Dr Smitha C

Brief Introduction

Dr. Smitha C , PhD from Karpagam University, Coimbatore, currently working as Additional Professor, and Head of the Department of Microbiology at PMS College of Dental Science and Research, Trivandrum. She is also the IQAC Coordinator of the institution. She has more than 16 years of teaching experience. She has published 10 articles and 5 book chapters in Scopus/web of Science indexed journals, and has applied for an Indian patent and 2 funded projects.

Research Area

Oral microbiology, biofilm research, antimicrobial studies, biomaterial studies, apoptosis studies, antimicrobial resistance, mycology and biocontrol Research.

Research Experience

•  Additional Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, PMS College of Dental Sciences and Research (10.08.2021 till date)

•  PhD Guide- KUHS From 2023

• Advisor and Microbial Technology Expert at CRMAS, Thiruvananthapuram till date

• Member of the scientific review committee, PMS Dental College from 2020 till date

• Microbiology Faculty in Central Research Laboratory , PMS College of Dental Science & Research, Thiruvananthapuram

• Currently guiding a BDS student for Student Short Term project as a part of KUHS Research Appreciation Award

Completed Research Projects

• Design and development of phytochemical loaded regenerative hydrogel scaffold
  and biocomposite for management of oro-dental infections as a part of doctoral studies at Karpagam University , Coimbatore

• Effect of protease enzyme on cell wall degrading enzymes of Trichoderma viride as a part of M.Phil degree at Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu

• Antimicrobial and antiplasmid activities of Morus alba L. against potent oral oral pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus fecalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida albicans as a short study

Current Funded Research Projects

1. Co investigator of DST FIST Project (Rs 1.04 crore)

2. Guiding BDS student who received KUHS STS Fellowship of Rs 10,000/-

Patents Granted/Published

1. Identified and Reported in gene bank, a novel strain of Serratia marcescens – Serratia marcescens strain BSM#11, NCBI, Report number: GenBank:JQ617280.1, May 2012

2. Patent Applied – Synthesis and design of a phytochemical loaded in situ cross linking polyethylene glycol (diacrylate) based temporary dental filling material, Agency – Intellectual Property India (APPLIED-Under Review)

List of Publications

1. Smitha, G. T. Finosh, R. Rajesh and P. K. Abraham. Induction of hydrolytic enzymes of phytopathogenic fungi in response to Trichoderma viride influence biocontrol activity. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci (2014) 3(9) 1207-1217.

2. Smitha C, Sini S, Finosh G T, Rajesh Ramachandran, Ratheesh M. Tylophora Indica Extracts Down Regulates Bcl2 and Induces Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells. American Journal of Pharmacy & Health Research 2016: 4 (2).

3. Smitha, C and R. Usha., 2016. Hydroxy apatite-alginate dental composite loaded with Myristica fragrans and Syzygium aromaticum extracts for the management of dental caries. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Science, 7 (1): (B) 438-444.

4. Smitha, C and R. Usha., 2016. Antimicrobial and antiplasmid activities of Morus alba L.against potent oral pathogens. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Science, 7 (3): (B)767-772.

5. Chenicheri S, R U, Ramachandran R, Thomas V, Wood A. Insight into Oral Biofilm: Primary, Secondary and Residual Caries and Phyto-Challenged Solutions. The Open Dentistry Journal [Internet]. 2017 Jun 30 [cited 2017 Jul 29]; 111

6. Jerard, Chinnu & Michael, Bibin & Smitha, Chenicheri & Vijayakumar, Nithin & Ramachandran, Rajesh. (2019). Rosmarinic Acid-Rich Fraction from Mentha arvensis Synchronizes Bcl/Bax Expression and Induces Go/G1 Arrest in Hepatocarcinoma Cells.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences. 10.1007/s40011-019-01122-9.

7. Smitha Chenicheri, Rajesh Ramachandran and Usha R (2019) ‘Glycyrrhiza Glabra Extract Attenuates Polymicrobial Interactions And Disrupts Biofilm Formation By Cariogenic Microbes – An In-Vitro Study’, International Journal of Current Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, 05(11), pp 4710-4719.

8. Smitha C, Arya S and Usha R. Evaluation of Anticariogenic Efficacy of Psidium Guajava extarcts and Azadirachta indica. Bull. Env. Pharmacol. Life Sci., Vol 9[4] March 2020 : 31-38

9. Smitha.C and Usha.R. Current Prospects and Promises of Polymeric Hydrogels in Dentistry. Bull. Env. Pharmacol. Life Sci., Vol 10[1] December 2020 : 175-185

10. Smitha Chenicheri, Rajesh Ramachandran and Usha Rajamanikam. Antimicrobial effects of hydroxyapatite mosaicked polyvinyl alcohol‑alginate semi‑interpenetrating hydrogel‑loaded with Ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra against oral pathogens. Progress in Biomaterials. https://doi.org/10.1007 s40204-022-00199-2

Book Chapters

1. Smitha C, Komeri R. Low-Level Laser Therapy:A New Dimension For The Management of Infectious Diseases , Low-level Laser therapy- History, Mechanism and Medical uses ,April 2018, Nova Biomedical, ISBN NO. 978-1-53613-226-7

2. Chenicheri S, Thankam FG, Ramachandran RDrug delivery in nano-dimensions: A focus on oro-dental infections, Drug delivery Nanosystems for Biomedical Applications, 2018, ELSEVIER, ISBN. NO. 978-0-323-50922-0

3. Chenicheri S, Komeri R, Integration Of Dental Implants: Molecular Interplay And Microbial Transit At Tissue Material Interface, Biointegration of Medical Implant Materials, 2020, ELSEVIER, ISBN NO. 978-0-08-102680-9

4. John J, Ushakumary MG, Chandrasekher S, Chenicheri S. 8 – COVID-19 and acute myocardial injury: Stem cell driven tissue remodeling in COVID-19 infection. In: Sharma CP, Agrawal DK, Thankam FG, editors. Stem Cells and COVID-19 [Internet]. Academic Press; 2022 [cited 2024 Nov 15]. p. 111–24

5. Mudigonda J, Chenicheri S, Ramachandran R. Chapter 6 – Chronic wounds and tissue engineering: Prospective and promise. In: Sharma CP, Chandy T, Thomas V, Thankam FG, editors. Tissue Engineering [Internet]. Academic Press; 2022 [cited 2024 Nov 15]. p. 101–22.

Awards & Achievements

1. Best Oral Presentation Award ,in National level Conference conducted by Department of Biochemistry , School of Medical Education, MG University, Kerala

2. Best Poster Presentation Award in International Conference conducted by Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala