University of Chittagong

RESEARCH AT HOPE LAB

Illustration representing microbial research, molecular analysis and biological pathways

MICROBIAL BIOCHEMISTRY • MOLECULAR FUNCTION • ONE HEALTH

What drives
our research.

We believe life is a network of interconnected pathways, from molecular processes within organisms to biological interactions across ecosystems. We are driven to understand how microbial metabolic pathways, molecular functions, and biological interactions connect living organisms with health, food systems, and the environment, and how this knowledge can be translated into meaningful, sustainable benefits.

OUR RESEARCH FRAMEWORK

Discovery to Impact

Our research moves through four connected stages: understanding health across living systems, examining organisms and their molecular profiles, investigating the pathways and products that shape biological activity, and placing these findings in their ecological and environmental context. Together, the 1H → 2O → 3P → 4E framework gives our projects a shared direction while allowing each research question to be explored through appropriate biochemical, microbiological, molecular, and omics approaches.

See the framework overview
1H

One Health

Explore beneficial and harmful microbes, microbiomes, host responses, and health across humans, animals, plants, and environments.

2O

Organisms · Omics

Study probiotic, plant-associated, marine, and stress-adapted organisms through genomics, glycomics, metabolomics, and microbiome analysis.

3P

Pathways · Probiotics · Protection

Investigate exopolysaccharides, pigments, biosurfactants, enzymes, and antimicrobial compounds and their biological functions.

4E

Ecology · Environment · Evolution · Emergence

Understand microbial adaptation and interactions in fermented foods, host and plant niches, extreme habitats, and polluted environments.

OUR AREAS OF INQUIRY

Research Directions

Functional Biomolecules

Biological systems produce a diverse range of molecules with important biochemical properties and functions. We investigate microbial exopolysaccharides, pigments, biosurfactants, enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, and other functional metabolites, examining their characteristics, biological activities, and underlying functions. Through biochemical and microbiological approaches, we explore their potential relevance to food preservation, biotechnology, agriculture, and environmental management, while identifying opportunities for further investigation and application.

  • Exopolysaccharides and glycoconjugates
  • Pigments and antimicrobial compounds
  • Enzymes and biosurfactants
  • Functional metabolites

One Health

Health, food systems, and the environment are interconnected through complex biological interactions in which microorganisms play important roles. We investigate beneficial microorganisms, particularly lactic acid bacteria associated with fermented foods, alongside microbial characteristics relevant to host interactions, food safety, and antimicrobial resistance. Our research examines probiotic properties, antimicrobial activities, functional metabolites, and other biological traits to better understand microbial contributions to health and explore their potential applications across interconnected biological systems.

  • Probiotic microorganisms and fermented foods
  • Host–microbe interactions
  • Food safety and antimicrobial resistance
  • Plant and environmental health

Food Biotechnology and Functional Foods

We explore the development of foods with enhanced nutritional quality and useful functional properties through the combination of probiotic microorganisms and other natural sources. This work considers how beneficial microbes and naturally occurring ingredients may contribute to food quality, safety, nutritional value, and health-supporting characteristics. We are interested in approaches that also help address food spoilage and microbial risks, supporting the development of safer and more resilient food systems.

  • Probiotic-enriched food development
  • Natural bioactive ingredients
  • Nutritional and functional properties
  • Food quality, safety and preservation

Multi-Omics

Understanding biological function often requires examining multiple levels of molecular organisation. We use genomics, glycomics, and metabolomics, supported by bioinformatics, to investigate functional potential, metabolic characteristics, and biochemical processes in microorganisms and other biological systems. These complementary approaches help reveal molecular features associated with adaptation, capabilities, and biological activity, providing insights that can guide further experimental research and the investigation of potential biotechnological applications.

  • Genomics and comparative genome analysis
  • Glycomics and molecular structures
  • Metabolomics and biochemical profiles
  • Bioinformatics and functional interpretation

Ecology and Environmental Interactions

Biological functions are shaped by the environments in which organisms live and by their interactions with other organisms. We investigate microbial communities and adaptation across fermented foods, host-associated environments, plant-associated niches, extreme habitats, and polluted environments. This work examines how ecological conditions influence microbial persistence, biological activity, and potential relevance to health, agriculture, food systems, and environmental management.

  • Microbial communities and ecological relationships
  • Plant-associated and host-associated niches
  • Extremophiles and environmental adaptation
  • Polluted environments and bioremediation

A BROADER BIOLOGICAL CONTEXT

Bringing biological discovery into context

Biological functions are shaped not only by molecular mechanisms but also by the interactions between organisms and their surrounding environments. Across these research areas, HOPE Lab seeks to understand the biochemical mechanisms, molecular features, and ecological interactions underlying biological functions. We combine experimental biochemistry and microbiology with genomic, molecular, and computational approaches to investigate biological questions from different perspectives. Our findings seek to provide a foundation for further research into functional biomolecules, beneficial microorganisms, microbial risks, and environmentally relevant biological processes. Through this work, we aim to advance fundamental understanding while exploring evidence-based possibilities for applications in health, food systems, agriculture, and biotechnology.

Explore research outputs