SM SABBIR ALAM
Assistant Professor, Deptartment of Microbiology
University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Cell: (880) 1776430831, E-mail: sabbir@du.ac.bd

EDUCATION
Master of Science in Microbiology (Result published Feb 2012)
University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Department of Microbiology

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology (Result published July 2010)
University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Department of Microbiology

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Prefer to solve molecular biological problems with the convenient utilization and development of computer based simulation & data analysis programs. Area of interests; Molecular biology; Structural biology; Genomics; Proteomics; Bioinformatics; Metabolomics; Bioinformatics software and tool development; Statistical data analysis; Molecular epidemiology of viruses; Comparative genomics; Post genomic sequence analysis; Industrial microbiology; Food microbiology; Bacterial classification; Cell biology; Neurology etc.

GRANTS AND PROJECTS
1. Project title: Salmonella in poultry products of Bangladesh and development of rapid Real-Time PCR based Salmonella detection and quantification protocol. Funded by: Centre for Advanced Studies and Research in Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2013-14. Position: Project investigator
2. Project title: Estimation of the prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis and other Salmonella spp. among different registered broiler farms in Bangladesh. Funded by: Biotechnology Research Centre, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2013-14. Position: Project investigator
3. Project title: Characterization and antibiotic resistance patterns of Salmonella spp. from poultry and raw beef samples from different local markets in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Funded by: Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. 2014-15. Position: Project investigator
4. Project title: Molecular characterization of pathogens associated with fresh produce and efficacy of different sanitizers in reducing the load of pathogens. Funded by: ministry of science and technology, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. 2015-16. Position: Associate Investigator.
5. Project title: In vitro diagnostics for Visceral Leishmaniasis. Funded by: Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC), Bangladesh. 2013-present. Position: co-worker. Chief investigator: Dr. Manjurul Karim.
6. Project submitted: Assessment of Antibacterial Properties and Characterization of Novel Bacteriocin from Indigenous Bacillus thuringiensis Strains. Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Position: Associate Investigator. Principal Investigator: Professor Dr. Marufa Zerin Akhter. [This project work is started with some past fund]

EMPLOYMENT
Teaching & Research

Assistant Professor (July 2016-Present)
Department of Microbiology,
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Duties performed: Teaching both bachelor and masters level courses, student supervision, practical demonstration, curriculum development, seminar and group work, student assessment, question preparation & exam invigilation, different policy making (as a member of the academic committee).
• Working on several undergoing research projects and writing for new grants and projects.
• Courses taught:
Undergrad course: MBIO 105: Computer Fundamentals (2 credit), MBIO 201: General Microbiology-II (2 credit), MBIO 304: Medical Microbiology-II (2 credit).
MS course: MBIO 509: Biomass and Biofuel (3 credit).

Lecturer (Sep 2013-July 2016)
Department of Microbiology,
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Duties performed: Teaching both bachelor and masters level courses, student guidance, practical demonstration, syllabus development, conference arrangement, student assessment, question preparation etc.
• Worked in exam committee to moderate questions, grade students and result publication. Also evaluated exam papers from other universities like Jagannath University, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University etc.
• Participated many training programs, conferences and workshops. Organized many scientific sessions, worked on international conferences, and conducted several industrial visits.
• Guided the students in preparation and presentation of reports.
• Courses taught:
  Undergrad course: MBIO 107: Computer Fundamentals (& Statistics) (4 credit), MBIO 201: General Microbiology-II (2 credit), MBIO 200: General Microbiology (Extra Dept.) (4 credit), MBIO 307: Food Microbiology (2 credit), MBIO 304: Medical Microbiology-II (2 credit).
  MS course: MBIO 509: Biomass and Biofuel (3 credit).

Lecturer (Nov 2012-Sep 2013)
Department of Microbiology,
Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka

• Duties performed: Taking classes of both bachelor and masters level students, curriculum development, student assessment, question preparation, exam invigilation, student supervision, practical demonstration, different policy making (as a member of academic committee).
• Courses taught:
Undergrad course: M-204: Basic microbial genetics (2 credit), M-306: Industrial microbiology (2 credit)
MS course: M-501: Genomics and Bioinformatics (4 credit).

Research Assistant (RA) (Feb 2012-Nov 2012)
Department of Microbiology,
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Duties performed: lab works (like Bacterial culture, microscopy, DNA/RNA/Plasmid extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, sequencing etc.) and bioinformatics analysis (like PCR primer design, sequence analysis, viral genotypic and phylogenetic analysis etc.)
• Participated many training programs, conferences and workshops.

Final year Hon’s project and MS research (Up to Feb-2012)
Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

• MS Dissertation: VP1 Protein, the vaccine target of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus: In silico analysis of sequence diversity and mapping of antigenic epitopes in serotype O and Asia-1.
• Final year Hon’s project: In silico functional analysis of DUF (Domain of unknown function) family members and prediction of DUF2702, DUF2719 and DUF2726 as nuclear transporter protein.
• Presentation experience: Presented different research findings and articles at different seminars, classes, meetings and thesis presentations.

PUBLICATION

Article published
1. Abdullah A, Sabbir Alam SM, Sultana M, Hossain MA. 2015. BioCluster: tool for identification and clustering of Enterobacteriaceae based on biochemical data. Genomics, proteomics and Bioinformatics. 13(3), 192-9. DOI:10.1016/j.gpb.2015.03.007
2. Giasuddin M, Mahmud MS, Sabbir Alam SM, Samad MA, Islam MR, Ahasan MD, Rahman MH, Karim MR, Islam MR, Acharjee P, and Yousuf MA. 2016. Molecular epidemiology of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Viruses circulated in Bangladesh from 2011–2014. British Microbiology Research Journal. 16(4): 1-13.
3. Diba F, Sannyal SK, Sabbir Alam SM, Hossain MA, Sultana, M. 2015. Plant growth promoting ability of the soil arsenite resistant bacteria. Bangladesh Journal of Microbiology. 32(1&2), 25-31. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v32i0.28474
4. Sabbir Alam SM, Amin MR, Hossain MA. 2014. In silico analysis: Annotations about structural and functional features of DUF 2726 family member proteins. Bangladesh Journal of Microbiology. 31 (1 & 2), 53-58. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v31i1.28466
5. Nur-Alam, Jamal R, Sabbir Alam SM, and Mohammad Moniruzzaman. 2014. Comparison of microbiological and physicochemical quality of tap and dispenser water from different mid-range restaurants of Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Microbiology. 31 (1&2), 69-72. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v31i1.28469
6. Sabbir Alam SM, Amin R, Rahman MZ, Hossain MA, Sultana M. 2013. Antigenic heterogeneity of capsid protein VP1 in foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype Asia1. Advances and Applications in Bioinformatics and Chemistry. 6, 37-46.     DOI:10.2147/AABC.S49587
7. Islam MM, Rahman MM, Aslam Ali M, Sabbir Alam SM, Mahmud MS. 2012. Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in poultry samples from different local slaughtering houses of savar area, Bangladesh. International journal of animal and fisheries science. 5(1), 423-427.

Conference article published
8. Sabbir Alam SM, Amin MR, Sultana M, Hossain MA. 2012 Sep 15-17. Antigenic variation of capsid protein vp1 of foot and mouth disease virus prevalent in South Asian regions. 2012. Proceedings of first AFSSA conference on Food safety and food security held at osaka prefecture university, osaka, japan. p138-142
9. MM Islam, MM Rahman, MA Ali, Sabbir Alam SM, MS Mahmud. 2012 Mar 7-8. Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in poultry samples from different local slaughtering houses of Savar area, Bangladesh. The Ninth Annual Scientific Conference (ASCON-IX), 2012 Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) Khulshi, Chittagong-4202, Bangladesh on Food safety in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges. p58-63.

Article in pipeline

10. Shaief FM, Sabbir Alam SM, Shahinul Alam M, Yeasmin M, Ahsan CR, Jamalunnessa. 2016. Evaluation of serum transaminase level as diagnostic tool for assessing hepatic disease conditions among chronic hepatitis B patients in Bangladesh. Accepted by ‘Bangladesh Journal of Microbiology’.
11. Khatun M, Sabbir Alam SM, Hossain MA, Ashraful Haq J, Jilani MSA, Karim MM. 2016. Diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis with a newly designed PCR primer from peripheral blood samples. Will be submitted to ‘Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine’ - Elsevier.
12. Siddique MA, Ali R, ..., Sabbir Alam SM, …, M Anwar Hossain. 2016. Prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Bangladesh since 2012 to 2016. Will be submitted to ‘Transboundary and Emerging diseases’.

Conference proceedings
1. Sultana KF, Sultana M, Al-Amin M, Sharmin S, Hasan MS, Sabbir Alam SM, Hossain MA. 2016 Sep 15-17. Genotypic diversity of antibiotic resistant poultry Salmonealla spp. in Bangladesh. Proceedings of 3rd Asian Food safety and security Association Conference on Food safety and security; KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India. p89.
2. Sabbir Alam SM, Rahman A, Rahman S, Hossain S, Sultana M, and Hossain MA. 2015 Dec 26-28. A comprehensive study of FMDV genotypes using FMDV genotyping tool. Proceedings of International Conference 2015 (29th AGM), Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) on Microbes for the Benefit of Society: Food, Agriculture, Health, Industry and Environment; Dhaka, Bangladesh. p68.
3. Islam S, Hoque A, Nahar S, Sabbir Alam SM, Atsushi Jinno-Oue, Hiroo Hoshino. 2014 Apr 27. CCR6 functions as a new coreceptor for limited primary human and simian immunodeficiency viruses. Proceedings of 27th Annual Conference, Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) on Microbes and Industrial development: Bangladesh Perspective; Dhaka, Bangladesh. p29.
4. Khatun M, Sabbir Alam SM, Hossain MA, Jilani MSA and Karim MM. 2014 Apr 27. Development of a PCR-based diagnostic system for Kala-Azar. Proceedings of 27th Annual Conference, Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) on Microbes and Industrial development: Bangladesh Perspective; Dhaka, Bangladesh. p74.
5. Islam MM, Rahman MM, Ali MA, Sabbir Alam SM, Mahmud MS. 2012 Mar 7-8. Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in poultry samples from different slaughtering houses of Savar area, Bangladesh. Proceedings of the 9th Annual Scientific Conference (ASCON-IX) on Food safety in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges; Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), Chittagong, Bangladesh. p43.
6. Sabbir Alam SM, Amin MR, Sultana M, Hossain MA. 2012 Sep 15-17. Antigenic Variation of Capsid Protein Vp1 of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Prevalent in South Asian Regions. Proceedings of the first AFSSA (Asian Food Safety and Security Association) conference on Food Safety and Security; Osaka prefecture University, Japan.
7. Rahman A, Arif Ashraf M, Sabbir Alam SM, Khatun F, Hossain S, Hossain M, Zaman F, Sultana M, Hossain MA. 2012 Sep 15-17. FMD Virus Genotyping Tool. Proceedings of the first AFSSA (Asian Food Safety and Security Association) conference on Food Safety and Security; Osaka prefecture University, Japan.
8. Sabbir Alam SM, Jesmin, Nur-E-Kamal M, Hossain MA. 2012 Jan 21. Characterization of sequence variability of major capsid protein vp1 of serotype O and asia1 from foot-and-mouth disease virus. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Conference, Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) on Microbes and Environment; Chittagong, Bangladesh. p51.
9. Sabbir Alam SM, Amin MR and Hossain MA. 2010 Dec 26-28. In silico analysis; an annotation about structural and functional features of DUF 2726 family member proteins. Proceedings of the 5th international conference, Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) on Microbiology of Food, Health, & Environment: Problems and Prospects in Developing Countries; University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh. p67.

NCBI GenBank publication
Accession numbers: KP119754, KP119755, KP119756, KP119757, KP119758, KP119759, KP119760, KP119761, KP119762 and KP119763.

TECHNICAL & SCIENTIFIC SKILLS

General microbiology:
• Staining & Microscopy: Different staining procedures, fluorescence microscopy, phase contrast microscopy, and light microscopy.
• Microbial culture: Traditional cultural techniques like spread plate, pour plate, streak plate; biochemical assay, growth curve analysis, antibiotic resistance test, isolation of pure culture, culture preservation and maintenance.
• Cell culture: BHK-21, HEK-293, HeLa; transfection, drug toxicity testing.
• Virology: FMDV culture in BHK-21 cells; Isolation, cultivation and enumeration of bacteriophages.

Molecular biology:
• Vector design, primers design, digestions, ligations, cloning, transformation, DNA/RNA/Plasmid extraction and purification, reverse transcription, PCR, Real-time PCR, Gel electrophoresis.
• Working with proteins: Protein expression in E. coli, protein extraction and purification, protein analysis and quantification, SDS PAGE and western blot analysis.

Immunological assay:
• ELISA, enzymatic assays. Enzyme activity determination, SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting of bacterial proteins, complement fixation tests, HLA typing.

Animal handling:
• Feeding, breeding, anesthetizing, and simple surgical procedures of rabbits.

Analytical methods:
• Titrations, spectrophotometry, chromatography (thin layer, affinity, ion exchange, exclusion, HPLC).

Genomics and bioinformatics:
• Gene prediction, genome mapping, protein-protein interaction analysis - yeast two hybrid system & phage display library, database searching, protein 3D modeling, vaccine design, phylogenetic analysis, software and tool development for biological data analysis.

Statistical analysis & IT skills:
• Experiment design; Standard statistical analysis, statistical significance test; t-test, chi-square test, ANOVA.
• IT skill: Speed typing (~50 word/min), web site and database management, windows and software installation, Adobe Photoshop, image processing, Microsoft excel, SPSS.
• Programming language: Python and Matlab.

Research design and out of bench work:
• Manuscript writing and publication processing; Experiment design and critical analysis of methodology and result; project proposal & report writing.

TRAINING AND SCIENTIFIC VISIT
16 Nov 2016
Participated a day long training workshop on “Survey methods and reporting” at Institute of Education and Research (IER) organized by Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), University of Dhaka.

27-28 Oct 2016.  
Participated at the Young Scientists Congress, 2016 of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) on “The role of the scientists and technologists in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-s) in Bangladesh” organized by BAS and Inter Academy Partnership (IAP).

25 Aug 2016     
Industrial visit to Institute of Food & Radiation Biology (IFRB), Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.

31 Jan 2016    
Industrial visit to NAVANA Pharmaceuticals ltd., Narayanganj, Bangladesh and get practical experience on industrial production of pharmaceutical products and microbiological quality control.

18-19 Oct 2015    
Completed a training program on “Improving quality of research publications and communications to international standards” at   Bangladesh Academy of Sciences arranged by INASP (International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications).

9-11 Sep 2014    
Participated a training workshop on “Cell culture techniques to encourage intracellular growth of virus for research purpose” at Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka.

07 Sep 2014    
Day long workshop on isolation and identification of influenza virus.

In 2014    
Industrial visit to AKIJ Food & Beverages Ltd.  To observe and study industrial production, processing and quality control of food and beverage items in highly modernized and well-equipped industry.

11-13 Apr, 2012
Realtime PCR training at Invitrogen Bioservices India Pvt. Limited, Udyog Vihar, Phase II, Gurgaon 122016, Haryana, India.

Oct 19 2010
Laboratory Safety Training program on ICDDR,B (International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh) on Safe Laboratory Design, General Laboratory Safety, Chemical Safety, Waste Management, & Biosafety.

In 2010
Visit to Dhaka Shishu Hospital to observe the microbiology laboratory of the hospital to observe their diagonosis, clinical study and research on Haemophilus influenzae for epiglottis, Neisseria meningitidis for meningitis, pneumococcus for pneumonia, causative agents of diarrhoeal diseases like rota virus, E coli, Shigella, Salmonella etc.

ADMINISTRATIVE & CONFERENCE ARRANGEMENT EXPERIENCE
Study tour and industrial visit arrangement
• Conducted industrial visit of 3rd year students (2014-15) and 4th year students (2013-2014) of Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka to Akij Food and Beverage Limited, Manikganj and Navana Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Narayanganj.
• Conducted a 4-day study tour of MS students (2012-13) of Jahangirngar University at several historical places in and around Comilla district, Bangladesh.
Web-site management
• Worked to manage and co-ordinate web site (www.mbio.du.ac.bd, http://www.du.ac.bd/academic/department_item/MBI) of Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka. Worked to organize and archive data of departmental seminar library books and collections in the web. Working as a member of web-site and computer related sub-committee of Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka.
Work on journal publication
• Worked with editorial body of Bangladesh Journal of Microbiology (BJM), reviewed several articles and worked on pre-publication processing of articles. Experienced on manuscript editing, proofreading, formatting for publication and press work.
Conference arrangement
• Worked for International Conference, 2015 (29th AGM) of Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) on ‘Microbes for Benefit of the Society’ at University of Dhaka, Bangladesh held at 26th – 28th December, 2015 and was a member of scientific & souvenir publication, media and publicity, poster management and international guest management sub-committee.
• Worked for 27th annual conference of Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) on ‘Microbes and industrial development: Bangladesh perspectives’ at University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh held at 27 April, 2014 and was a member of editorial, and media & publicity sub-committee. Also worked for souvenir publication at Microbiology Fair, 2014 organized by Dept. of Microbiology, University of Dhaka.
• Worked at 5th international conference of Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) on ‘Microbiology of food, health, & environment: Problems and prospects in developing countries’ at University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, held at 26-28 December, 2010 and was a member of venue management, media & publicity, scientific & publication, and poster management sub-committee.

MEMBERSHIP
• Life member: BSM (Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists).
• Member: ASM (American Society for Microbiology), GMA (Graduate Microbiologist Association, Bangladesh).

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
• Awarded from the Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka for securing the highest grade point (3.96 out of 4.0) in the M.S. Examination of 2010.
• Awarded from the Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka for securing the highest grade point (3.91 out of 4.0) in the B.S. Examination of 2009.
• Dean’s award from Dean of Biological Science Faculty for extraordinary performance in the B.S. Hon’s examination, 2009.
• Eastern Bank Limited-Dhaka University Alumni Association Merit Award -2007 as a recognition of the top student in the class in second year BS exam.
• Education Board Scholarship at both of Higher Secondary and School level.

EXTRA CURRICULUM
• Completed a 6 month course entitled as “Diploma in Computer hardware and software engineering” at National Youth Development Training Academy (NYDTA) from 01-01-2007 to 30-06-2007.
• Taken part in an awareness campaign against drug abuse arrange by Dhaka metropolitan police 26 June, 2011
• Entrepreneurship development for new business creation. 10 day training course: Small and cottage industries training institute, Dhaka. 03-06-2012- 14-06-2012
• Voluntarily donated bloods for several times at Blood donation program, Badhon, University of Dhaka.
• Participated several debating programs of FH Hall Debating Club (FHDC) and Dhaka University Debating Society (DUDS).
• Additional Interests: Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Human behavioral sciences, Literature, Electronics and Electrical engineering etc.

SUMMARY OF ACADEMIC & RESEARCH BACKGROUND
• Completed BS and MS in Microbiology from Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, and achieved the highest CGPA in each session.
• Worked as a research assistant in a research project (HEQEP CP 236) and performed different laboratory works and bioinformatics analysis after completing master’s degree.
• Worked as a lecturer of microbiology in Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh and performed different academic duties, teaching of several courses and worked on different research projects.
• Worked as a lecturer of microbiology in University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and acted on different academic works, courses, student supervision, and performed different research activities.
• Now, working as an assistant professor of microbiology in University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and working on some new and undergoing research projects, and performing different academic tasks.
• Gained huge teaching experience through taking classes, practical demonstrations, student’s evaluation, exam taking, working on exam committee, and students grading.
• Achieved much research experience through working on Food-and-mouth disease virus (FMD) projects, Leishmania project, Salmonella projects, bioinformatics tool development, and molecular biological & statistical analysis. Gained very different scientific experience through grant proposal writing, project management, financial estimations, grant report writing, and manuscript preparation.

REFERENCES

• Professor Humaira Akhter
Chairman, Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh      
Cell: +8801552314010
E-mail: humaira@du.ac.bd

• Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh               
Cell: +8801715363753                                          
E-mail: hossaina@du.ac.bd

• Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Ahsan
Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh               
Cell: 9661920-73/7738
E-mail: crahsan@yahoo.com

• Dr. Muhammad Manjurul Karim
Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh               
Phone: 966 1900-73 (Extn. 7749) (off)
E-mail: manjur@du.ac.bd

CONTACT INFORMATION
• Office address: Room-210, Dept. of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Residence: 1st Lane, Kalabagan, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Contact number: +8801678715725, Skype: sabbir.alam.mb
• E-mail address: sabbir.alam.mb@gmail.com, sabbir@du.ac.bd.  
• Web link: Researchgate, Linked-in.