• I am interested in developing genetically modified transgenic organisms (DNA microinjection).
• I am interested in investigating the molecular and functional basis of novel pathogenic genetic variants cause for rare human diseases using cutting edge molecular technologies such as Next Genaration Sequencing.
• I am interested in looking into Molecular-genetics mechanisms of marine organisms and I have gained insights into the innate immune systems of marine animals, such as fish and shellfish via identification and characterization of functionally important immunological and physiological genes from different taxonomic levels.
• I am interested in identification of Genomics and Molecular mechanisms from nematode as model organisms and I have used yeasts as an experimental tool.
• I prefer to look at the molecular mechanisms of Tardigrade species at genomics and functional levels.

• Supervisors: Prof Ranil Dassanayake, Prof Luis Afonso, Prof KM Nalin de Silva, Dr W. Rohini, M. de Silva, Dr Aaron SchultzTopic: Understanding of underlying Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms in Kidney cells upon the exposure to water pollutants using Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism and development of an effective Zebrafish biosensor to detect heavy metal water pollutants

PEER REVIEWED INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

Published

1. M. L. P. B. Herath, Don Anushka Sandaruwan Elvitigala, G. I. Godahewa, Ilson Whang, Jehee Lee: Molecular insights into a molluscan transferrin homolog identified from disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus) evidencing its detectable role in host antibacterial defense. Developmental & Comparative Immunology 11/2015; 53(1):222-233. DOI:10.1016/j.dci.2015.07.013
2. M.L.P.B. Herath, Don Anushka Sandaruwan Elvitigala, G.I. Godahewa, Navaneethaiyer Umasuthan, Ilson Whang, Jae Koo Noh, Jehee Lee: Molecular characterization and comparative expression analysis of two teleostean pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-8, from Sebastes schlegeli. Gene 10/2015; 575(2P3). DOI:10.1016/j.gene.2015.09.082
3. M.L.P.B. Herath, Thiunuwan Priyathilaka, Don Anushka Sandaruwan Elvitigala, Navaneethaiyer Umasuthan, Jehee Lee: The Molecular Profiling of a Teleostan Counterpart of Follistatin, Identified from Rockbream Oplegnathus fasciatus which Reveals its Transcriptional Responses against Pathogenic Stress. Fisheries and Aquatic Science 09/2015; 18(3):273-281. DOI:10.5657/FAS.2015.0273
4. I. Godahewa, S.D.N.K. Bathige, H.M.L.P.B. Herath, Jae Koo Noh Jehee Lee, Jehee Lee: Characterization of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) complement components C1r and C1s in terms of molecular aspects, genomic modulation, and immune responsive transcriptional profiles following bacterial and viral pathogen exposure. Fish & Shellfish Immunology 2015 Oct;46(2):656-68. DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2015.07.026.
5. Thanthrige Thiunuwan Priyathilaka, Yucheol Kim, H.M.V. Udayantha, Seongdo Lee, M.L.P.B Herath, H.H. Chaminda Lakmal, Don Anushka Sandaruwan Elvitigala, G.I. Godahewa, Seongil Kang, Hyong Bok Jeong, Jehee Lee and Bong Soo Lim Identification and molecular characterization of peroxiredoxin 6 from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica): revealing its potent antioxidant properties and putative immune relevancy. Fish & Shellfish Immunology 2016 Apr;51:291-302. DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2015.12.012
6. M.L.P.B. Herath, P.D.S.U. Wickramasinghe, S.D.N.K. Bathige, R.G.P.T. Jayasooriya, Gi-Young Kim, Myoung Ae Park, Chul Kim, and Jehee Lee: Molecular identification and functional delineation of a glutathione reductase similitude from Disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus): insights as a potent player in host antioxidant defense Fish & Shellfish Immunology 2016 Dec; doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2016.12.002
7. Thanthrige Thiunuwan Priyathilaka; S.D.N.K. Bathige; M.L.P.B. Herath; Sukkyoung Lee; jehee lee Molecular identification of disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus)tetraspanin 33 and CD63: Insights into potent players in the disk abalonehost defense system. Fish and Shellfish Immunology 2017 Oct doi: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.08.020
8. M.L.P.B. Herath, Y.I.N.S. Gunawardene, M. Pathiranage, P.D.S.U. Wickramasinghe, P.G.T.S. Wickramatunge and R.S. Dassanayake : An ARV1 homologue from a filarial nematode is functional in yeast Journal of Helminthology: 2017 Oct

In progress

9. D. S. U. Wickramasinghe, H. M. L. P. B. Herath, S. D. N. K. Bathige and Jehee Lee: Identification and expression profile analysis of cathepsin F from disk abalone Haliotis discus discus evidencing the potent immunological importance Fish & Shellfish Immunology (under review)
10. Nirmala D. Sirisena, Nilaksha Neththikumara, Kalum Wetthasinghe, M. L. P. B. Herath, Vajira H. W. Dissanayake Spectrum of genomic variants in 94-cancer predisposition genes in a Sri Lankan cohort (under review)
11. M.L.P.B. Herath, Don Anushka Sandaruwan Elvitigala, S.D.N.K. Bathige, Jehee Lee: Molecular identification and functional delineation of MYD88 and IRAK4 counterparts identified from Big belly Seahorse Fish & Shellfish Immunology (Under review)

RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS AND CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS

1. 1. M. L. P.B. Herath, Y. I. N. S. Gunawardene, W. R. M. de Silva, K. M. N. de Silva, Luis O.B. Afonso, J. R. P. Jayasinghe, R. S. Dassanayake: Contriving of a Zebrafish based heavy metal sensitive biosensor: a biotechnological approach to cross the hurdle of detecting bio-available heavy metals in polluted water reservoirs in Sri lanka; South Asian Biotechnology Conference 2018
   2. M. L. P.B. Herath, Y. I. N. S. Gunawardene, W. R. M. de Silva, K. M. N. de Silva, Luis O.B. Afonso, R. S. Dassanayake: In-Silico approaches to construct novel heavy metal sensing DNA cassettes: towards a potent biosensor capable of detecting minor levels of Cd²⁺heavy metals; Annual research symposium, University of Colombo  2017
   3. M.L.P.B. Herath, S.D.N.K. Bathige, P.D.S.U. Wickramsinghe, Jehee Lee: Molecular insights into two novel tetraspanin homologs identified from disk abalone haliotis discus discus. Aquaculture America 2016, Las Vegas, USA, 02/2016
   4. M.L.P.B. Herath, S.D.N.K. Bathige, P.D.S.U. Wickramsinghe, and Jehee Lee: Molecular identification of two tetraspanin homologs identified from haliotis discus discus. International Conference the Genetics Society of Korea. Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea 04-05/12/2015
   5. D.S.U.Wickramasinghe,H.M.L.P.B.Herath, S.D.N.K. Bathige,Roopasingam Kugapreethan, Jehee Lee: Molecular and Transcriptional profiling of a novel cathepsin F from disk abalone. International Conference the Genetics Society of Korea. Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea 04-05/12/2015
   6. M.L.P.B. Herath, S.D.N.K. Bathige, P.D.S.U. Wickramsinghe, Jehee Lee: Molecular and functional insights into a novel glutathione reductase counterpart, identified from disk abalone (haliotis discus discus). Aquaculture Europe 2015 – Aquaculture, Nature, and Society, Rotterdam, Netherlands; 10/2015
   7. William Shanthakumar Thulasitha, S.D.N.K. Bathige, M. L. P. B. Herath, Navaneethaiyer Umasuthan and Jehee Lee: Immune responses of a Galactin-8 in black rock fish Sebastes schlegelii against pathogen stimuli Aquaculture Europe 2015 – Aquaculture, Nature, and Society, Rotterdam, Netherlands; 10/2015
   8. D.S.U. Wickramasinghe, H.M.L.P.B. Herath, S.D.N.K. Bathige, Jehee Lee: molecular characterization and mRNA expression of cathepsin d from disk abalone Haliotis discus discus Aquaculture Europe 2015 – Aquaculture, Nature, and Society, Rotterdam, Netherlands; 10/2015
   9. M.L.P.B. Herath, S.D.N.K. Bathige, P.D.S.U. Wickramasinghe, Jehee Lee: Molecular Identification and Immunological Insights into a Novel Tetraspanin Family Member from Disk Abalone. 9th International Abalone Symposium 2015, MVL Hotel, Yeosu, Korea; 10/2015
   10. D.S.U. Wickramasinghe, H.M.L.P.B. Herath, S.D.N.K. Bathige, Jehee Lee: Molecular profile and mRNA Expressional Study of the Cathepsin D Disk Abalone (Haliotis discus discus) 9th International Abalone Symposium 2015, MVL Hotel, Yeosu, Korea; 10/2015
   11. M. L. P. B. Herath, Don Anushka Sadaruwan Elvitigala, G. I. Godahewa, Eunyoung Jo, Jiyeon Ko and Jehee Lee: Identification and functional delineation of a first molluscan transferrin-like counterpart from disk abalone (haliotus discus discus), evidence for its potent antimicrobial properties. World Aquaculture 2015, Jeju Exhibition & Convention Center, Jeju Korea; 05/2015
   12. D.S.U. Wickramasinghe, H.M.L.P.B. Herath, Navaneethaiyer Umasuthan, S.D.N.K. Bathige and Jehee lee Molecular identification and expressional analysis of major pathologically important kinase counterpart irak4 in myd88 dependent cell signaling pathway from big-belly seahorse (hippocampus abdominalis). World Aquaculture 2015, Jeju Exhibition & Convention Center, Jeju Korea; 05/2015
   13. I. Godahewa, W. D. N. Wickramaarachchi, H. M. L. P. B. Herath, S. D. N. K. Bathige, JiyeonKo, Mahanama De Zoysa and Jehee Lee: molecular cloning and potential protease activity of an immune responsive member of trypsin-like protease family from rock bream (oplegnathus faciatus). World Aquaculture 2015, Jeju Exhibition & Convention Center, Jeju, Korea; 05/2015
   14. M.L.P.B. Herath, P.D.S.U. Wickramasinghe, S.D.N.K. Bathige, and Jehee Lee: Molecular Identification of a Glutathione reductase from haliotus discus discus. 2015 The Korean Society of Marine and Fisheries Life Science Meeting, Pukyoung National University, Busan, South Korea; 04/2015
   15. I. Godahewa, N.C.N. Perera, H. M. L. P. B. Herath,Mahanama De Zoysa and Jehee Lee: Transcriptional modulation and molecular characterization of a dual function protein, regulating the gene transcription and coordination of cell-cell adhesion from rock bream (oplegnathus fasciatus). 2015 The Korean Society of Marine and Fisheries Life Science Meeting, Pukyoung National University, Busan, South Korea; 04/2015
   16. D.S.U. Wickramasinghe, H.M.L.P.B. Herath, Navaneethaiyer Umasuthan, S.D.N.K. Bathige and Jehee Lee: Identification and molecular characterization of a major cell signaling adaptor protein, myeloid differentiating factor 88 from Hippocampus abdominalis. 2015 The Korean Society of Marine and Fisheries Life Science Meeting, Pukyoung National University, Busan, South Korea; 04/2015
   17. M. L. P. B. Herath, Navaneethaiyer Umasuthan, S.D.N.K. Bathige, Minyoung oh, G.I. Godahewa and Jehee Lee: Molecular insights into an immunologically important cell signaling adapter protein, MyD88 from big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis). Aquaculture America 2015, New Orleans Marriott- New Orleans, Lousiana; USA 02/2015
   18. I. Godahewa, H.M.L.P.B. Herath, J.D.H.E. Jayasinghe and Jehee Lee: Structural characterization of a typical two-cysteine peroxiredoxin member from rock bream (oplegnathus fasciatus) with its antioxidant activity. Aquaculture America 2015, New Orleans Marriott – New Orleans, Louisiana; USA 02/2015
   19. M. L. P. B. Herath, G.I. Godahewa, Don Anushka Sandaruwan Elvitigala, Navaneethaiyer Umasuthan, and Jehee Lee: Identification and Comparative expression analysis of two essential cytokines, IL-1 beta, and IL-8, from sebastes schegeli. 2014 Autumn Meeting of the Korean Society of Fish Pathology; 11/2014
   20. I. Godahewa, H. M. L. P. B. Herath, and Jehee Lee: Characterization of Big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase with its transcriptional regulation. 2014 Autumn Meeting of the Korean Society; 11/2014
   21. I. Godahewa, H. M. L. P. B. Herath, and Jehee Lee: Molecular characterization and transcriptional regulation of peroxiredoxin 4 from rockfish (sebastes schlegeli). 2014 Autumn Meeting of the Korean Society of Fish Pathology; 11/2014
   22. M.L.P.B. Herath, S.D.N.K. Bathige, G.I. Godahewa, and Jehee Lee: Functional, expressional and molecular characterization of a gastropod counterpart of Glutathione reductase from Disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus). 2014 Autumn Meeting of the Korean Society of Fish Pathology; 11/2014
   23. M. L. P. B. Herath, Don Anushka Sandaruwan Elvitigala, and Jehee Lee: Insights into an essential Cytokine of Black rock fish (Sebastes schlegelii) at its molecular level. Aquaculture Europe 14, Donostia-san Sebastian, Spain; 10/2014
   24. M. L. P. B. Herath, Don Anushka Sandaruwan Elvitigala, and Jehee Lee: Molecular insights into an iron regulator, identified from disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus). Asian Marine Biology Symposium 2014 (AMBS 2014), Ramada Plaza Jeju Hotel, Jeju, Korea; 10/2014