The areas of research pursued are:
- Studies on hydrolytic enzymes from carnivorous plants.
- Genetic diversity of Rhizobia
- Evaluating the species limits of endemic plant Genera by DNA barcoding
- Genetic diversity of plants
- Biodegrading microbes and enzymes.
- Development and characterization of functional textile materials with antimicrobial activities
Ongoing Postgraduate Research
- Diversity of Cycad species in Sri Lanka and their morphological and biochemical characterization
Supervisors : Prof. GAD Perera, Prof. S.D.S.S. Sooriyapathirana, Dr. P Samaraweera
Student : Mudannayake MMAWP - Human gene expression analysis as a molecular marker to determine the causative agent in patients with chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka
Supervisors : Dr. Magana-Arachchi DN, Prof. S.D.S.S. Sooriyapathirana
Student : Sayanthooran S - Regulation of auxin signaling in plants during stress response; A molecular genetics study on Aux/IAA transcription repressor gene family.
Supervisors : Dr. P. Sapathanthri, Dr. N. Dharmasiri, Prof. S. Rajapakse, Prof. S.D.S.S. Sooriyapathirana
Student : Dhanapala MPCS
- Molecular identification and drug susceptibility of Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM)
Supervisors : Dr. Magana-Arachchi DN, Prof. Sooriyapathirana SDSS
Student : Keerthiratne TP
- DNA based detection of meat adulterations in mutton, Sri Lanka
Supervisors : Prof. Sooriyapathirana SDSS
Student : Mahipalan A - Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Artocarpus species in Sri Lanka
Supervisors : Prof. Sooriyapathirana SDSS
Student : Ratanasuriya A - Morphlogical and genetic diversity of Manihot esculenta germplasm in Sri Lanka
Supervisors : Prof. Sooriyapathirana SDSS
Student : Dissanayake UHK - Morphological and genetic diversity of Luffa aegyptiaca (sponge gourd) germplasm in Sri Lanka
Supervisors : Prof. Sooriyapathirana SDSS
Student : Kumari SASM - Morphological and genetic diversity of Solanum germplasm in Sri Lanka
Supervisors : Prof. Sooriyapathirana SDSS
Student : Dissanayake RMN - Morphological and phylogenetic analysis of Artocarpus heterophyllus in Sri Lanka
Supervisors : Prof. Sooriyapathirana SDSS
Student : Senanayake RB - Optimization of PCR conditions for DNA barcoding markers in genus Artocarpus
Supervisors : Prof. Sooriyapathirana SDSS
Student : Hariharan G
Ongoing Undergraduate Projects
- Analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of Colletotricum sp. on different fruit and vegetables in Sri Lankan market
Student: M. B. Shaima (S/13/202)
Supervisor(s): Mrs. M. P. C. S. Dhanapala - Biotic and Abiotic Stresses on Rice
Student: M. N. R Rizna (S/13/213)
Supervisor(s): Prof. S. D. S. S. Sooriyapathirana - Cellulytic fungi
Student: A. K .A. U Jayathissa (S/13/201)
Supervisor(s): Prof. P. Samaraweera - Characterization of fatty acid profile of Madhuca longifolia (Mee)
Student: B. A. K. T Premachandra (S/13/247)
Supervisor(s): Mrs. M. P. C. S. Dhanapala
Recent Research Publications
- A host blood transcriptional signature differentiates multi-drug/rifampin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) from drug susceptible tuberculosis: a pilot study
Publication : Molecular Biology Reports
Year : 2023
Members : Pavithra Madamarandawala, Sanath Rajapakse, Bandu Gunasena, Dushantha Madegedara, Dhammika Magana-Arachchi - Involvement of cathepsin L in the degradation and degeneration of postovulatory follicle of the medaka ovary
Publication : Biology of Reproduction
Year : 2023
Members : Yoshiko Kondo, Sanath Rajapakse, Katsueki Ogiwara - rbcL nucleotide sequence-based phylogenetic analysis of Nepenthes distillatoria L.
Publication : Journal of Science
Year : 2023
Members : HPKU Jayathilake, Kana Yamada, JMCB Jayasinghe, Sanath Rajapakse
- Antistain and durable superhydrophobic/antistatic dual functionality surface for fabric materials based on F-ZnO/TiO2 composite
Publication : Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology
Year : 2022
Members : CA Thennakoon, RBSD Rajapakshe, RMG Rajapakse, Sanath Rajapakse - ACS Omega
Publication : Comparison of antibacterial activity of nano curcumin with bulk curcumin
Year : 2022
Members : Sandhuli S Hettiarachchi, Yohanka Perera, Sashiprabha P Dunuweera, Asiri N Dunuweera, Sanath Rajapakse, Rajapakse Mudiyanselage Gamini Rajapakse - Anti-stain and durable superhydrophobic/antistatic dual functionality surface for fabric materials based on F-ZnO/TiO<sub>2</sub> composite
Publication : Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology
Year : 2022
Members : CA Thennakoon, RBSD Rajapakshe, RMG Rajapakse, Sanath Rajapakse - Comparison of antibacterial activity of nano curcumin with bulk curcumin
Publication : ACS Omega
Year : 2022
Members : Sandhuli S Hettiarachchi, Yohanka Perera, Sashiprabha P Dunuweera, Asiri N Dunuweera, Sanath Rajapakse, Rajapakse Mudiyanselage Gamini Rajapakse - Identification and in-silico analysis of a novel restriction enzyme coding gene from Pseudomonas anguilliseptica
Publication : Gene Reports
Year : 2022
Members : S.N.J. Pathirana , D.A.S. Elvitigala, C.M. Nanayakkara, Prashanth Suravajhala, Sanath Rajapakse , G.H.C.M. Hettiarachchi, N.V. Chandrasekharan - RNA extraction from urine sediment: A cost-effective protocol for gene expression analysis in renal pathology
Publication : Ceylon Journal of Science
Year : 2022
Members : S. Saseevan, S. Rajapakse, D. N. Magana-Arachchi - RNA extraction from urinesediment: A cost-effective protocol for gene expression analysis in renal pathology
Publication : Ceylon Journal of Science
Year : 2022
Members : S Saseevan, S Rajapakse, DN Magana-Arachchi - Significance of Mg-hardness and fluoride in drinking water on chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology in Monaragala, Sri Lanka
Publication : Environmental Research
Year : 2022
Members : DND Liyanage, Saranga Diyabalanage, S.P. Dunuweera, Sanath Rajapakse , R.M. G. Rajapakse, Rohana Chandrajith - Significance of Mg-hardness and fluoride in drinking water on chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology in Monaragala, Sri Lanka
Publication : Environmental Research
Year : 2022
Members : DND Liyanage, Saranga Diyabalanage, S.P. Dunuweera, Sanath Rajapakse , R.M. G. Rajapakse, Rohana Chandrajith.
- A comparative study of the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the oral biofilms of a group of dental and non dental undergraduates from Sri Lanka
Publication : International Journal of Oral Biology
Year : 2021
Members : MADKS Mallikaarachchi, Sanath Rajapakse, KSND Gunawardhana, JAMS Jayatilake - Effect of gut microbiota on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) based cancer immunotherapy
Publication : Ceylon Journal of Science
Year : 2021
Members : AYP Perera, SDSS Sooriyapathirana, Sanath Rajapakse, JAMS Jayatilake - Investigation of enhancement in thermal stability of trypsin in modified Mg/Al layered double hydroxides
Publication : Ceylon Journal of Science
Year : 2021
Members : MF Fouz, AS Sumanarathne, VN Seneviratne, S Rajapakse - Nitrogen fertiliser replacement by single and multi-strain rhizobial inoculants for black gram, green gram and soybean cultivation in Sri Lanka
Publication : Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka
Year : 2021
Members : CS Hettiarachchi, CL Abayasekara, P Saravana Kumar, S Rajapakse, SA Kulasooriya. EMHGS Ekanayake, RKGK Kumara, HMAC Gunaratne. - Optimization of Fermentation Process Parameters for Bioethanol Production from Sri Lankan Overripe Fruits
Publication : ENGINEER
Year : 2021
Members : IW Kularathne, CA Gunathilaka, AC Ratnaweera, CS Kalpage, S Rajapakse, P Gamage - Rhizobia inhabiting Clitoria ternatea L. in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka: An assessment of stress tolerance and genetic diversity
Publication : Journal of Dry Zone Agriculture
Year : 2021
Members : PTMKC Tennakoon, S Rajapakse - Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Based Biosensors for Detection of Bronchial Inflammation
Publication : International Journal of Nanoscience
Year : 2021
Members : RMSI Rajapakse, Sanath Rajapakse
- Identification of stress tolerant rhizobial strains inhabiting Gliricidia sepium in the Polonnaruwa district, Sri Lanka
Publication : Ceylon Journal of Science
Year : 2020
Members : SMNS Samarakoon, S. Rajapakse - Morphometrics of selected Dendrobium spp. (Orchidaceae) in Sri Lanka
Publication : Tropical Plant Research
Year : 2020
Members : PMH Sandamali, SP Senanayake, S Rajapakse. - Optimization and kinetic parameter estimation of bioethanol production from freely available Sri Lankan fruits in batch fermentation
Publication : Ceylon Journal of Science
Year : 2020
Members : IW Kularathna, AC Ratnaweera, CS Kalpage, S Rajapakse, CA Gunathilaka - Phylogenetic relationships of selected Sri Lankan Orchids based on Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequence analysis
Publication : Tropical Plant Research
Year : 2020
Members : PMH Sandamali, SP Senanayake, Sanath Rajapakse - Rhizobia inhabiting Gliricidia sepium in Puttalam District, Sri Lanka. Assessment of stress tolerance and genetic diversity
Publication : Sri Lanka Journal of Food and Agriculture
Year : 2020
Members : SAN Nandadeva, SMNS Samarakoon, Sanath Rajapakse - Stress tolerant rhizobia inhabiting the root nodules of Gliricidia sepium from selected locations of Anuradhapura district Sri Lanka
Publication : Sri Lankan Journal of Agriculture and Ecosystems
Year : 2020
Members : VRRU Udapamunuwa, PWI Nawanjana, S Rajapakse
- "Musashi-2 and related stem cell proteins in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus and their potential role in circadian rhythms."
Publication : International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience
Year : 2019
Members : Beligala, Dilshan H., et al. - A preliminary study of mecA gene expression and methicillin resistance in staphylococci isolated from the human oral cavity
Publication : Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases
Year : 2019
Members : WMDA Wijesundara, RGSC Rajapakse, JAMA Jayatilake, JAMS Jayatilake - Bioavailability of selenium (Se) in cattle population in Sri Lanka based on qualitative determination of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities
Publication : Environmental Geochemistry and Health
Year : 2019
Members : Saranga Diyabalanage, Ashoka Dangolla, Chandima Mallawa, Sanath Rajapakse, Rohana Chandrajith - Chitinases from pitcher fluid of Nepenthes distillatoria
Publication : Ceylon Journal of Science
Year : 2019
Members : RWKM Senevirathna, VN Seneviratne, Sanath Rajapakse - Early taste buds are from Shhþ epithelial cells of tongue primordium in distinction from mature taste bud cells which arise from surrounding tissue compartments
Publication : Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Year : 2019
Members : Kramer N, Chen G, Ishan M, Cui X, Liu HX - Increased activity of mesenchymal ALK2-BMP signalling causes posteriorly truncated microglossia and disorganization of lingual tissues.
Publication : Genesis
Year : 2019
Members : Ishan M, Chen G, Sun C, Chen S, Komatsu Y, Mishina Y, Liu HX - Isolation and Characterization of an Entophytic Ethanol Resistant Bacterium from Sap of Saccharum officinarum for Efficient Fermentation
Publication : American Journal of Applied Chemistry
Year : 2019
Members : Rukshika Shalani Hewawasam, Sisira Weliwegamage, Sanath Rajapakse, Subramanium Sotheeswaran. - Physiological Characterization and Genetic Diversity Assessment of the Rhizobial Populations Inhabiting Gliricidia sepium in selected locations of Ampara District, Sri Lanka
Publication : The Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Year : 2019
Members : PWI Nawanjana, Sanath Rajapakse. - Preliminary investigations on the serine and aspartic protease inhibitors from Nothopegia beddomei
Publication : Ceylon Journal of Science
Year : 2019
Members : MGKP Dayarathne, Sanath Rajapakse - Production of green energy – ethanol dehydration using rice straw, rice husk and castor oil
Publication : Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
Year : 2019
Members : Indrani W. Kularathne, Chamila Gunathilake, Bhagya S Yatipanthalawa, Chandrakantha S. Kalpage, Asanga C. Rathneweera, Sanath Rajapakse - The Effect of Use of Biofuels on Environmental Pollution - A Review
Publication : International Journal of Renewable Energy Research
Year : 2019
Members : IW Kularathne, CA Gunathilake, AC Rathneweera, CS Kalpage, S. Rajapakse