RESEARCH - BSc. Honors Year Research (2018)


Nabiha Ramzeen

Title – Cytogenetic abnormalities In the Male Partners of couples with recurrent pregnancy loss and subfertility.

Supervisors –Dr Kalum Wetthasinghe & Ms. Imalki Kariyawasam

Study Setting – Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Amaara Marzook

Title –Analysis of antimicrobial activity of Ethanol extracts of Trachyspermum roxburghianum (Asamodagam) leaves and seeds

Supervisors –Prof. Chandrani Wijeyaratne (Department of Botany, University of Sri Jayawardanepura)

Study Setting – Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, Colombo

Gajanan Thirumoolanathan

Title – Isolation, identification and characterization of thermophilic bacteria isolated from Nelum-wewa hot well spring, Polonaruwa

Supervisors – Dr. Minoli Perera

Study Setting – Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, Colombo

Minol Fernando

Title –Comparison of the effectiveness of different bacterial DNA isolation kits and the phenol-chloroform method

Supervisors – Dr. Minoli Perera

Study Setting – Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, Colombo

Navodya Selvaratnam

Title – Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in the Wild Bird Faeces

Supervisor – Mrs. Sajeevee Sarathchandra

Study Setting –Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, Colombo

Oshadhi Kandapolaarachchi

Title –Estimation of Terpenoid contents of different parts of Gyrinops walla (walla patta) tree from different locations of Sri Lanka.

Supervisor - Dr. Pathmasiri Ranasinghe

Senior Deputy Director, Herbal Technology Section, Modern Research & Development Centre, Industrial Technology Institute – Malabe.

Study Setting –Industrial Technology Institute, Malambe

Sandumi Fernando

Title – Identification and characterization of antibiotic resistant uidA and sul1 gene of Escherichia coli in Muthurajawela estuary in Sri Lanka

Supervisor – Mrs. Sajeevee Sarathchandra

Study Setting –Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, Colombo

Shamna Zaneer

Title –Cytogenetic abnormalities in the female partners who face recurrent pregnancy loss and subfertility

Supervisor – Dr. Kalum Wetthasinghe & Mrs. Imalki Kariyawasam

Study Setting –Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Thisal Gamage

Title –Establishment of callus cultures for Gyrinops walla (Walla Patta) using leaf materials as explants.

Supervisor – Dr. Pathmasiri Ranasinghe, Senior Deputy Director, Herbal Technology Section, Modern Research and Development Centre, Industrial Technology Institute, Malabe.

Study Setting –Industrial Technology Institute, Malabe

RESEARCH - BSc. Honors Year Research (2019)


Ashinsa M. de Silva Wijeyeratne

Title –Antimicrobial Activity of Basidiomycetes Grown in Sri Lanka

Supervisors –Prof. Chandrani Wijeyaratne (Department of Botany, University of Sri yawardanepura)

Study Setting –Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, Colombo

Bavanitha Rajagugan

Title –Preliminary Screening on forest leaf litter leachate as a novel source of small molecules for drug leads

Supervisors –Dr. Pathmasiri Ranasinghe, Senior Deputy Director, Herbal Technology Section, Modern Research and Development Centre, Industrial Technology Institute, Malabe.

Study Setting –Industrial Technology Institute, Malabe

Harin Guneratne

Title –Study on the in-vitro glycation process of isolated Human Hemoglobin as an alternative to BSA for novel bio-assay development.

Supervisors – Dr. Pathmasiri Ranasinghe, Senior Deputy Director, Herbal Technology Section, Modern Research and Development Centre, Industrial Technology Institute, Malabe.

Study Setting –Industrial Technology Institute, Malabe

Himayande Loganathan

Title –Comparison of Three Genomic DNA Extraction Methods To Obtain High Quality DNA From Coconut And Rubber Leaf

Supervisors – Mrs. Imalki Karyawasam

Study Setting –Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology

Hiranya Perera

Title –Biotransformation of ‘Ma Dan’ (Syzygium cumini) by semi solid-state fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Supervisor – Dr. Pathmasiri Ranasinghe, Senior Deputy Director, Herbal Technology Section, Modern Research and Development Centre, Industrial Technology Institute, Malabe.

Study Setting –Industrial Technology Institute, Malabe

Karthika Jeganathan

Title –Screening for gene polymorphism rs77990309 in leptin (LEP) gene in patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Sri Lanka.

Supervisor - Prof. W.S.S. Wijesundera (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo)

Study Setting –Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medcine, University of Colombo

Mariyam Muffeeda

Title –Antimicrobial activity of Trachyspermum roxburghianum.

Supervisor – Prof. Chandrani Wijeyaratne (Department of Botany, University of Sri Jayawardanepura)

Study Setting –Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, Colombo

Fathima Nadiya Azmy

Title –Characterization of Phytoplankton communities in mangrove ecosystems associated with basin estuaries in the western coast of Sri Lanka

Supervisor – Mrs. Azra Sartaj & Prof. Pathmalal Manage (University of Sri Jayawardanepura)

Study Setting –Faculty of Science and Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayawardenapura

Parami Peiris

Title –The isolation, characterization and analysis of the bacterial diversity in selected Sri Lankan Mangrove Ecosystems.

Supervisor – Ms Fathina Fara

Study Setting –Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, Colombo

Sangharshanaa Ainkaran

Title –Association of leptin receptor (LEPR) gene polymorphisms and serum leptin levels in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Sri Lanka

Supervisor – Prof. W.S.S. Wijesundera (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo)

Study Setting –Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Shailaja Kumareson

Title –Isolation and characterisation of fungal species in selected mangrove environments in Sri Lanka.

Supervisor – Ms. Fathina Fara

Study Setting –Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, Colombo

Shifany Fernando

Title –Preliminary study on isolation and culturing of bacteria and fungi from leaf litter samples in Peak Wilderness Sanctuary (Sri Pada)./p>

Supervisor – Mrs. Azra Sartaj & Dr. Pathmasiri Ranasinghe (Senior Deputy Director, Herbal Technology Section, Modern Research and Development Centre, Industrial Technology Institute, Malabe)

Study Setting –Industrial Technology Institute, Malambe

International & National Research Internships


Himayande Loganathan

Title of Internship –Antimicrobial Activity of Different Nanostructured Coatings on Glass Surface

Supervisors –Dr. Abhilasha Misra

Study Setting –Department of Biotechnology of the Graphic Era deemed to be University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Karthika Jeganathan

Title of Internship –Inter-relationship between Diabetes Mellitus and Vitamin D Deficiency in patients with Osteoarthritis: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study in a South Indian Tertiary Healthcare Facility

Supervisors –Dr. Sonal Sekhar

Study Setting –Department of Pharmacy Practice Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Karnataka

Fathima Nadiya Azmy

Title of Internship –Study of the vegetation and soil analysis under soil forest ecosystem in Doon valley, Uttarkand, India.

Supervisors – Dr. Archana Bachheti

Study Setting –Department of Biotechnology of the Graphic Era deemed to be University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Shailaja Kumareson

Title of Internship –Pre-Formulation and Formulation studies on anti-hypertensive drugs

Supervisors – Dr. Anup Naha, associate professor of Manipal University

Study Setting –Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Science, Manipal University, Manipal, India.(The program was arranged by AIESEC of Colombo North, Sri Lanka with AIESEC at Manipal University )

Saravanagomathy Sithambaranathan

Title of the internship: Effect of Natural Compounds on Inhibiting Bacterial Biofilms

Supervisors: Prof. T. S. Murali, Ms. Anjali Warrier (Research Scholar)

Study Setting: Department of Life Science, Manipal Academy of HIgher Education, Karnataka, India.

Panduka Dissanayake

Title of Internship – Produce and purify the exopolysaccharides from three bacterial strains by adopting submerged fermentation process

Supervisors –Subbalaxmi S (Assistant Professor – Senior Scale)

Study Setting – Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India.




Investigation on the Role of scaffolding protein AKAP12 - Internship IN USA

Adshayan Ganeshamoorthy, Amani Rasmi, Andrene Joseph, Omanthi Jayasekara, Randhila Withanarachchi, and Vindhya Senanayake from Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology was selected for a ten week short term scholar exchange programme at the University of North Dakota under the guidance of Dr. Bryon Grove and Miss. Ashrifa Ali, an Alumni from SIST currently following her PhD at the University of North Dakota. They will be involved in a project to investigate the role of scaffolding protein (AKAP12) in blood vessel development. The work will involve culturing vascular endothelial cells, performing assays to study endothelial cell migration and blood vessel sprouting, performing immunofluorescent labeling assays to examine the structure using fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and performing DNA and protein assays using PCR and western blotting.

International & National Research Grants


Ashinsa M. de Silva Wijeyeratne

An Edinburgh Napier degree with a spectrum of opportunities

Ashinsa from Sri Lanka was lucky enough to visit us from one of our transnational education partners, the Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology. She shares her Edinburgh Napier experience and her thoughts on Edinburgh as she hopes to return in the near future.

Gaining an Edinburgh Napier degree from the comfort of my own home
I’ve loved biology ever since I was a child and I knew biology was what I wanted to pursue my future career in. Growing up in Sri Lanka, I wanted an undergraduate programme that allowed me to stay in Colombo for the entirety of its duration. Thus, I found Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology (SIST), which is the partner of Edinburgh Napier University in Sri Lanka. The microbiology and biotech programme they offered seemed very interesting and covered a variety of topics.

Course content
The permanent teaching staff at SIST are excellent in their handling and delivery of the module content. Lectures and practicals are conducted methodically and on time. They often go out of their way to help students who are having difficulties comprehending certain sections and are sure to make themselves available whenever needed. Thus far, my favourite modules have been Molecular Genetics and Immunology (level 9). I’m quite eager to start all the level 10 modules as I think they sound extremely interesting.

Industrial Research Collaborations & Solutions


Oshadhi Kandapolaarachchi & Thisal Gamage

Project Title I –

Development of a standard plant tissue culture laboratory.

Specific Objectives –

  • To establish a modern plant tissue culture laboratory (PTCL) under international standards.
  • Commercialization of plants (orchids, indoor plants, aquatic plants, bonsai varieties etc.).
  • To develop new plant varieties (hybrids).
  • Development of Hydroponic Systems and Temporary Immersion Plant Bioreactor Systems.
  • To provide the best tissue culture certificate course on basic tissue culture techniques, innovation of new culture methodologies and commercialization of products (on local and export market).

Project Title II –

Development of a bacterial treatment model to facilitate biodegradation and detoxification of textile dyes present in waste water derived from apparel industries in Sri Lanka.

Research & Development Committee


SIST research & development committee is the framework through which research activities at SIST. This committee is comprised of senior scientific personnel from Sri Lanka and abroad. They will be the Principle Investigators for the research projects while young scientists are co-principle investigators.


OBJECTIVES

  • To train undergraduate and postgraduate students in research.
  • To pursue research in SIST labs in the fields of Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Food Technology, Immunology and Tissue Culture To engage in translational research for the benefit of society.
  • To attract research opportunities and great thinkers to Sri Lanka.
  • To work towards Taking Sri Lanka to the limelight of International Research.

CHARTER BOARD

Prof Chandrani Wijeratne -Chair (Microbiology) , PhD Kyushu University, Japan
Dr Pathmasiri Ranasinghe -Co Chair (Biotechnology and Herbal Medicine) ,PhD Bioactivity & Molecular Biology
Prof Shervanthi Homer- Vanniasinkam - Chair of Senior Scientific Advisors
Jayanthan Kulasingham -Chairman/Founder , FCILT
Mr Ranjit Gajendra -Scientific Entrepreneur , PhD Candidate-University of Melbourne
Channa Tharanga - (Genetic Diagnostics specialized in Molecular Genetics), MSc Genetic Diagnostics
Ashrifa Ali - PhD Candidate in Biomedical Science, University of North Dakota, USA
Sajeevee Sarathchandra - M.Phil in Integrated Water Resources
Nishenthaharan Balachandran - (Molecular Biology & Biochemistry), Reading MBA
Navoda Palpola - (Molecular Biology&Biochemistry),MSc Biochemistry &Molecular Biology
Ashen Peiris - (Molecular Biology & Biochemistry), MSc Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

MEMBERS

Azra Satraj - MSc Biotechnology
Imalki Kariyawasam - MSc Molecular Life Sciences
Suvini Karunaratne - MSc Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanduni Ranasinghe - BSc (Hons) Microbiology
Nimesha Senevirathne - BSc (Hons) Microbiology