Research

The Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, celebrated International Microorganisms Day 2025 from 15–17 September 2025 on the theme “Sūkṣmānām Mahattvam – Tiny Creatures, Giant Impact.”

The three-day program featured eminent lectures, oral and poster presentations, a microbiology quiz, and an agar art workshop. Distinguished scientists from India and abroad delivered lectures on diverse aspects of microbiology, inspiring young researchers. A total of 45 abstracts were received, leading to 13 oral presentations and 32 poster presentations, while 33 students participated in the agar art workshops. Quiz competitions engaged both school and undergraduate students, fostering healthy competition and scientific curiosity.

The event also included the Dr. K. Gopinatha Rao Memorial Lecture, a documentary screening, and the inauguration of the DBIOS students’ club “RuBis.CO.” Prizes were awarded to outstanding participants across categories.

The celebration successfully combined science and creativity, providing a vibrant platform for students and researchers to share knowledge, develop skills, and appreciate the profound impact of microorganisms on human life and the environment.

View detailed report

View photos

Identifying the Issue

• Existing sensors based on metal oxide semiconductors are limited by high temperature operation, response to different gases (poor selectivity) and non-flexible nature
• In this aspect, hydrogels with their interesting physical and chemical properties have attracted in designing the flexible sensors

Objective of the Research

Study the hybrid hydrogels to design gas sensors and tune the properties to high selectivity, with enhanced response for wearable applications

Who should read this?

• Research community working on gas sensors, hydrogels, flexible electronics.
• Industrial safety experts, and pharmaceutical industry.

Solution

Room temperature operable, flexible hydrogels which are selective to particular target gas interactions. Investigate hybrid hydrogel networks films to enhance the selectivity and sensitivity.

Key Features and Benefits

• hybrid hydrogel system formed by Laponite (a synthetic nanoclay) and Sodium Alginate (a natural polyelectrolyte) over the flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates
• Have shown enhanced response with high selectivity towards ammonia gas sensing
• Ammonia interacts through ionization, thus forming NH⁴⁺, which causes releasing of Na⁺ ions in the hydrogel network. This differs from other gases and has resulted in high ammonia selectivity and an enhanced response
• Robust performance under humidity, ensuring stability.
• Suitable for wearable/health-related applications.

Impact

• Achieved a low detection limit of 7 ppm, making it suitable for environmental and biomedical monitoring.
• Rapid response (31 s) and recovery (84 s) at 1000 ppm.
• The sensing mechanism based on ion-exchange interactions between Na⁺ in the hydrogel and NH₄⁺ which is unique to ammonia with these hybrid hydrogels.

Team

1. Tanay Saha (first author) (SSSIHL)
2. Paramesh Gadige (Corresponding author) (SSSIHL)

Title of paper: “Highly selective ammonia gas sensing response by hybrid Laponite-sodium alginate hydrogel films on flexible substrates“

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2025.115423

Prasanthi Nilayam, 24 September 2025:

In a significant step towards strengthening global academic and research partnerships, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, entered into an Abbreviated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, United States of America. This MoU was exchanged in the presence of Honorable Philip D. Murphy, Governor of New Jersey, during the Governor-led mission to India on 22 September 2025 in Bengaluru.

The collaboration reflects a shared vision of fostering innovation, advancing health sciences, and creating opportunities for students and researchers through international cooperation. The Division of Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School will oversee the further development of this initiative.

MoU between Rutgers University and SSSIHL

The Abbreviated MoU between SSSIHL and Rutgers University records the intent of both institutions to explore future academic cooperation and research collaborations. The areas of potential partnership include:

• Education and Training: Facilitating exchange of undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, and faculty.
• Joint Research and Publications: Encouraging collaborative research projects and scholarly output.
• Academic Events: Organizing meetings, symposiums, and workshops to foster dialogue and innovation.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Promoting cross-border collaborations in technology transfer, translational science, and digital health.

Potential fields of collaboration identified under the MoU include Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Imaging, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Health, Tissue Engineering, Biobanking, and other emerging areas of translational science.

The MoU was exchanged by Prof. B Raghavendra Prasad, Vice Chancellor, SSSIHL, and Dr. Francine Conway, Chancellor of Rutgers–New Brunswick.

MoUs between Rutgers University and SSSIHMS

In addition to the partnership with SSSIHL, Rutgers University also entered into two separate MoUs with Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS), Whitefield (Bengaluru) and SSSIHMS, Puttaparthi (Andhra Pradesh). These agreements aim to advance collaborative research in cardiovascular medicine, medical imaging, AI, digital health, and translational sciences and facilitate the exchange of expertise, joint symposia, and academic workshops and strengthen institutional capabilities in areas such as tissue engineering and biobanking.

The MoUs were exchanged by Dr. Francine Conway, Chancellor of Rutgers–New Brunswick with the respective Directors of SSSIHMS – Dr. Sundaresh Dabir, Director, SSSIHMS, Bengaluru, Dr. Gurumurthy, Director, and Dr. Anil Kumar Mulpur, Joint Director, SSSIHMS, Puttaparthi.

The partnerships between Rutgers University and the Sri Sathya Sai Institutions mark a milestone in fostering global cooperation in health sciences and education. They are expected to:

• Expand opportunities for student and researcher mobility
• Create platforms for knowledge sharing and innovation
• Strengthen global networks in medical and technological research
• Contribute to transformative advancements in healthcare delivery and translational research

The MoUs between Rutgers University, SSSIHL, and SSSIHMS reaffirm a shared commitment to advancing education, healthcare, and innovation through global partnerships. These agreements provide a strong foundation for collaborative initiatives that will benefit students, researchers, and society at large, aligning with the mission of Sri Sathya Sai Institutions to integrate academic excellence with societal impact.

View: Official release by the Office of the Governor, State of New Jersey

Notes for Editors (About Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning)

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), a Deemed to be University in Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India, is one of the few institutions in the world offering values-based education to students at the University level, ever since its inception in 1981. Ethics and morals form the undercurrent of every subject taught at the institute providing its students with a holistic framework of interpersonal development combined with academic excellence. With a merit-based, open admissions policy, SSSIHL welcomes students from all backgrounds—irrespective of income, religion, or region—and provides quality education free of charge.

SSSIHL has four campuses across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, attracting students from all over India and offering a range of programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and research levels.

SSSIHL also provides a strong research environment, with exceptional academic practices, that have resulted in the growth of national and international collaborations. The Central Research Instruments Facility (CRIF), based at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus is one of the few facilities in the country that houses advanced Characterisation / Analytical Tools to carry out Translational Research in various areas of Science and Technology.

For further information, visit: sssihl.edu.in.

Media contact: [email protected]. Tel: +91 8555 287239

We are delighted to share that Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) has been selected by the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, Ministry of Education, Government of India, to establish an IKS Research Center. Notably, this centre is one among five institutions approved across India in this round of proposals.

The proposed center will focus on Historical and Civilizational Sciences, Contemporary Social and Cultural Sciences, Political, Economic and Strategic Sciences, drawing from Sanskrit literary traditions and related sources of Indian knowledge.

Funded by the Ministry of Education and supported by the University, the IKS Centers aim to promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, education, and dissemination of Indian Knowledge Systems, aligning with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).

The Sanskrit faculty at the Department of Languages and Literature who made the proposal, look forward to collaborating with various departments to foster indigenous traditions, knowledge, and research.

We humbly acknowledge this milestone as a blessing from Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, especially in His Centenary Year—a fitting tribute to His vision and values.

Together, we aspire to make the IKS Research Center at SSSIHL a vibrant hub of learning, innovation, and cultural enrichment, contributing meaningfully to academia and society.

View results

Prof. (Hon.) B. Andallu, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, delivered a Keynote Address on “The Role of Foods in the Fight Against Cancer (with special reference to spices)” and a Plenary Presentation on “Herbal Remedies for Diseases Caused by Oxidative Stress” at the 6th International Conference on Food Science and Nutrition, held virtually on 8 August 2025, organized by Aver Conferences.

Her sessions highlighted the crucial role of phytochemicals in disease prevention and health promotion, with special emphasis on the therapeutic potential of herbs and spices. Prof. Andallu elucidated how oxidative stress is a major factor in metabolic and degenerative diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, inflammatory conditions, and cancer, and how natural products offer multimodal therapeutic benefits. Citing examples like turmeric, ginger, fenugreek, basil, and curry leaves, she explained their roles in antioxidant defense, cancer inhibition, and anti-inflammatory action.

Her deliberations, which underscored the importance of functional foods—fruits, vegetables, and spices as storehouses of bioactive phytochemicals—were well received by participants and contributed meaningfully to global discussions on integrating natural products into healthcare strategies.