1. Taxonomy : Nematodes:

15 new species, 4 new genera and one new family of soil nematodes described.

2. Nematode behavior:

Demonstated that the orientation of nematodes in electric fields as well as in soil environment is mediated through cations. Hypothesis: Nematodes are thought to sample their environment by sensing the potential change resulting from any disturbance of ionic atmosphere of the anionic amphidial molecules in a concentration gradient of cations in their enviroment (soil).

3. Nematode ecology:

• In the nematode community dynamics in soil peak populations are mostly formed of a single species. The patterns of population fluctuation of individual species in different seasons have been found to differ from each other showing minimal inter specific competition.
• The pathogenic effect (root-galling) of root knot nematoes is independent of soil types( sand,clay,lateritic) studies.

Plant pathology:

• Root-protein content in host plants is directly proportional to the intensity of nematode (root-knot) infestation.
• The susceptibility of a host plant to root-knot nematodes depends on its age with growth hormone IAA playing the key role.
• Unlike uninfected (by root-knot nematodes) plants, nematode-infected plants show unequal distribution of lectins in galled roots ( more in galls).

Nematode Control:

• Nematicidal properties reported in 18 species of plants.
• Nematicidal principles discovered in 6 species of plants (formic acid in poly gonum hydropiper, eugenol in Ocimum sanctum, linalool in O.basilicum, solamargine in Solanum viarum, acadiasides in Acacia Auriculiformis, essential oils in Xanthium Strumarium).
• Root-knot nemadode extract induces resistance to root-knot disease in plants.

Acnylostomiasis and filariasis:

• Hook-worm larvae cannot penetrate healthy skin of man but only through interdigital dermatitis where stratum cornium is broken.
• Endemicity of human lymphatic filariasis restricted to non-flooded areas.
• Antifilarial properties reported in 7 species of plants.

Neuropharmacology:

• Alpha nor – adrenergic agonists promote catalepsy in albino mice.Catalepsy and hypokinasia are two different phenomena.
• Developed a highly sensitive inclined floor model for testing catalepsy in mice.

Alocoholism:

• Demonstrated that the extract from the seeds of Strychnos nuxvomica reduces voluntary ethanol intake in rats.

IGH dilution effects:

• Developed three non-sacrifice animal models to demonstrate the biological effects of potentized homeopathic drgs at ultra high dilution ( mice, rats,toads).
• Demonstrated that potentized homeopathic drugs act through oral receptors in mammals.
• Demonstrated that potentized Nux vomica can help in regeneration of alcohol-induced degeneration of adrenergic nerve plexus in the atrioventricular valve of rats.
• Demonstrated that potentized homeopathic drugs have characteristic NMR,IR and UV spectra. Hypothesis: Hydrogen bonding differs with different potentized drugs.
• Introduced sonication for succussion in producing effective homeopathic potencies.

Dr Anirban Sukul completed his schooling from Patha Bhavana, Santiniketan. He later studied in the Faculty of Science for his graduation in Zoology and completed the Masters on the same field from Visva-Bharati, a central University in 1996.

Dr Sukul then started working as a PhD student on an area that, then, has got little exposure to the scientists. The research in the field of Ultra High Dilution Pharmacology was itself considered as the stumbling block because of several factors associated with. Dr Sukul initially engaged on animal model experiments to put forward that homeopathic drugs also act on animals other than human being.

He first published his paper entitled “Reduction of alcohol induced sleep time in albino mice by potentized Nux vomica prepared with 90% ethanol” came out in the British Homeopathic Journal in 1999. A collaborative research on Neuropharmacology using homeopathic drugs with the Institute of Biocybernetics, Naples, Italy of which Dr Anirban Sukul was one of the scientist. Dr Sukul also visited the Institute of Biocybernetics, Naples, Italy and delivered lecture there.

Soon after the return from Italy Dr Anirban Sukul put forward his hypothesis on the mode of action of a potentized homeopathic drug in mice. Dr Sukul then able to find out the difference between two homeopathic potencies and the difference between potencies (like 30 and 200) of a single drug. He worked with the scientists in National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India, National Center for Biological Research (NCBS), Bangalore, India and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, India. He awarded his PhD degree from Visva-Bharati University in the year 2001. Since his work mostly relates with homeopathy he has undergone a diploma course in Homeopathy from Royal London Homeopathic Hospital. He later completed the degree course in homeopathy. He underwent the research associateship under the University Grants Commission and worked on the growth of gonads by injecting the ethanolic extract of Cantharis in catfish.

Title of the PhD thesis: Effect of some potentized drugs on the catalepsy and righting reflex of mice.

Present position: Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy, NCC Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Howrah, West Bengal, India.

Position held: Research Associate, DSA (UGC) Programme, Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, India.

Presented paper in seminars: 16

Paper published: 18

Subject of research – Neuropharmacology and Homeopathy

Workshop Attended:

• Emerging Trends in Neurophysiology organized by National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, India during March 1-12, 1999.
• International course on Memory and Emotion organized by International School of Biocybernetics, Naples, Italy during October 18-23, 1999.
• National Workshop on Solid State NMR: Practice and Prospects organized by Sophisticated Instruments Facility, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India during November 5-7, 2001.

Received grants of 1,500,000 Italian lires from Istituto Italiano per gli Studi Filosofici for attending a workshop in Naples, Italy in 1999.

Recipient of JUNIOR SCIENTIST AWARD 2002 awarded by Dr. S.P.Chatterjee Memorial Health Association, Jamshedpur, India.

Research for doctoral degree:

Topics:

• Effect of neurotransmitter drugs on experimental catalepsy in mice.
• Alcoholism: Antialcoholic effects of few homeopathic drugs on the loss of righting reflex in mice.
• Electronic and NMR spectra of few homeopathic drugs tested.

Post-doctoral work:

Topics:

• Anti alcoholic drugs of plant origin, homeopathic on voluntary ethanol intake in rats.
• Anti alcoholic drugs of plant origin, homeopathic on alcohol-induced loss of righting reflex in tadpoles, toads and mice.
• Anti alcoholic drugs of plant origin, homeopathic on alcohol-induced degeneration of adrenergic nerve plexus in the atrio-ventricular valves of mice.
• Physical properties of the homeopathic drugs tested using UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, IR and NMR.

Instruments operated: HPLC, UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, IR Spectrophotometer, Sonicator, Spectrofluorimeter, Electrophysiological recording unit with oscilloscope, Cooling Ultra-centrifuge, Micro balance, pH meter etc.

Co-author of a book "High Dilution Effects: Physical and Biological basis” published by Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands. 2004.

Translated in Italian language “ Farmacologia dellealte diluizioni: Studi Biochimici E Fisici Sul Medicinale Omeopatico” published by Salus Infirmorum.2005.

Conferences / Seminars / Workshop attended:

• 49th International LMHI Congress during March 3-7, 1995, Vigyan Bhaban, New Delhi, India 0rganized by LMHI. – Participant.
• Second Global Meet on Parasitic Diseases during August 18-22, 1997, Hyderabad, India organized by Indian Society for Parasitology. – Poster presentation.
• International Conference on Ecological Engineering during November 23-27, 1998, Calcutta, India organized by University of Kalyani. – Speaker.
• IXth HMAI Seminar during November 25-26, 1995, Pune organized by HMAI. – Participant.
• National seminar on Fish Biology during March 17-19, 1997, Santiniketan, organized by the Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University. – Participant.
• Xth HMAI Seminar during October 19-20, 1997, Kanpur organized by HMAI. – Speaker.
• National seminar on Environmental Biology during April 3-5,1998, Santiniketan organized by the Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University. – Participant.
• Seminar on Genetic Disorder – A Therapeutic Solution during September 20-21, 1998, Jamshedpur organized by Dr. S. P. Chatterjee Memorial Health Association. – Speaker.
• National seminar on Environmental Biology and Fish Biology during April 6-7,1999, Santiniketan organized by the Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University. – Speaker.
• Seminar on Sex – A Global View Point during November 28-30, 1999, Jamshedpur organized by Dr. S. P. Chatterjee Memorial Health Association. – Speaker.
• Seminar on Drug Induced Disease during September 22-23,2001, Jamshedpur organized by Dr. S. P. Chatterjee Memorial Health Association. – Speaker.
• Seminar on Homeopathy:zero molecules through macromolecules. February 19, 2006.Calcutta.India. – Speaker.

International / National workshop:

• International workshop on Memory and Emotion during October 18-23, 1999, Naples, Italy organized by International School of Biocybernetics. – Oral presentation.
• Workshop on the Emerging Trends in Neurophysiology during March 1-12, 1999, Bangalore organized by National Institute for Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS). – Participant by selection.
• National Workshop on Solid State NMR: Practice and Prospects during November 5-7 , 2001 organized by Sophisticated Instruments Facility, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Participant by selection.

Previous Employment

• Research Fellow, Dr. B. N. Chakravarty Foundation, 5, Subal Koley Lane, HOWRAH 1, West Bengal, India.
• Topic: Spectroscopic studies of drugs at ultra high dilutions.
• Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Bolpur College, Bolpur 731 204, West Bengal, India.

Topic of interests

• Spectroscopic studies of homeopathic drugs, particularly NMR, FTIR, and UV studies.
• Biological effects of homeopathic drugs on fish, toads, mice and rats.
• Fluorescence spectra of homeopathic drugs at ultra high dilution.

Dr. Soma Sukul nee Chunari, PhD

Assistant Professor II

Department of Botany, Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan, India.

Conferences/Seminars attended by the research scholars under supervision 2009-2010:

• National Seminar on “Climate Change and Vector borne disease” by The Asiatic Society collaboration with Post graduate department of Zoology, Asutosh College, Kolkata on 6th February,2010.
• International Seminar on “Darwin and Human Evolution” by The Asiatic Society from 10-12th February, 2010
• International conference on “Mother Earth: Save it for future generations” by Dept of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, West Bengal from 13-15th February, 2010 -Speaker.
• International Conference on “Recent trends on homeopathy” by National Institute of Homeopathy, Kolkata from 19-21th February,2010

Conference/seminars attended by research scholars under supervision during 2010-2011:

• National Conference on: “Diversity and Biotechnology of Cryptogams” 3rd to 5th December 2010. Conducted Workshop on ‘HOW TO WORK OUT WITH FERNS’.
• “International Conference on Homeopathy, molecular to organismal level” 10-12 December, 2010, Kolkata. Organised by Sukul Institute of Homeopathic Research, Kolkata And International Society for Bioregulatory Medicine, London. Presented paper on ‘TRANSFER OF EFFECT OF HEAT SHOCK AND DRUG TREATMENT FROM ONE PLANT TO ANOTHER THROUGH WATER’.
• National seminar on “Science and Nature: Tagore’s vision and its relevance”12-13th March,2011. Organised by Siksha Bhavana, Visva- Bharati, Santiniketan. Attended.

Conference/seminars attended by research scholars under supervision 2011-2012:

• 99th Indian Science Congress from 3-7th Jan, 2012 at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• XXIII Annual National Conference of Physiological Society of India, Physicon 2011 from 21-23 Dec, 2011 at NRI Medical College, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
• “Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical studies of two Edible Fern” in the UGC sponsored National seminar on Essence of Medicinal Plants its Cultivation, Conservation & Sustainable Exploitation held at Vivekananda Mahavidyalaya, Haripal, Hooghly on 9th December, 2011.
• 99th Indian Science Congress from 3-7th Jan, 2012 at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• “Recent advances in Microbial Biotechnology” at department of Botany, Kabi Nazrul College, Murarai, Birbhum during January 10th-11th, 2012.
• “Medicinal Plants- Biodiversity, Sustainable Utilization and Cultivation” held during 14th-15th January, 2012 organized by Department of Botany, Visva-Bharati.
• ‘National Seminar on Plant and Microbial resourse’ held on 17- 18 March, 2012. Organized by Department of Botany, Visva-Bharati.

On-going projects:

• The Asiatic Society funded project “Homeopathic potencies, their Spectroscopic characteristics and their effect on proteins” from May, 2009 -April, 2012.
• UGC funded major project “Study of Pteridophytic flora and its Ethanobotany in rarh area, West Bengal” from Feb, 2010-Jan, 2013.

Publications during April 2009 – March 2010:

• Sukul NC, Singh RK, Sukul (Chunari) S, Sukul A. 2009. Potentized Cina reduces root-knot nematode infestation and altered root protein profile of Cowpea. Sci. & cult. 75 (7-8) 291- 293.
• Sukul NC, Singh RK, Sukul (Chunari) S, Sen P, Bhattacharya A, Sukul A, Chakraborty R. 2009. Homeopathic potencies promote growth of Lady’s finger, Abelmoschus esculentus. J. Nat. Hist.. 90-97.
• Sukul (Chunari) S, Mukhopadhyaya R. Spore morphology and mode of reproduction of some Indian Lindsaeoid ferns. Phytomorphology. (Communicate).

Publications during April 2010-March 2011:

• S Sukul, S Mondal, N C Sukul, 2010, Homeopathic Potencies and their mixture with sucrose show differences in their Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra, J Asiatic Soc, LII: 25-32.
• Sukul N C, Mondal S, Sukul S (nee Chunari), 2010, Cantharis 200c may induce expression of small heat shock like proteins in Adhatoda vasica leaves, Sci & Cult 76: 540-543.
• Nirmal C Sukul, Soma Sukul, and Sandhimita Mondal, 2011, Plant growth inhibitors at ultra high dilution enhance chlorophyll content and alter leaf protein profile, J Alt Med Res , 3. In press.

Publications during April 2011-March 2012:

International Journal

• Sandhimita Mondal, S. Sukul and N. C. Sukul, 2012. Transfer of effect of heat shock and drug treatment from one plant to another through water. J Altern Med Res; 4 (2).
• Nirmal C Sukul, Soma Sukul, and Sandhimita Mondal, 2011, Plant growth inhibitors at ultra high dilution enhance chlorophyll content and alter leaf protein profile, J Altern Med Res; 3(2): 189-194.

National Journal

• Sandhimita Mondal, S. Sukul (nee Chunari), N. C. Sukul and Swapan Kr. Rudra, 2012, Homeopathic potencies alter salivary protein profile in filarial patients. Sci & Cult. In press.
• Subhajit Mondal, Soma Sukul nee Chunari and Mrinmoy Ghosh, 2012. Phytochemicals analysis and screening for active compounds in lycopodium cernuum. Indian Fern Journal, Vol. 29 (2012), in press