Laboratory of Cyanobacterial Systematics and Stress Biology, BHU, India

A new study from our lab describing a novel genus of cyanobacteria - Johanseniella from the North Eastern state of Tripura.

scientists have achieved a major breakthrough by identifying & describing a new genus of cyanobacteria from North Eastern state of Tripura. The discovery is 1st report of a new cyanobacterial genus being discovered from this region which also happens to be a global biodiversity hotspot. The finding during a study by researchers from the Department of Botany, was made by using the modern polyphasic approach. Polyphasic approach is important in identifying cyanobacteria or microbes with more accuracy and enhanced information as compared to other approaches. This new genus has been named Johanseniella, in honor of well-known phycologist Prof. Jeffrey R. Johansen from the John Carroll University, United States, while the species name tripurensis comes after the state of Tripura from where the sample was collected. The study was initiated in 2020 by Ms. Sagarika Pal, Ph.D scholar under the supervision of Dr. Prashant Singh, Assistant Professor, Centre of Advanced Study, Dept. of Botany, BHU. The research team feels that there could be a vast number of undiscovered cyanobacteria in the North East and hence, this study will serve as a template to motivate researchers to further join hands and help to discover, identify, and conserve cyanobacteria from different parts of this biodiversity rich region.

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काशी हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय के शोधकर्ताओं ने पूर्वोत्तर राज्य त्रिपुरा से सायनोबैक्टीरिया के एक नए जीनस की पहचान करते हुए उसके बारे में जानकारी जुटाई है। इस वैश्विक जैव विविधता हॉटस्पॉट में सायनोबैक्टीरिया के नए जीनस की खोज की यह पहली रिपोर्ट है। वनस्पति विज्ञान विभाग के शोधकर्ताओं द्वारा किए गए अध्ययन में यह खोज आधुनिक पॉलीफेसिक दृष्टिकोण का उपयोग करके की गई है। यह अध्ययन वनस्पति विज्ञान विभाग में सहायक प्रोफेसर डॉ प्रशांत सिंह के मार्गदर्शन में पीएचडी कर रहीं सागरिका पाल द्वारा वर्ष 2020 में शुरु किया गया था।

Online link of the research finding:
अध्ययन के नतीजों का ऑनलाइन लिंक:
https://academic.oup.com/femsle/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/femsle/fnac074/6659193?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Banaras Hindu University - BHU Banaras Hindu University Dharmendra Pradhan Banaras Hindu University University Grants commission Narendra Modi Department of Science and Technology, Government of India Dr Jitendra Singh Press Information Bureau - PIB, Government of India MyGovIndia John Carroll University

Our new study describing a novel species of hot spring dwelling Mastigocladus from India is now online. This is just the second species of the genus Mastigocladus described till date! Congratulations!

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00606-021-01755-2

Cyanobacteria samples from the extreme North East region of India have started to come alive! Our PhD student Sagarika is working in this North East Cyanobacteria Initiative.
Let us hope that we get some exciting results!

Fascinating story!! Must read by every microbiologist.

FEMS on Twitter “As a microbiologist, can you imagine life without agar? Neither do we. Read the fascinating story of agar's first use in the lab by Angelina F***y Hesse (1850-1934) in this entry by (blog illustrations by ) https://t.co/A38EdZsZlD”

Our Ph.D. Student Sagarika sampling bravely in the North East Corner of India. We thank DST for the pan-India Core Research Grant. The lab wishes her good health and a safe trip👍

Our PhD student Sagarika Pal samples in relatively unexplored extreme corner of North Eastern India. We look forward for her safe return.

The sample shown here is inside the cavity of the bamboo log.

Thanks to Department of Science and Technology for the Core Research Grant.

Our new study describing a novel species of Fortiea from Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, India is now online.

https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/ijsem.0.004337

We are now on twitter!!!

Follow Laboratory of Cyanobacterial Taxomomy & Systematics () for updates.

Lab of Cyanobacterial Systematics & Stress Biology (@cyanotaxonomy) | Twitter The latest Tweets from Lab of Cyanobacterial Systematics & Stress Biology (). Our lab is interested in studying cyanobacteria from different habitats of India 🔬🧬🧪👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 We are open to Collaborations within and outside India. Banaras Hindu University India

We appreciate the efforts of our algal volunteer Mohit Sharma, a student of B.Sc. (Hons.) IV semester, BHU who has collected algal samples from places in and around Varanasi (Shankuldhara, Manikarnika Ghat etc). His motivation and efforts are appreciable and praiseworthy!
We anticipate more algal volunteers from our BHU community.

Plant pots usually have algal growth around them during these seasons. It is always interesting to have a look at them. A long term study focussing only on algal diversity of these pots could be interesting! Importantly this is doable in these covid times

With abundant sunshine, hot and humid climate and some intermittent precipitation, this pre-monsoon season is the best time to collect cyanobacteria samples from crusts, soil, tree barks, water pipes etc. Do tell us if you decide to become an Algal Volunteer. We will be happy to help you and receive samples from you!

Algal communities can survive even when covered fully with ice. Freezing-melting is a stress that they encounter every season! A story of resilience and adaptability!