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{{Short description|Indian biophysicist at IIT–Roorkee}}
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{{Infobox scientist
{{Infobox scientist
| name              = Pravindra Kumar
| name              = Pravindra Kumar
| image            =  
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| death_date        =  
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| residence        = [[Rourkee]], [[Uttarakhand]], India
| nationality      = [[Indian nationality|Indian]]
| fields            = {{ublist | [[Biophysics]] | [[Bioinformatics]] | [[Biochemistry]] }}
| fields            = {{ublist | [[Biophysics]] | [[Bioinformatics]] | [[Biochemistry]] }}
| workplaces        = {{ublist | [[Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee]] }}
| workplaces        = {{ublist | [[Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee]] }}
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| doctoral_students =  
| doctoral_students =  
| known_for        = Studies on [[protein-protein interactions]], [[protein engineering]] and [[structure-based drug design]]
| known_for        = Studies on [[protein-protein interactions]], [[protein engineering]] and [[structure-based drug design]]
| awards            = {{ublist| 2015 [[National Bioscience Award for Career Development|N-BIOS Prize]] }}
| awards            = {{ublist| 2015 [[National Bioscience Award for Career Development|N-BIOS Prize]] }}  
}}
}}
'''Pravindra Kumar''' is an Indian [[biophysicist]], [[bioinformatician]], [[biochemist]] and professor at the [[Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee]]. He is known for his work on [[protein-protein interactions]], [[protein engineering]] and [[structure-based drug design]]. The [[Department of Biotechnology]] of the Government of India awarded him the [[National Bioscience Award for Career Development]] in 2015, one of the highest Indian science awards, for his contributions to biosciences.<ref name="Awardees of National Bioscience Awards for Career Development">{{Cite web |url=http://dbtindia.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/list_of_bioscience_awardees.pdf |title=Awardees of National Bioscience Awards for Career Development |date=2016 |publisher=Department of Biotechnology |access-date=2017-11-20}}</ref>
'''Professor Pravindra Kumar''' is an Indian [[biophysicist]], [[bioinformatician]], [[biochemist]] and Professor & Former Head Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute Of Technology–Roorkee (IIT–Roorkee) India. He is known for his work on [[protein-protein interactions]], [[protein engineering]] and [[structure-based drug design]]. Prof. Pravindra Kumar's primary research interest lies in studying Bacterial enzymes and
pathways involved in the degradation of toxic aromatic compounds, such as PCBs, dibenzofuran, chlorodibenzofurans, DDT, dyes, and plastics/plasticizers. He focuses particularly on oxidoreductases enzymes due to their unique ability to catalyze challenging reactions, with a special emphasis on understanding their catalytic mechanisms and structural basis for guiding protein engineering. One notable achievement of his research group is the successful engineering of dioxygenases capable of metabolizing various toxic compounds, including those found in plastics (J. Bacteriol. 2016, BBRC 2012, JMB 2011, J.Biol. Chem. 2011).


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
[[File:Admin Block IIT-R.JPG|left|thumb|IIT Roorkee]]
[[File:Admin Block IIT-R.JPG|left|thumb|IIT Roorkee]]
Pravindra Kumar, after completing his master's studies at [[Chaudhary Charan Singh University]] in 1995, did his doctoral studies in biophysics at the [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi]] while working as a senior demonstrator there.<ref name="Department of Biotechnology,Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Index">{{Cite web |url=https://www.iitr.ac.in/departments/BT/pages/People+Faculty+kumarfbs.html |title=Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Index |last=Roorkee |first=Information Management Group, IIT |date=2018-05-15 |website=www.iitr.ac.in |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> He earned his PhD in 2001 and proceeded to the US where he did his post doctoral studies at [[Purdue University]].<ref name="Faculty profile">{{Cite web |url=http://people.iitr.ernet.in/facultyresume/kumarfbs_1.pdf |title=Faculty profile |date=2018-05-15 |website=IIT Roorkee |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> Returning to India in 2005, he joined the [[Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee]] as an assistant professor and holds the position of an associate professor since 2012. At IIT Roorkee, he has held several positions such as those of associate dean (corporate interaction), chief advisor (sports), deputy chief advisor (students club) and warden.<ref name="Department of Biotechnology,Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Index" />


== Professional profile ==
The global surge in plastic consumption has led to the "Plastic Age," prompting his interest in
[[File:Coffee Flowers.JPG|thumb|Coffee Flowers]]
finding innovative strategies for PET bioconversion and recycling through the engineering of
Kumar focuses his interest on [[protein engineering]] and interactions as well as [[drug design]] and leads a team of researchers.<ref name="Faculty profile" /> In 2017, his team worked on [[Chlorogenic acid]], an aromatic compound found naturally in plants like [[coffea]] and their biochemical and structural studies using [[x-ray crystallography]] techniques revealed that the compound had anti-bacterial properties.<ref name="A new class of antibiotics from coffee? - Nature India">{{Cite journal |url=https://www.natureasia.com/en/nindia/article/10.1038/nindia.2017.121 |title=A new class of antibiotics from coffee? - Nature India |date=20 September 2017 |website=Nature India |doi=10.1038/nindia.2017.121 |doi-broken-date=31 May 2021 |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> The discovery is reported to have opportunities in the development of a new class of [[antibiotics]]<ref name="IIT Roorkee discovered the antibacterial mechanism of a natural compound obtained from plant species">{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/iit-roorkee-discovered-the-antibacterial-mechanism-of-a-natural-compound-obtained-from-plant-species-1176144-2018-02-23 |title=IIT Roorkee discovered the antibacterial mechanism of a natural compound obtained from plant species |date=23 February 2018 |work=India Today |access-date=2018-05-15 |language=en}}</ref> as the compound clings to the [[chorismate mutase]] enzyme in the [[shikimate pathway]] which assists in the synthesis of [[aromatic amino acids]] and this could inhibit the growth of bacteria.<ref name="IIT-Roorkee study finds coffee compound may lead to new class of antibiotics - Times of India">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/iit-r-study-finds-coffee-compound-may-lead-to-new-class-of-antibiotics/articleshow/63049030.cms |title=IIT-Roorkee study finds coffee compound may lead to new class of antibiotics - Times of India |date=25 February 2018 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> His studies have been documented by way of a number of articles<ref name="On Google Scholar">{{Cite web |url=https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=YnykEfsAAAAJ&hl=en |title=On Google Scholar |date=2018-05-15 |publisher=Google Scholar |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>{{Refn|group=note|Please see ''Selected bibliography'' section}} and [[ResearchGate]], an online repository of scientific articles has listed 117 of them.<ref name="On ResearchGate">{{Cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pravindra_Kumar4 |title=On ResearchGate |date=2018-05-15 |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>
robust enzymes and microbial strains. Toxic substances, such as phthalate and terephthalate,
commonly found in plastic bottles, packaging, personal care items, and industrial waste, leading
to their detection in various aquatic environments. These toxic substances cause cancer and heart
diseases and have been found to disrupt the endocrine system and have adverse effects on
reproductive health and physical growth. Hiss recent work has resulted in determining the first
crystal structures of key enzymes involved in the degradation of phthalates and terephthalate,
leading to the successful engineering of oxidoreductases with remarkable abilities to metabolize
these toxic compounds (J. Biol. Chem., 2021; J. Bacteriol., 2021; Arch. of Biochem. and
Biophys., 2022). Additionally, he has also developed a phthalate binding protein-based system
for extracting phthalates from contaminated water. Prof. Kumar's lab has engineered potent
microbial enzymes to eliminate these harmful substances from the atmosphere, potentially
mitigating environmental contamination.This was helpful for the development of biological
systems that convert waste plastic into valuable products, promoting a circular economy and
reducing plastic waste's environmental impact.
Further, his contributions extend to antimicrobial research, where he has made significant strides.
Notably, he successfully determined the crystal structure of a crucial bacterial enzyme (OXA-58)
and identified a novel inhibitor that shows promise in combating antibiotic resistance
(Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2015; Mol Biosys. 2016; JMB 2019). Moreover, his research
efforts have identified potential drug targets in Moraxella catarrhalis, leading to the discovery of
new inhibitors that could be utilized in developing novel antimicrobials (Acta Crystallogr D
2015; Biochim Biophys Acta. 2018; Biochemie. 2018; Arch. of Biochem. and Biophys., 2020;
Biochemie. 2022).
In addition to his antimicrobial research, Prof. Kumar's laboratory has explored the antibacterial
properties of chlorogenic acid, a natural compound found in various plant species, as a potential
new class of antibiotics (Sci. Rep. 2017; J. Bacteriol., 2020). Furthermore, his team has
extensively studied the structural aspects of plant proteins and secondary metabolites from
medicinal plants, leading to various discoveries with potential therapeutic implications (FEBS J
2012; PLoS One. 2013; Proteins; Proteomics 2015; Sci. Rep. 2017; Sci. Rep. 2020).
Through collaboration, his team has discovered novel antivirals and patented an enzyme assay
and kit for identifying inhibitors of alphavirus/Chikungunya virus (PLoS One 2013; J Virol.
2014; Sci Rep. 2017; Antiviral Res. 2017; Virology 2018; Virus Res. 2021; Virology 2022;
FEBS J 2022).
Prof. Pravindra Kumar's wide-ranging contributions to the understanding of enzymes, bacterial
pathways, and potential drug targets have significant implications for both national and
international issues. His research on plastics degradation can help address environmental
pollution and promote sustainable practices in waste management. Additionally, his
antimicrobial work offers promising solutions to combat antibiotic resistance and emerging viral
threats, benefiting global public health efforts. Furthermore, his investigations into plant
therapeutic proteins contribute to the advancement of medicinal sciences and the development of
novel therapies for various ailments. Pravindra Kumar also focuses his interest on [[protein engineering]] and interactions as well as [[drug design]] and leads a team of researchers.<ref name="Faculty profile">{{Cite web |url=http://people.iitr.ernet.in/facultyresume/kumarfbs_1.pdf |title=Faculty profile |date=2018-05-15 |website=IIT Roorkee |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> In 2017, his team worked on [[Chlorogenic acid]], an aromatic compound found naturally in plants like [[coffea]] and their biochemical and structural studies using [[x-ray crystallography]] techniques revealed that the compound had anti-bacterial properties.<ref name="A new class of antibiotics from coffee? - Nature India">{{Cite journal |url=https://www.natureasia.com/en/nindia/article/10.1038/nindia.2017.121 |title=A new class of antibiotics from coffee? - Nature India |date=20 September 2017 |website=Nature India |doi=10.1038/nindia.2017.121 |doi-broken-date=1 July 2025 |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> The discovery is reported to have opportunities in the development of a new class of [[antibiotics]]<ref name="IIT Roorkee discovered the antibacterial mechanism of a natural compound obtained from plant species">{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/iit-roorkee-discovered-the-antibacterial-mechanism-of-a-natural-compound-obtained-from-plant-species-1176144-2018-02-23 |title=IIT Roorkee discovered the antibacterial mechanism of a natural compound obtained from plant species |date=23 February 2018 |work=India Today |access-date=2018-05-15 |language=en}}</ref> as the compound clings to the [[chorismate mutase]] enzyme in the [[shikimate pathway]] which assists in the synthesis of [[aromatic amino acids]] and this could inhibit the growth of bacteria.<ref name="IIT-Roorkee study finds coffee compound may lead to new class of antibiotics - Times of India">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/iit-r-study-finds-coffee-compound-may-lead-to-new-class-of-antibiotics/articleshow/63049030.cms |title=IIT-Roorkee study finds coffee compound may lead to new class of antibiotics - Times of India |date=25 February 2018 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> His studies have been documented by way of a number of articles<ref name="On Google Scholar">{{Cite web |url=https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=YnykEfsAAAAJ&hl=en |title=On Google Scholar |date=2018-05-15 |publisher=Google Scholar |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>{{Refn|group=note|Please see ''Selected bibliography'' section}} and [[ResearchGate]], an online repository of scientific articles has listed 117 of them.<ref name="On ResearchGate">{{Cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pravindra_Kumar4 |title=On ResearchGate |date=2018-05-15 |access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>


== Awards and honors ==
== Awards and honors ==
The [[Department of Biotechnology]] (DBT) of the Government of India awarded him the [[National Bioscience Award for Career Development]], one of the highest Indian science awards in 2015.<ref name="Awardees of National Bioscience Awards for Career Development">{{Cite web |url=http://dbtindia.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/list_of_bioscience_awardees.pdf |title=Awardees of National Bioscience Awards for Career Development |date=2016 |publisher=Department of Biotechnology |access-date=2017-11-20}}</ref>
* The [[Department of Biotechnology]] (DBT) of the Government of India awarded him the [[National Bioscience Award for Career Development]], second highest prize after shanti swaroop Bhatnagar prize in 2015.
* Prof. Pravindra Kumar received a prestigious award as the chairperson from the Ashok Soota Foundation. Ashok Soota, Executive Chairman of Happiest Minds Technologies Limited, is widely recognized as one of the pioneering leaders of the Indian IT industry. As a serial entrepreneur, he has led both companies where he was founding Chairman to very successful IPOs: Happiest Minds (2020) and MindTree (2007).
* A Fellow, Biotech Research Society, India (BRSI) in 2021.
* ASM-IUSSTF INDO-US Visiting Professorship in 2017.
* IUSSTF Award for organizing Indo-US workshop and Symposium in 2014.
* BOYSCAST award from Department of Science and Technology, India and Visiting Scientist to USA in 2008.
* Visiting Scientist at Purdue University, USA from May - July 2006.
* National Bioscience Award by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India in 2016.
* S.V. TALEKAR MEDAL for Best Post Graduate Degree in AIIMS, DELHI in 2001.
 
<ref name="Awardees of National Bioscience Awards for Career Development">{{Cite web |url=http://dbtindia.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/list_of_bioscience_awardees.pdf |title=Awardees of National Bioscience Awards for Career Development |date=2016 |publisher=Department of Biotechnology |access-date=2017-11-20}}</ref>


== Selected bibliography ==
== Selected bibliography ==
* {{Cite journal |last1=Narwal |first1=Manju |last2=Singh |first2=Harvijay |last3=Pratap |first3=Shivendra |last4=Malik |first4=Anjali |last5=Kuhn |first5=Richard J. |last6=Kumar |first6=Pravindra |last7=Tomar |first7=Shailly |date=2018 |title=Crystal structure of chikungunya virus nsP2 cysteine protease reveals a putative flexible loop blocking its active site |journal=International Journal of Biological Macromolecules |volume=116 |pages=451–462 |doi=10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.05.007|pmid=29730006 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Lonare |first1=Santosh |last2=Sharma |first2=Manoj |last3=Dalal |first3=Vipin |last4=Gubyad |first4=Manisha |last5=Kumar |first5=Pankaj |last6=Nath Gupta |first6=Dilip |last7=Pareek |first7=Ashwani |last8=Tomar |first8=Shailly |last9=Kumar Ghosh |first9=Dipak |last10=Kumar |first10=Pradeep |last11=Kumar Sharma |first11=Alok |date=2023 |title=Identification and evaluation of potential inhibitor molecules against TcyA from Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus |journal=Journal of Structural Biology |volume=215 |issue=3 |article-number=107992 |doi=10.1016/j.jsb.2023.107992|pmid=37394197 |s2cid=259314760 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Sharma |first1=Rajesh |last2=Kesari |first2=Pooja |last3=Kumar |first3=Pravindra |last4=Tomar |first4=Shailly |date=2018 |title=Structure-function insights into chikungunya virus capsid protein: Small molecules targeting capsid hydrophobic pocket |journal=Virology |volume=515 |pages=223–234 |doi=10.1016/j.virol.2017.12.020|pmid=29306785 |doi-access=free }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Mahto |first1=Jai Krishna |last2=Neetu |first2=Neetu |last3=Sharma |first3=Monica |last4=Dubey |first4=Manish |last5=Vellanki |first5=Bhargava Pavan |last6=Kumar |first6=Pankaj |date=2022 |title=Structural insights into dihydroxylation of terephthalate, a product of polyethylene terephthalate degradation |journal=Journal of Bacteriology |volume=204 |issue=3 |page=e0054321 |doi=10.1128/JB.00543-21|pmid=35007143 |pmc=8923216 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Pratap |first1=Shivendra |last2=Dev |first2=Aditya |last3=Kumar |first3=Vijay |last4=Yadav |first4=Ravi |last5=Narwal |first5=Manju |last6=Tomar |first6=Shailly |last7=Kumar |first7=Pravindra |date=2017-07-25 |title=Structure of Chorismate Mutase-like Domain of DAHPS from Bacillus subtilis Complexed with Novel Inhibitor Reveals Conformational Plasticity of Active Site |journal=Scientific Reports |language=En |volume=7 |issue=1 |page=6364 |doi=10.1038/s41598-017-06578-1|pmid=28743924 |pmc=5526877 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Mahto |first1=Jai Krishna |last2=Sharma |first2=Monica |last3=Neetu |first3=Neetu |last4=Kayastha |first4=Amritansh |last5=Aggarwal |first5=Shagun |last6=Kumar |first6=Pankaj |date=2022 |title=Conformational flexibility enables catalysis of phthalate cis-4,5-dihydrodiol dehydrogenase |journal=Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics |volume=727 |article-number=109314 |doi=10.1016/j.abb.2022.109314 |pmid=35667443 |s2cid=249353079 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Rani |first1=Rakhi |last2=Long |first2=Shou-Jiang |last3=Pareek |first3=Amit |last4=Dhaka |first4=Pradeep |last5=Singh |first5=Amit |last6=Kumar |first6=Pankaj |last7=McInerney |first7=Gerard |last8=Tomar |first8=Shailly |date=2022 |title=Multi-target direct-acting SARS-CoV-2 antivirals against the nucleotide-binding pockets of virus-specific proteins |journal=Virology |volume=577 |pages=77–86 |doi=10.1016/j.virol.2021.12.007|pmid=35032866 |s2cid=245485930 |doi-access=free }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Dalal |first1=Vipin |last2=Golemi-Kotra |first2=Dasantila |last3=Kumar |first3=Pankaj |date=2022 |title=Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics studies on the catalytic mechanism of a novel esterase (FmtA) of Staphylococcus aureus |journal=Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling |volume=62 |issue=10 |pages=2409–2420 |doi=10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00057|pmid=35475370 |s2cid=248404244 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Katiki |first1=Madhuri |last2=Sharma |first2=Monica |last3=Neetu |first3=Neetu |last4=Rentala |first4=Manohar |last5=Kumar |first5=Pankaj |date=2022 |title=Biophysical and modeling-based approach for the identification of inhibitors against DOHH from Leishmania donovani |journal=Briefings in Functional Genomics |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=217–226 |doi=10.1093/bfgp/elab017|pmid=33758917 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Vijay |last2=Dhankhar |first2=Pooja |last3=Dalal |first3=Vipin |last4=Tomar |first4=Shailly |last5=Golemi-Kotra |first5=Dasantila |last6=Kumar |first6=Pankaj |date=2022 |title=Drug-repurposing approach to combat Staphylococcus aureus: Biomolecular and binding interaction study |journal=ACS Omega |volume=7 |issue=43 |pages=38448–38458 |doi=10.1021/acsomega.2c06432 |doi-access=free|pmid=36969442 |pmc=10034777 |s2cid=257472622 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Dhankhar |first1=Pooja |last2=Dalal |first2=Vipin |last3=Sharma |first3=Alok K. |last4=Kumar |first4=Pankaj |date=2022 |title=Structural insights at acidic pH of Dye-decolorizing peroxidase from Bacillus subtilis |journal=Proteins |volume=91 |issue=4 |pages=508–517 |doi=10.1002/prot.26213|pmid=34387007 |pmc=8673552 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Dhankhar |first1=Pooja |last2=Dalal |first2=Vipin |last3=Singh |first3=Vijay |last4=Tomar |first4=Shailly |last5=Kumar |first5=Pankaj |date=2022 |title=Computational guided identification of novel potent inhibitors of N-terminal domain of nucleocapsid protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 |journal=Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics |volume=40 |issue=9 |pages=4084–4099 |doi=10.1080/07391102.2020.1852968|pmid=33251943 |pmc=7754992 }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Vijay |last2=Dhankhar |first2=Pooja |last3=Dalal |first3=Vipin |last4=Tomar |first4=Shailly |last5=Kumar |first5=Pankaj |date=2022 |title=In-silico functional and structural annotation of hypothetical protein from Klebsiella pneumonia: A potential drug target |journal=Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling |volume=116 |article-number=108262 |doi=10.1016/j.jmgm.2022.108262|pmid=35839717 |bibcode=2022JMGM..116j8262S |s2cid=250202477 }}


== See also ==
== See also ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Pravindra}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Pravindra}}
[[Category:N-BIOS Prize recipients]]
[[Category:N-BIOS Prize recipients]]
[[Category:Indian scientific authors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian academics]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Indian medical writers]]
[[Category:Indian medical writers]]
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[[Category:Chaudhary Charan Singh University alumni]]
[[Category:Chaudhary Charan Singh University alumni]]
[[Category:All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi alumni]]
[[Category:All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee]]
[[Category:Academic staff of IIT Roorkee]]

Latest revision as of 00:17, 11 February 2026


Pravindra Kumar
Born
India
Alma mater
Known forStudies on protein-protein interactions, protein engineering and structure-based drug design
Awards
Scientific career
Fields
Institutions

Professor Pravindra Kumar is an Indian biophysicist, bioinformatician, biochemist and Professor & Former Head Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute Of Technology–Roorkee (IIT–Roorkee) India. He is known for his work on protein-protein interactions, protein engineering and structure-based drug design. Prof. Pravindra Kumar's primary research interest lies in studying Bacterial enzymes and pathways involved in the degradation of toxic aromatic compounds, such as PCBs, dibenzofuran, chlorodibenzofurans, DDT, dyes, and plastics/plasticizers. He focuses particularly on oxidoreductases enzymes due to their unique ability to catalyze challenging reactions, with a special emphasis on understanding their catalytic mechanisms and structural basis for guiding protein engineering. One notable achievement of his research group is the successful engineering of dioxygenases capable of metabolizing various toxic compounds, including those found in plastics (J. Bacteriol. 2016, BBRC 2012, JMB 2011, J.Biol. Chem. 2011).

Biography[edit | edit source]

IIT Roorkee

The global surge in plastic consumption has led to the "Plastic Age," prompting his interest in finding innovative strategies for PET bioconversion and recycling through the engineering of robust enzymes and microbial strains. Toxic substances, such as phthalate and terephthalate, commonly found in plastic bottles, packaging, personal care items, and industrial waste, leading to their detection in various aquatic environments. These toxic substances cause cancer and heart diseases and have been found to disrupt the endocrine system and have adverse effects on reproductive health and physical growth. Hiss recent work has resulted in determining the first crystal structures of key enzymes involved in the degradation of phthalates and terephthalate, leading to the successful engineering of oxidoreductases with remarkable abilities to metabolize these toxic compounds (J. Biol. Chem., 2021; J. Bacteriol., 2021; Arch. of Biochem. and Biophys., 2022). Additionally, he has also developed a phthalate binding protein-based system for extracting phthalates from contaminated water. Prof. Kumar's lab has engineered potent microbial enzymes to eliminate these harmful substances from the atmosphere, potentially mitigating environmental contamination.This was helpful for the development of biological systems that convert waste plastic into valuable products, promoting a circular economy and reducing plastic waste's environmental impact. Further, his contributions extend to antimicrobial research, where he has made significant strides. Notably, he successfully determined the crystal structure of a crucial bacterial enzyme (OXA-58) and identified a novel inhibitor that shows promise in combating antibiotic resistance (Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2015; Mol Biosys. 2016; JMB 2019). Moreover, his research efforts have identified potential drug targets in Moraxella catarrhalis, leading to the discovery of new inhibitors that could be utilized in developing novel antimicrobials (Acta Crystallogr D 2015; Biochim Biophys Acta. 2018; Biochemie. 2018; Arch. of Biochem. and Biophys., 2020; Biochemie. 2022). In addition to his antimicrobial research, Prof. Kumar's laboratory has explored the antibacterial properties of chlorogenic acid, a natural compound found in various plant species, as a potential new class of antibiotics (Sci. Rep. 2017; J. Bacteriol., 2020). Furthermore, his team has extensively studied the structural aspects of plant proteins and secondary metabolites from medicinal plants, leading to various discoveries with potential therapeutic implications (FEBS J 2012; PLoS One. 2013; Proteins; Proteomics 2015; Sci. Rep. 2017; Sci. Rep. 2020). Through collaboration, his team has discovered novel antivirals and patented an enzyme assay and kit for identifying inhibitors of alphavirus/Chikungunya virus (PLoS One 2013; J Virol. 2014; Sci Rep. 2017; Antiviral Res. 2017; Virology 2018; Virus Res. 2021; Virology 2022; FEBS J 2022). Prof. Pravindra Kumar's wide-ranging contributions to the understanding of enzymes, bacterial pathways, and potential drug targets have significant implications for both national and international issues. His research on plastics degradation can help address environmental pollution and promote sustainable practices in waste management. Additionally, his antimicrobial work offers promising solutions to combat antibiotic resistance and emerging viral threats, benefiting global public health efforts. Furthermore, his investigations into plant therapeutic proteins contribute to the advancement of medicinal sciences and the development of novel therapies for various ailments. Pravindra Kumar also focuses his interest on protein engineering and interactions as well as drug design and leads a team of researchers.[1] In 2017, his team worked on Chlorogenic acid, an aromatic compound found naturally in plants like coffea and their biochemical and structural studies using x-ray crystallography techniques revealed that the compound had anti-bacterial properties.[2] The discovery is reported to have opportunities in the development of a new class of antibiotics[3] as the compound clings to the chorismate mutase enzyme in the shikimate pathway which assists in the synthesis of aromatic amino acids and this could inhibit the growth of bacteria.[4] His studies have been documented by way of a number of articles[5][note 1] and ResearchGate, an online repository of scientific articles has listed 117 of them.[6]

Awards and honors[edit | edit source]

  • The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Government of India awarded him the National Bioscience Award for Career Development, second highest prize after shanti swaroop Bhatnagar prize in 2015.
  • Prof. Pravindra Kumar received a prestigious award as the chairperson from the Ashok Soota Foundation. Ashok Soota, Executive Chairman of Happiest Minds Technologies Limited, is widely recognized as one of the pioneering leaders of the Indian IT industry. As a serial entrepreneur, he has led both companies where he was founding Chairman to very successful IPOs: Happiest Minds (2020) and MindTree (2007).
  • A Fellow, Biotech Research Society, India (BRSI) in 2021.
  • ASM-IUSSTF INDO-US Visiting Professorship in 2017.
  • IUSSTF Award for organizing Indo-US workshop and Symposium in 2014.
  • BOYSCAST award from Department of Science and Technology, India and Visiting Scientist to USA in 2008.
  • Visiting Scientist at Purdue University, USA from May - July 2006.
  • National Bioscience Award by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India in 2016.
  • S.V. TALEKAR MEDAL for Best Post Graduate Degree in AIIMS, DELHI in 2001.

[7]

Selected bibliography[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Please see Selected bibliography section

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Faculty profile" (PDF). IIT Roorkee. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  2. ↑ "A new class of antibiotics from coffee? - Nature India". Nature India. 20 September 2017. doi:10.1038/nindia.2017.121 ( (inactive $1) 1 July 2025). Retrieved 15 May 2018.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
  3. ↑ "IIT Roorkee discovered the antibacterial mechanism of a natural compound obtained from plant species". India Today. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  4. ↑ "IIT-Roorkee study finds coffee compound may lead to new class of antibiotics - Times of India". The Times of India. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  5. ↑ "On Google Scholar". Google Scholar. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  6. ↑ "On ResearchGate". 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "Awardees of National Bioscience Awards for Career Development" (PDF). Department of Biotechnology. 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.

External links[edit | edit source]

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