Research & Publications
Research overview
Bacterial synthesis and biomedical applications of metal nanoparticles
Environmental bacteria, Acinetobacter species, can be induced to reduce metal salts into nanoparticles of controlled size and shape. My doctoral and subsequent work established the optimized conditions for silver nanoparticle synthesis, identified lignin peroxidase as agents of the reduction, and characterised the silver, gold and selenium particles that result. The appeal is that the synthesis runs in aqueous environment at room temperature, without the reducing agents that conventional routes depend on.
Biogenic nanoparticles turn out to be active where conventional antimicrobials are struggling. We have shown silver nanoparticles disrupting Acinetobacter biofilms, acting in synergy with existing antibiotics against nosocomial strains, inhibiting Candida albicans, and suppressing Mycobacterium species. Selenium nanoparticles from Acinetobacter sp. SW30 proved cytotoxic to breast cancer cells.
Applied environmental remediation
A complementary strand applies biogenic nanomaterials and low-cost biosorbents to pollution control. Bacteriogenic gold nanocatalysts decolorise textile dye effluent, while banana and carrot peel waste serve as effective biosorbents for Procion Magenta and Black Azabache dyes. A 2026 review extends this work to review the role of engineered nano-adsorbents to close the gap of critical microplastic–nanoplastic capture.
Survey-based research on science education and public understanding
A separate strand of my work uses survey-based research as a vehicle to train postgraduate students in data collection, statistical analysis and scientific reasoning, giving them hands-on exposure to how empirical research is actually done. Working with PG students and my colleagues, I have guided surveys across multiple themes: educators’ learning from online professional courses, public awareness and risk perception of food-contact materials, etc. Each of these studies has been published, turning the training exercise itself into a peer-reviewed contribution.
Publications
2026 Accepted MS
Patil SB, Singh R (2026). International Journal of Phytoremediation 28(11): 2567–2585.
2026 Accepted MS
Singh R (2026). Next Research 10: 101928.
2026 Open access
Online Professional Courses’ Impact on Teaching and Personal Growth
Singh R, Menon T, Yoosuf S (2026). Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology 52(1): 1–20.
2025 Accepted MS
Practices and perceptions of food contact materials: impact of education in the Indian context
Vishwakarma OV, Patil SB, Singh R (2025). Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy 91(4): 1351–1364.
2024 Open access
Antibacterial Activity of Biosilver Nanoparticles in Combination with Antibiotics
Singh R (2024). Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering 21(1): 32–41.
2024 Open access
Naturally occurring nanoparticles (NONPs): A review
Raut SS, Singh R, Lekhak UM (2024). Next Sustainability 3: 100037.
2020 Open access
Nadhe SB, Wadhwani SA, Singh R, Chopade BA (2020). Frontiers in Chemistry 8: 474.
2019 Publisher site
Nadhe SB, Singh R, Wadhwani SA, Chopade BA (2019). Journal of Applied Microbiology 127(2): 445–458.
2018 Publisher site
Singh R, Vora J, Nadhe SB, Wadhwani SA, Shedbalkar UU, Chopade BA (2018). Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 18(6): 3806–3815.
2018 Publisher site
Wadhwani SA, Shedbalkar UU, Nadhe S, Singh R, Chopade BA (2018). Environmental Technology & Innovation 9: 186–197.
2018 Publisher site
Biosynthesis of gold and selenium nanoparticles by purified protein from Acinetobacter sp. SW30
Wadhwani SA, Shedbalkar UU, Singh R, Chopade BA (2018). Enzyme and Microbial Technology 111: 81–86.
2018 Open access
Catalytic activity of chemical and biological nanosilver: a comparative study
Singh R, Jain B (2018). JETIR 5: 243–253.
2017 Open access
Lignin peroxidase mediated silver nanoparticle synthesis in Acinetobacter sp.
Singh R, Shedbalkar UU, Nadhe SB, Wadhwani SA, Chopade BA (2017). AMB Express 7(1): 226.
2017 Open access
Wadhwani SA, Gorain M, Banerjee P, Shedbalkar UU, Singh R, Kundu GC, Chopade BA (2017). International Journal of Nanomedicine 12: 6841–6855.
2016 Open access
Phytogenic silver, gold, and bimetallic nanoparticles as novel antitubercular agents
Singh R, Nawale L, Arkile M, Wadhwani S, Shedbalkar U, Chopade S, Sarkar D, Chopade BA (2016). International Journal of Nanomedicine 11: 1889–1897.
2016 Open access
Nanoparticles for Control of Biofilms of Acinetobacter Species
Singh R, Nadhe S, Wadhwani S, Shedbalkar U, Chopade BA (2016). Materials 9(5): 383.
2016 Publisher site
Biogenic selenium nanoparticles: current status and future prospects
Wadhwani SA, Shedbalkar UU, Singh R, Chopade BA (2016). Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 100(6): 2555–2566.
2016 Publisher site
Kinetics of Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Acinetobacter sp. SW30 Isolated from Environment
Wadhwani SA, Shedbalkar UU, Singh R, Vashisth P, Pruthi V, Chopade BA (2016). Indian Journal of Microbiology 56(4): 439–444.
2015 Accepted MS
Chemical and biological metal nanoparticles as antimycobacterial agents: A comparative study
Singh R, Nawale LU, Arkile M, Shedbalkar UU, Wadhwani SA, Sarkar D, Chopade BA (2015). International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 46(2): 183–188.
2015 Accepted MS
Bacteriagenic silver nanoparticles: synthesis, mechanism, and applications
Singh R, Shedbalkar UU, Wadhwani SA, Chopade BA (2015). Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 99(11): 4579–4593.
2014 Publisher site
Microbial synthesis of gold nanoparticles: Current status and future prospects
Shedbalkar UU, Singh R, Wadhwani SA, Gaidhani S, Chopade BA (2014). Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 209: 40–48.
2014 Publisher site
Wadhwani SA, Shedbalkar UU, Singh R, Karve MS, Chopade BA (2014). World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 30(10): 2723–2731.
2013 Publisher site
Gaidhani S, Singh R, Singh D, Patel U, Shevade K, Yeshvekar R, Chopade BA (2013). Materials Letters 108: 324–327.
2013 Open access
Singh R, Wagh P, Wadhwani S, Gaidhani S, Kumbhar A, Bellare J, Chopade BA (2013). International Journal of Nanomedicine 8: 4277–4290.
2009 Open access
Singh R, Pradhan V, Patwardhan M, Ghosh K (2009). Indian Journal of Human Genetics 15(3): 98–102.
Book chapters
2026 Publisher site
Metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles: emerging tools in cancer therapy and bioimaging
Singh R (2026). In: Applications of Nanomaterials for Oncology, IGI Global, New York, pp. 189–230.
2026 Publisher site
The Role of Professional Courses in Fostering Holistic Development in Teaching Professionals
Singh R, Menon T, Yoosuf S (2026). In: Trends in Training and Development, Higher Education Forum, India, pp. 60–64.
2025 Publisher site
Experiential learning: a blend of MOOCs, project-based learning and internships
Menon T, Yoosuf S, Singh R (2025). In: Teaching Learning Innovations, Higher Education Forum, India, pp. 25–29.