Two B.Sc. Microbiology students, Arnav Dhamdhere and Hariom Pathak, at M.K. Amin College in Gujarat’s Vadodara, have found bioluminescent bacteria in seawater samples collected near the Ratnagiri coast in Maharashtra. These bacteria naturally emit light in the dark, a rare biological trait with diverse scientific uses. The discovery, made with the guidance of Prof. Devarshi Gajjar and Dr. Priya Mishra, followed 11 months of dedicated lab work, experiments, and microbial studies.
The idea stemmed from learning about glowing oceans due to bioluminescent bacteria. Inspired, the students, especially Hariom Pathak, collected samples during field trips, including to Goa. Arnav Dhamdhere mentioned that after a year-long process, they successfully isolated the bacteria in April last year through extensive experimentation. The research, conducted at M.K. Amin College, is crucial for its potential applications in pollution monitoring, medical research, and biotechnology.
The students’ work, part of the Maharaja Sayajirao University system in Vadodara, is a significant achievement for student-led scientific progress. The Gujarat government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, actively supports research and innovation, encouraging young scientists. This discovery is anticipated to advance marine microbiology research and introduce new bio-luminescence-based scientific opportunities.
