Dr. Sabbir Rahman Shuvo

Publications:

For a list of all the publications:

Google Scholar

Recent publications:

1. Samira Latif, Shakib Ahmed, Protik Dutta, S. R Shuvo, Sohidul Islam, Ishrat Jabeen (2026). Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants from Dhaka. Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters,  54: e2511018
2. Afia Anjum, Zuhayr Mahtab, Sattajith Roy, Jarin Tabassum, Ishrat Jabeen, Sohidul Islam & S. R. Shuvo (2026). Genome-wide comparative and taxonomic characterization of prophages in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Archives of Microbiology 208, 296.
3. Zuhayr Mahtab, Fahmida Haque Tamanna, Ishrat Jabeen, Sohidul Islam, Sezanur Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, S. R. Shuvo (2025). Complete genome sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage PaFZ4 isolated from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Microbiol Resour Announc 0:e00993-25.
4. Protik Dutta, Sohidul Islam, Kaniz Fatema, Ishrat Jabeen, Fariha Tasneem Gawhar, Arafa Omar, Ifrat Jahan Silvi, Munmun Faria Iqbal, Abdul Khaleque, S. R. Shuvo (2025). Prevalence of β-Lactamase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria in Ready-to-Eat Vegetables and Herbs from Dhaka City. Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters,  53(3): 396-404
5. Sadia Ferdous, K M Shayerul Abedin Shayer, Afia Anjum, S. R. Shuvo, Ishrat Jabeen, Kristi Paul Hridi, A.K.M. Imrul Hassan, Md Imran Khan, Mohammad Fazle Alam Rabbi, Mahmud Hossain, Kazi N. Hasan, Sohidul Islam (2024). Genomic insights into multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Journal of Advanced Biotechnology and Experimental Therapeutics, Volume 8, Issue 1.64-78

Conferences (2025-2026):

1. [2025]. 6th International Conference on Biotechnology in Health and Agriculture (ICBHA)-2025.  Sharmila Akter Rodela, Samira Latif, Sabbir Rahman Shuvo, Sohidul Islam, Ishrat Jabeen. Unveiling the flavonoid and tannin profiles in raw ginger, commercial ginger powder, and paste: Implications for sustainable agriculture and antimicrobial applications. (Poster presentation). Abstract ID: PD1-70.
2. [2025]. 6th International Conference on Biotechnology in Health and Agriculture (ICBHA)-2025. Farhat Mahjabin, Samira Latif, Sohidul Islam, Sabbir Rahman Shuvo, Ishrat Jabeen. Identifying the phytochemicals and inspecting the antibacterial effectiveness in moringa leaves and readily available moringa powder in Dhaka City, Bangladesh (Poster presentation). Abstract ID: PD1-46.
3. [2025] MBSTU 3rd International Conference on Advancement of Life Sciences | F. Sultana, J. Tabasssum, S. Islam, I. Jabeen, and S. R. Shuvo | Exploring the Potential Pathogenicity of Acinetobacter bereziniae IJ5 through Whole-Genome Analysis (Poster Presentation)

4. [2025] JUST International Conference on Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Development | Zuhayr Mahtab, Fahmida Haque, Sohidul Islam, Ishrat Jabeen and Sabbir R. Shuvo | Isolation & Genomic Analysis of Bacteriophage PaFZ4 Targeting Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10 Minute Presentation)

5. [2025] The 4th International Electronic Conference on Antibiotics | Zuhayr Mahtab, Fahmida Haque, Sohidul Islam, Ishrat Jabeen and Sabbir R. Shuvo | Genomic Insights into Bacteriophage PaFZ4: A Potential Alternative to Antibiotics for MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Poster Presentation) Sciforum-115770

6. [2025] The 4th International Electronic Conference on Antibiotics | Fataha Sultana, Jarin Tabassum, Sohidul Islam, Ishrat Jabeen, Sabbir R. Shuvo | Genetic Insights into Acinetobacter bereziniae IJ5: A Comparative Genomics Perspective (Poster Presentation) Sciforum-115949

7. [2025] RMSTU International Bioscience Conference and Carnival | Mahtab Z. (Presenting Author), Haque F., Jabeen I., Islam S., Shuvo S. R. | Rise of Killer Phage PaFZ4 Against P. aeruginosa: Genomic Insights into a Natural Assassin (3 Minute Presentation)

8. [2025] RMSTU International Bioscience Conference and Carnival | Fataha Sultana, Jarin Tabassum, Zuhayr Mahtab (Presenting Author), Sohidul Islam, Ishrat Jabeen, and Sabbir R. Shuvo | The Resistant chronicles: genomic insights from Acinetobacter bereziniae IJ5 (Poster Presentation) | Abstract ID: D2-31

9. [2025] RMSTU International Bioscience Conference and Carnival | Afia Anjum, Zuhayr Mahtab (Presenting Author), Sattajith Roy, Ishrat Jabeen, Sohidul Islam, Sabbir R. Shuvo | A multi-dimensional genomic approach in decoding the prophage landscape of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (10 Minute Presentation) | Abstract ID: TS5C-OP6

Grants:

• Special grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh, 2025-2026

Project title: Characterizing Genomic Traits of Lead-Resistant Bacteria from Battery-Polluted Soils for Sustainable Bioremediation

• Conference Travel and Research Grants, North South University, Bangladesh, 2023-2024

Project title: Characterization of multidrug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and its bacteriophage by whole genome sequencing

• Conference Travel and Research Grants, North South University, Bangladesh, 2022-2023

Project title: Feasting on carbon source:  Transcriptomic profiling of cephradine resistance and ESBL-producing E. coli strains grown in maltose as a carbon source  

• Conference Travel and Research Grants, North South University, Bangladesh, 2021-2022

Project title: Deciphering the enigma of vancomycin and methicillin resistance mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Bangladesh by whole-genome sequencing

• R & D grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh, 2019-2020.

Project title: Whole-genome sequencing and characterization of arsenic-resistant bacterial strains

• Conference Travel and Research Grants, North South University, Bangladesh, 2020-2021

Project title: A tale of preventing biofilm formation of multi-drug resistant E. coli by the mixture of bacteriophages.

• Conference Travel and Research Grants, North South University, Bangladesh, 2019-2020

Project title: Killing the superbug: using bacteriophage cocktail to kill bacteria on the surfaces of hospitals to reduce infections.

• R & D grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh, 2019-2020.

Project title: Whole-genome sequencing and characterization of arsenic-resistant bacterial strains

• R & D grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh, 2018-2019.

Project title: Removal of arsenic from farmland soil by genetically modified microorganisms and increase rice production

Awards & Fellowship:

• Fall 2012 and Winter 2013 Session:
  International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarship, University of Manitoba, Canada
• Fall 2014 and Winter 2015 Session:
  International Graduate Student Scholarship, University of Manitoba, Canada
• Fall 2015 and Winter 2016 Session:
  University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships - Doctoral, University of Manitoba, Canada
• Fall 2015 and Winter 2016 Session:
  International Graduate Student Scholarship, University of Manitoba, Canada
• Fall 2016 and Winter 2017 Session:
  University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships - Doctoral, University of Manitoba, Canada
• Fall 2016 and Winter 2017 Session:
  Faculty of Graduate Studies Travel Award, University of Manitoba, Canada
• Arturo Falaschi Short-Term Postdoctoral Fellowship (2026
  International Centre for Genomic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy

PhD in Microbiology (2012–2018)
Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Canada
Dissertation: Mitochondrial Voltage-Dependent Anion-Selective Channel (VDAC): A Global Player of Cells

BSc in Microbiology (2008–2011)
North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Undergraduate Research Project: Xylanase Production from Fusarium and Partial Characterization of the Enzyme

Certificate in Higher Education Teaching (2015–2017)
University of Manitoba, Canada
Awarded jointly by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning in recognition of advanced training and commitment to excellence in university-level teaching and learning.

Associate Professor at North South University, the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, from November 2023-

Assistant Professor at North South University in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology from February 2018 to October 2023

Internship at Aristopharma Ltd.

BBT623: Microbial Biotechnology

BBT672: Bioinformatics

Life member:

1. Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists
2. Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists

General member:

1. The International Society of Bangladesh Affiliated Microbiologists

 Bacterial Fitness and Antimicrobial Resistance

My research investigates the fitness, adaptation, and antimicrobial resistance characteristics of clinically and environmentally important Gram-negative bacteria, including Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. I am particularly interested in understanding how antibiotic-resistant bacteria respond to changing environmental and nutritional conditions, including exposure to different carbon sources, vitamins, antimicrobial agents, and other stressors. These factors can influence bacterial growth, metabolic activity, biofilm formation, persistence, and susceptibility to antibiotics.

A major component of my work focuses on the biological consequences of antimicrobial resistance, including its effects on bacterial fitness and the emergence of collateral sensitivity, in which resistance to one antibiotic may increase susceptibility to another. I also investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying antimicrobial resistance, with particular emphasis on resistance genes, efflux pumps, mobile genetic elements, and stress-response pathways. Using whole-genome sequencing, comparative genomics, bioinformatics, PCR, and gene expression analysis, my research aims to link observable bacterial characteristics to their underlying genetic determinants. This work contributes to a broader understanding of how multidrug-resistant bacteria survive, adapt, and persist in clinical and environmental settings.

Bacteriophages and Phage Therapy

Bacteriophages, commonly known as phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacterial cells. Because lytic phages can recognize, infect, and destroy their bacterial hosts, they are increasingly being investigated as potential alternatives or complements to conventional antibiotics. This approach is particularly relevant in the context of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, for which available treatment options are becoming increasingly limited.

My research focuses on isolating and characterizing bacteriophages that target clinically important multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*. This includes evaluating their host range, lytic activity, stability under different environmental conditions, and ability to reduce bacterial growth. I am also interested in understanding phage–bacterium interactions, bacterial resistance to phages, and the potential benefits of combining phages with antibiotics. In addition, genomic characterization is used to examine phage taxonomy, genome organization, predicted proteins, and genes associated with replication and host lysis, while ensuring the absence of undesirable genes related to lysogeny, virulence, or antimicrobial resistance. Through this work, I aim to contribute to the development of scientifically validated phage-based strategies for controlling multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens.

Environmental Microbiology and Bioremediation

My research in environmental microbiology focuses on identifying and characterizing microorganisms with potential applications in bioremediation. I isolate bacteria from environments contaminated with heavy metals, including industrial effluents, electronic waste, battery-recycling sites, and ship-breaking areas. Microorganisms that persist in these environments often possess specialized mechanisms that allow them to tolerate, immobilize, transform, or remove toxic metals.

I investigate the tolerance of bacterial isolates to metals such as lead, copper, chromium, cadmium, zinc, nickel, and arsenic through minimum inhibitory concentration assays, growth analysis, and biosorption experiments. Their ability to remove metals from contaminated media can be quantified using analytical techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy or inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. Whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analyses are subsequently used to identify genes and pathways associated with metal efflux, sequestration, transport, oxidative-stress responses, and detoxification. By integrating microbiological, analytical, and genomic approaches, my research seeks to identify indigenous bacterial strains that may contribute to the development of affordable and environmentally sustainable strategies for managing heavy-metal contamination.