Research

Research Interests

  • Immuno- & Molecular Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax asexual stage vaccine candidates in Sri Lanka
  • Ecto- and endo-parasites of vertebrates of Sri Lanka
  • Immunology of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Sri Lanka
  • Screening of natural products for anti malarial, anti rheumatoid arthritic and immune-modulatory activity
  • Reproductive Immunology
  • Development of Immunologic and Molecular Diagnostics
  • Eco-Immunotoxicology & Nanotoxicology
  • Association of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Oral & Oropharyngeal Cancer (OPC) in Sri Lanka
  • Deriving in house stem cell lines to assess proliferative, differentiation and toxicity of plant/ sponge extracts
  • Immunology of noncommunicable diseases

Research Experience

  • Post-doctoral studies atthe University of New Brunswick, Canadaincluded purification, characterization, immunochemical analysis and establishment of the physiologyof a novel key enzyme (coniferyl alcohol oxidase) of lignification in conifers.I was responsible for establishing the first monoclonal production facility in the Maritimes, Canada.
  • Doctoral studies carried out at the Malaria Research Unit, University of Colombo was on the immunochemical analysis of asexual erythrocytic stage antigens of Plasmodium vivax using monoclonal antibodies, for the purpose of selecting vaccine candidates against asexual stages of this human parasite. This work lead to the identification of the P. vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP1) that is now being pursued as a major vivax vaccine candidate. Also, the antigenic polymorphism of P. vivax asexual blood stages was established for the first time with the inhouse derived panel of 30 monoclonal antibodies.
  • Post-graduate research based on purification and radiolabelling of alpha – feto protein (AFP) from amniotic fluid and raising anti – AFP antibodies in rabbits for the development of a radioimmuno assay (RIA) kit for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, was submitted as a dissertation for the MSc programme.

Research Grants

  • “Ecto and endo parasites of Sri Lankan bats” (1995-1997) from Harrison Zoological Museum, Kent, UK. [Rs 200,000/00]
  • “An investigation on naturally acquired protection of malaria” (1995-1996) from the University of Colombo (95/S/8) [Rs 57,500/00]
  • “Studies on the antibody response in naturally infected individuals to purified proteins of Plasmodium vivax” (1999-2002) from the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka (SIDA/BT/99/01): [Rs 5,97,000/00]
  • “Development of in vivo correlates of protective immunity to asexual blood stages of P. vivax malaria” (1999-2001, 2002-2003) from the International Foundation for Science, Sweden (grant # W3008-1/2) [US$ 20,000/00]
  • “Immuno-epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax Apical Membrane Protein: A potential vaccine candidate for vivax malaria” (2001 -2002) from the University of Colombo (2001/S/23) [Rs 2,25,000/00]
  • “Longitudinal immunoepidemiological Study on Plasmodium vivax asexual erythrocy tic stage antigen in Sri Lanka” from the National Res
    earch Council (2002) was selected for funding but due to unfortunate political circumstances of the country funds were not forthcoming (2002 -2005) [Rs4,000,000/00]
  • “Strain-specific immunity to Plasmodium vivax asexual erythrocytic stage antigen in Sri Lanka” (2005-2007) from the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka (RG/2005/HS/06) [Rs 2,016,500/00;approx US$ 20,000/00]
  • “The genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax asexual erythrocytic stage antigen and the ensuing strain -specific immunity in endemic populations in Sri Lanka” (2006-2008) from the National Research Council of Sri Lanka (No. 05-34) [Rs 7,645,088/70; approx US$ 76, 000/000]
  • “Production of polyclonal antibodies against phytoplasma causing Weligama coconut wilt disease” (2010/2011) from the Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka [Rs 1,650,000]
  • “Dynamism of Plasmodium vivax parasite populations during malaria elimination efforts in Sri Lanka, with low transmission and unstable malaria”. (2011) from Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (107-14) [Aus $31,250]
  • “Production of monoclonal antibodies against Weligama coconut leaf
    wilt disease associated phytoplasma” (2012/2013) from the FAO through the Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka [Rs 4,000,000]
  • “Investigations on hematological & anti-inflammatory potential,toxicity and phyto chemistry of Mature Leaf Concentrate of Carica papayaL tested in a Murine Model” (2013-2016)University of Colombo,World Class University Collaborative Research Grant(AP/3/2012/CG/29) [Rs 3,000,000].
  • “High risk human papilloma viral infections & the risk of developing oral and Pharyngeal cancer: Immuno and Molecular epidemiologic evidence from Sri Lanka” (2013-2017)/ National Research Council (NRC 13-130)  [Rs 8,629,600]
  • “Epigenetics biomarkers for Oral and pharyngeal cancer in Sri Lanka: A pilot study”,University of Colombo Small Grant/ 2015-2016 [Rs 500,000]
  • “Proliferative, differentiation and toxicological effects ofselected herbal /sponge extracts tested onin house established mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cell lines” (2015-2018)/ National Science Foundation (NSF/RG/2015/HS/01) [Rs 3,669,000]
  • “A sero-epidemiological study to provide supportive evidence to establish malaria elimination in Sri Lanka” (2016-2019)[Rs 5,969,822] National Research Council (NRC 16-31)as Co-investigator responsible for supervising laboratory component of the project.
  • “High risk human papilloma viral infection and the risk of developing oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Sri Lanka: Immuno and Molecular Epidemiology”. (2017-2020) University of Colombo Collaborative Research Grant (AP/3/2/2017/CG/26) [Rs 2,265,200]
  • “Assessment of the efficacy and the safety of cultured melanocytes in the treatment of vitiligo in Sri Lanka” (2018-2020)[Rs. 3, 203 250.49], Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka (ETR/E/NHRC-Mts./2017) as Co-investigator responsible for supervising laboratory component of the project.

Research Training & Supervision

  • Trained student in “ecto–and endo parasites of Sri Lankan chiropterans” who registered for an MPhil degree with the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo (1995-1998). Though field work was completed,
    due to personal reasons she did not submit her thesis
  • PhD (awarded in2005) W A T Wickramarachchi; thesis titled “Immuno and molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax asexual erythrthocytic stage antigens of Sri Lanka”; from the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo.
  • PhD (awarded in 2010) P H Premaratne;thesis titled “Strain specific immunity to the Duffy Binding Protein of Plasmodium vivax in Sri Lanka” from the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo
  • PhD (awarded in 2010) Ms K A G S Dias; thesis titled “Strain specific immunity to  sexual Erythrocytic Stage Antigens of Plasmodium vivax in Sri Lanka” from the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo.
  • PhD (awarded in 2015) Ms K A C K Kanatiwela; Thesis titled “Establishment and Validation of molecular and immunodiagnostics for the Weligama coconut leaf wilt in Sri Lanka”. The Faculty of Science, University of Colombo.
  • PhD (awarded in 2016) Ms K V K Gunathilaka;Thesis titled “Taxonomic identification,immunopharmacological and toxicological study of Haliclone (Soestell) sp., a marine sponge species from Sri Lanka”. The Faculty of Science, University of Colombo
  • PhD (awarded in 2016) Ms U A Jayawardhana; Thesis titled “Toxic effects of heavy metals, xenobiotics on Euphlyctis hexadactylus (Indian green frog) in a polluted urban wetland, Bellanwila Attidiya sanctuaryin Sri Lanka”. The Faculty of Science, University of Colombo
  • PhD (to be awarded in 2017) Ms C D Jayasinghe; Thesis titled “Investigations on hematological & anti-inflammatory potential, toxicity andphytochemistry of Mature Leaf Concentrate of Carica papayaLtested in a Murine Model”. Thesis defence was held on 31 July, 2017; Faculty of Science, University of Colombo
  • PhD research project titled “High Risk Human PapillomaViral infections & the risk of developing oral and oropharyngeal cancer: Immuno and Molecular epidemiologic evidence from Sri Lanka”. In progress (Funded by theNational Research Council–NRC 13-130)
  • PhD research project titled “Proliferative, differentiation and toxicological effects of selected herbal /sponge extracts tested onin house established mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cell lines” (funded by theNational Science Foundation [NSF/RG/2015/HS/01])
  • MPhil research project titled “A sero-epidemiological study to provide supportive evidence to establish malaria elimination in Sri Lanka. (funded by theNational Research Council [NRC 16-13])
  • Mphil research project titled “Assessment of the efficacy and the safety of cultured melanocytes in the treatment of vitiligo in Sri Lanka: Use of herbal extracts to enhance efficacy”. (funded by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka [ETR/E/NHRC-Mts./2017])
  • MSc research project titled “Immuno epidemiology of Merozoite Surface Protein-4 in Sri Lanka”. Candidate(Dr NU Dissanayake) successfully completed MSc in Cellular & Molecular Immunology in December, 2006
  • MSc research project titled “Determination of serum IgA and rheumatoid factor IgA in association with clinical manifestations in a population of rheumatoid arthritis patients in Sri Lanka”. Candidate (Ms S Goonetilleke) successfully completed MSc in Cellular & Molecular Immunology in December, 2007
  • MSc research project titled ‘Entomological Aspects, Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Socio-Economic Factors related to the Breeding Habitats of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in a Dengue High Risk Area in the Colombo District’. Candidate Ms K Y Dharshika successfully completed MSc in Environmental Science, University of Colombo, February 2008.
  • MSc research project titled “Human Antibody Responses to Domain II of Plasmodium vivax Apical Membrane Antigen-1 in Sri Lanka”. Candidate, Ms MS Somaratne, successfully completed MSc in Cellular & Molecular Immunology, University of Colombo. December 2008.
  • MSc research project titled “Entomolgical aspects, physico-chemical characteristics and socio-economic factors related to the breeding habitats of Aedes aegyptic and Aedes albopictus in a dengue high risk area in the Colombo district “, can didate, Ms K Y P Dharshika, successfully completed MSc in Environmental Science, Department of Zoology, University of Colombo. March 2009.
  • MSc research project titled “Establishment of markers of sperm oxidative stress in Sri Lankan Males”. Candidate, Ms AD D S Amarasekera, successfully completed MSc in Cellular & Molecular Immunology, University of Colombo. February, 2010
  • MSc research project titled “Effects of Carica papaya leaf extract on platelet concentration in a rat model”. Candidate (Ms A S Gammulle) successfully completed MSc in Cellular & Molecular Immunology, University of Colombo. February, 2011.
  • MD (Medical Microbiology) research project titled “ Determinining the prevalence of IgG, IgA and IgM subclass deficiencies in a group of Sri Lankan patients with recurrent acute otitis media, chronic otitis media and recurrent pneumonia”. Candidate (Dr P Wimalagunawardana) successfully completed MD (Medical Microbiology) with the PGIM, University of Colombo in 2011
  • MSc research project titled “Identification of Potential Parasitic Zoonoses in Selected Animal Species Housed in the National Zoological Gardens, Sri Lanka ”.Candidate (MsMWKUKJayasekara) successfully completed for the MSc in Parasitology, The Open University of Sri Lanka in 2016
  • Since 1995, I have supervised undergraduate special research projects (based on Parasitology/Immuno-parasitology/Immunology/Ecoimmunotoxicology/Bioinformatics / stem cell resarch) of 56 undergraduate students majoring in Zoology, Immunology & Integrative Molecular Biology,and in Bioinformatics, University of Colombo and of one student each of the Open University of Sri Lanka and the Wyamba University.