Prof. Ranjana Pathania leads the Molecular Bacteriology and Chemical Genetics (MBCG) group in the Department of Biotechnology at IIT Roorkee. She has developed a world-class research program in bacterial genetics and antibiotic drug discovery. Her research focus is to understand molecular mechanisms through which bacterial pathogens develop antibiotic resistance so as to develop potent strategies to discover novel antibacterial compounds. Despite several years of research and heavy financial investment to discover novel antibiotics, bacteria quickly develop resistance against them, thus leading to a prediction of approximately 10 million deaths per year by 2050. Further, in the wake of the COVID pandemic, it has become clear that the already compounded problem of antibiotic resistance might soon blow up as another major disaster. Prof. Pathania’s research is not only helping to understand the problem of antibiotic resistance, at the same time, is offering the solution to mitigate antibiotic-resistant pathogens. She has focused her major attention on a dreaded nosocomial pathogen- Acinetobacter baumannii. This pathogen falls under the priority list of bacterial pathogens released by the world health organization (WHO). She is using several tools of chemical biology to understand and overcome the AMR problem, such as the use of Chemical genetic strategies to tackle antibiotic resistance, deciphering the role of small RNA (sRNA) in the success of Acinetobacter baumannii as a multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogen, use of novel antibiotic combinations to treat bacterial persisters and to control bacterial biofilms. 

Her research has led to several seminal contributions in this direction. Prof Pathania has garnered significant resources in the way of peer-reviewed research funding. She has undertaken important and challenging scientific problems in bacterial genetics and antibiotic resistance. In due course, she has trained several young scientists and published in international journals with impact and stature.

These are exciting new contributions that have been well received by the larger community of antibiotic drug discoverers and those studying antibiotic resistance. Further, Prof. Pathania has clearly established herself as a valued colleague nationally and locally with strong administrative and educational contributions. In summary, Prof. Pathania has established herself as a leader locally, nationally and internationally with great promise to continue to contribute in this capacity.