Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0001-7853-1889
Biosketch
Dr. Gopalakrishnan Thamilselvan, M.Tech., Ph.D. is a biotechnology researcher and academic specializing in bacterial physiology, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and infectious disease biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from SASTRA Deemed to be University, where his research focused on membrane-associated resistance mechanisms in pathogenic bacteria, particularly the role of the NorA efflux pump in Staphylococcus aureus. His work provided insights into how bacterial transport systems regulate intracellular antibiotic concentrations and facilitate adaptive resistance under antimicrobial stress.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan's research integrates molecular microbiology, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, bacterial physiology, and in vivo infection models to elucidate mechanisms underlying antimicrobial resistance. His scientific contributions have advanced the understanding of multidrug-resistant pathogens and strategies to overcome bacterial resistance. He has published several peer-reviewed articles in reputed international journals, including Scientific Reports and Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.
Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Biotechnology, he actively engages in teaching, research, and student mentorship. His academic interests include microbial pathogenesis, membrane transport systems, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and translational microbiology. Through his research and educational activities, Dr. Gopalakrishnan remains committed to addressing global antimicrobial resistance challenges and training future biotechnology professionals.
Date of Award
9-9-2023
Document Type
Thesis
School
School of Chemical & Biotechnology
Programme
Ph.D.-Doctoral of Philosophy
First Advisor
Dr. Adline Princy Solomon
Keywords
Staphylococcus aureus; antibiotic resistance; NorA efflux pump; efflux pump inhibitor
Abstract
Problem Statement: Staphylococcus aureus is a highly adaptable and tenacious pathogen known to cause a wide range of infections. The survival characteristics of the pathogen in different host niches are due to their ability to produce various pathogenic determinants. Although there lies the first line of treatment regimens with antibiotics, the pathogen defends at various levels to cause the waves of resistance - a silent pandemic “AMR”.
Notable strategies are through the protective layer, biofilm that enables the inter-/intra species communication (Quorum Sensing; QS) and emerges as a battleground to withstand host-immune response and antibiotic pressure. In parallel, several research evidenced that the inhibition of the efflux pump impaired the formation of QS-enabled biofilm. S.aureus is reported to consist of 14 MDR pumps, namely the NorA efflux pump was chosen as it expels a wide range of chemical probes that includes fluoroquinolones and is highly expressed in biofilm cells.
Although there exist several inhibitors of NorA efflux pump (EPI’s), structural diversity among these compounds makes it difficult to establish good structure-activity correlations that would allow the design of compounds with more promising activities and/or properties. So, far none of the EPIs authorized for human or veterinary use can undergo clinical trials due to the high concentration of these drugs to be used as EPI and their unfeasibility because of their toxicities.
Recommended Citation
T, Gopalakrishnan Mr, "Development of an Antibiotic Resistance Breaker to Combat Staphylococcus Aureus Pathogenesis Skin Infections SSIs A Multidisciplinary" (2023). Theses and Dissertations. 227.
https://knowledgeconnect.sastra.edu/theses/227