Research Projects

The factsheet of the World Health Organization states that ~8 million people die every year due to the consumption of tobacco in any form. Most of the tobacco users (~80%) come from low- and middle-income countries like India. The present investigation is based on the available reports on the stimulatory effects of nicotine in biofilm formation in a few oral bacterial pathogens especially Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus. Besides nicotine, smokeless tobacco (ST) products contain ~ 4000 different chemical compounds that elevate their noxious effect on human oral health. A handful of studies further suggest the role of tobacco extracts in promoting the growth of oral pathogens. These findings encourage us for extensive analysis of various tobacco metabolites to study their role in biofilm formation as well as inhibition with an emphasis on antibiotic-resistant pathogens. There is no report that discusses the mechanisms involved in the molecular interaction of biofilm-forming/Twitching motility proteins with tobacco metabolites other than nicotine. In addition, how do the tobacco metabolites interact with various effectors proteins (virulence factors) involved in pathogenesis? Therefore, this investigation will be the first analysis for studying the insight mechanisms involved in bacterial biofilm formation and virulence in presence of tobacco-derived metabolites. Briefly, the ST metabolites and genes involved in biofilm formation and virulence from ST-inhabitant bacteria and oral pathogens will be used for high-throughput molecular docking to understand the protein-metabolite interaction using Molecular Dynamics. The findings obtained from the bioinformatic analysis will be explored for confirming the effect of the identified metabolites on pathogenic bacteria having antibiotic resistant activity using various biofilm assays. Outcome:  The outcome of the study will provide extensive information on various tobacco metabolites for their effect on biofilm formation activity among pathogenic bacteria.  To understand the physiology and dynamics of bacteria. A small molecule library will be generated that may be used for studying several tobacco-metabolite-based studies.  The investigation will come out with huge information on the effects of these metabolites on the functions of bacterial biofilm-forming proteins and virulence factors for their interaction with tobacco metabolites. The information may be used to reduce bacterial-derived oral diseases and develop potential drugs.  The proven facts from the proposed study can be used to aware the public and ST product users of the additional harmful effects due to the bacterial population on them.  The outcome can be used to assist the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in establishing the guidelines and regulations for their strict implementation and making the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, or COTPA stronger.