PF

Priv.-Doz. Souvik Kusari, Dr. rer. nat., university professor   SK

Email:
 souvik.kusari@upjs.sk
Homepage:
 https://www.upjs.sk/PF/zamestnanec/souvik.kusari
Faculty:
PF UPJŠ - Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Faculty of Science
Department:
ÚBEV - Institute of Biology and Ecology
Office:
 211(Ma23-NK)
Phone:
 +421 55 234 2301
ORCID ID:
 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4685-0794
I am delighted to introduce myself as Priv.-Doz. Dr. rer. nat. Souvik Kusari, presently a University Professor (full) at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia. I am an internationally recognized expert in the research area of chemical ecology of plants and associated microorganisms such as endophytes with over 16 years of experience. By employing state-of-the-art metabolomics and related molecular 'omics' tools, 2D/3D imaging, and genetic and epigenetic engineering approaches, I investigate the chemistry underlining plant biology and microbial interactions. This covers the biosynthesis and regulation of ecologically, biologically, and pharmaceutically relevant metabolites and their precursors with implications in biotechnology and agriculture, for example:
  • Camptothecin and analogs (anticancer).
  • Podophyllotoxin analogs (anticancer).
  • Azadirachtin (insecticide).
  • Hypericin (photodynamic, antidepressant, anticancer).
  • Maytansine and analogs (anticancer).
  • Hexacyclopeptides (microbial communication).
  • Quorum quenching molecules (semiochemicals).
  • Prodiginines (defensive allelochemicals).
  • Serratamolides (microbial wetting agents).
  • Sapelenins (anti-inflammatory).
  • Decalins (antibacterial).
  • Azaphilones (antibacterial).
Selected examples of my high-reputation and high-impact publications in Q1 journals include:
  • Fungal Diversity (IF = 24.5).
  • Trends in Biotechnology (IF = 14.3).
  • Trends in Cancer (IF = 14.3).
  • Angewandte Chemie International Edition (IF = 16.1).
  • Natural Product Reports (IF = 10.2).
  • Environmental Pollution (IF = 7.6).
  • Cell Chemical Biology (IF = 6.6).
  • Environmental Research (IF = 7.7).
  • Analytical Chemistry (IF = 6.7); and many others.
In addition to my research activities, I have over a decade of experience in teaching undergraduates and graduate students in Europe and abroad. I have taught, collaborated with, and led multinational teams from many countries worldwide. I have tutored, supervised, and worked with students, young researchers, and established scientists from several countries such as Germany, United Kingdom, USA, China, India, Slovakia, and numerous African countries including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.
Higher education and further qualification growth
First degree of higher education:
Bangalore University, India, 2003, Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (B.Sc.)
Second degree of higher education:
Bangalore University, India, 2005, Master of Science in Biotechnology (M.Sc.)
Third degree of higher education:
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany, 2010, Doctorate in Natural Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.)
Associate professor:
Center for Mass Spectrometry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany, 2017, Chemical Biology; qualification: Habilitation with Venia legendi in Chemical Biology; Dr.rer.nat.habil.; Privatdozent/Priv.-Doz. title
Professor:
PF UPJŠ - Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Faculty of Science, 2024, Plant Genetics

Research /art/ teacher profile

Display details  
Overview of the responsibility for the delivery, development and quality assurance of the study programme or its part at the university in the current academic year
Study programme: ÚBEV/EB1/99 - Evolutionary Biology - The Chemistry of Microbial Evolution, study field: GMCm (Genetics and Molecular Cytology), Botany and Plant Physiology, Zoology and Animal Physiology, Masters degree
Profile courses
ÚBEV/EB1/99 - Evolutionary Biology - The Chemistry of Microbial Evolution - GMCm (Genetics and Molecular Cytology), Masters degree
Selected publications

Mahmoud, F.M.; Kusari, S.; Kublik, S.; Benning, S.; Siani, R.; Zühlke, S.; Radl, V.; Mahnkopp-Dirks, F.; Schloter, M. (2023). Draft genome sequence of the bacterial endophyte Priestia megaterium B1, isolated from roots of apple (Malus domestica). Microbiology Resource Announcements, 12, e01172-22.

  • Genome announcement of a unique apple plant root-associated endophytic bacterial strain with plant-growth-promoting potential, ability to enhance plant resistance against stress, thereby contributing in mitigating Apple Replant Disease (ARD).

Li, G.*; Lin, P.; Wang, K.; Gu, C.C.; Kusari, S.* (2022). Artificial intelligence-guided discovery of anticancer lead compounds from plants and associated microorganisms. Trends in Cancer, 8, 65-80. *Corresponding author.

  • Artificial intelligence (AI)-guided solutions, including advanced machine learning (ML), to discover anticancer lead compounds, focusing on natural products from plants and associated microorganisms.

Armin, R.; Zühlke, S.; Mahnkopp-Dirks, F.; Winkelmann, T.; Kusari, S.* (2021). Evaluation of apple root-associated endophytic Streptomyces pulveraceus strain ES16 by an OSMAC-assisted metabolomics approach. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 643225. *Corresponding author.

  • Established a comprehensive OSMAC-assisted metabolomics approach that elucidates the secreted volatilome (SPME-GC-MS), expressed metabolome (HPLC-HRMSn), and spatial-temporal dynamics of target metabolites (MALDI-HRMSI) of plant or associated bacteria – all guided by the One Strain Many Compounds approach (OSMAC) that enables the chemo-diversity evaluation of microorganisms for selection as biocontrol agents or biologics.

Eckelmann, D.; Spiteller, M.; Kusari, S.* (2018). Spatial-temporal profiling of prodiginines and serratamolides produced by endophytic Serratia marcescens harbored in Maytenus serrata. Scientific Reports (Nature), 8, 5283. *Corresponding author.

  • Established an experimental proof-of-concept of ‘balanced antagonism’ and allelopathy between plant-associated endophytic bacteria and fungi, which provides new insights into the physiological and ecological relevance of endophytic compounds within the context of chemoecological interaction occurring between coexisting endophytes.

Eckelmann, D.#; Kusari, S.#,*; Spiteller, M. (2018). Stable isotope labeling of prodiginines and serratamolides produced by Serratia marcescens directly on agar and simultaneous visualization by MALDI-imaging-HRMS. Analytical Chemistry, 90, 13167-13172. #Joint first authors/equal contributions; *Corresponding author.

  • Developed a novel, cost- and resource-efficient, rapid, bioanalytical methodology encompassing stable isotope labeling for biosynthetic pathway elucidation and MALDI-HRMSI for in situ visualization and identification of target and non-target compounds without the need of isolating the compounds by MALDI-HRMSI – all in a single measurement.

Kusari, S.; Tatsimo, S. J. N.; Zühlke, S.; Spiteller, M. (2016). Synthetic origin of tramadol in the environment. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 55, 240-243; Angewandte Chemie, 128, 248-251.

  • Established a novel methodology to prove the origin of compounds (natural vs. anthropogenic) in plants, microbes or soil by combining high-precision 14C-accelerator mass spectrometry (14C-AMS), isotope-ratio MS, HPLC-HRMSn, and labeled hydroponics set-up.
  • Selected as a Hot Paper.
  • Featured on the Journal Back Cover.
  • Angewandte Chemie Official Press Release.

Li, G.; Kusari, S.*; Golz, C.; Laatsch, H.; Strohmann, C.; Spiteller, M.* (2017). Epigenetic modulation of endophytic Eupenicillium sp. LG41 by a histone deacetylase inhibitor for production of decalin-containing compounds. Journal of Natural Products, 80, 983-988. *Corresponding author.

  • Established an experimental proof-of-concept of ‘epigenetic modulation’ of plant-associated endophytic microbes using small-molecule epigenetic stimulators to (re-)activate or enhance silent biosynthetic routes to specific metabolites for targeted ecological functions, e.g., enhancing their biochemical competitiveness.
Selected projects

Overcoming replant disease by applying an integrated approach (ORDIAmur): microbial interactions for plant exudates and secondary metabolites. Phase II.

  • German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
  • 2019-2021.
  • Principal Investigator and Project Leader.

Phytochem: Cultivation of plant containing bioactive ingredients and their possible usage for cosmetic products.

  • German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
  • 2017-2019.
  • Deputy Project Leader and Visiting Lecturer (Egerton University, Kenya).

Overcoming replant disease by applying an integrated approach (ORDIAmur): MALDI-MSI of root exudates and their interaction with microbes. Phase I.

  • German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
  • 2016-2018.
  • Co-Principal Investigator and Deputy Project Leader.

Welcome to Africa: Bioprospecting for new antibacterial and anti-inflammatory lead compounds from plants and endophytic fungi.

  • German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
  • 2012-2014.
  • Co-Principal Investigator and Visiting Lecturer (University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon).
International mobilities and visits
Egerton University, Kenya, Africa, 2017-2019, Deputy Project Leader, BMBF/DAAD Project Phytochem and Visiting Lecturer; Grant funded within Germany’s Africa strategy "Africa Bioeconomy"
Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, 2013-2014; 2016/2017, Postdoctoral Researcher; Academic Visitor
University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon, Africa, 2012-2014, Co-PI, BMBF/DAAD Project "Welcome to Africa" and Visiting Lecturer
University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore, India, 2007-2009, Participating Scientist; Grant funded by German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India
Center of Applied Spectroscopy, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia, July 2009, International Summer School for HPLC application
Center of Applied Spectroscopy, Faculty of Technology, Novi Sad, Serbia, July 2007, International Summer School for GC-MS application

Additional information

Awards
  • Bronze medal of the Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia (2018). Awarded for exceptional scientific collaborative accomplishments.
  • Arthur E. Schwarting Award. Awarded by the American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) and Journal of Natural Products (2015).
  • Young Researcher at 63rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting – Lindau Nobel Laureate Committee, Lindau, Germany. Awarded as an exceptional young researcher; top 3% in the world by international competition (2013).
  • Young Researcher Award – KIIT School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Orissa, India. Awarded for best scientific contribution in the research theme ‘Emerging Trends in Biological Sciences’ by Prof. Dr. R. Ernst, 1991 Nobel Laureate (2008).
Other
  • American Society of Pharmacognosy (since 2016).
  • Science Council, UK; Chartered Member, CSci (since 2015).
  • Royal Society of Chemistry, UK; MRSC designation (since 2012).
  • American Chemical Society (since 2011).
  • European Federation of Biotechnology (since 2011).
  • Young European Biotech Network (since 2011).
  • European Association of Pharma Biotechnology (since 2011).
  • Royal Society of Biology, UK; Chartered member, CBiol MRSB (since 2011).
  • Phytochemical Society of Europe (2011-2014).
  • European Mycological Association (2011).
Editorial board member and/or advisor:
  • Fitoterapia (Elsevier).
  • Frontiers in Plant Science (Frontiers).
  • Molecules (MDPI).
  • Antibiotics (MDPI).
Interesting links
https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/en/actuality/novy-profesor-posilni-vyskum-a-vyucbu-biologie/

Further information

Taught courses and supervised study programmes

PF