Dr. Basil George

Assistant Professor
Email: [email protected]

Education

  • BSc., MG University, 2005
  • MSc., MG University, 2007
  • PhD., Sardar Patel University, 2012

Area of Specialization

  • Microalgae- Taxonomy
  • Culturing and Bio-prospecting
  • Phycology

Home:

Microalgae’s rapid growth and adaptability to extreme environments make them ideal models for studying metabolic and evolutionary processes. Their efficient use of sunlight energy in photosynthesis, compared to higher plants, underscores their potential for producing valuable compounds and energy. Exploring microalgae from diverse aquatic, terrestrial, and extreme habitats is highly significant for discovering new isolates with promising applications. Commercially, microalgae find use in enhancing food and animal feed nutrition, supporting aquaculture, and serving in cosmetic formulations. The Algal Research Group at the Department of Botany is dedicated to uncovering the potential applications of unexplored genera from various habitats across Kerala.

Research:

Our research group primarily focuses on evaluating the diversity of microalgae across various habitats and isolating potent strains for bio-prospecting purposes. We also analyze the diverse nutrients and biochemical components present in microalgae, enabling us to determine their chemotaxonomic classification and recommend their use in pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and pigment applications. Additionally, we’re exploring the impact of various biotic and abiotic factors on the biochemical composition, growth, and productivity of microalgae. The newly identified potent strains undergo further assessment for their potential in biofuel production, pigment extraction, PHA, bio-plastics, biosensors, and other commercially significant, eco-friendly products.

  • Methodology of science and an Introduction to Botany BY1811101
  • Phycology and Bryology BY1813103
  • Research Methodology, Biophysics and Biostatistics BY1815106
  • Biotechnology and Bioinformatics BY1816112
  • Microbiology and Phycology BY1921101
  • Gymnosperms, Evolution and Developmental Biology BY1922105
  • Cell and Molecular Biology BY1922106
  • Genetics and Biochemistry BY1922108
  • Research Methodology, Biophysical instrumentation,
  • Biostatistics and Microtechnique BY1923109
  • Biotechnology BY1923111
  • Genetic Engineering BY1924302

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  • Invited talk: Microalgae: Isolation, culturing and Bioprospecting. Luminary Talk Series #1, Government Victoria College, Palakkad. 7th December 2023
  • Invited talk: Micro Algal Diversity of Agro-ecological Zones of Kerala and its Bioprospecting for Lipid and Pigment Productivity. Indo-UK Partnership development Workshop, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. 19 – 20th January 2022

Academic Year Name of the Project/ Endowments, Chairs Name of the Principal Investigator/ Co- Investigator Name of the Funding agency Type (Government/Non-Government) Date & Year of Award Funds provided  (INR in lakhs) Duration of the project  

 

 

Status
2016-2017 Isolation and Identification of Microalgae from different agro- ecological zones of Kerala and its bio-prospecting for lipid and pigment productivity. Dr. Basil George SERB Government 16-09-2016  37,91,937 3.0 years  

 

Completed
Documentation of Traditional Knowledge and Grassroots Innovations from six selected districts of Kerala Dr. Basil George NIF Government 21-01-2016 1,97,000 9 months Completed
Extraction of C-Phycocyanin from selected members of Cyanophyceae and evaluation of its anti-tumour activity Dr. Basil George KSCSTE Government 03-06-2017 11,000 6 months Completed
2017-2018

 

 

 

 

 Isolation and extraction of carotenoid pigments from selected freshwater microalgal strains and evaluation of its anti-oxidant activity Dr. Basil George KSCSTE Government 30-10-2017 8000 6 months Completed
Isolation and identification of pigment producing cyanophycean members from different habitats of Idukki District, Kerala Dr. Basil George KSCSTE Government 30-10-2017 5000 6 months Completed
 Extraction of phycolectins from different selected marine algae from Thirumullavaram beach of  Kollam district Smt. Christine Sara Abraham KSCSTE Government 09-09-2017 8,000 6 months Completed
Diversity and distribution of Periphytons along Periyar River of Kerala and to develop a water quality monitoring index- using Foldscope. Dr. Basil George DBT Government 20-03-2018 8,00,000 1.6 years Completed
Scouting & Documentation and Dissemination of traditional knowledge and grass root innovations from villages of North Kerala Dr. Basil George NIF Government 02-03-2018 2,69,000 1.6 years Completed
2018-2019

 

 

 Assessment of morphological, anatomical, and biochemical characterstics of selected lichens from vagamon hills Dr. Basil George KSCSTE Government 07-01-2019 9000 6 months Completed
Nutrient removal from artificial wasewater using selected microalgal strains Dr. Basil George KSCSTE Government 07-01-2019 10,000 6 months Completed
Effect of different phytohormones on biochemical composition of microalgae Dr. Basil George KSCSTE Government 07-01-2019 8,000 6 months Completed
2019-2020 Documentation and conservation of traditional knowledge on agricultural and herbal practices from selected districts of Southern Kerala Dr. Basil George NIF Government 28-05-2020 3,03,280 1 year Completed
2021-2022 Scouting and documentation of grass-root innovations and agricultural practices from central districts of Kerala Dr. Basil George NIF Government 28-12-2022 3,70,440 1 Year Completed
KSCSTE-SARD- Infrastructure strengthening of Department of Botany, CMS College Kottayam Dr. Basil George KSCSTE Government 10-01-2022 8,28,000 3 Year Ongoing

Aravind K Vijay (PhD Student- Full Time)

  • Topic: Lipid productivity of selected Chlorophyceae species. Bioprospecting for potential biofuel and nutraceutical compounds
  • Email id: [email protected]
  • Date of Registration: UO: 8942/4/2018/acad/AII Date: 31/12/2018
  • Registration no: 92/2018
  • Date of Joining: 1st January 2019

Syama Prabha (PhD Student- Full time)

  • Topic: Extraction and purification of phycobiliproteins from selected members of Cyanophyceae and evaluation of its nutraceutical and pharmaceutical assay
  • Email id: [email protected]
  • Date of Registration: UO: 8664/4/2018/acad/AII Date: 12/12/2018
  • Registration no: 90/2018
  • Date of Joining: 1st January 2019

Biju George (PhD Student- Part-time)

  • Topic: Ecology and diversity of benthic diatoms of Idukki district of Kerala
  • Email id: [email protected]
  • Date of Registration: UO: 866/4/2018/acad/AII Date: 12/12/2018
  • Registration no: 91/2018
  • Date of Joining: 1st January 2019

Christine Sara Abraham (PhD Student- Part-time)

  • Topic: Carotenoids of selected species of Chlorophyceae (high ranges in Kerala) and its nutraceutical assay.
  • Email id: [email protected]
  • Date of Registration: UO: 8942/4/2018/acad/AII Date: 12/12/2018
  • Registration no: 89/2018
  • Date of Joining: 1st January 2019

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