Research Overview
My research primarily focuses on Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism to study the effects of plant-derived compounds and synthetic molecules. Through interdisciplinary approaches combining experimental biology with computational methods, I aim to advance our understanding of biological systems and develop innovative therapeutic strategies.
Research Areas
C. elegans Research
Plant-Derived Extracts and Synthetic Compounds
Laboratory of Applied Bioscience, University of Chittagong
At the Laboratory of Applied Bioscience, my work focuses on utilizing Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism to assess the effects of plant-derived extracts and synthetic compounds. With its genetic simplicity, well-characterized biology, and relevance to higher organisms, C. elegans offers a powerful system for studying therapeutic potential and understanding mechanisms linked to health and disease.
This research aims to identify and characterize bioactive compounds that may contribute to novel pharmacological applications. By bridging experimental biology with modern analytical approaches, our work strengthens model organism research in Bangladesh and contributes to global scientific efforts in drug discovery and human health.
Figure: C. elegans under microscope
Nutritional Research
Antioxidant Profiling of Plant-Derived Samples
Laboratory of Food Science and Nutraceutical, University of Chittagong
At the Laboratory of Food Science and Nutraceutical, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, our work focuses on analyzing the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of various plant samples, including seaweeds and dates. We assess proximate composition (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, ash, moisture), elements (C, H, N, S, P), and minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Fe) to determine their nutritional value.
We also study bioactive compounds (phenolics, flavonoids, chlorophyll, carotenoids) and measure antioxidant activities through total antioxidant capacity, reducing power, and FRAP assays. This research supports the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals from locally available plant resources in Bangladesh.
Figure: Natural Products for Research and Discovery
Bioinformatics Research
Drug Discovery, Vaccine Design, and Pan-Cancer Analysis
BioPC - A Bioinformatics Lab of Research and Training
At BioPC - A Bioinformatics Lab of Research and Training, our research utilizes computational and systems biology approaches to accelerate drug discovery, optimize vaccine design.
In drug discovery, we focus on predicting compound efficacy and safety, while in vaccine design, we employ immunoinformatics to identify effective antigen candidates. Our pan-cancer analysis reveals shared molecular signatures across cancers, deepening our understanding of tumor heterogeneity and guiding precision medicine strategies. Through innovative computational tools and biomedical research, we strive to advance disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Figure: General workflow of Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD)
Current Projects
C. elegans Model Studies
Investigating the effects of plant-derived compounds using C. elegans as a model organism.
Nutraceutical Analysis
Analyzing the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of seaweeds and dates in collaboration with the Food Science and Nutraceutical Laboratory.
Bioinformatics Drug Design
Leading computational approaches to drug design and vaccine development through the BioPC initiative.
Research Methods & Techniques
Experimental Biology
- C. elegans culture and maintenance
- Heat stress assays
- Chemical stress assays
- Antihelmentic assays
- PCR and gene expression analysis
- Nutritional profiling
- Antioxidant activity assays
Computational Biology
- Molecular docking simulations
- Protein structure prediction
- ADMET analysis
- Immunoinformatics for vaccine design
Data Analysis
- Statistical analysis
- Bioinformatics tools
- Data visualization
- Scientific computing