niger.
    Ind. J. Microbiol. 37: 85-89.
37. J. Lodge, J. Fear, S. Busby, P. Gunasekaran and N.R. Kamini (1992)
    Broad host range plasmids carrying the Escherichia coli lactose and galactose operons.
    FEMS Lett. 95: 271-276.
38. H. Nellaiah, A.G. Mukundan, N.R. Kamini and P. Gunasekaran (1992)
    Protein enrichment of cassava pulp by yeasts.
    In: New Trends in Biotechnology (Eds. C. Balagopalan, S.V. Ramakrishna and N.S. Subbarao) p 387-397.
39. P. Guansekaran and N.R. Kamini (1991)
    High ethanol productivity from lactose by immobilized cells of Kluyveromyces fragilis and Zymomonas mobilis.
    World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 7: 551-556.
40. P. Gunasekaran, T. Karunakaran, H. Nellaiah, N.R. Kamini and A.G. Mukundan (1990)
    Current status and prospective of an ethanol producer, Zymomonas mobilis (Review).
    Ind. J. Microbiol. 30: 107-133.
41. N.R. Kamini and P. Gunasekaran (1989)
    High ethanol productivity from lactose by Kluyveromyces fragilis NRRL 665 and Zymomonas mobilis NRRL B 4286.
    J. Ferment. Bioeng. 68: 305-309.
42. N.R. Kamini and P. Gunasekaran (1987)
    Simultaneous ethanol production from lactose by Kluyveromyces fragilis and Zymomonas mobilis.
    Current Microbiol. 16: 153-157.

Patents

1. C.V. Ramesh, R. Jayakumar, N.R. Kamini and R. Puvanakrishnan (1997)
   A process for the preparation of a novel peptide derivative exhibiting in vitro inhibition of platelet aggregation and antimicrobial activity.
   Indian Patent Application No: 1261/DEL/1997.
2. N.R. Kamini, J.G.S. Mala, D. Raghunatha Rao and R. Puvanakrishnan (1999)
   An improved process for the production of stable lipase.
   Indian Patent Application No: 1556/DEL/1999.
3. N.R. Kamini, T. Fujii, T. Kurosu and H. Iefuji (2001)
   New lipase CS2 derived from yeast.
   Japanese Patent No: JP2001252072
   Japanese Patent Application No: 2000 – 68227.
4. N.R. Kamini, T. Fujii, T. Kurosu and H. Iefuji (2002)
   Method for producing bio-diesel fuel (monalkyl ester)
   Japanese Patent No: JP2002233393
   Japanese Patent Application No: 2001 – 30066.
5. S. Sivasubramanian, R.B. Naidu, N.R. Kamini, M.K. Gowthaman, P. Saravanan, S.             Ramalingam, R. Ramesh, J. Kanagaraj, N.K. Chandrababu, Y.K. Saikumari, P. Balaram           and R. Puvanakrishnan (2007)
   A novel alkaline protease and a process for the preparation thereof.
   Indian Patent Application No. 2375/DEL/2007.
6. P. Dinesh, K.G. Rishikesh, V. Prabhavathi, N.G. Edwinoliver, R.B. Naidu, N.R. Kamini, C. Rose, N.K. Chandrababu, P. Saravanan and M.K. Gowthaman (2009)
   A novel pH and thermostable tannase from a fungal source and a process for the production thereof.
   Indian Patent Application No. 2372/DEL/2009
7. K. Thirunavukarasu, S. Purushothaman, Dinesh Prasad, N.G.Edwin Oliver, R. Ramesh, R.B.Naidu, M.K.Gowthaman, C. Rose and N.R.Kamini (2011)
   A novel esterase and a process for the preparation thereof.
   Indian Patent Application No. 1937/DEL/2011
8. V. Prabhawathi, R.K. Gupta, Dinesh Prasad, DuraiAnbarasan, S. Sundarapandian, N. G. Edwin Oliver, R.B. Naidu, C. Rose, N.R. Kamini, P. Saravanan and M.K. Gowthaman (2011)
   A novel alkaline protease for industrial applications and a process for the production thereof.
   Indian Patent Application No. 1939/DEL/2011
9. N.G. Edwinoliver, R. Ramesh, S. Purushothaman, K. Thirunavukarasu, S. DuraiAnbarasan, S. Sundarapandiyan, R.B. Naidu, B. Ramanaiah, C. Rose, N.K. Chandra Babu, M.K.  Gowthaman, P. Saravanan and N.R. Kamini (2013)
   A Proteolytic Product: Its Production and Application
   Indian Patent Filing No. 1181/DEL/2013

Academic awards:

1. Received the IJAA Medal Oration Award – 2015 from Dr. M. Fujii, Honorable State Minister, Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan during International Conference on Contemporary Advances of Science and Technology                 (IC-CAST-2015) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi on 7th August 2015.
2. Nominated as Member of the Executive Committee, South Chapter for the period from 2013 to 2017 of the Indian-JSPS Alumni Association for the active networking activities with India and Japan.
3. Nominated as Member of the Academic Council of Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore by His Excellency, The Governor-Chancellor, Governor’s Secretariat, Raj Bhavan, Chennai for a period of three years from 2013.
4. Received the “Best Poster Award’ in the 55th Annual Conference on Association of Microbiologists of India – Empowering Mankind with Microbial Technologies (AMI-EMMT-2014) held at TNAU, Coimbatore from 12th to 14th November 2014.
5. Nominated for the award of CSIR-DAAD under the Exchange of Scientists Program 2012 by the CSIR, India and DAAD, Germany and visited University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitatsstr, Essen, Germany from 11 September 2012 to 9 November 2012.
6. Awarded First Prize for the poster session in an International Conference on Futuristic Science and Technology in Frontier Areas (ICFST 2011) and 2nd Annual Conference of Indian JSPS Alumni Association held at The Residency Tower, Trivandrum, Kerala from 5-6th August 2011.
7. Awarded the Best visual presentation award in the 45th Leather Research Industry Get Together (LERIG) 2011.
8. Nominated for the award of JSPS Bridge Fellowship by the Government of JSPS, Japan and Indian-JSPS Alumni Association for the period from 15 March 2010 to 14 May 2010 at National Research Institute of Brewing, Hiroshima, Japan.
9. Received First prize in an International Conference on Recent Trends in Biotechnology – Origene 2007 held at Kalasalingam University, Krishnan Koil, from 5th to 6th January 2007 for presenting a poster.
10. Awarded First prize for poster presentation in Leather Research Industry Get Together (LERIG) 2005.
11. Awarded International Science and Technology award of STA (Science and Technology Agency) from Government of Japanfor carrying out post doctoral research work at National Research Institute of Brewing, Hiroshima, Japan from June 1999 to May 2001.
12. Awarded CSIR sponsored Pool Officer (Post Doctoral Senior Research Associateship) from July 1998 to May 1999.
13. Awarded DBT sponsored Post Doctoral Research Associateship from Nov.1993-Mar.1998.
14. Awarded DBT sponsored Junior Scientific Officer Fellowship from Jan.1993-Nov.1993.
15. Qualified in the National Education Test conducted by the UGC for the award of Junior Research Fellowship for pursuing Doctoral studies held in 1986.