Research Associate at ICAR- Ihndian Institute of Horticulture Research, India
Dr. D. Arul is a distinguished researcher specializing in biotechnology with a strong focus on molecular biology, microbial biotechnology, entomology, and nanotechnology. Currently serving as a Research Associate at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, India, Dr. Arul has made significant contributions to the fields of genomics, proteomics, and microbial interactions. His research involves the study of plant-microbe-insect interactions, semiochemicals, and the development of sustainable pest management strategies. With extensive experience in molecular biology techniques, gene expression, enzyme assays, and microbial screening, he has played a vital role in advancing biotechnological applications in agriculture and disease control.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Dr. Arul pursued his academic journey in biotechnology, earning a B.Sc. in Biotechnology from Thiruvalluvar University in 2010. He further strengthened his knowledge with an M.Sc. (2014) and an M.Phil. (2015) in Biotechnology from Periyar University. His pursuit of academic excellence culminated in a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Periyar University in 2019. His doctoral research focused on isolating, identifying, and characterizing enzymes from fish gut bacteria, with an emphasis on expressing pectinase-producing genes from Aeromonas guangheii.
Experience
Dr. Arul has amassed extensive research experience through various prestigious institutions. Since 2022, he has been working as a Research Associate at ICAR-IIHR, Bangalore, where he investigates plant-insect-microbe interactions and ecological chemistry for sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Before this role, he served as a Senior Research Fellow at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (2021-2022), where he worked on proteogenomic approaches to study cattle breeds. Between 2019 and 2021, he was a Young Professional II at ICAR-NIVEDI, conducting research on the epidemiology of Haemorrhagic Septicaemia in India. His expertise spans molecular techniques such as PCR, qRT-PCR, protein purification, and bioinformatics.
Research Interest
Dr. Arul’s research focuses on various interdisciplinary areas, including molecular biology, microbiology, entomology, nanotechnology, and microbial biotechnology. His work extensively covers plant-insect-microbe interactions, quorum sensing, endophytic and epiphytic microbial communities, symbiotic bacterial diversity, enzyme production, and molecular docking. Additionally, he has explored sustainable pest management strategies using bioactive compounds and nanotechnology-based approaches for agricultural and environmental applications.
Awards
Dr. Arul has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to research. His presentation at the International Conference on Plant Protection in Horticulture (ICPPH-2024) won the Best Oral Presentation Award for his work on Thumbai, Leucas aspera, an aromatic herb attracting the silverleaf whitefly. His excellence in entomology and microbial biotechnology has earned him accolades in various national and international scientific platforms.
Selected Publications
Dr. Arul has published several impactful research papers in high-impact journals. Below are seven of his notable publications:
Dhayalan A., Kamala Jayanthi P.D., et al. (2025). Fish gut symbiotic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis: RSM optimization for extracellular lipase enzyme production and docking analysis. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. (IF- 7.7).
Dhayalan A., Prajapati A., Chanda M.M., Shivachandra S.B. (2024). Anti-quorum sensing and anti-biofilm activities of Pasteurella multocida strains. Microbial Pathogenesis. Vol. 197. (IF- 3.3).
Dhayalan A., Govindasamy V., et al. (2024). Eco-friendly biolarvicides and antimicrobial activity of isolated bioactive compounds from Kurthia gibsonii (Bacillales). Natural Product Research. (IF- 2.4).
Muthusamy R., Vengateswari G., Kumarasamy S., Dhayalan A., et al. (2024). Combination effect of azadirachtin and chlorantraniliprole with synergists against Spodoptera frugiperda. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology. (IF- 4.0).
Arul D., Natarajan T., et al. (2022). Pectinase from fish gut bacterium Aeromonas guangheii: production, cloning, and characterization. Protein Journal. (IF- 4.0).
Prajapati A., Chanda M.M., Dhayalan A., et al. (2020). Variability in in vitro biofilm production and antimicrobial sensitivity among Pasteurella multocida strains. Biofouling. (IF- 3.8).
Deepak P., Vadivel A., Dhayalan A., et al. (2018). Facile green synthesis of nanoparticles from brown seaweed Sargassum wightii and its biological applications. Advances in Natural Sciences: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. (IF- 2.1).
These research contributions have significantly influenced the fields of microbial biotechnology, entomology, and nanoscience, with multiple articles being cited in reputed journals.
Conclusion
Dr. D. Arul’s extensive research contributions, high-impact publications, multidisciplinary expertise, and dedication to advancing biotechnology make him a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work in microbial biotechnology, pest management, and molecular biology has a significant global impact, and his continuous pursuit of innovation establishes him as a leading researcher in his field.