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Name: Professor Sabita Rezwana Rahman, PhD (United Kingdom)
Current Employment: Department of Microbiology, Dhaka University
Mother’s name: Champa Rahman
Provost/Warden Nabab Faizunnessa Choudhurani Hostel
Joint secretary Dhaka University Teachers Association, 2012
Father’s name: Kazi Golam Rahman; Rtd. Secretary & former Director General of NSI
International Gold Medallist: Selected as “Champion of the Champions”,2010 for outstanding
research amongst young scientists.
Gold Medal Awarded by Third World Academy of Sciences, Italy for outstanding research
performance, 2009.
International Award: Commonwealth Scholarship for PhD degree in the United Kingdom by
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in London
National Award:Govt. Merit Scholarship;Microbiology Merit Award;Dean’s Award,BAS-
TWAS award.
Academic Excellence: PhD from United Kingdom
: M.Sc. in Microbiology 1 st class 1 st position, Dhaka University
: B.Sc. (Hons.) in Microbiology 1 st class 1 st position, Dhaka University
: HSC & SSC in 1 st division,*Star Marks, Holy Cross School & College.
Date of Birth: 30 July 1970 Age: 43 years Service length: 17 years
Permanent Address: 7 New Eskatan Road, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
(02) 9351014, (Cell phone) 01552638020 E-mail Address: sabita_rahman@hotmail.com
Training
1. Home: 1. Training course on Infectious Disease Research sponsored by ICDDR,B,
Dhaka in the year 2003.

2. Advanced Training in Bioinformatics sponsored by ICDDR,B &
HHMI, Dhaka in the year 2004
3. Introductory course on epidemiology and biostatistics: A workshop
Sponsored by (ICDDR,B)Dhaka, Bangladesh.
4. Workshop on Use of Internet for Class-room teaching" at Faculty of
Biological science, University of Dhaka.
2. Abroad: 1. Practical Training Course of Experimental Animals sponsored by the
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow in the year 2000.
2. Training on tissue culture techniques by the University of Strathclyde,
Glasgow in the year 1999.
Presentation in seminar /symposium
Topic Date Place
1. Advances in production of monocloclonal 16-03-2001 South Wales Immunology Group, UK.
antibody Immunology
2. Characterization of monoclonal antibodies with 02-09-2005 University of Strathclyde, UK,
specificity for the core oligosaccharide of
Shigella lipopolysaccharide
3. Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated 06-02-2006 Gunma University Graduate School
from pus samples of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
4. Whole Leaf Aloe Vera: A Natural Solution to 01-07-2005 21 st Annual Conference,
Infection caused by Drug-Resistant Bacteria Bangladesh Society of
Microbiologists, Bangladesh
Institute of Nuclear Agriculture
(BINA), Mymensingh
5. Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of 22-06-2007 23 rd Annual Conference,
Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi A in Bangladesh Society of
the Dhaka City Microbiologists, Department of
Microbiology, University of Dhaka
6. Antimicrobial Effect of Aloe Vera (Aloe 28-06-2008 24 th Annual Conference,
barbadensis) on Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Bangladesh Society of
Bacteria Isolated from Burn Wound Infections Microbiologists, BCSIR, Dhaka
7. Annual Meeting of the New Champions 10-12 September 2009 Dalian,
People's Republic of China.
8. Climate change and its ripples in Bangladesh. 29-30 December 2009 Young Scientists Congress
organized by Bangladesh
Academy of Sciences Dhaka, Bangladesh.
9. IAP Conference and General Assembly 12-15 January 2010 The Royal Society in London, UK.
Therapeutic Importance of Indigenous Plant Extracts
against Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Professional membership
1. Life Member, Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM), Dhaka
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2. Life Member, Graduate Microbiologist Association (GMA), Dhaka
3. Life Member, Dhaka University Registered Graduate (DUGR), Dhaka
4. Life Member, Microbiology Alumni Association of Dhaka University (MMADU), Dhaka
Research interest
Major research fields included Immunology where production and characterization of monoclonal
antibodies with specificity for the core oligosaccharide of Shigella lipopolysaccharide was studied.
Also, multidrug resistant infections and molecular pathogenesis of E. coli, Staphylooccus aureus,
Salmonella spp is studied.
Burn wound infections are one of the most important and potentially serious complications that
occur in the acute period following injury. Gram-positive bacteria, and yeasts derived from the
host’s normal gastrointestinal and upper respiratory flora and/or from the hospital environment or
that are transferred via a health care worker’s hands cause emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
My research aims in isolation and identification of MRSA and understand the antimicrobial
activity of various antibiotics and natural products in controlling infection.
Pollution has been a social problem in the early stage of civilization. But now the
industrialization of society, the introduction of motorized vehicles and the explosion of the
human population, however have cause an exponential growth in the production of goods and
services. The indiscriminate discharge of untreated industrial, pharmaceuticals, domestic wastes
into water ways, the spewing of thousands of tons of particulates and airborne gases into
atmosphere, the throwaway, attribute toward solid waste and the use of newly developed
chemical without considering potential consequences have resulted in major environmental
disaster. Thus the environmental friendly or autochthonous microbes are turned to mutated form.
My aim is to investigate in four major areas ( leather processing industries, pharmaceutical
industries, bread industries, residential areas) where there is possibility of threat of Salmonella.
The pollution of the environment and unbalancing of the microbial equilibrium is studied in the
context of various antibiotic resistances.
The majority of UTI cases are caused by a limited number of bacterial genera; Escherichia coli
strains in particular are responsible for 80% of the UTI cases seen in outpatient clinics. These
strains are found in the normal flora of the intestinal tract, skin, and vagina. My research aims in
isolation and identification of E.coli and understand the antimicrobial activity of various
antibiotics and therapeutically important natural products in controlling infection.
Recently my focus is on the molecular and bioinformatic strategies in reducing influenza in
slum, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Research grants awarded
1. Principal Investigator of the research project entitled “Assessment of the Microbiological
Quality of Local Juice and Drinking Water”, funded by the Centre for Advanced Studies and
Research in Biological Sciences for the financial year 2006-2007 (Completed).
2. Principal Investigator of the research project entitled “Antimicrobial Susceptibility and
Frequency of Occurrence of MRSA in Clinical Blood Isolates in Hospital” funded by the
University Grants Commission of Bangladesh for the financial year 2006-2007 (Completed).
3. Principal Investigator of the research project entitled “Biosynthesis and Characterization of
�-Amylase Produced by a Trichoderma Isolate and Application of the Enzyme in Starch
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Saccharification and Desizing Processes” funded by the Biotechnology Research Centre,
University of Dhaka for the financial year 2007-2008 (Completed).
4. Principal Investigator of the research project entitled “Detection and Molecular
Epidemiology of Multidrug-Resistant Uropathogens Associated with Urinary Tract Infection
in School-Aged and Adult Women” funded by the Ministry of Science and Information &
Communication Technology for the financial year 2008-2009 (Completed).
5. Principal Investigator of the research project entitled “Prevalence of Multidrug Resistant
Urinary Tract Isolates of Escherichia coli in Dhaka City” funded by the University Grants
Commission of Bangladesh for the financial year 2007-2008.
6. Principal Investigator of the research project entitled “Study of antimicrobial susceptibility of
Group B Streptococus isolated from nasopharynx of children living in urban slum area.”
funded by the Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology for the
financial year 2010-2011.
7. Principal Investigator of the research project entitled Rapid genotyping of MRSA isolates
using oligonucleotide arrays and Multiplex PCR.” funded by the Ministry of Education for
the financial year 2010-2011.
8. Principal Investigator of the research project entitled “Occurrence of urinary tract infection in
adoloscent adult women.” funded by the Ministry of Science and Information &
Communication Technology for the financial year 2011-2012.
9. Sub project manager of project entitled “Strategies in reducing the burden of influenza
infections in slum, Dhaka, Bangladesh funded by UGC, Bangladesh under AIF.
Publication
A total 53 original scientific paper have been published in reputed nation and international
journals.
Peer Reviewed International Journals
1. Rahman MM, Akter R & Rahman SR. 1995. Extracellular �-glucanase activity during
growth of seven strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 11(6):
689-690.
2. Shirazi SH, Rahman SR & Rahman MM. 1998. Production of extracellular lipases by
Saccharomyces cerevisiae. World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 14(4): 595-597.
3. Rahman SR & Stimson WH. 2001. Characterization of monoclonal antibodies with
specificity for the core oligosaccharide of Shigella lipopolysaccharide. Hybridoma. 20(2):
85-90.
4. Ferro VA, Bradbury F, Rahman SR & Stimson WH. 2003. In vitro susceptibilities of
Shigella flexneri and Streptococcus pyogenes to inner gel of Aloe barbadensis Miller.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 47(3): 1137-1139.
5. Alam M, Nur-A-Hasan, Ahsan S, Pazhani GP, Tamura K, Ramamurthy T, Gomes DJ,
Rahman SR, Islam A, Akhter F, Shinoda S, Watanabe H, Faruque SM & Nair GB. 2006.
Phenotypic and molecular characteristics of Escherichia coli isolated from aquatic
environment of Bangladesh. Microbiol Immunol. 50(5): 359-370.
6. Rahman, S. R.2010 Poster presentation on: Therapeutic Importance of Indigenous Plant
Extracts against Multidrug Resistant Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. IAP
Conference and General Assembly 12-15 January 2010 organised by The Royal Society in
London, UK.
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7. S.M. Bakhtiar Ul Islam, Md. Khalid Hossain, Isidore Gomes, Donald James Gomes, Sabita
Rezwana Rahman, Mohammad S. Rahman and Mohammad A. Rashid. 2011.
"Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of Bixa orellana Linn." Lat. Am. J.
Pharm. 30 (6): 1126-34.
Peer Reviewed National Journals
8. Rahman SR, Rahman MM & Choudhury N. 1995. Extracellular proteolytic activity of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain DSM 1848. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 12 (2): 45-49.
9. Rahman SR, Rahman MM & Choudhury N. 1995. Occurrence and properties of
extracellular �-mannanase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain DSM 2155. Bangladesh J
Biochem. 1(2): 87-91.
10. Rahman SR, Rahman MM & Choudhury N. 1996. Production and activity of �-glucanase
during growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Bangladesh J Biochem. 2(1): 9-14.
11. Rahman MM, Khan AR, Rahman SR & Hossain G. 1996. Effect of pesticides on soil
bacterial population. Dhaka Univ J Biol Sci. 5(2): 121-128.
12. Rahman MM, Gomes DJ, Hasan Z, Rahman SR & Huq F. 1997. Drug sensitivity pattern
of aerobic bacteria isolated from infected wounds of 40 diabetic and 60 non-diabetic
patients. Bangladesh Med Coll J. 2(1): 20-25.
13. Shirazi SH, Rahman SR & Rahman MM. 1997. Optimisation of growth condition of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae DSM 1848 for the production of extracellular lipases.
Bangladesh J Biochem. 3(1): 35-41.
14. Shirazi SH, Rahman SR & Rahman MM. 1997.Characterisation of extracellular lipases
produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (DSM 1848). Bangladesh J Microbiol. 14(1&2):
43-47.
15. Akter MR, Gomes DJ, Hasan Z, Rahman SR & Huq F. 1998. Nasopharyngeal carriage of
respiratory pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria in children of slum areas. Bangladesh
Med Coll J. 3(1): 19-29.
16. Rahman SR & Stimson WH. 2001. Outer membrane protein profile and Congo red
binding pattern of Shigella grown at different temperatures. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 7(1):
39-41.
17. Ahmed S, Rahman SR & Gomes DJ. 2001. Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated
from pus samples. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 18(2): 185-190.
18. Mahmud SA, Rahman SR, Gomes DJ, Rahman MM & Hossain SA. 2002. Isolation and
screening of composting fungi capable of degrading cellulose and hemicelllosic
compounds. Bangladesh J Biochem. 8: 31-39.
19. Rahman SR & Stimson WH. 2002. Correlation between Congo red adsorption and HeLa
cell infection by virulent and avirulent Shigella flexneri as a measure of pathogenicity.
Bangladesh J Med Sci. 8(2): 72-75.
20. Mahmud SA, Rahman SR, Gomes DJ, Rahman MM & Hossain SA. 2003. Degradation of
cellulosic and hemicellulosic materials by thermophilic composting bacteria. Bangladesh J
Microbiol. 20(1&2): 5-9.
21. Rahman SR & Stimson WH. 2003. Effect of virulent and avirulent Shigella flexneri on rat
immunity. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 9(1): 3-6.
22. Gomes DJ, Islam MN, Rahman SR, Bhuiyan SH, Rahman MM. 2003. Factors influencing
the bactericidal activity of normal human serum against Salmonella typhi and S. paratyphi.
Bangladesh J Med Sci. 9(2): 86-90.
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23. Yasmin M, Rahman SR, Rahman MM, Malek MA, Hossain MA & Choudhury N. 2004.
Partial purification and characterization of protease from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Dhaka
Univ J Biol Sci. 13(1): 1-7.
24. Ahmed S, Rahman SR & Gomes DJ. 2004. Prevalence of multi-resistant bacteria in
diabetic wound infection population. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 10(1): 49-52.
25. Rahman SR & Stimson WH. 2004. Comparative studies on generation time of Shigella,
Salmonella, Escherichia and Staphylococcus on various culture media. Bangladesh J Med
Sci. 10(1): 53-55.
26. Gomes DJ, Islam MN, Rahman SR, Bhuiyan SH & Rahman MM. 2004. Role of
complement pathways, lipopolysaccharide and outer membrane protein in susceptibility of
Salmonella typhi and S. paratyphi. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 10(2): 85-89.
27. Rahman SR, Deen NS, Chawdhury FAH, Parvez MAK, Rahman M, Karim SA & Gomes
DJ. 2005. Burn wound infections associated with multidrug-resistant bacteria. Bangladesh
J Med Sci. 11(1): 26-32.
28. Rahman SR. 2005. The threat of emerging infectious diseases in Bangladesh. Bangladesh
J Med Sci. 11(1): 62-68.
29. Gomes I, Bhowmik SK, Islam ME, Sarkar PK, Rahman SR & Gomes DJ. 2005.
Application of Trichoderma koningi enzymes for biofinishing of jute based fabrics.
Bangladesh J Microbiol. 22(1): 59-63.
30. Deen NS, Rahman SR, Chawdhury FAH, Parvez MAK, Rahman M & Gomes DJ. 2005.
Antimicrobial activity of aqueous garlic extract against multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated
from burn wound infections. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 22(2): 83-86.
31. Rahman SR & Stimson WH. 2005. The protective role of polyclonal antibody in invasion
of Shigella flexneri. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 22(2): 102-104.
32. Nusrat A & Rahman SR. 2006. Antimicrobial effect of varied concentrations of stabilized
Aloe vera gel on dental caries associated mouth microflora. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 23(1):
66-68.
33. Latif F, Saha SK, Nasreen T, Rahman SR & Gomes DJ. 2006. Nasopharyngeal carriage of
Streptococcus pneumoniae in a rural population of Bangladesh. Bangladesh J Med Sci.
12(1): 12-15.
34. Lina TT, Rahman SR, Shafiq J & Gomes DJ. 2006. Aerobic multidrug-resitant bacteria
from wound infections. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 12(1): 48-52.
35. Nahar Z, Rahman SR & Gomes DJ. 2006. Microbiological quality assessment of
processed fruit drinks. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 23(1): 71-74.
36. Latif F, Saha SK, Nasreen T, Rahman SR, Shafiq J & Gomes DJ. 2006. Antimicrobial
susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from nasopharynx of children and
adults of a rural area. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 12(2): 110-115.
37. Alam MR, Saha SK, Nasreen T, Latif F, Rahman SR & Gomes DJ. 2006. A laboratorybased
aetiologic diagnosis of childhood bacterial meningitis in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J
Med Sci. 12(2): 120-126.
38. Gomes I, Shaheen M, Rahman SR & Gomes DJ. 2006. Comparative studies on production
of cell wall-degrading hydrolases by Trichoderma reesei and T. viride in submerged and
solid-state cultivations. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 23(2): 149-155.
39. Lina TT, Rahman SR & Gomes DJ. 2007. Multiple-antibiotic resistance mediated by
plasmid and integrons in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from urinary
tract infected patients. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 24(1): 19-23.
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40. Alam MR, Saha SK, Nasreen T, Latif F, Rahman SR & Gomes DJ. 2007. Detection,
antimicrobial susceptibility and serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae from
cerebrospinal fluid specimens from suspected meningitis patients. Bangladesh J Microbiol.
24(1): 24-29.
41. Shafiq J, Rahman SR, Deen NS & Gomes DJ. 2007. Prevalence of multidrug-resistant
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and Paratyphi A in patients with enteric fever.
Bangladesh J Med Sci. 13(2): 92-96.
42. Gomes I, Sarkar PK, Rahman SR, Rahim MA & Gomes DJ. 2007. Production of cellulase
from Talaromyces emersonii and evaluation of its application in eco-friendly functional
finishing of jute-based fabrics. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 24(2): 109-114.
43. Nusrat A & Rahman SR. 2007. Comparative studies on the production of extracellular αamylase
by three mesophilic Bacillus isolates. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 24(2): 129-132.
44. Basar MA & Rahman SR. 2007. Assessment of microbiological quality of processed fruit
juice. Bangladesh J Microbiol. 24(2): 166-168.
45. Rahman SR, Shafiq J, Nusrat A & Gomes DJ. 2008. Emergence of multidrug-resistant
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and wound infection in
Bangladesh. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 14(1): 45-51.
46. Nusrat A & Rahman SR. 2008. Comparative studies on the antibacterial effect of
stabilized Aloe Vera gel and tooth paste against regular and dental caries-associated mouth
microflora. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 14(1): 63-66.
47. Ahmed MSU, Ahmed MF & Rahman SR. 2008. Antibiotic resistance of a clinical isolate
of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus against commonly used antibiotics.
Bangladesh J Med Sci. 14(2): 144-148.
48. Rahman SR & Mahmood Sazzad. 2008. Production and partial characterization of
extracellular -amylase by Trichoderma viride. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 25(2): 99-103.
49. Rahman SR: Poster presentation in IAP Conference and General Assembly, 12-15 January
2010 The Royal Society in Topic: London, UK. Therapeutic Importance of Indigenous
Plant Extracts against Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
50. Basar MA, Ahmed MF & Rahman SR. 2009. Distribution and resistance trends of
Escherichia coli from Urinary tract Infections isolated in Dhaka City. Bangladesh J Med
Sci. 15(2): 93-98.
51. Rahim N, Gomes D J, Watanabe H, Rahman S R, et.al 2010. Antibacterial Activity of
Psidium guajava Leaf and Bark against Multidrug-Resistant Vibrio cholerae: Implication
for Cholera Control. Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 63, 271-274.
52. Rahman N A & Rahman SR. 2010. Multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR) associated with
burn wound infections and antimicrobial activity of leaf gel of Aloe barbendis against some
isolates. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 16(1): 33-37.
53. Azad T, Islam S M, Ahmed F M & Rahman SR. 2011 Group A Streptococcal Sore Throat
in periurban population of Bangladesh: A prospective study of antimicrobial susceptibility.
Bangladesh J Med Sci. 17(2): 121-126.
Dr. Sabita Rezwana Rahman
Professor
Department of Microbiology;
University of Dhaka; Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
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