About author: Dr. Kirti Nitnaware is an Assistant Professor at Hutatma Rajguru Mahavidyalaya, Rajgurunagar, Pune. She completed her master’s degree and went on to do Ph. D. studies on “Isolation and characterization of bioactive metabolites in cyanobacteria from Pune and adjoining region of western ghat” under the supervision of Prof. T. D. Nikam from Department of Botany, Savitribai Phule Pune University Pune. She worked as JRF and SRF under DAE-BRNS funded research project and as a CSIR SRF at the same institute. After joining as Assistant Professor she continued her research work on cyanobacteria. Dr. Nitnaware was successful to receive a research grant from Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India to develop image retrieval system model for identification and classification of cyanobacteria using foldscope microscope. This project included field survey with assistance of JRF fellow Mr. Kiran Raskar and together they collected over 108 cyanobacterial samples from a long the Western Ghats region of Pune district using foldscope microscope. Using foldscope, about 72 samples were identified as known cyanobacteria species and Pseudanabaena punensis was identified as a new species isolated from drinking water pipeline in the area of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Furthermore, she collaborated with Dr. Gunvant Patil, Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University, USA to understand genomic architecture of this newly identified fresh water cyanobacteria. Additionally, to promote the importance of foldscope in day-to-day research she conducted workshop and demonstrated the applications of foldscope to middle school and college students and academic staff. Presently, she is continuing her research work on cyanobacterial diversity and their beneficial and harmful effects in agriculture, ecosystem and on animal and human health.
How would you explain your paper’s key result to the non-scientific community?
Cyanobacteria formed on the surface of the earth about 3.5 billion years ago. They are unique photosynthetic organism, fix atmospheric nitrogen, CO2 and produce oxygen. Cyanobacteria plays an important role in availability of nitrogen to other living organisms. They are the first known oxygen producers on the surface of the earth. Cyanobacteria grows everywhere given water, moisture and light is available and plays crucial role in the stability of environment. Besides, many cyanobacterial species are source of novel bioactive compounds and used in several industrial applications. However, overgrowth of some cyanobacteria is toxic to animals, humans as well as the ecosystem. They may impart an off taste and odour to the drinking water and release highly toxic compounds in the aquatic system, including sources of freshwater for agriculture and domestic use. These toxins cause gastrointestinal disturbances, liver damage and neural damage in humans and animals. Some cyanobacteria may thrive in drinking water sources and supply pipe network, which in turn may block the filters and pipe systems. Therefore, understanding of such microscopic organisms in drinking water is important to provide control measures related to public safety and to reduce environmental degradation.
Foldscope is paper microscope invented by Scientist Manu Prakash (http://microcosmos.foldscope.com/). For utilization and exploration of this foldscope microscope, the DBT-foldscope initiated a special research program and provided funds to support tour research activities. This paper microscope is easy to use, inexpensive and a layman can carry this microscope in pocket and observe the minute (macroscopic objects) details upto 140X magnification. Using this microscope, we observed 72 samples of cyanobacteria and among them identified a novel cyanobacterial species named as P. punensis.
In depth analysis using whole-genome sequencing and comparative analysis of P. Punensis has revealed interesting features and the presence of several important genes associated with the synthesis of bioactive metabolites, multi-drug and heavy metal resistance, and toxin-production. P. punensis has several characteristics that can be potentially exploited in multiple applications. However, their prevalence in freshwater bodies could impact environmental and public health as it may be producing some toxic chemicals.
What are the possible consequences of these findings for your research area?
Cyanobacteria are emerging as a potential source of novel, beneficial bioactive compounds. However, some cyanobacteria species can degrade water quality via toxin production, thus, posing risk to public health. Therefore, surveying the occurrence and generating genomic resources of cyanobacteria producing harmful compounds could help develop the control methods necessary to manage their growth and limit the release of contaminants into the water bodies. Here, we describe a novel strain, Pseudanabaena punensis isolated from the open ends of pipelines supplying freshwater. This isolate was characterized morphologically, biochemically and by whole-genome sequence analysis. We also provided genomic information for P. punensis to help understand and highlight the features unique to this isolate. The whole-genome sequence analysis suggests greater genomic and phenotypic plasticity. We also identified several genes related to heavy metal transport indicating presence of heavy metal in source water that is Pavana river. Overall, this study emphasizes on both industrial applications and risks associated with the freshwater contamination, and therefore genomic resources provided in this study offer an opportunity for further investigations.
What was the exciting moment (Eureka moment) during your research?
After joining as assistant professor at Hutatma Rajguru Mahavidylaya, sanction of research project on cyanobacteria identification based on foldscope and availability of foldscope from DBT was the most exciting moment for me. More importantly, this project allowed me to communicate my research with next generation scientist. Furthermore, we discovered a novel species and characterized it with cutting-edge genomics tools. Naming of novel Pseudoanabaena novel species as a Pseudoanabena punensis at the name of district ‘Pune’. Lastly, acceptance of our manuscript in peered reviewed journal such as Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution and appreciation of work by authorities of Hutatma Rajguru Mahavidylaya and DBT was highly rewarding.
What do you hope to do next?
Given now that the novel species is noted from drinking water pipeline, it is better to know the phytochemistry and toxic metabolite secreting property of it, if any. If it is secrets toxic substances, then we could aware the municipal corporation to take active measures. As stated above this novel species Pseudanabaena punensis has lot of potential with respect to secondary metabolite production, biofuel and heavy metal tolerance and its absorption. In this regard, the work is in progress.
Where do you seek scientific inspiration?
We are working on cyanobacteria for more than a decade investigating their application for nitrogen fixation, medicinal properties and metabolite production and also bacterial association with cyanobacteria. However, sanction of project based on foldscope microscope, mentorship of my Ph.D. guide, Professor Dr T.D. Nikam, and encouragement from the authorities of Hutatma Rajguru Mahavidyalaya helped me to continue the research on cyanobacteria. For whole genome sequence data analysis, I interacted with Dr. Gunvant B. Patil from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, US and it motivated me to look deeper into the genome level of this novel cyanobacteria.
How do you intend to help Indian Science improve?
The one thing that I could help to Indian Science to improve would be communicating science and scientific inventions effectively with students and general public. These activities will change student’s vision towards science and will bring awareness in public. Currently, undergraduate degree offering institutes face challenges related with basic research facilities. With this mission, I would continue my research, which is not only important to basic science, but it also, has several aspect that can help next-generation scientist and general public.
Reference
Kirti M. Nitnaware, Kiran B. Raskar, Gaurav Agarwal, Ricardo A. Chávez Montes, Ratan Chopra, Damar L. López-Arredondo, Tukaram D. Nikam, Gunvant B. Patil. Whole-genome characterization and comparative genomics of a novel freshwater cyanobacteria species: Pseudanabaena punensis. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Volume 164, November 2021, 107272.
Edited by: Pragya Gupta