Name: Dr. N. RAMAIAH

Born: June 9,1957, Gulya, Karnataka,India

Address: Biological Oceanography Division

National Institute of Oceanography,

Dona Paula, Goa, 403 004, India

Telephone (0) 832 221322

Fax 91 (0) 832 223340

email: ramaiah@darya.nio.org

Academic Qualifications:

B.F.Sc., M.F.Sc. and Ph D. in Marine Microbiology

Current area of Activity: R & D activities in marine microbiology and biotechnology. Application of molecular biology techniques for general marine microbial ecology as well as for detection of marine shrimp and human pathogenic bacteria with an intent of developing species specific DNA probes for a quick and reliable identification of these pathogens in aquaculture farms and marine regimes.

Number of years in Research : 18 years.

Work experience: Studies on ecologically versatile groups of marine bacteria, human pathogens, bacterial productivity and heterotrophic activity of natural microflora; studies on luminescent marine bacteria and application of their bioluminescence for environmental and industrial pollution surveillance; ecology, bacterial community structure and studies on enzymes of commercial interest from Antarctic bacteria; pathobiology of farmed fishes, and studies on microbiological parameters of importance in water quality classification; molecular genetic studies with luminous (and general) marine bacteria.

Important Instruments and Methods:

• Microbial Identification System
• Gas Chromatography
• Spectrophotometry
• Luminometer
• Fluorometry
• UV microscopy
• Histology
• Virus enumeration methods
• Several biochemical methods involved in bacterial taxonomy
• Methods involved in quantitative assays for enzymes
• Radiolabeled isotope tracer techniques
• Molecular biology techniques for ecology of marine bacteria

Ship                         Period                 Region
R/V GAVESHANI Nov - Dec 1982, Equatorial Indian Ocean
R/V GAVESHANI April- May 1983, Northern Arabian Sea
R/V SAGAR KANYA July - Sep 1983, Western Arabian Sea
R/V GAVESHANI April 1984, Laccadive Sea
R/V GAVESHANI Sept - Oct 1984, Bay of Bengal
R/V GAVESHANI January 1985, Laccadive Sea
R/V SAGAR KANYA July - Aug 1985, Western Arabian Sea
R/V GAVESHANI Sept - Oct 1985, Equatorial Arabian Sea
R/V GAVESHANI Nov - Dec 1985, Northern Arabian Sea
M/V COLHEITA December 1985, Northern Arabian Sea
R/V GAVESHANI Mar - Apr 1986, Northern Arabian Sea
R/V GAVESHANI Aug - Sep 1986, Northern Arabian Sea
R/V SAGAR KANYA Jan - Feb 1987, Northern Arabian Sea
R/V GAVESHANI December 1987, Laccadive Sea
R/V SAGAR KANYA Jan - Feb 1988, Northern Arabian Sea
R/V SAGAR KANYA Dec`88-Jan 1989, Northern Arabian Sea
M/V THULELAND Nov`89-Mar 1990, Antarctic Ocean,
IX Indian Expedition to Antarctica, Summer team Member.
R/V SAGAR SAMPADA September 1991, Northern Arabian Sea
R/V SAGAR KANYA Sept - Oct 1992, Equatorial Indian Ocean
R/V SAGAR KANYA September 1993, Western Arabian Sea
R/V SAGAR KANYA Apr - May 1994, NE Arabian Sea
R/V CAPE HENLOPEN March 1995, Chesapeake Bay (USA)
R/V CAPE HENLOPEN August 1995, Chesapeake Bay (USA)
R/V SAGAR KANYA August 1996, NE Arabian Sea
CRV SAGAR PASCHHIMI December 1997 Western Arabian Sea

So far, my Cruise Experience on ships is nearly of 900 days. Besides this, I went on small boats for over 300 days for coastal ampling for microbiological studies.
 

Training Imparted:

• Laboratory and theoretical training of personnel from the Central Pollution Control Board of India- Goa Zone, Sept. 1985.
• Laboratory and theoretical training of scientists and research fellows from various CSIR and states run laboratories, Jan 1992.
• Laboratory and theoretical training of personnel from Madhya Pradesh Council for Science and Technology, Oct. 1996

 

• 1982 - Practical classes in Fish Pathology and Parasitology to Graduate students at the College of Fisheries, Mangalore.
• 1985-1987 Theory and Practical classes in Marine Microbiology to Post-Graduate students from the University of Jabalpur. Over 20 lectures and 10 Practical classes each year.
• 1988-1993 Theory classes in Marine Microbiology to the Post-Graduate students from Goa University.4-5 lectures each year

• 1985 Mona Patel, University of Jabalpur
• 1986 Seema Tiwari, University of Jabalpur
• 1996 Sucheta Shikhare, University of Pune

• Member, NIO Library Committee, 1989-90
• Member, Transport Comm. for Indo Dutch Workshop, Oct 1992
• Member, Exhibition Committee, Indian Sci.Congress, Jan 1993
• Member, Office Transacs. Redressal Committee, Apr-Oct. 1994
• Member, Scientific Industrial Research Policy Planning Committee, 1995-97
• Member, Equipment Purchase Prioritization Committee 1997-98
• Member, NIO Library Committee, 1998-99

• Life Member Asian Fisheries Society, Indian Branch
• Bioelectrochemical Society of India
• Ordinary Member Association of Microbiologists of India
• Antarctic Club of India

Theses

• Observations on the bacterial diseases of farmed carps and the sensitivity of pathogens to a few drugs. M. F. Sc. thesis University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. (1982),155p.
• Studies on the marine luminous bacteria. Ph. D. thesis University of Jabalpur, (1989), 230p.

N. Ramaiah, W. L. Straube, J. Ravel, R. T. Hill and R. R. Colwell. Detection of luxA and chiA genes from Bacteria in the Chesapeake Bay. Revision to be communicated to Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

M. Dileep Kumar, V. V. S. Sarma, N. Ramaiah, M. Gauns and S. N. DeSouza, 1998. Significance of Transparent Exopolymer Particles in the oceans. Geophysical Research Letters, 25: 81-84.

M. Madhupratap, P. M. A. Bhattathiri, S. Prasannakumar, M. Dileepkumar, S. Raghukumar,K. K. C. Nair and N. Ramaiah, 1996. Mechanism of Biological Response to winter cooling in the northeastern Arabian Sea. Nature 384: 549-542

Neelam Ramaiah, N. Ramaiah and V. R. Nair, Biological productivity characteristics in the polluted Bombay harbour-Thana creek- Bassein creek Ecosystem. Accepted in Indian Journal of Marine Sciences

N. Ramaiah, S. Raghukumar and M. Gauns, 1996. Bacterial abundance and production in the central and eastern Arabian Sea. Current Science, 71: 878-882

N. Ramaiah, C. Raghukumar, G. Sheelu and D. Chandramohan, 1996. Microbiolgical characteristics of the Tamil Nadu Coast. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences, 25: 234-239

N. Ramaiah, 1995. Summer abundance and activities of bacteria in the freshwater lakes of Schirmacher oasis, Antarctica. Polar Biology, 15: 547-553.

Neelam Ramaiah, N. Ramaiah, D. Chandramohan and V. R. Nair, 1995. Autotrophic and heterotrophic characteristics in a polluted tropical estuary. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 40: 45-55.

N. Ramaiah, 1994. Enzymatic activities of psychrophilic bacteria from the antarctic krill, zooplankton and seawater. pp 107-114. in Technical Publication No. 6, Department of Ocean Development, New Delhi.

N. Ramaiah, J. Kodagali, S. Nair, G. Sheelu and D. Chandramohan, 1994. Microbial heterotrophic activity, bacterial abundances and their community characteristics from different ecosystems of the Queen Maud Land. pp 91 - 106. in Technical Publication No. 6, Department of Ocean Development, New Delhi.

N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, 1994. Bacterial bioluminescence in Marine Pollution Assessment. pp 667-680. in: Ocean Technology :Perspectives, (ed: K Sushil Kumar et al) CSIR Golden Jubilee Special Publications.

N. Ramaiah, 1994. Some aspects of microbiolgical characteristics in the nearshore waters of Bombay. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences, 23: 75-81.

A Rajendran, M Dileep Kumar, N. Ramaiah, V Ittekkot and B N Desai, 1993. Variable relationships of DOC with Oxygen in the Northwestern Indian Ocean and their ecological implications. pp 73-83 In: Monsoon Biogeochemistry, edited by V Ittekkot and R R Nair. SCOPE/UNEP Publications, Hamburg.

N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, 1993. Ecological and laboratory studies on the role of luminous bacteria and their luminescence in the coastal pollution surveillance. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 26: 190 - 201.

N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, 1992. Densities, cellulases, alginate and pectin lyases of luminous and other heterotrophic bacteria associted with marine algae. Aquatic Botany, 44: 71- 81.

N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, 1992. Production of L- asparaginase by the marine luminous bacteria. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences, 21 : 212 -214.

N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, 1992. Occurrence of Photobacterium leiognathi as the bait organ symbiont in a frogfish, Antennarius hispidus. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences, 21 : 210-211.

N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, 1992. Ecology and biology of marine luminous bacteria in the Arabian Sea. p. 11- 23. In :Oceanography of the Indian Ocean, B. N. Desai (ed). Oxford IBH, New Delhi.

N. Ramaiah, R. Vijayakumar and A. H. Parulekar, 1992. Observations on seabirds in the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean. Polar Record, 28: 113-118.

N. Ramaiah and L. Manohar, 1989.Experimental infection and determination of virulence of three strains of pathogenic bacteria isolated from diseased carps p.51-54. In: Proceedings of the First Indian Fisheries Forum. M. Mohan Joseph (ed). Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch, Mangalore.

N. Ramaiah, L. Manohar and D. Seenappa, 1989. Effect of three sulphonamides on the growth of mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham). Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 59: 388-391.

N. Ramaiah, L. Manohar and D. Seenappa, 1988. Tissue levels of three sulphonamides in the fingerlings of rohu (Labeo rohita) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) fed at three different dosages. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 58: 998-1004.

N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, 1988. Distribution of luminous bacteria and bacterial luminescence in the equatorial region of the Indian Ocean. Microbiologica, 11:243-254.

Sumitra-Vijayaraghavan, N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, 1988. Effect of iodophor treatment on the hatching of Artemia cysts. Current Science, 57: 278-280.

J. P. Royan, Sumitra-Vijayaraghavan, L. Krishnakumari and N. Ramaiah, 1987. Cyst quality and hatching in parthenogenetic brine prawn, Artemia. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences, 16: 249-252.

N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, 1987. Distribution and species composition of planktonic luminous bacteria in the Arabian Sea. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences, 16: 139-142.

N. Ramaiah, C. V. Mohan and S. L. Shanbhogue, 1987. In vitro efficacy of antibacterial substances on aeromonads and pseudomonads isolated from fish culture ponds. Current Research 16: 130-131.

D. Chandramohan and N. Ramaiah, 1987. Heterotrophic activity and bacterial biomass in coral atolls of Lakshdweep Archipelago. p. 117 - 130. In: Contributions in Marine Sciences, S. Z. Qasim Felicitation volume, NIO, Goa.

S. Raghukumar, D. Chandramohan and N. Ramaiah, 1987. Contribution of thraustochytrid, Corallochytrium limacisporum to microbial biomass in coral reef lagoons. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences 16: 122-125.

C. V. Mohan, N. Ramaiah and S. L. Shanbhogue, 1986. Effects of therapeutics on fish ectoparasites. Environment and Ecology 4: 98-100.

P. A. Lokabharathi, N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, 1986.Occurrence and distribution of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and related organisms in the Laccadive Sea. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences 15: 96-98.
 

List of Printed Abstracts/Oral Presentations:

1. N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, "Hydrolytic Enzymes of different species of bioluminescent bacteria". Second Indian Fisheries Forum of Asian Fisheries Societyheld at College of Fisheries, Mangalore during 28 - 30 May 1990.

2. N. Ramaiah, M. J. Ram, D. Chandramohan and A. H. Parulekar, "Abundance and biochemical characteristics of bacteria associated with krill". National Workshop on Exploration and Exploitation of Antarctic Krill Resources, at NIO, Goa on 30 Aug. 1990.

3. N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, "Ecology and biology of luminous bacteria in the Arabian Sea". International Symposium on the Oceanography of the Indian Ocean, at NIO during 13 - 15 Jan. 1991.

4. N. Ramaiah "Molecular biological perspectives of marine bioluminescent bacteria" Brain storming session on Molecular Biology organised by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, at IIP, Dehra Dun during 3 - 6 June 1991.

5. N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, "Bacterial bioluminescence for marine pollution monitoring". International Symposium on Ocean Technology, at NIO during 27 - 29 Aug. 1992.

6. D. Chandramohan, N. Ramaiah*, J. Kodagali, G. Sheelu and S. Nair, "Microbiological characteristics of different ecosystems of Queen Maud land, Antarctica". Thirty third Annual Conference of the Association of Microbiologists of India at the Goa University during 3 - 7 Nov. 1992 (*Presented by me).

7. N. Ramaiah "Ecology of fishing grounds: Fish-Parasite interactions" Special lecture series to the scientists of Fisheries Survey of India at NIO during 16-23 Oct. 1992.

8. N. Ramaiah "Survival strategies in Antarctic microbes" Special lecture series for the Teachers Association of Bombay Education Society at NIO during 13-29 Nov. 1992.

9. N. Ramaiah. Breeding cycles and habitats of commercial fishes along the west coast of India". International workshop organised by the World wide Fund for Nature - India and International Institute for Rural Reconstruction, Phillippines held at NIO during 15-31 Jan 1994.

10. N. Ramaiah, Detection of marine environmental stress through substrate uptake kinetics and light output by a marine luminous bacterium Vibrio harveyi National Symposium on Bioelectrochemistry-III, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay, January 24-25, 1996.

11. N. Ramaiah*, W. L. Straube, J. Ravel, R. T. Hill and R. R. Colwell, Development of DNA probes for detecting functional genes from natural microflora. National Seminar on the Recent Advances in Biological Oceanography held at NIO, Goa from May 29 to 31, 1996.

12. N. Ramaiah and D. Chandramohan, Bacterial abundance and potential heterotrophic activity from various marine regimes of the Indian Ocean. National Seminar on the Recent Advances in Biological Oceanography held at NIO, Goa from May 29 to 31, 1996.

13. N. Ramaiah, P. A. Lokabharathi and D. Chandramohan, Numerical profiling of bacterial communities in the Indian Ocean. National Seminar on the Recent Advances in Biological Oceanography held at NIO, Goa from May 29 to 31, 1996.

14. Neelam Ramaiah, N. Ramaiah and V. R. Nair, Phytoplankton characteristics in the polluted Bombay Harbour- Thane Bassein Creek estuarine complex. National Seminar on the Recent Advances in Biological Oceanography held at NIO, Goa from May 29 to 31, 1996.

15. M. Madhupratap, P. M. A. Bhattathiri, S. Prasannakumar, M. Dileepkumar, S. Raghukumar, K. K. C. Nair and N. Ramaiah, Biological response to winter cooling. National Seminar on the Recent Advances in Biological Oceanography held at NIO, Goa from May 29 to 31, 1996.

16. N. Ramaiah, Application of bacterial luminescence systems for detection of microorganisms in the seafoods and for certain other ecological investigations, Invited Lecture for an international training workshop "Molecular methods for rapid detection of seafood associated pathogens" held at Mangalore from June 10 to14, 1996.

17. Anil, A. C., N. Ramaiah* and S. P. Fondekar, Threats related to shipping: Ecosystem analyses and ecosafety measures, Presenattion to Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOCINDIO-II) Regional Meet from November 20-22, 1996.

18. N. Ramaiah Bioluminescent bacteria: Ecological Perspectives, Invited Lecture to the participants of Ocean Sciences & Technology Cell (DOD) Training Program at Goa University, June 25, 1998

List of Contractual Research/Technical Reports:

In all these following reports my contribution has been on microbiological parameters. I have made collection of environmental samples, analyzed them and interpreted the results and suggested ways and means of dealing with microorganisms. While cooperation from the colleagues was available for a few projects, in most of the projects I have myself completed the work.
 

• Observations on the diseases of Indian Major Carps and their control. (1984). Sponsored by the ICAR, New Delhi.
• Oceanographic studies off Sutrapada. (1985). Sponsored by Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd, Veraval.
• Environmental quality and dispersion studies off Uran (Bombay). (1986). Sponsored by Oil & Natural Gas Commission, Bombay.
• The survey for KIOCL sub-marine outfall off Mangalore. (1986). Sponsored by Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd, Bangalore
• Assessment of the magnitude of the environmental pollution prevalent in New Mangalore Harbour and to suggest remedial measures. (1986). Sponsored by New Mangalore Port Trust, Mangalore.
• Hydrographic studies in Amba river estuary for wastewater disposal from a Petrochemical complex. (1987). Sponsored by Indian Petrochemical Corporation Ltd, Bombay.
• Seawater quality for water injection in Heera Oil Field. (1987). Sponsored by Oil & Natural Gas Commission, Bombay.
• Ecological studies near MCF effluent outfall at Thanneerbhavi, Mangalore. (1988). Sponsored by Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd, Mangalore.
• Environmental quality assessment off Haldia. (1988). Sponsored by Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd., Calcutta.
• Evaluation of mutant bacteria for oil degradation. (1989). Sponsored by Oil & Natural Gas Commission, Bombay.
• Analysis of Spring waters of Goa. (1989). Sponsored by the Govt. of Goa.
• Ecobiological characterisation of the environs of the Nuclear Power Station site at Jaitapur (Dist: Sindhudurg, Maharashtra State) & Bioassay tests for tolerance and lethal limits of thermal effluents on biota and environment. (1990). Sponsored by Nuclear Power Corporation Ltd, Bombay.
• Environmental survey off Ennore for marine disposal of effluents from the reverse osmosis plant of Madras Fertilisers Ltd. (1991). Sponsored by MITEC Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Madras.
• Environmental survey off Karaikkal for marine disposal of effluents from a chemical factory. (1991). Sponsored by Kothari Sugars & Chemicals Ltd., Madras.
• Environmental survey off Tuticorin for the disposal of effluents rom a proposed zirconium and/or heavy water plant.(1991). Sponsored by the Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad.
• Evaluation of the performance of the drinking water purifier, Aquaguard. (1991). Sponsored by Eureka Forbes Ltd., Bombay.
• Environmental survey for marine disposal of effluents from SIPCOT Industrial Complex near Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. (1992). Sponsored by the MITEC Engineering Ltd., Madras.
• Environmental analyses assessment of prevailing pollution in the Marmugao Port and suggestions for measures for improvement. (1993). Sponsored by Marmugao Port Trust, Goa.
• Evaluation of chemical and biological quality in the marine environs off Ennore for possible disposal of effluents through existing pipeline.(1993) Sponsored by Tamilnadu Petroproducts Ltd. Madras.
• Surveys for the environmental pollutants around the seas of India (1988-1997). Grant-in- aid Project from the Department of Ocean Development, New Delhi. Quarterly, biannual and Annual reports submitted from Jan 1989.
• Feasibility studies for establishing an Oceanarium at Madras. (1994). Sponsored by the Govt of Tamil Nadu.
• Oceanographic studies for the disposal of effluents for Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Madras. (1996). Sponsored by MITEC Engineering Private Limited, Madras.
• Environmental Impact Assessment off Ennore for a proposed new Jetty for the transport of LNG for a thermal power plant. (1997). Sponsored by Thamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation, Madras.
• Environmental Impact Assessment off Positra for a proposed new harbour at Okha, Gujarat. (1998). Sponsored by Gujarat Maritime Board, Jamnagar.
• Environmental Impact Assessment off Padubidri and Panambur for a proposed new thermal power plant. (1998). Sponsored by Mangalore Power Company.