Sajna Salim

Dedicated Biotechnologist with a strong academic foundation- postgraduate in Biotechnology and MPhil in Environmental Science. Currently Pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology, Specializing in Bioprospecting of Microflora. Skilled in profiling secondary metabolites for anti biofilm and antimicrobials, solid state and submerged fermentation, and enzyme purification. Accomplished educator with 4 years of experience at the graduate and postgraduate level. A seasoned researcher with 4 years of expertise. Published in Scopus -indexed journals. Proficient in data analysis, scientific reporting, research management and data handling. Passionate about advancing knowledge in the field of Biotechnology.

As a PhD candidate at the University of Kerala, I participated as a visiting researcher at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Iztapalapa, Mexico, for three months. Under the mentorship of Dr. Lilia Arely Prado Barragán, I focused on solid-state fermentation processes, contributing to ongoing research in this area.

• Salim, S.; Sugathan, S., 2025, Characterisation of Exiguobacterium abrahamii sp. nov., a novel strain isolated from mangrove soil with lanthipeptide biosynthetic genes, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, http://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-025-02079-8
• Roy, R. E., Nanda, K. S., Salim, S., Sugathan, S., & John, A., Two in One Gram Negative Antibacterial Agent and Organic Dye Photocatalyst from Green Synthesized Ocimum Sanctum-Based N and O Co-Doped Carbon Dot Silver Nanocomposite., Chemistry & biodiversity, e202401350
• Sugathan, S., Manikandan, S. K., Salim S., Abdulhameed S., 2023, Determination of tannin acyl hydrolase activity of Streptomyces mirabilis TBGS10 by measuring gallic acid using high-pressure liquid chromatography., Food Nutrition Chemistry, 1, 3, https://doi: 10.18686/fnc.v1i3.50
• Deepthi, K. S., Salim, S., Anugraha, A. S., & Sugathan, S., 2023, Whole Genome Sequence Data of Streptomyces californicus TBG-201, a Chitinolytic Actinomycete Isolated from the Vandanam Sacred Groves of Alleppey District, Kerala, India., Data in Brief, 109228, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.109228
• Sugathan, S., Salim, S., Srivastava, N., Ravindran, P., & Khare, S. K., 2022, Genome Sequence Analysis of Exiguobacterium sp. Strain TBG-PICH-001, Isolated from Pichavaram Mangrove Forest in South India., Microbiology Resource Announcements, 11, 5, e00096-22

Sugathan, S., Valsala, G., & Salim, S., 2023, Three Actinobacterial Isolates from Western Ghats of Kerala, India: Genome Mining for Their Bioactive Potential., Microbial Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Ecosystem Sustainability, 395-407, Springer Nature Singapore

• Salim S; Sugathan S, 2022, In-silico protein structure prediction., Shiburaj Sugathan, Sustainable utilisation of bioresources, 978-93-93242-020
• Salim S; Sugathan S, 2023, Production, partial purification, and In silico analysis of Protease from solvent-tolerant bacteria- Exiguobacterium TBG PICH 001., Suhra Beevi, Proceedings of International Conference On Recent Advances In Biological Science, 978-81-956634-1-5, 179

• Salim Sajna, Hari Neethu, Sudhi Surabhi, Nair Jayakumar Ananthakrishnan, 2025, Green Synthesis, Characterisation and Bioactivity of Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles Using Myristica fragrans Leaf Extract, The Microbe, Manuscript Number: MICROB-D-25-00682Salim S.; Sugathan S., Characterization of Exiguobacterium abrahamii sp. nov., a novel strain with a potential for production of lanthipeptide isolated from the Mangrove soil., 2025, Submission ID deec50a0-f75c-4207-82ed-738ecf2bc9d8
• Naushad, T.; Türetgen, I.; Salim, S.; Sugathan, S., An In-vitro Study into the Inhibitory Effects of Etlingera elatior Flower Oil on Acinetobacter baumannii Biofilms., 2022, Preprints 2022, 2022090191, https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202209.0191.v1

• Eradication of Acinetobacter baumannii biofilms using protease enzyme produced from Exiguobacterium sp. through Solid State Fermentation in an International conference on Antibiotics and Alternative Strategies for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance organized by Sree Krishna Arts and Science College, (Autonomous), Coimbatore jointly with Department of Biotechnology, Government of India on July 2024
• Production, partial purification, and In silico analysis of Protease from solvent-tolerant bacteria Exiguobacterium TBG PICH 001 in an International Conference on International conference on Recent Advances In Biological Sciences 2023” organized by Inter-University Centre For Evolutionary and Integrative Biology (iCEIB), University of Kerala Kariavattom on January 2023
• Isolation, Microbial and Biofilm Inhibitory Effects of Secondary Metabolites produced from a novel strain of Exiguobacterium sp.TBG PICH 01” in an International conference on “Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbiome under Changing Climate” organized by Department of Microbiology School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University in association with Imperial College London on October 2022
• Production, partial purification and In silico analysis of serine protease from solvent tolerant bacteria Exiguobacterium TBG PICH 001 in “Indo-USA International conference on Applications of Nanotechnology in Biology, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals (ICNB3) organized by School of Life Sciences, B.S.Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology in association with University of Missouri, USA, The Biotech Research Society, India, Microbiologist Society, India,
  Nano and Biomaterials Association, BSACIST on August2022. (ISBN: 978-93-94198-05-0)
• In Silico Analysis of protease from Exiguobacterium sp. TBG PICH 001, isolates from Pichavaram Estuary, TamilNadu in International Conference of Sustainable Utilization of Bioresources; organized by Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Karyavattom Campus, Trivandrum on January 2022
• Exiguobacterium sp. TBG PICH 001, a novel bacteria isolated from Pichavaram Estuaries, Tamilnadu India in the conference on Advances in Microbial Technologies organized by Amity University, Rajasthan, in collaboration with Society for Green Environment, India on December 2021
• Cloning, Expression and In Silico Analysis of a Rhomboid Family Intra-Membrane Serine Protease in the international Webinar on Advances in Genomics and Gene Technology organized by the Inter-University Centre for Genomics and Gene Technology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom from March 2021
• Green Synthesis and Characterization of Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles by the Leaf Extract of Myristica Fragrans for Water Remediation in the National Webinar and Scientific paper presentation competition organized by the Department of Botany, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, jointly with Kerala Academy of Sciences (KAS), Trivandrum on December 2020
• A study on prevalent aeroallergens in Houses in the National Seminar on Recent Biochemical Approaches in Therapeutics" (RBAT-V) organized by the Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala on 2019
• Alzheimer disease-Light of an entire life fades into the mist of non-recognition in the National Seminar on Frontiers in Biotechnology held at KVM College of Engineering and IT Cherthala on 2010

• National Workshop on Whole Genome and Transcriptome Data Analysis, Inter-University Centre for Genomics and Gene Technology
• Hands-on training program on 'Advanced Biological Imaging and Elemental Analysis', Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi
• Training programme on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, DBT-BIC, NCAAH in association with CUSAT, Kerala, India

• Delivered a session in International Seminar on Planet in Peril: Understanding and Addressing Global Climate Change, Department of Botany, Government college Chittur, Palakkad, December 2023
• Delivered a practical session in National Workshop on Tools and Techniques in Plant Science Research, Department of Botany, December 2022
• An active member of American Society for Microbiology, Global Outreach, 200339973
• An active member of the University of Kerala Biotechnology Alumni Association, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala
• Actively participated as an editorial committee member for the 'International conference on sustainable utilization Bioresources' webinar, Department of Botany, University of Kerala

• Student Exchange Fellowship, 2023, To Metropolitan Autonomous University, Iztapalapa, Mexico by the University of Kerala, Center for Latin American Studies
• Qualified for the State level evaluation of Young Innovator's Program 4.0, Conducted by Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), Government of Kerala
• Research Award, 2023, By the Directorate of Collegiate Education, Government of Kerala
• Best Paper Award, International conference on 'Antibiotics and Alternative Strategies for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance, Organized by Sree Krishna Arts and Science College, Coimbatore jointly with Department of Biotechnology, Government of India-2024
• Best Paper Award, Indo-USA International Conference on Applications of Nanotechnology in Biology, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals (ICNB3), Organized by School of Life Sciences, B.S.Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology-2022
• Best Paper Award, International Conference of Sustainable Utilization of Bioresources, Organized by Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Trivandrum-2022
• Best Paper Award, National Webinar & Scientific paper presentation competition, Organized by the Department of Botany, Vimala College, Thrissur-2020

• Trained 9 post graduate students on laboratory techniques and research fundamentals.
• Collaborated with investigators at Christian College Chengannur, Alappuzha and St Thomas College Kozhencherry, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India to make breakthrough in Nanoparticle synthesis characterization and analysis of bioactivity

• Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala, Trivandrum, India

• Delivered a session in International Seminar on Planet in Peril: Understanding and Addressing Global Climate Change conducted by Department of Botany, Government college Chittur, Palakkad on December 2023
• Delivered a practical session in National Workshop on Tools and Techniques in Plant Science Research Conducted by the Department of Botany from 12th to 16th December 2022.

Nationality                : Indian
Date of Birth             :13th October 1988
Gender                      : Female