Microbial Enzymes as Potential Biotherapeutics in Human Healthcare

This book comprehensively reviews the diverse potential of microbial enzymes with therapeutic applications, covering their production, purification, and utilization. It examines their roles in combating various diseases, including inflammation, bacterial infections, cardiovascular conditions, and thrombotic disorders. The book highlights their pharmaceutical applications in drug formulation and bioactive compound production, with the aim of enhancing drug bioavailability, stability, and efficacy. Furthermore, the book explores the potential of microbial fibrinolytic enzymes to revolutionize treatments for thrombotic disorders. It also outlines the applications of microbial enzymes in targeting cancer cells, emphasizing their pivotal role in innovative treatment modalities. Additionally, the book presents the therapeutic applications of microbial lipases, from their use in lipid-lowering medications to the creation of lipase-based pharmaceuticals.

The chapters discuss the potential of microbial uricases in managing uric-acid-related disorders and the contribution of microbial enzymes in enhancing digestion and alleviating digestive disorders. Finally, the book delves into the vital role of regulatory authorities and intellectual property rights (IPR) in the commercialization of therapeutic microbial enzymes. As such, this book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, professionals, and students of microbiology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sciences.

Key Features:

• Reviews the therapeutic potential of microbial enzymes and their production and purification
• Examines the roles of microbial enzymes in combating a wide range of diseases, including inflammation, bacterial infections, cardiovascular conditions, and thrombotic disorders
• Highlights the pharmaceutical applications of microbial enzymes, focusing on drug formulation and the production of bioactive compounds to enhance drug bioavailability, stability, and efficacy
• Explores the therapeutic applications of microbial lipases, from lipid-lowering medications to the creation of lipase-based pharmaceuticals
• Presents the vital role of regulatory authorities and intellectual property rights (IPR) in the commercialization of therapeutic microbial enzymes

Dr. Dileep Francis is currently an Assistant Professor (Selection Grade) at the Department of Life Sciences, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru. He holds a Ph.D. in Life Sciences from Kannur University, Kerala, India. During his doctoral studies, he received junior and senior research fellowships from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India, having achieved an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 60 in the CSIR-JRF/NET exam.

His doctoral research led to the successful identification of a vaccine candidate against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. His primary research interest lies in exploring interventions for diagnosing and treating infectious diseases, with a focus on rational drug discovery. He is also actively involved in collaborative research in materials science for biomedical applications. Dr. Dileep has established himself as a prolific academic author, with publications including high-impact journal articles, edited books, conference publications, book chapters, and popular science articles. He serves as the editor of the Kristu Jayanti Journal of Core and Applied Biology, a biannual journal published by the Department of Life Sciences at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous. In recognition of his expertise, Dr. Dileep holds several prestigious positions. He is a life member of the Kerala Academy of Sciences and serves on the research advisory committee of Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous. He is also a member of the board of studies in Biotechnology at Jyoti Nivas College, Autonomous, Bengaluru. From 2020-2023, he served as the coordinator of the DBT-Star College Scheme at Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous.

Dr. Sabu Abdulhameed is currently working as Professor at the Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Kannur University, India. He received his Ph.D. from Cochin University of Science and Technology and joined the Biotechnology Division of CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram as a Scientist Fellow. He has engaged in postdoctoral research work in microbial fermentation and biotransformation in the USA and France. His research interests are in microbial fermentation, therapeutic enzymes, and the biotransformation of bioactive molecules. He has contributed extensively to fermentation and biotransformation in medicated wines and has three patents to his credit. Dr. Sabu has published six books and nearly 100 research papers in international journals. He is a recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship from the Institute for Research and Development (IRD, France) and a Visiting Professorship from the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation and Development. He is also a member of many academic bodies and expert panels and serves on the editorial boards of numerous research journals. He served as Pro-Vice Chancellor of Kannur University and currently Prof. Sabu is deputed to Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment since January 2021 as Member Secretary.

Dr. Jayachandran K. is currently working as a Professor at the School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, India. He has completed his tenure of three years as a member of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority( SEIAA) from 2018- 2021. Prof. Jayachandran also served as a member of many academic bodies, such as the academic council of Mahatma Gandhi University and the senate of Cochin University and Science and Technology, besides being a member of the Syndicate of Mahatma Gandhi University for two years. A professor with more than twenty-five years of teaching and research experience in the field of Biotechnology and Bioprocess, Prof. Jayachandran has published more than sixty international scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. He has been awarded one Indian patent as one of the inventors of a novel Bioreactor. Fifteen students have completed their PhD under his guidance. His research focuses on the area of Enzyme Biotechnology, particularly in the production and characterisation of Microbial Enzymes, Quorum Sensing and Biotransformation. Currently, he is working with bacterial enzymes such as beta-glucosidase, esterase and squalene hopene cyclase. Prof.Jayachandran has completed many externally funded projects and has contributed many book chapters in the field of Biotechnology.