Dr. Nadia Nadejda Berkova | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Research Director, INRAE-National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, France

Dr. Nadia Nadejda Berkova is an internationally recognized microbiologist whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which pathogenic bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, interact with host cells and modulate immune responses. Her work has extensively explored bacterial virulence factors, including cyclomodulins, lipoproteins, phenol-soluble modulins, and staphylococcal enterotoxins, elucidating their roles in altering host cell cycle progression, immune signaling, and infection dynamics. By combining cellular microbiology, molecular biology, and immunological approaches, Dr. Nadia Nadejda Berkova has advanced the understanding of bacterial strategies for subverting host defenses and promoting infection. Her laboratory employs innovative methodologies, integrating in vitro cellular models, murine in vivo systems, and advanced molecular and biochemical techniques to dissect host–pathogen interactions at the cellular and molecular levels. She has made seminal contributions in demonstrating how bacterial extracellular vesicles and specific virulence factors elicit immunostimulatory or immunomodulatory responses, with implications for infectious disease pathogenesis, immune regulation, and potential therapeutic interventions. Dr. Nadia Nadejda Berkova’s research has resulted in a substantial body of highly cited publications in top-tier journals such as Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology and Infection and Immunity. Notable studies include investigations into the immunostimulatory effects of S. aureus extracellular vesicles, the modulation of interleukin expression by phenol-soluble modulins in bovine epithelial cells, and the impact of Lpl lipoproteins on HeLa cell cycle progression. Her work has provided critical insights into bacterial manipulation of eukaryotic cell cycles and host immune responses, contributing to the broader understanding of microbial pathogenicity. Through her research, Dr. Nadia Nadejda Berkova has significantly influenced the field of microbiology by uncovering novel mechanisms of host–pathogen interactions, shaping current perspectives on bacterial virulence, and fostering the development of innovative strategies to combat infectious diseases. Her findings continue to guide both basic research and translational approaches aimed at mitigating bacterial infections.

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Featured Publications

1. Berkova, N., Guedon, E., Le Loir, Y., & Otto, M. (2025). Host DNA damage and cellular fate in bacterial infections, with a focus on Staphylococcus aureus. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, fuaf052.

2. Chaumond, E., Peron, S., Daniel, N., Le Gouar, Y., Guédon, É., Williams, D. L., Le Loir, Y., Jan, G., & Berkova, N. (2023). Development of innate immune memory by non-immune cells during Staphylococcus aureus infection depends on reactive oxygen species. Frontiers in Immunology, 14, 1138539.

3. Nicolas, A., Deplanche, M., Commere, P. H., Diot, A., Genthon, C., Marques da Silva, W., Azevedo, V., Germon, P., Jamme, H., Guédon, E., Le Loir, Y., Laurent, F., Bierne, H., & Berkova, N. (2022). Transcriptome architecture of osteoblastic cells infected with Staphylococcus aureus reveals strong inflammatory responses and signatures of metabolic and epigenetic dysregulation. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12, 854242.

4. Leite, E. L., Oliveira, A. F. Jr., Carmo, F. L. R. D., Berkova, N., Barh, D., Ghosh, P., & Azevedo, V. (2020). Bacteriocins as an alternative in the treatment of infections by Staphylococcus aureus. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 92(Suppl. 2), e20201216.

5. Lima Leite, E., Gautron, A., Deplanche, M., Nicolas, A., Ossemond, J., Nguyen, M. T., do Carmo, F. L. R., Gilot, D., Azevedo, V., Götz, F., Le Loir, Y., Otto, M., & Berkova, N. (2020). Involvement of caspase-1 in inflammasomes activation and bacterial clearance in S. aureus-infected osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. Cellular Microbiology, 22(8), e13204.

6. Imanishi, I., Nicolas, A., Barbosa Caetano, A. C., de Paula Castro, T. L., Tartaglia, N. R., Mariutti, R., Guédon, E., Even, S., Berkova, N., Arni, R. K., Seyffert, N., Azevedo, V., Nishifuji, K., & Le Loir, Y. (2020). Author correction: Exfoliative toxin E, a new Staphylococcus aureus virulence factor with host-specific activity. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 2460.

7. Imanishi, I., Nicolas, A., Caetano, A. B., Castro, T. L. P., Tartaglia, N. R., Mariutti, R., Guédon, E., Even, S., Berkova, N., Arni, R. K., Seyffert, N., Azevedo, V., Nishifuji, K., & Le Loir, Y. (2019). Exfoliative toxin E, a new Staphylococcus aureus virulence factor with host-specific activity. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 16336.

8. Deplanche, M., Mouhali, N., Nguyen, M. T., Cauty, C., Ezan, F., Diot, A., Raulin, L., Dutertre, S., Langouet, S., Legembre, P., Taieb, F., Otto, M., Laurent, F., Götz, F., Le Loir, Y., & Berkova, N. (2019). Staphylococcus aureus induces DNA damage in host cell. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 7694.

9. Tartaglia, N. R., Breyne, K., Meyer, E., Cauty, C., Jardin, J., Chrétien, D., Dupont, A., Demeyere, K., Berkova, N., Azevedo, V., Guédon, E., & Le Loir, Y. (2018). Staphylococcus aureus extracellular vesicles elicit an immunostimulatory response in vivo on the murine mammary gland. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 8, 277.

Dr. Suchi Srivastava | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Senior Principal Scientist | CSIR – National Botanical Research Institute | India

Dr. Suchi Srivastava is a Senior Principal Scientist at the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow, with expertise in microbiology and biotechnology. Her research career has been dedicated to advancing the field of plant–microbe interactions, with a strong emphasis on developing microbial strategies for sustainable agriculture. She has contributed extensively to understanding how beneficial microbes can enhance plant tolerance to both abiotic and biotic stresses, thereby reducing reliance on chemical inputs. Her work has generated several promising microbial strains with proven efficacy against plant diseases, some of which have been submitted for registration as biopesticides with regulatory authorities. She has authored a significant body of scientific work, including numerous peer-reviewed research papers, book chapters, patents, and conference presentations, reflecting both academic excellence and translational value. Her contributions extend to mentoring young researchers and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to bring innovative microbial solutions from laboratory research to field-level applications. Dr. Suchi Srivastava’s research has been recognized through multiple awards, highlighting her scientific achievements and impact. With her focus on eco-friendly and sustainable crop management strategies, she continues to play a pivotal role in shaping agricultural biotechnology, contributing to food security and environmental sustainability.

Publication Profile

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Education

Dr. Suchi Srivastava Srivastava has built a strong academic foundation in microbiology and biotechnology, which has shaped her scientific career and research contributions. She began her higher education at Dr. RML Awadh University, Faizabad, where she pursued a Master of Science degree in Microbiology. During this period, she developed a comprehensive understanding of microbial systems, their physiology, and their interactions with plants and the environment. This training laid the groundwork for her future interest in exploring the beneficial roles of microbes in agriculture. To further strengthen her expertise, she pursued doctoral studies at the CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, which was affiliated with Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore. Her Ph.D. in Biotechnology with a specialization in Microbiology enabled her to combine applied microbiology with cutting-edge biotechnological approaches. Through her doctoral research, she investigated the potential of microbes in crop improvement and stress management, developing skills in experimental design, molecular techniques, and applied agricultural biotechnology. This combination of postgraduate and doctoral training provided Dr. Suchi Srivastava with a strong theoretical and practical base to address real-world agricultural challenges. Her education has been instrumental in positioning her as a leading scientist in microbial biotechnology, focused on eco-friendly solutions for sustainable agriculture.

Professional Experience

Dr. Suchi Srivastava Srivastava has established a distinguished professional career in the field of microbial biotechnology, with a steady progression through research and leadership positions. She began her career as a Research Associate at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research in New Delhi, where she gained valuable experience in advanced plant–microbe interaction studies and molecular biology techniques. This early phase of her career provided her with critical skills in genomics and microbial research that shaped her scientific trajectory. She later joined the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, where she has contributed extensively to the Plant–Microbe Interaction and Microbial Technology Divisions. Rising from Scientist B to her current role as Senior Principal Scientist, she has consistently led projects focusing on microbial applications in agriculture. Her research emphasizes developing eco-friendly microbial solutions to manage crop stresses, improve productivity, and reduce dependency on chemical pesticides. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Suchi Srivastava has successfully advanced promising microbial agents for disease management, several of which have been submitted for regulatory approval as biopesticides. She has also mentored young researchers, contributed to institutional projects, and established collaborations across disciplines. Her professional experience highlights a career dedicated to translational research, bridging fundamental discoveries with practical agricultural applications.

Research Interest

Dr. Suchi Srivastava’s research interests lie at the intersection of microbiology, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture, with a particular focus on plant–microbe interactions. She is deeply engaged in exploring how beneficial microbes can be harnessed to strengthen crop resilience against both abiotic and biotic stresses. Her work seeks to identify and develop microbial strains that promote plant growth, enhance nutrient uptake, and activate natural defense mechanisms, thereby reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. One of her core areas of interest is microbial biocontrol, where she investigates the potential of native and engineered microbes to act as effective biopesticides. She has advanced several microbial formulations that have shown promise in controlling plant pathogens, some of which have been submitted for regulatory approval. She is also interested in understanding the molecular signaling processes underlying plant–microbe communication, which holds the key to designing innovative microbial consortia for field applications. Her research further extends to the integration of microbial technologies into holistic crop management systems aimed at improving soil health, conserving biodiversity, and ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability. By combining basic microbial research with applied biotechnology, Dr. Suchi Srivastava aims to provide eco-friendly solutions that support food security and environmental conservation.

Research Skills

Dr. Suchi Srivastava possesses a diverse set of research skills that span microbiology, biotechnology, and agricultural sustainability. She has extensive expertise in isolating, characterizing, and developing beneficial microbial strains with applications in crop protection and growth promotion. Her proficiency includes designing and executing experiments on plant–microbe interactions, with a focus on understanding microbial mechanisms that alleviate abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and nutrient deficiencies, as well as biotic stresses caused by plant pathogens. She is skilled in molecular microbiology techniques, including DNA/RNA isolation, PCR-based assays, gene expression analysis, and microbial fingerprinting, which she applies to study microbial diversity and functional traits. Additionally, she has practical experience in formulating microbial bioinoculants and biopesticides, scaling them up for field application, and assessing their efficacy under greenhouse and open-field conditions. Dr. Suchi Srivastava also demonstrates expertise in biocontrol technology development, including compatibility testing of microbial consortia and their regulatory submissions for approval as biopesticides. Her competencies extend to analytical techniques for soil and plant health evaluation, fermentation technologies, and patent drafting for innovative microbial products. Through her interdisciplinary skills, she effectively bridges laboratory research with agricultural applications, contributing significantly to eco-friendly crop management strategies and sustainable agricultural practices.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Suchi Srivastava has been recognized with several prestigious honors for her exceptional contributions to microbiology, biotechnology, and plant–microbe interaction research. She has received the Award for Publication in the Highest Impact Factor Journal at CSIR-NBRI, reflecting the quality and global impact of her scientific publications in leading journals. She has also been honored with the CIMAP Annual Day Award for her significant contributions to research and innovation, which played a key role in enabling CSIR-CIMAP to achieve the IDMA’s Patent Appreciation Award, underlining her commitment to patent-driven innovation in applied microbiology and biotechnology. Her academic excellence was also evident when she qualified the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), which laid a strong foundation for her advanced research career. Over the years, her work has been consistently acknowledged for its originality, translational value, and societal relevance. Her research contributions have not only advanced scientific understanding but also fostered the development of eco-friendly microbial technologies for sustainable agriculture. These honors collectively highlight her dedication to high-quality research, innovation, and practical applications, establishing her as a recognized leader in microbial biotechnology and plant–microbe interaction studies.

Author Metrics

Citations: 2,756+
h-index: 27
i10-index: 54

Publications Top Notes

1. Plant growth-promoting bacteria Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NBRISN13 modulates gene expression profile of leaf and rhizosphere community in rice during salt stress
Citations: 486 | Year: 2013

2. Unraveling Aspects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Mediated Enhanced Production of Rice under Biotic Stress of Rhizoctonia solani
Citations: 172 | Year: 2016

3. Effect of High Temperature on Pseudomonas putida NBRI0987 Biofilm Formation and Expression of Stress Sigma Factor RpoS
Citations: 161 | Year: 2008

4. Gene expression profiling through microarray analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana colonized by Pseudomonas putida MTCC5279, a plant growth promoting rhizobacterium
Citations: 112 | Year: 2012

5. A consortium of alga (Chlorella vulgaris) and bacterium (Pseudomonas putida) for amelioration of arsenic toxicity in rice: A promising and feasible approach
Citations: 100 | Year: 2018

6. Phosphate solubilization by Trichoderma koningiopsis (NBRI-PR5) under abiotic stress conditions
Citations: 96 | Year: 2020

7. Arsenic tolerant Trichoderma sp. reduces arsenic induced stress in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Citations: 94 | Year: 2017

8. Silicon-solubilizing media and its implication for characterization of bacteria to mitigate biotic stress
Citations: 89 | Year: 2020

9. Characterisation of Pseudomonas spp. and Ochrobactrum sp. isolated from volcanic soil
Citations: 85 | Year: 2017

10. Chlorella vulgaris and Pseudomonas putida interaction modulates phosphate trafficking for reduced arsenic uptake in rice
Citations: 69 | Year: 2018

Conclusion

Dr. Suchi Srivastava’s distinguished career reflects her unwavering commitment to advancing the frontiers of microbiology and biotechnology, with a particular focus on plant–microbe interactions and their applications in sustainable agriculture. Through her pioneering research, she has contributed significantly to understanding the mechanisms by which beneficial microbes alleviate abiotic and biotic stresses in plants. Her work has not only enriched the fundamental knowledge base in microbial biotechnology but has also generated tangible solutions with practical relevance, including the development of eco-friendly microbial strategies for crop protection and growth promotion. Her scholarly output, comprising peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, patents, and conference presentations, underscores her consistent contributions to both basic and applied sciences. The recognition she has received through awards and honors highlights the originality, translational potential, and impact of her research. Moreover, her leadership within CSIR-NBRI and collaborations with national research institutes have positioned her as a key figure in driving innovation at the interface of microbiology and agriculture. Overall, Dr. Suchi Srivastava’s academic excellence, research achievements, and dedication to developing microbial technologies that align with global sustainability goals establish her as a respected scientist and thought leader, whose contributions continue to benefit both science and society.

Nadia Nadejda Berkova | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award