Pavitra K K
B.Tech. Bioinformatics, 2021, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, M.Sc. Bioinformatics, 2023, Tamil Nadu Agricultural UniversityPh.D. Scholar
Pavitra K K
B.Tech. Bioinformatics, 2021, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, M.Sc. Bioinformatics, 2023, Tamil Nadu Agricultural UniversityMy research focuses on uncovering the roles of small RNAs (sRNAs) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) during infection, using dual RNA-Seq as the central framework. Dual RNA-Seq is a powerful approach because it captures the simultaneous gene expression profiles of both the pathogen and the host, allowing the study of their interactions in real time. Through this approach, my work aims to identify uncharacterized sRNAs in Mtb understand their regulatory functions and explore how they influence host immune responses.
The first part of my research involves identifying sRNAs expressed by Mtb during infection and characterizing how their expression changes in response to host environments. By comparing infected and uninfected states, i am focusing on the sRNAs that play important roles in bacterial survival, adaptation, or virulence. These sRNAs are further examined through structural and evolutionary perspectives to determine which ones are conserved or possess features indicative of functional regulatory molecules.
The next phase of my work focuses on understanding how these sRNAs regulate gene expression. This involves predicting their potential interactions with both bacterial genes and host transcripts. By examining sequence complementarity, structural compatibility, co-expression relationships, and regulatory context, I aim to map out a network of possible sRNA–mRNA interactions. This conceptual framework allows me to hypothesize how individual sRNAs may influence specific pathways, stress responses, or infection-related processes.
A central component of this study is examining the effect of Mtb sRNAs on host gene regulation. By integrating host and bacterial expression patterns, I aim to identify points where Mtb sRNAs may interfere with or manipulate host cellular pathways. Special attention is given to pathways involved in immunity, inflammation, and cellular stress, as these are critical to the host–pathogen battle during tuberculosis. Modeling these interactions helps build a clearer understanding of how small regulatory molecules from the bacterium may shift host responses in ways that benefit pathogen survival. My research aims to construct a systems-level overview of Mtb sRNA biology.
Pavitra K K is a bioinformatics researcher specializing in host–pathogen interactions, regulatory RNA biology, and systems-level analysis of infectious diseases.
She completed her Master of Science and Bachelor of Technology in Bioinformatics at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, where she developed a strong foundation in computational biology and integrative omics analysis. During her internship at Coromandel International Limited, she contributed to a project on deciphering genes and metabolites linked to in-planta resistance against late blight of potato through computational approaches. Pavitra has co-authored research on virus–host protein–protein interaction networks, focusing on community detection and network-level insights into viral infection mechanisms. Her research experience spans small RNA discovery, multi-omics data integration, transcriptomics, and computational modeling of complex biological systems.
She is currently involved in interdisciplinary projects combining RNA-seq analysis, network biology, and machine learning approaches to study pathogen-driven regulatory mechanisms.
- B.Tech., Bioinformatics, 2021, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
- M.Sc. Bioinformatics, 2023, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
- Probing Cancer Protein Inhibition: Unveiling Insights via Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation in the Journal of Biological Forum.
- Unveiling the Potential of Antioxidant Proteins with the Integration of Little Millet Phytochemicals from GC-MS Studies through In silico Approach in the journal of International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
- Metagenomic profiling of tomato rhizosphere delineates the diverse nature of uncultured microbes as influenced by Bacillus velezensis VB7 and Trichoderma koningiopsis TK towards the suppression of root-knot nematode under field conditions in the jornal of 3 Biotech.
Project 1:
Title: Identification Of Potential Antivenom Compounds from Traditional Medicinal Plants Against Major Targets of Indian Snakes Through Virtual Screening and Development of Phyto- Antivenom Database
- Duration: 2020-2021
- Granting Agency – Nil
- PIs/Co PIs: Dr. Gnanam Ramasamy, PhD Professor at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
- Purpose: To identify potential plant-derived compounds that can neutralize toxic components of Indian snake venoms and provide a basis for developing safer, affordable antivenom alternatives.
- Short Description: This project used virtual screening approaches to evaluate traditional medicinal plants for antivenom activity and compiled the most promising candidates into a preliminary phyto-antivenom reference database.
- Status: Completed
- Grant Amount: Nil
Project 2:
Title: Development of an integrated multi-omics database for minor millets
- Duration: 2022-2023
- Granting Agency – Nil
- PIs/Co PIs: Dr. N. Bharathi, PhD Assistant Professor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
- Purpose: To support millet research by integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic information into a unified resource that enhances data accessibility and comparative analyses.
- Short Description: This project involved the design and development of a comprehensive multi-omics database for minor millets, enabling researchers to explore molecular features and functional relationships across millet species.
- Status: Completed
- Grant Amount: Nil
Project 3:
Title: Identifying Communities in the Virus–Host Protein–Protein Interaction Networks (Book Chapter in Methods Mol Biol)
- Duration: 2024–2025
- Granting Agency – Nil
- PIs/Co PIs: Dr. Shubhada R. Hegde
- Purpose: To analyse virus–host protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks to uncover functionally meaningful communities that may reveal host pathways exploited during infection.
- Short Description: This work focuses on applying network-based methods to detect community structures within virus–host PPI networks, enabling deeper insights into infection mechanisms and identifying potential therapeutic intervention points.
- Status: Completed
- Grant Amount: Nil
Trainings and Workshops
- Next Generation Sequencing Data Analysis, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
- Modeling, Docking, and Simulation Using Discovery Studio, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
- BioPython Workshop, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Awards and Certifications
- Bioconcorrenza – National-Level Technical Symposium Participant, 2018–2022
- NSS Volunteer, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, 2017–2018
- Runner-Up, National-Level Hackathon 2022 – All India Hackathon conducted by IFFCO-MC (Supply Chain Management)
- Poster Presentation, Indian Science Congress 2023
- Poster Presentation, 8th Agricultural Graduate Students Conference
- Copyright Holder – Minor Millet Database, Copyright Office, Government of India