At present , Dr Yazdani is leading the Department of Biotechnology ( DBT ) - International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology ( ICGEB ) Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research , to further expand the bioenergy research program and exploit the intellectual properties for commercialization . The team is designing enzyme systems for effective hydrolysis of agricultural residues and developing microbial strains for production of advanced biofuels . Harnessing the potential of algae for biofuel production is another important research area of the Centre .
Interestingly , Dr Yazdani ' s earlier experience as malarial researcher led him to generate few technologies for the production of three malaria vaccine candidates that are much relevant to the current societal needs . Dr Yazdani started his research in 1994 and holds a doctorate in biotechnology at Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi , where he developed a cost-effective technology for recombinant streptokinase production .
Dr Yazdani joined the malaria vaccine development group at ICGEB in 2000 , where he had set up a process development laboratory . His R & D work there was supported by the Bill Gates Foundation , European Malaria Vaccine Initiatives and DBT . The technologies developed were transferred to Bharat Biotech , Hyderabad for cGMP production of vaccine antigens and to Serum Institute of India , Pune for cGMP lyophilization . He joined the Rice University in Houston , USA for a year on sabbatical ( 2007-08 ) where he demonstrated the skill of an engineered laboratory bacteria in converting crude glycerin , an industrial waste into bioethanol . Upon his return to India , he established a synthetic biology and biofuel group at ICGEB in 2008 .
Current Position : Group Leader , Microbial Engineering Group , ICGEB , New Delhi
Impact : Enzymatic hydrolysis offers the potential for higher yield , higher selectivity , lower energy costs and milder operating conditions than chemical processes .
Alma Mater : Jawaharlal Nehru University ; Aligarh Muslim University
Dr Yazdani is an author of more than 50 publications in high impact international journals and 15 patent applications . He leads several multilateral international collaborative projects , including Indo-UK , Indo-Australia and Indo-US . He serves in various committees of Government of India such as Department of Biotechnology ( DBT ), Department of Science and Technology ( DST ), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council ( BIRAC ) and many academic institutions . He is represented India in an AHTEG of Synthetic Biology at the UN Convention of Biological Diversity .
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