Aparna Shil PhD, AFHEA Associate Professor, Department of Botany
PROFILE
SHORT BIOGRAPHY
Aparna’s academic career and training began with the award of a BSc degree in Botany with First class 1st position from the Department of Botany, Jahangirnagar University (JU), followed by an MSc in Botany with First class 1st position. Later, she attained another MSc in Biotechnology from the United Kingdom (UK) with ‘Distinction’ and received the award for ‘the Most Meritorious Student’ in 2014. Her research project was on the Establishment of primary fibroblast cells from PI3K-C2β knockout mice. Her doctorate research nicely blended the experience of Microbiological and mammalian tissue culture knowledge. In 2020, Aparna earned her doctorate in Biomedical Science from the UK, which focussed on studying the negative impact of artificial sweeteners on the gut epithelium and microbiota.
Aparna was appointed to a faculty position as a lecturer in 2009 at Jahangirnagar University. She also worked as an ‘Assistant House Tutor’ of Shohid Jononi Jahanara Imam Hall (2009-2013) and Assistant Proctor (2012-2013) for Jahangirnagar University; roles that she fulfilled alongside her academic responsibilities.
Aparna is an Associate Professor at the Department of Botany, JU. She has continued to enrich the university with her endeavour and establishing her own research group. She has an interest in general microbiology, understanding the role of food compounds on gut microorganisms, searching bioactive compounds in plant extracts, the physiological role of sweet taste receptors, and mechanisms regulated by artificial sweeteners and sweet taste receptors. In addition to her academic role, Aparna holds a warden position at JIH (from January 2023) in line with the university's directions for the residential service.
RESEARCH INTEREST
Gut Microbiota
Physiological roles of sweet taste receptors
Mechanisms regulated by artificial sweeteners and sweet taste receptors (diabetes)
Molecular mechanisms which link the gut microbiota and metabolic diseases
Effect of food additives on gut bacteria
Drug design and vaccine development
Screening phytocompounds with antimicrobial potentials
JOURNAL PAPER
Shuvo, Md. N., Halder, S. K., Alam, N., Himel, M. K., & Shil, A. (2024). Developing phytocompound-based new drugs against multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Royal Society Open Science, 11(7). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231475 (Original work published July 1, 2024).
Halder, S.K., Sharma, A.R., Al Arian, T., Saha, S., Shil, A., Rafi, M.O., Sarker, S.R., Alam, M.N., Himel, M.K., Hasan, M.A. and Shawan, M.M.A., 2024. In silico Designing of a Multi-epitope-based Subunit Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 (Delta Variant) by Exploiting Its Structural Proteins: A Reverse Vaccinomics and Immunoinformatics Approach. Coronaviruses, 5(4), pp.85-113. https://doi.org/10.2174/0126667975275429231218052642
Shil, A., Shuvo, M.N., Sultana, H., Alam, N. and Himel, M.K., 2023. Effect of traditional medicinal plants on the pathogenic potential of the versatile pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Jahangirnagar University Journal of Biological Sciences, pp.73-86.
Shil, A., Ladeira Faria, L.M., Walker, C.A. and Chichger, H., 2024. The artificial sweetener neotame negatively regulates the intestinal epithelium directly through T1R3-signaling and indirectly through pathogenic changes to model gut bacteria. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, p.1366409.
Faria, L., Chichger, H., Shil, A. and Walker, C., The effects of artificial sweeteners on bacterial growth, biofilm formation and conjugative gene transfer in gut bacteria models.
Shil, A., Zhang, J. and Chichger, H., 2023. Investigating the use and awareness of artificial sweeteners among diabetic patients in Bangladesh. Plos one, 18(12), p.e0295272.
Sajal Kumar Halder; Tawsif Al Arian; Samantha Saha; Aparna Shil; Md. Oliullah Rafi; Md. Ashraful Hasan; Md. Nuhu Alam; Mahbubul Kabir Himel; Mohammad Mahfuz Ali Khan Shawan, 2023. Designing a multi-epitope-based subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 delta variant by exploiting its structural proteins: An immunoinformatics approach. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal (Accepted)
Halder, S.K., Sultana, I., Shuvo, M.N., Shil, A., Himel, M.K., Hasan, M. and Shawan, M.M.A.K., In Silico Identification and Analysis of Potentially Bioactive Antiviral Phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2: A Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation Approach. BioMed Research International, 2023.
Shil, A., Akter, M., Sultana, A., Halder, S.K. and Himel, M.K., 2023. Targeting Shikimate Kinase Pathway of Acinetobacter baumannii: A Structure-Based Computational Approach to Identify Antibacterial Compounds. Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6360187
Aparna Shil and Havovi Chichger. How artificial sweeteners are changing our friendly gut bacteria. 2022 (4). https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/article/167878/artificial-sweeteners-changing-gut-bacteria/
Halder, S.K., Mim, M.M., Alif, M.M.H., Shathi, J.F., Alam, N., Shil, A. and Himel, M.K., 2022. Oxa-376 and Oxa-530 variants of β-lactamase: computational study uncovers potential therapeutic targets of Acinetobacter baumannii. RSC Advances, 12(37), pp.24319-24338. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/ra/d2ra02939a
Shil A, Chichger H. Artificial Sweeteners Negatively Regulate Pathogenic Characteristics of Two Model Gut Bacteria, E. coli and E. faecalis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22(10):5228. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22105228
Aparna Shil, Chris Davies, Lata Gautam, Justin Roberts and Havovi Chichger (2021) Investigating the Opposing Effect of Two Different Green Tea Supplements on Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Function and Cell Viability in HepG2 Cells, Journal of Dietary Supplements, DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2021.1894304
Harrington, E.O., Braza, J., Shil, A. and Chichger, H., 2020. Extracellular vesicles released from p18 overexpressing pulmonary endothelial cells are barrier protective–potential implications for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Pulmonary Circulation, [e-journal] 10 (3), pp.2045894020951759. Available through: google.
Shil, A., Olusanya, O., Ghufoor, Z., Forson, B., Marks, J. and Chichger, H., 2020. Artificial sweeteners disrupt tight junctions and barrier function in the intestinal epithelium through activation of the sweet taste receptor, T1R3. Nutrients, [e-journal] 12 (6), pp.1862. Available through: google.
Md. Mizanur Rahman, Mahbubul Kabir Himel, Sanzida Mubassara, Md. Fokhrul Islam and Aparna Shil, (2019). In vitro antioxidant studies uncover potential in leaf and bark extracts of Artocarpus chaplasha Roxb. Int. J. Sustain. Agril. Tech. 15(5): pp. 01-08. http://gscience.gurpukur.com/journal/page-01-08-in-vitro-antioxidant-studies-uncover-potential-in-leaf-and-bark-extracts-of-artocarpus-chaplasha-roxb/
Aparna Shil, Linda King, Benjamin Evans and Havovi Chichger, (2019). Artificial sweeteners increase the pathogenic effect of model gut bacteria on the intestinal epithelium. Proc Physiol Soc. C054.
Shil, A. and Chichger, H., (2017). The differential effect of artificial sweeteners on the intestinal epithelium. Proc Physiol Soc 39, PC54. http://www.physoc.org/proceedings/abstract/Proc%20Physiol%20Soc%2039PC54
Harrington, E.O., Vang, A., Braza, J., Shil, A. and Chichger, H., (2017). Activation of the sweet taste receptor, T1R3, by the artificial sweetener sucralose regulates the pulmonary endothelium. American journal of physiology.Lung cellular and molecular physiology, pp. ajplung.00490.2016.
Islam, A., Khair, A. and Shil, A., (2013). Antibacterial activity of some phytoextracts against blackleg pathogen of potato. J. Biol. Sci. 2(1), 81-86.
Hossain, A., Mayda, U., Himel, M. K., Shil, A. and Uddin, A. F. M. J. (2013). Effect of chemicals on the vase life of three different varieties of Gladiolus. Int. J. Sustain. Agri. Tech. 9(1), 01-07.
Himel, M. K., Shil, A., Khair, A., Alam, M. N. and Uddin, A. F. M. J. (2012). Antioxidant potential of the crude methanolic extracts of bark and root of Calamus rotang Linn. Bangladesh Res. Pub. J. 7(2), 118-122. Retrieve from http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/admin/journal/upload/09321/09321.pdf
Shil, A., Himel, M. K., Khair, A., Alam, M. N. and Uddin, A. F. M. J. (2012). In vitro antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of leaf and fruit of Calamus rotang Linn. J. Expt. Biosci. 3(2), 33-36.
Parvin, R., Absar, M. N., Ershaduzzaman, M., Mahbub-E-Elahi, A. T. M., Shil A. (2011). Antibiogram of single, double and triple chain Aroyl hydrazine against some gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria. International Journal of Natural Sciences. 1(1), 17-21.
Shil, A., Akond, M. A., Ershaduzzaman, Mahbub-E-Elahi, A. T. M., Parvin, R., Rahman, M. M. and Taimur, M. J. F. A. (2009). Isolation, identification and typing of Clostridium perfringens from enterotoxaemic goats at BLRI goat farm. Bang. J. Livs. Res. 16(1&2), 80-85.
Shil, A., Akond, M. A., Ershaduzzaman, M., Parvin, R., Khan, Z. U. M., Alam, M. S., and Munsi, M. N. (2009). Antibiotic sensitivities of Clostridium perfringens type D from Enterotoxaemic Goats of BLRI goat farm. Bang. J. Livs. Res. 16(1&2), 69-72.
Akond, M. A., Alam, S., Shil, A. and Hasan, S. M. R. (2006). Bacteriological quality of bottled water available commercially in Bangladesh. Journal of Environmental Science (Dhaka), 4, 47-52.
CONFERENCE PAPER
Shuvo, M.N. and Shil, A., 2024. Evaluating an effective phytocompound as a drug candidate and constructing a multi-epitope vaccine against the cell wall protein of Staphylococcus aureus, BCSIR Congress-2023, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, March 8–10, Dr. Quadrat-i-Khuda Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Shuvo, M.N., Himel, M.K. and Shil, A., 2023. Developing phytocompound-based new drugs against multi-drug resistant infectious agent Staphylococcus aureus, 9th International Public Health Conference (Hybrid), Foundation for Advancement of Innovations in Technology and Health (faith), November 17-18, BMRC Bhaban, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212.
Faria, L., Chichger, H., Shil, A. and Walker, C., The effects of artificial sweeteners on bacterial growth, biofilm formation and conjugative gene transfer in gut bacteria models.
Sajal Kumar Halder, Oliullah Rafi, Arafin Sultana, Ive Sultana, Fatiha Elma, Israt Jahan Ananna, Aparna Shil and Mahbubul Kabir. Structure-based virtual screening and machine learning approaches for discovering potential inhibitors of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) through blocking folate biosynthetic pathway of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. BCSIR-Congrss-2022, December 01-03, 2022, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr. Qudrat-E-Khuda Road, Dhaka 1205. Bangladesh.
Sajal Kumar Halder, Mahbubul Kabir, Aparna Shil. Oxa-376 and Oxa-530 variants of β-lactamase: computational study uncovers potential therapeutic targets of Acinetobacter baumannii. Drug Discovery & Development and Pharma Exhibition, September 19-20, 2022, IUB, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh.
Most. Afrin Akter, Tawsif Al Arian, Samantha Saha, Aparna Shil, Mahbubul Kabir. Targeting shikimate kinase pathway of Acinetobacter baumannii – a structure-based computational approach to identify antibacterial compounds. Drug Discovery & Development and Pharma Exhibition, September 19-20, 2022, IUB, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh.
Sajal Kumar Halder, Tawsif Al Arian, Samantha Saha, Mahbubul Kabir Himel, Aparna Shil, Md. Mozammel Hossain, Md. Ashraful Hasan, Hussain Md. Shahjalal and Mohammad Mahfuz Ali Khan Shawan, (2022). Designing of a multi-epitope peptide vaccine against Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2: an Immunoinformatic approach. International Conference on Genomics, Nanotech, and Bioengineering - 2022 (ICGNB-2022). North South University campus, Bashundhara, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Aparna Shil, Linda King, Benjamin Evans and Havovi Chichger, (2019). Artificial sweeteners increase the pathogenic effect of model gut bacteria on the intestinal epithelium. Physiology 2019. http://www.physoc.org/physiology2019/satellite-symposia-abstracts/C054
Aparna Shil, Linda King and Havovi Chichger, (2019). Artificial sweeteners negatively regulate gut epithelium-microbiota interactions. 8th Annual Research Conference, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, UK.
Aparna Shil, Linda King, Benjamin Evans and Havovi Chichger, (2019). Artificial sweeteners negatively affect the model gut bacteria to impact the intestinal epithelium. Oral presentation in the 13th Student Conference 2019. Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK.
Attended CeBIL Annual Symposium 2019: Legal Innovation to Support the Development of Antimicrobial Drugs, Christ's College, University of Cambridge, UK
Aparna Shil, Linda King, Benjamin Evans and Havovi Chichger, (2018). Artificial sweeteners increase the pathogenic effect of two model gut bacteria on the intestinal epithelium. EuroPhysiology 2018. https://www.europhysiology2018.org/node/714/submission/1527
Aparna Shil, Benjamin Forson and Havovi Chichger, (2018). Differential effect of artificial sweeteners on intestinal epithelial cells. Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2018. http://www.hg3.co.uk/diabetes/duk2018letter.asp?email=aparna.shil@pgr.anglia.ac.uk&ref=SHIL1D7D18
Aparna Shil, Linda King, Benjamin Evans and Havovi Chichger, (2018). Differential effect of artificial sweeteners on intestinal epithelial cell function. Oral presentation in the 12th Student Conference 2018. Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK. Achieved 1st prize in the stream. https://web.anglia.ac.uk/anet/rido/docschl/conferences/student_archive.phtml
Attended CeBIL Annual Symposium: Precision Medicine, Artificial Intelligence and the Law (2018). Christ's College, Cambridge, UK
Aparna Shil and Havovi Chichger, (2018). Effect of artificial sweeteners on intestinal epithelium. Annual research conference, Faculty of Science and Technology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
Aparna Shil and Havovi Chichger, (2017). Effect of artificial sweeteners on intestinal epithelial cell function. Poster presentation in the 11th Student Conference 2017. Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK. Achieved 3rd prize for the poster. https://web.anglia.ac.uk/anet/rido/docschl/conferences/ShortlistedPosterPresentations.pdf Page-4.
EMBL-EBI Science and Society event on ‘Gut feeling: how bacteria influence our wellbeing’. May 2017, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge UK.
Aparna Shil, Linda King and Havovi Chichger, (2017). Effect of artificial sweeteners on gut physiology. Oral presentation. ‘Communicating our Research’ – Faculty of Science and Technology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
Attended and presented posters at five other internal conferences arranged by the Department of Biomedical and Forensic science, Faculty of Science and Technology and Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University in 2016 and 2019.
‘Is IP good for your health?’, 2020. University of Cambridge - Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Law Annual Spring Conference, Cambridge, UK
AWARD
Aparna Shil, Linda King, Benjamin Evans and Havovi Chichger, (2019). Artificial sweeteners increase the pathogenic effect of model gut bacteria on the intestinal epithelium. Physiology 2019. Won Li-Cor prize for active visiting. http://www.physoc.org/physiology2019/satellite-symposia-abstracts/C054
Aparna Shil, Linda King, Benjamin Evans and Havovi Chichger, (2018). Differential effect of artificial sweeteners on intestinal epithelial cell function. Oral presentation in the 12th Student Conference 2018. Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK. Achieved 1st prize in the stream. https://web.anglia.ac.uk/anet/rido/docschl/conferences/student_archive.phtml
Aparna Shil and Havovi Chichger, (2017). Effect of artificial sweeteners on intestinal epithelial cell function. Poster presentation in the 11th Student Conference 2017. Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK. Achieved 3rd prize for the poster.
'The most meritorious student' 2014, MSc Biotechnology, University of Bedfordshire, UK
THESIS SUPERVISION
- Habiba Sultana. Thesis title 'In vitro evaluation of the effect of traditional phytoextracts on gut microbiota'. 2021-2022.
Md. Nazmussakib Shuvo. Thesis title 'Developing phytocompound-based new drugs against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus', 2020-2021.
Salequl Islam. Thesis title 'Effect of chemicals on the vase-life of different varieties of Gladiolus. Second supervisor. 2012.
Md. Mizanur Rahman. Thesis title 'Investigating antioxidant potential of Artocarpus chaplasha Roxb', 2012-2013.
SEMINAR
Artificial sweeteners negatively impact gut epithelium and microflora, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, 2019
Talk on ‘Effect of artificial sweeteners on microflora to regulate intestinal barrier permeability’, London Epithelial Group, Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK.
Motivational talk for the Biomedical Science students about ‘Life as a PhD student’ (2017 and 2018)
WORKSHOP
Anglia Ruskin Associate Fellowship, Descriptor 1, UK Professional Standards Framework for Teaching and Supporting Learning
Good Research Practice
Research with humans in the health and social sciences
Research methods in literature review
Intellectual property in the research context
Learning and teaching in practice, Anglia Learning and Teaching
‘Learning by doing’ arranged by Department of Psychology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
‘Public engagement’ arranged by the Physiological Society, UK
Thesis Production and Examination Preparation
OTHER
Memberships
Associate Fellow, the Higher Education Academy, United Kingdom
Associate Fellow, Descriptor 1, UK Professional Standards Framework for Teaching and Supporting Learning
Member, Bangladesh Botanical Society
Member, Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists, from 2020
Member, The Physiological Society, 2017-2020
Media experience
June 2021: Above 20 media outlets, including BBC News magazine, Independent news UK, the Telegraph, and Science Daily online, covered research from the International Journal of Molecular Sciences publication based on the negative impact of artificial sweeteners on model gut bacteria E. coli and E. faecalis.
BBC News reported research findings - Artificial sweeteners can turn healthy gut bacteria into pathogens - BBC Science Focus Magazine
Independent News UK published news on research findings - Sweeteners ‘can turn healthy gut bacteria into harmful microbes’ | The Independent
FSE Newsletter covered news on research –
Frist |Faculty of Science and Engineering Newsletter |September 2018| Page 06
Frist |Faculty of Science and Engineering Newsletter |August 2019| Page 04
Frist |Faculty of Science and Engineering Newsletter |August 2019| Page 09
Frist |Faculty of Science and Engineering Newsletter |Spring 2020| Page 13
Bunch Onion Cultivation,Shil, A. (2012). Co-Author (with Mahbubul Kabir Himel) of a booklet named 'Bunchonion chash' the cultivation method of bunch onion- an introduced vegetable crop in Bangladesh.
Teaching
| Course Code | Course Title | Semester/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Bot.501 | Microbiology | 2022-2023 |
| Bot.410 | Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering | 2020-2024 |
| Bot.401 | Advanced Microbiology | 2022-2023 |
| Bot.307 | Economic Botany and Ethnobotany | 2022-2023 |
Academic Info
PhD in Biomedical Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
Associate Fellow, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK and
Associate Fellow, Higher Education Academy, UK
MSc in Biotechnology, (Distinction, faculty award for ‘The most meritorious student’), University of Bedfordshire, UK
MSc in Botany (First Class, 1st position), Jahangirnagar University
BSc (Honours) in Botany (First Class, 1st position), Jahangirnagar University
Experience
Associate Professor (2020- till to date), Department of Botany, Jahangirnagar University
Teaching assistant (2016 – 2019), Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
Assistant Professor (2012 – 2019; includes the ‘study leave’ period), Department of Botany, Jahangirnagar University
Lecturer, Department of Botany (2009 – 2012), Jahangirnagar University
Contact
Aparna Shil PhD, AFHEA
Associate Professor
Department of Botany
Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
Cell Phone: +8801712687445
Email: aparna@juniv.edu
