Brief Biography:
After completion of my B.Sc. in Zoology (Honours) in 2001 and subsequently M.Sc. in Zoology in 2004, I joined Defence Research Laboratory (DRDO), Tezpur in January 2005, and worked there untill May 2010. I completed my PhD from Gauhati University during this time. After, I have joined in National Centre for Disease Control (Min. of Health & FW, Govt. of India) as Deputy Assistant Director (Scientist), where I work until date. I have more than 7 years of research experience in the field of medical entomology, vector biology & control, and insect molecular genetics. My doctoral research was on biochemical and molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance. During my appointment in Defence Research Laboratory (DRDO), Tezpur, I conducted vector surveillance, bio-toxicity assays of biological and chemical insecticides against mosquitoes; assess the insecticide susceptibility status in mosquito vectors of human diseases. I performed the biochemical analysis and detoxifying enzyme profiling of mosquito vectors to understand the mechanisms of metabolic resistance (Sarkar et al. 2009a). I studied the life-stage specific responses of resistance in mosquitoes (Sarkar et al, 2009c). A considerable portion of my research work relates to molecular biology of insecticide resistance and the understanding of the target site mediated resistance mechanism such as the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms like knockdown resistance (kdr) in developing resistance phenotype (Sarkar et al, 2009b). My research work also focused on the distribution pattern of kdr in wild mosquito populations in India (Sarkar et al, 2009b). In this course, I have developed a Real-Time PCR assay based on Melting Curve Analysis using single-labeled probe for high-throughput genotyping of kdr mutation. This is for the first time that 'Simple-probe chemistry' is used in insect molecular biology (Sarkar et al., 2010a). Subsequently, I studied the DNA sequence polymorphisms in voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) in Culex mosquitoes to understand the molecular evolutionary pattern of knockdown resistance. I published the first report of kdr mutation in lymphatic filariasis vectors in India (Sarkar et al. 2009b). For a better understanding of the structure of ion channels, the targets of insecticide binding, I undertake a study on the in silico modeling of sodium channel protein in Culex quinquefasciatus (Sarkar et al. 2011 In Press). My recent research assignments in National Centre for Disease Control as PI of the project entitled Studies on the role of certain Anophelines in the transmission of malaria in Arunachal Pradesh, India, focused on the malaria surveillance, entomological measures of risk of malaria, role of different Anopheles mosquitoes in transmission of malaria through classical, immunological, & molecular tools in northeastern India. Responsibilities include conducting, overseeing experiments to reduce malaria transmission, design, and implementation of trials of vector control tools in remote forest fringed tribal villages of north-eastern India (Assam & Arunachal Pradesh), strategically the most important disease endemic states in India. Beside above, I was engaged in the molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic studies of Simullium species with other researchers/students of DRL (DRDO). Moreover, I was also associated with epidemiological and entomological investigations of Dengue/DHF outbreaks in 2010 in Delhi, India. Apart from my specialized field of Vector Biology, I was also involved in molecular characterization of some biodiesel potential freshwater microalgae from India (Kaur et. al. 2011, revised submitted).
During my tenure in DRL (DRDO), I was responsible for guiding junior lab members (graduate students, Research Assistants etc.) and help to solve their research problems. I supervised 6 students of B.Tech (Biotechnology) from Haldia Institute of Technology (WB), India for their summer training/course in 2008 and 2009 on "Insect Biotechnology in relation to Insecticide Resistance" and "Insect Molecular Biology and Molecular Parasitology" respectively. Presently, I am involved in teaching Master of Public Health (MPH) students in NCDC for their medical entomology course works. Beside research work, I am associated with voluntary scholarly services as editor and reviewer of few international journals.
ACADEMIC AWARD / Recognition
- Who's Who in the World (28th Edition 2011)
- International Travel Grant (2008) by Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
- Best Presentation-III in Young Scientist category (thFeb 2008
Academic positions:
1. Deputy Assistant Director (2010-present)
2. Research Scientist (2005-2010)
Research interests:
Medical Entomology, Vector Biology & control, Insect Molecular Biology, Vector-host-pathogen interaction, Molecular & Biochemical mechanisms of insecticide resistance, Insect RNAi, Public Health, Ento-epidemiology, Biological control etc.
Diseases of my interest (non-clinical part): Malaria, Dengue, Filariasis, JE, other vector-borne NTD
Any other information:
Scholarly SERVICES to the Journals: EditorIAL & Peer-Review
- Associate Editor: Journal of Entomology & Nematology, Kenya
- Editorial Board Member: (i) Journal of Biopesticide, India; (ii) Journal of Biofertilizers & Biopesticides
- Guest Editor (Special issue): South Asian Journal of Experimental Biology
- Lead Faculty (Biology): WebmedCentral
- Reviewer/Referee: WebmedCentral, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Theoretical Biology and Medical Modeling, Chronicle of Young Scientists, International Research Journal of Biotechnology, African Journal of Biotechnology, and some other national journals/magazines
INVITED PRESENTATIONS / LECTURES
1) Faculty lecture on "Insecticide Resistance: from basic to molecular approach" on 1st April 2011 in training programme for newly recruited Entomologist under Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (Govt. of India)
2) Inaugural Lecture (Plenary Lecture) in 4th Conference of Medical Arthropodology in Madurai on 20th December 2010. Topic: Real-Time PCR detection of Knockdown Resistance (kdr) mutation in Culex quinquefasciatus using single-labelled hybridisation probe/melting curve analysis
3) Lectures as DRDO-CEP course faculty; Topic: “Statistical Genetics: A Glimpse for Beginners” in DRDO Continuing Education Programme on Bio-statistical Methods in Life Science on13th Nov 2009 at DRL, Tezpur, Assam
4) Talk; Topic: “Molecular Evolution: An Enigma of Complexity with Myriad of Combative Thoughts” on 20th July 2009 in DRL Seminar club lecture series
5) Faculty lecture; Topic: “Molecular Entomology in Vector Management: Current trends & Future Avenues” on 8th Feb 2008 in Training on Basic Techniques in Management of Mosquitoes & Mosquito Borne Diseases at DRL (DRDO), Tezpur, Assam
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
National (Indian):
National Academy of Vector Borne Diseases, India (Life member)
- National Academy of Vector Borne Diseases, India (Life member)
- Zoological Society of Assam, India (Life member)
- Indian Science Congress Association, India (Member)
- Entomological Society of India (Member)
International:
- International Society of Zoological Science, China (Member)
- International Society for Infectious Diseases (Corresponding Membership)
- The International Society of Integrative Biology (Online Member)
What I think of the idea behind WebmedCentral:
I support the whole system of webmed central. I feel that post publication peer-review policies are really an exciting method to eliminate any biasing in review system. In traditional publishing system, the fate of an article, which may be a real hope for the authors/researchers are solly depend on the thought/views of 2-3 experts. The worst sufferers are the authors from developing countries and authors whose native language is not English. As being the Editorial Board member of some journals, I came across many manuscripts, which has excellent scientific calibers, however, poorly written by non-native Englisher speakers and external reviewers just commented based on their poor English quality and recommended rejection. However, I think webmed central's policy of post publication open peer-review system will help to minimize these problems. However, I think there are some points/policies of WBC, which need revision to make this publishing system a path-breaking one.
Home Page:
http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Manas_Sarkar
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