Amino acids, whose carbon skeletons are not synthesized de novo by animal and human cells, must be provided in diets to sustain life and therefore, are nutritionally essential. Of the 20 standard proteinogenic amino acids, the nine are essential amino acids (EAAs). Of the nine EAAs, L-valine, L-leucine and L-isoleucine are branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Amino acids have many potentials uses as animal feed supplements, food additives, and materials for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and polymers. In addition, BCAAs have been used in ill patients’ therapy, as a precursor of antibiotics and herbicides, and in physiology. We previously tried to isolate bacteria from environmental sample that can produce amino acid and our specific focus was on L-Met. Due to time limit and lack of funding, this research was poorly progressed. The new research plan has been designed to isolate, screen, and characterize the branched chain essential amino acid (BCEAA) producing bacteria from environmental sample. The long-term plan is to optimize the production of BCEAAs and to purify them for commercialization. Later, the research plan will also be designed for other essential amino acids as well.

Carotenoids are a group of yellow, orange-red-pigmented isoprenoids that are naturally synthesized by plants, algae, cyanobacteria, bacteria, and fungi. Naturally isolated carotenoids could be applied industrially in food, feed, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical product formulations alternative to chemically synthesized one. Colour pigment producing microorganisms hold a promising potential to meet the present-day challenges. Thus, scientific interest is growing rapidly to isolation and purification of carotenoids from the natural sources. Our initial research that had been designed to isolate, screen and characterize the bacterial isolate that can produce different types of colour pigments/carotenoids. We characterized the bacterial isolate up to the genus level. Our aim was also to extract carotenoids and to run them in HLPC to observe the available peak(s). We have selected three bacterial isolates for further study. The present short-term objective is to optimize the bacterial growth changing its medium and growth conditions, to efficient extraction of carotenoids using different mixture of extracts and to identify all peaks observed in HPLC. The long-term objective is to purify the carotenoids in laboratory to industry scale for commercialization.

The understanding of occurrence and the treatment to cure cancer are still daunting task. Everyday new data is generating and research is going on this life-threatening disease. The data for understanding of micronutrients association with various types of cancers is still accumulating. Recently, we have investigated the associations of vitamins (A, D and E), and minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc) to bladder, ovary and breast cancer. It was found that there is correlation between micronutrients status and such type of cancer occurrence. We have planned to extent and specifically elaborate our thinking on bladder cancer. Because the different degree of expression of uroplakin III (UPIII), a transmembrane protein, is involved in bladder cancer aggressiveness. The diagnostic value of plasma and urine uroplakin IIIa (UPIIIa) levels in bladder cancer could be early and non-invasive approach in bladder cancer diagnosis. We have also shown the involvement and role of UPIII in sperm-mediated egg activation, a prerequisite priming for successful fertilization. Thus, to me, UPIII is a molecule that play not only in the beginning of life but also in the deadly disease cancer to threaten life.

Keynote speech on Environment related policies in Bangladesh: governance and political perspective. Conference on Environmental Solutions for Sustainable Development: Towards Developed Bangladesh (CESSD 2019). Organized by Forest and Environment Affairs Sub-Committee, Bangladesh Awami League held on November 27-28, 2019.