Keka Sarkar

Professor

Department: Department of Microbiology
Phone Number: 8334936391
Institutional E-Mail: keka@klyuniv.ac.in
Educational Qualifications:

1. Post-Doctoral Research
    ICAR Funded | Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan (1999–2002)
    Specialization: Zoology – Fish Probiotics
2. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
    Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan (Awarded 1999)
    Field: Botany – Specialization in Soil Microbiology
3. Master of Science (M.Sc.)
    Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan (1992)
    Field: Botany – Specialization in Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Awards and Honours (National/International)

1. Research Associate
    Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
    Year: 1999–2002
2. Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
    University Grants Commission (UGC)
    Year: 1993–1996
3. GATE Scholarship for Postgraduate Study in Basic Science & Engineering
    Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India
    Year: 1992
4. Award for Outstanding Innovative Contribution in the Field of IPR and Related Issues
    University of Kalyani
    Year: 2020

Collaborative Programs

1. Research Collaboration
Partner Institution: University of Lodz, Poland
Purpose: Student exchange, exchange of ideas on cancer-related drug design, and publication
Duration: Started May 2022 – Ongoing (1 year)
2. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Partner Institution: AIIMS Kalyani
Year of MoU: 2022
Scope:
Summer training for students
Exchange of ideas
Utilization of instrumentation facilities
Ph.D. registration support
Research collaboration

Research Area:

1. Nanotechnology
2. Cancer Biology
3. Multidrug Resistance (MDR) and Novel Drug Development
4. Agricultural Microbiology

Teaching Experience:

22 years

List of Publications(Peer-Reviewed)

1. Sarkar, T., Sarkar, T., Banerjee, S., Goswami, M., Das, P., Bhakat, A., & Sarkar, K. (2025). Formulation of curcumin loaded solid lipid nano particles following response surface methodology to improve the anti-cancer activity in triple-negative breast cancer cells. Materials Today Communications, 45, 112220.
2. Subhendu Dhibar, Arpita Roy …Keka Sarkar, Soumya Jyoti Ray and Bidyut Saha. Investigating the potential of a self-healing semiconducting supramolecular Mg(II)- metallo hydrogel in non-volatile memory design and its therapeutic properties towards bacteria infected wound healing. Mater. Ad. (2025) DOI: 10.1039/d4ma01238k
3. Sayan Pal, Abir Das, Soumita Roy, Nilakshi Chakraborty, Tuhin Sarkar, Keka Sarkar, Malay Kumar Adak, Sudipta Kumar Sil. Nano selenium modulates ripening of Capsicum fruit under postharvest storage: Cellular redox and related physiological characteristics. 2025, Food
Chemistry 472 (2025) 142853 DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.142853
4. Suman Mandal, Ankika Bhakat, Keka Sarkar, David B. Cordes, Alexandra M.Z. Slawin, Asoke Prasun Chattopadhyay, Nitis Chandra Saha. Antifungal, antibacterial and DNA binding profile of three novel Zn(II), Cd (II) and Hg(II) complexes of a pyrazole-based Schiff-base ligand: Synthesis, crystal structures, DFT studies and spectroscopic investigation. Journal of Molecular Structure 1323 (2025) 140738.
5. Yadav P, Bandyopadhyay A, Sarkar K. Enhancement of gold-curcumin nanoparticle mediated radiation response for improved therapy in cervical cancer: A computational approach and predictive pathway analysis. Discover Nano 2024, 19 (1).
6. Kuila, A., Maity R., Acharya, P., Sarkar, T. Bhakat, A. Brandao, P. Pattanayak, S. Maity, T.; Dalai, S. Sarkar, K.; Samanta, B. C. Exploring the Potential Fungicidal Applications of a Cu(II) Complex with Schiff Base and Carboxylates against Fusarium equisetum. ACS Omega 2024, 9 (49), 48273–48284. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c05824
7. Suman mandal, Ankika Bhakat, Saikat Banerjee, Keka sarkar …Nitish Chandra Saha. Antifungal and antibacterial activity of two new Ni(II) complexes of a pyrazole-appended thiophene containing bidentate Schiff-base ligand: Synthesis, spectroscopy and crydtal structures. J Molecular structure. 1313 (2024) 138688.
8. Dhibar S, Roy A, Sarkar T, Das P, Karmakar K, Bhattacharjee S, Mondal B, Chatterjee P, Sarkar K, Ray SJ, Saha B. Rapid Semiconducting Supramolecular Mg(II)-Metallohydrogel: Exploring Its Potential in Nonvolatile Resistive Switching Applications and Antiseptic Wound Healing Properties. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02298. 2024
9. Lepcha G, Sahu R, Majumdar S, Banerjee S, Bhowmick A, Sen S, Panda B, Dhak D, Sarkar K, Dey B. MoS 2 and MoSe 2 2D nanosheets-based supramolecular nanostructure scaffold-capped Ag-NPs: exploring their morphological, anti-bacterial, and anticancer properties. New Journal of Chemistry 2023;47(32):15357-15365. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NJ00383C
10. Bhakat A, Sen S, Banerjee S, Sarkar K. Plant growth promotion and lipopeptide-mediated biological control of chilli pathogen Colletotrichum siamense by endophytic Bacillus sp. 2023;125:102026. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2023.102026
11. Ghosh A, Dubey SK, Patra M, Mandal J, Ghosh NN, Das P, Bhowmick A, Sarkar K,Mukherjee S, Saha R, Bhattacharjee S. Solvent‐and Substrate‐Induced Chiroptical Inversion in Amphiphilic, Biocompatible Glycoconjugate Supramolecules: Shape‐Persistent Gelation, Self‐Healing, and Antibacterial Activity. Chemistry- a Europian Journal. 2022;28(63):e202201621. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.2022016211
12. Maity, M., Maity, R., Sarkar, T., Bhakat, A., Brandao, P., Maity, T., . . .Sarkar,K Samanta, (2023). In Vitro Insight on Antifungal-Specific Potentiality of Ni (II) Complex against Colletotrichum siamense and Fusarium equisetum Phytopathogens. ACS Applied Bio Materials. 2023.
13. Manan Saha, Suman Mandal, Ankika Bhakat, Keka Sarkar, Asoke Prasun Chattopadhyay & Nitis Chandra Saha. Synthesis, characterization, photoluminescence properties, DFT studies, photocatalytic and antifungal activity of a new pyrazole-containing thiosemicarbazone ligand
and its Co(III) and Ni(II) complexes. Journal of Coordination Chemistry. https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/gcoo20 2023
14. Sinha, A., Banerjee, S., & Sarkar, K. Enhancement of Red Pigment Production by Monascus purpureus MTCC 410 under submerged Fermentation by Regulating RSM coefficient through Plackett Burman Analysis. Biological Forum – An International Journal. ISSN No. (Print): 0975-1130 ISSN No. (Online): 2249-3239. Research Trends. 2023.
15. Sinha, A., Sarkar, K. Enhancement of Monacolin K production by intergeneric hybridization between Monascus purpureus (Arg-) and Monascus ruber (Thi-, Met) auxotrophs. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology (JPAM). P-ISSN: 0973-7510; E-ISSN: 2581-690X. 2023.
16. Bhakat, A., Sen, S., Banerjee, S., Sarkar, K. Plant growth promotion and lipopeptide-mediated biological control of chilli pathogen Colletotrichum siamense by endophytic Bacillus sp. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2023.102026. 2023.
17. Das, M. M., Sarkar, K. Evaluation of machine learning classifiers for predicting essential genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain. Bioinformation. 10.6026/973206300181126.2022.
18. Ghosh, A., Dubey, S. K., Patra, M., Mandal, J., Ghosh, N. N., Das, P., . . . Saha, R. J. C. A. E.J. (2022). Solvent‐and Substrate‐Induced Chiroptical Inversion in Amphiphilic, Biocompatible Glycoconjugate Supramolecules: Shape‐Persistent Gelation, Self‐Healing, and Antibacterial Activity. 28(63), e202201621.
19. S. Banerjee, S. Sen, A. Bhakat, A. Bhowmick and K. Sarkar. The lipopeptides fengycin and iturin are involved in the anticandidal activity of endophytic Bacillus sp. as determined by experimental and in silico analysis. LAMICRO. doi:10.1111/lam.13750. 2022.
20. Bhattacharyya, D., Banerjee, J., Habib, M., Thapa, G., Samanta, I., Nanda, P. K., Sarkar. . . Bandyopadhyay (2022). Elucidating the resistance repertoire, biofilm production, and phylogenetic characteristics of multidrug‐resistant Escherichia coli isolated from community ponds: A study from West Bengal, India. 94(1), e1678.
21. Chinmay Bandopadhyay, Sanjib Kumar Manna, Srikanta Samanta, Atalanta Narayan Chowdhury, Nilanjan Maitra, Bimal Prasanna Mohanty, Keka Sarkar, Samir Kumar Mukherjee. Culture-dependent study of arsenic-reducing bacteria in deep aquatic sediments of Bengal Delta. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2021. doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16312-0.
22. G. Ningombam, D. Chattopadhyay, K. Sarkar, S. Kalkura, N. Singh. Luminescent Water Dispersible Core-Shell – (Y/Eu/Li)VO4@APTES@Folate and (Y/Eu/Li)VO4@Fe3O4@PEG Nanocomposites: Biocompatibility and Induction Heating within the Threshold Alternating Magnetic Field. Colloids and SurfacesA: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects.2021, 625.1
23. Suman Mandal, Suman Mallick, Purnananda Garu, Jagannath Chowdhury, Saikat Banerjee, Samya Sen, Keka Sarkar, Swarup Chattopadhyay. Novel dirhenium(III,III) complexes with bridging diphenylphosphinomethane and dithiocarbamato ligands: A combined experimental and theoretical study. Polyhedron. 2021, 11373.
24. Samya Sen and Keka Sarkar. Effective biocidal and wound healing cogency of biocompatible glutathione: Citrate capped copper oxide nanoparticles against multidrug resistant pathogenic enterobacteria. Microbial drug resistance. 2020. Doi. 10.1089/mdr2020.0131.
25. D. Bhattacharyya , S. Saha , J. Banerjee , S. Bandyopadhyay and K. Sarkar. Molecular Characterization of Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) Extended Spectrum βlactamase (ESBL) Producing Klebsiella spp. from Pond Water in West Bengal. Journal of Scientific Research. 2020, 64:2.
26. Swastika Dhar, Priya Yadav, Sadhan Pramanik, Keka Sarkar, Asoke P. Chattopadhayay. Green synthesized silver NPs: fluorescence sensor for Cl− ions in aqueous solution in biological pH and cell viability study. SN Applied Sciences, 2020, 2:685 (doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-2460- 6).
27. Arghya Bandyopadhyay, Priya Yadav, Keka Sarkar, Sayan Bhattacharyya. Destructive spontaneous ingression of tunable silica nanosheets through cancer cell membrane. Chemical Science, 2019, 10, 6184-6192 (DOI: 10.1039/c9sc00076c).
28. Priya Yadav, Arghya Bandyopadhyay, Anindita Chakraborty, Sk. Manirul Islam, Keka Sarkar. Enhancing the radiotherapeutic index of gamma radiation on cervical cancer cells by gold nanoparticles. Gold Bulletin, 2019 (DOI:10.1007/s13404-019-00260-2).
29. Subhendu Dhibar, Priya Yadav, Tanima Paul, Keka Sarkar, Asoke Prasun Chattopadhyay, Anna Krawczuk and Biswajit Dey. A bio-relevant supramolecular Co(II)-complex for selective fluorescence sensing of μM range inorganic As (III) in aqueous medium and its intracellular
tracking in bacterial systems. Dalton Transactions 2019, 48, 4362-4369 (DOI:10.1039/C8DT04127J).
30. Priya Yadav, Arghya Bandyopadhyay, Anindita Chakraborty, Keka Sarkar. Enhancement of anticancer activity and drug delivery of chitosan-curcumin nanoparticle via molecular docking and simulation analysis. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2018, 182, 188-198 (doi:10.1016/j. carbpol.2017.10.102).
31. Priya Yadav and Keka Sarkar. Synergistic effect of gold nanoparticles and radiation on human cancer cells. Oral and poster Presentation. Journal of Radiation and Cancer Research, 2018,1(9), 55 (DOI: 10.4103/0973-0168.223747).
32. Samya Sen, Keka Sarkar. Screening for ESBL producing bacterial isolates of agricultural soil and profiling for multidrug resistance. Annals agrarian Sciences. 2018, 16, 272-280.
33. Asoke P Chattopadhyay, Prasenjit Mandal, Asmita Samadder, Anisur R Khuda-Bukhsh, Priya Yadav, Keka Sarkar. Synthesis and characterization of graphene like carbon nano-sheet: interaction with some drug molecules and anti-cancer activity. Chemisrty Select, 2017, 2, 3516-3526 (DOI:10.1002/slct.201601443).
34. Semanti Basu, Tanima Paul, Priya Yadav, Avijit Debnath, Keka Sarkar. Monitoring shifting of bacterial community composition as a potential measure of arsenic contamination associated with agricultural soil. Polish Journal of Microbiology, 2017, 2, 209-221 (doi:10.04/01.3001.0010.7838).
35. Nilanjan Maitra, Sanjib Kumar Manna, Srikanta Samanta, Keka Sarkar, Debashri Debnath, Chinmay Bandopadhyay, Sanjeev Kumar Sahu, Anil Prakash Sharma. 2015. Ecological significance and phosphorus release potential of phosphate solubilizing bacteria in freshwater ecosystems. Hydrobiologia. 2015. 745:69–83, DOI 10.1007/s10750-014-2094-z.
36. Nilanjan Maitra, Chinmay Bandopadhyay, Srikanta Samanta, Keka Sarkar, Anil Prakash Sharma & Sanjib Kumar Manna. 2014. Isolation, identification and efficacy of inorganic phosphate solubilizing bacteria from oxbow lakes of West Bengal, India. Geomicrobiology, DOI:10.1080/01490451.2014.981769.
37. S. K. Manna, S. Samanta, C. Bandopadhyay, K. Sarkar, A. P. Sharma & N. Maitra,. 2014. Influence of Temperature, pH and Oxic state on Cap Dynamics in Floodplain Wetland Sediment: A microcosm Study. J. Inland Fish. Soc. India, 46(1): 48-53, 2014.
38. Ray Debayjyoti, Chatterjee Saptarshi, Sarkar Keka, De Swati. 2014. Silver nanoparticles in hydrogels and microemulsions- a comparative account of their properties and bio-activity. Materials Research Express. DOI 10.1088/2053-1591/1/3/035022.
39. Tanima Paul, Semanti Basu, Saptarshi Chatterjee, Dwiptirtha Chattopadhyay, Arghya Bandyopadhyay, Keka Sarkar. 2014. A simple one pot purification of bacterial amylase from fermented broth based on affinity towards starch functionalised magnetic nanoparticle. Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology. Doi:10.1080/10826068.2014.923454.
40. Tanima Paul, Semanti Basu, Keka Sarkar. 2014. SPION mediated soil DNA extraction and comparative analysis with conventional and commercial kit-based protocol. 3Biotech. Doi:10.1007/s13205-014-0232-y.
41. Nilanjan Maitra, William Whitman, Saravanaraj Ayyampalayam, Srikanta Samanta Keka Sarkar et al. (genomeA01265-13). 2014. Genome Sequence of the Phosphorus Solubilizing and Mineralizing Bacterium Bacillus sp. Strain CPSM8. Genome Announcements, ASM.
42. Saptarshi Chatterjee, Keka Sarkar. 2013. A Computational and Mathematical Approach towards the Design and Synthesis of Uniform Au seed decorated Fe3O4 Nanoparticle for Potential Bio-application. Procedia Technology. 10 : 457-463.
43. Sk. Manirul Islam, Anupam Singha Roy, Sasanka Dalapati, Rajat Saha, Paramita Mondal, Kajari Ghosh, Saptarshi Chatterjee, Keka Sarkar, Nikhil Guchhait. 2013. ParthoSynthesis, Crystal Structure and Spectroscopic Studies of a Cobalt(III) Schiff base Complex and Its Use as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Oxidation Reaction under Mild Condition. Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical. 380 : 94-103.
44. Basu, S., Chatterjee, S., Bandyopadhyay, A., Sarkar, K. (2013). Potential application of superparamagnetic nanoparticles for extraction of bacterial genomic DNA from contaminated food and environmental samples. J Science of Food and Agriculture. 93(4), 788-793.
45. Saptarshi Chatterjee, Arghya Bandyopadhyay, Keka Sarkar. 2011. Effect of iron oxide and gold nanoparticles on bacterial growth leading towards biological application. Journal of Nanobiotechnology. 9:34.
46. Arghya Bandyopadhyay, Saptarshi Chatterjee, Keka Sarkar. 2011. Rapid isolation of genomic DNA from E. coli XL1 Blue strain approaching bare magnetic nanoparticles. Current Science. 101 (2): 210-214.
47. Keka Sarkar. 2010. Evaluation of Nitrogen Fixing Potential of Indigenous Tree Legume Rhizobia Under Acid Stress Condition of Lateritic Soil in West Bengal. Environment & Ecology. 28(2A): 1149-1155
48. Ray A. K., A. Bairagi, K. Sarkar, S. K. Sen. 2007. Optimization of fermentation conditions for cellulose production by bacillus subtilis CY5 and Bacillus Circulans TP3 isolated from fish gut. ACTA ICHTHYOLOGICA ET PISCATORIA. 37 (1): 47-53.
49. Bairagi. A, K. Sarkar, S. K. Sen, A. K. Ray. 2004. Evaluation of the nutritive value of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal, inoculated with fish intestinal bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus circulans in formulated diets for rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings. Aquaculture Research. 35, 436-446.
50. Bairagi. A, K. Sarkar, S. K. Sen, A. K. Ray. 2002. Duckweed (Lemna polyrhyza) leaf meal as a source of feedstuff in formulated diets for rohu (Labeo rohita Ham.) fingerlings after fermentation with a fish intestinal bacterium. Bioresource Technology. 85, 17-24.
51. Bairagi. A, K. Sarkar, S. K. Sen & A. K. Ray. 2002. Enzyme producing bacterial flora from fish digestive tracts. Aquacultura International. 10: 109-121.
52. K. Sarkar, S. K. Sen, S. C. Pal. 1997. Selection of efficient rhizobial strain of tree legumes form wasteland management of lateritic soil. I.J.Exp Biol. 35(7).
53. K. Sarkar, S.K.Sen, S.C. Pal. 1997. Actual and potential nitrogen Fixation of Albizia Rhizobium Symbiosis as Affected by Nitrate. Folia Microbiol. 42 (4).

Books Published / Book Chapters

1.Samya Sen, Keka Sarkar 2018. Molecular Techniques for the study of microbial diversity with special emphasis on Drug Resistant microbes. Microbial Diversity in the Genomic Era. Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0-12-814849-5.
2.Samya Sen, Keka Sarkar 2017. Heavy metal remediation potential of metallic nanomaterials synthesized by microbes. Handbook of metal-microbe interaction and bioremediation, CRC Press. Taylor and Francis Group, 2017. ISBN 978149-8762427.
3.Dwiptirtha Chattopadhyay, Keka Sarkar 2013. “Effective removal of heavy metals and dyes from drinking water utilizing bio-compatible magnetic nanoparticle” in MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT Springer and Capital publishers Limited.

Invited Lecture / Session Chaired

1. Resource Person in:
Dept. of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, KU (Microbial Technology)
Dept. of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, KU (Nanotechnology in Medicine)
2. Delivered lectures in hands-on training workshops:
On Nanoformulated Phyto Drug Delivery for Cancer Therapy
On IPR at Dept. of Microbiology, KU
3. Acted as external examiner and paper setter for M.Phil and Ph.D. programs in multiple universities including Visva Bharati, WBSU, Vidyasagar, and Burdwan

Patents

1. Indian Patent No. 290222
Application No.: 1013/KOL/2011
Title: A method for gold nanoparticle-mediated delivery process of plasmid
Status: Granted
2. Indian Patent No. 318003
Application No.: 1180/KOL/2011
Title: Synthesis of surface-active gold nano layer fabricated iron oxide nanocomposite
Status: Granted
3. Application No.: 202431064352
Title: A novel biofertilizer and method of preparation thereof
Status: Filed

Membership of Learned Societies

1. Member, Academic Council, University of Kalyani
2. Member, Executive Council, University of Kalyani
3. Member, Board of Studies, R G Surendranath College (WBSU), and University of Kalyani
4, Member, Professional/Academic Bodies of WB State University and University of Kalyani

ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0700-2207
SCOPUS ID https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56400413100
Google Scholar ID https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=otmzwhEAAAAJ&hl=en
Notable Activities

1. Served as Dean of Faculty (Science & Engineering Technology & Management) at University of Kalyani.
2. Chairperson of multiple university-level committees including Central Admission, Placement, Data Management, and Research Committees.
3. Played a vital role in curriculum development and innovation, including PG and UG course design in Microbiology and Nanoscience.
4. Instrumental in launching new academic programs such as M.Tech and B.Tech in various engineering disciplines.
5. Successfully led research collaborations with AIIMS Kalyani and University of Lodz, Poland.
6. Organized workshops and training sessions for KV teachers and university faculty on biotechnology and nanomedicine.

Consultancy work / Testing

1. Client/Organization: CNG Agrocare Private Limited, 18/1 Maharshi Debendra Road, Kolkata – 700007 , Nature of Assignment: Microbiological and micronutrient analysis for quality control , Duration of Assignment: As and when required .

Research Supervision

Seven students are currently pursuing their doctoral degrees.