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राष्ट्रीय पशु जैव प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान
National Institute of Animal Biotechnology
An Autonomous Institute of the Department of Biotechnology,
Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
राष्ट्रीय पशु जैव प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान
National Institute of Animal Biotechnology
An Autonomous Institute of the Department of Biotechnology,
Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
Dr. Syed Faisal earned his B.Sc. in Biochemistry in 1998, followed by a M.Sc. in Biotechnology in 2000 and a Ph.D. in Biotechnology in 2006, all from Aligarh Muslim University, India. He pursued Postdoctoral research at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, USA, from October 2005 to September 2008, and subsequently worked as a Research Associate at the same institution until August 2013. He then served as a Research Scientist at the Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, from August 2013 to March 2014, before joining NIAB in March 2014.
Selected awards, honours and fellowships-
Dr. Faisal specializes in host-pathogen interactions with a focus on Zoonotic diseases, Vaccine development, and Adjuvant Biology. His work aims to address critical gaps in infectious disease prevention by translating fundamental immunological insights into practical solutions. A major highlight of Dr. Faisal’s research is the identification and characterization of vaccine candidate antigens for Leptospira, the causative agent of leptospirosis—a globally important bacterial infection. He has also led the development of live attenuated vaccine candidates for paratuberculosis, a chronic livestock disease with significant economic impact. In the area of adjuvant biology, Dr. Faisal has successfully developed novel adjuvant formulations that enhance both antibody and T cell–mediated immunity.
His current projects focus on unravelling the complex interactions between Leptospira and its host which is driven by the need to develop effective vaccines and diagnostic tools for this important zoonosis. He is also actively involved in creating cost-effective, field-ready adjuvants tailored for veterinary vaccines. Through national and international collaborations, Dr. Faisal continues to contribute to the advancement of infectious disease immunology, with the broader goal of developing Next-Generation Vaccines and Diagnostics for improved public and animal health.
Area of Specialization: Bacterial pathogenesis, Host Pathogen Interaction, Immunology, Vaccine Development, Adjuvant Biology
Research in Vaccine Immunology Laboratory (VIL) at NIAB is both basic and applied and is broadly focussed in two areas-.
1. Understanding Leptospira-Host interaction for developing Next Generation Vaccines and Diagnostics
Vaccine Immunology Laboratory (VIL) leverages cutting-edge multi-omics technologies and innovative approaches to unravel the complex interplay between the zoonotic pathogen Leptospira and its human and animal hosts. We focus on how Leptospira manipulates innate immune defenses—particularly evasion of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, complement-mediated killing, and phagocytosis by macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils—through its surface and secretory proteins.
A key research direction involves deciphering the role of macrophage polarization or modulation of Dendritic cells (DCs) in Leptospira pathogenesis. We are also investigating the immunomodulatory functions of Leptospira-derived/induced extracellular vesicles (OMVs and exosomes) and exploring their potential in next-generation EV-based vaccine design.
In parallel, we employ CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing to generate live attenuated vaccine candidates by targeting critical virulence genes. Our overarching aim is to identify and characterize both pathogen-derived factors—such as lipopolysaccharides, surface antigens, and secretory proteins—and host immune components, to drive the development of advanced vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for leptospirosis, a neglected and emerging zoonotic disease in India.
Fig. Schematic Overview of Leptospira–Host Interactions driving develoopment of Next-Generation Vaccines, Therapeutics, and Diagnostics
2. Vaccine Adjuvant Development
A core research thrust at VIL is the development of potent, affordable adjuvants to enhance the efficacy of animal vaccines. Many existing vaccines for infectious and zoonotic diseases suffer from short-lived immunity and suboptimal protection—largely due to limitations in their adjuvant components. VIL addresses this gap by optimizing current adjuvants and pioneering novel formulations.
Using a combination of in silico modelling and in vitro screening, we identify promising immunomodulatory candidates—including chemical compounds, herbal extracts, peptides, and small-molecule TLR agonists. These are integrated into advanced delivery systems and first tested for immunostimulatory potential in vitro, followed by formulation with bacterial or viral antigens for in vivo evaluation in murine models. Promising formulations are further validated in large animal models such as goats to assess durability of immune responses and assessing the development of immunological memory. We are also evaluating Chitosan and Mesoporous Nanovaccine Platforms for Next-Generation Animal Vaccines.
Through an Indo-US collaborative grant, we are co-developing a novel adjuvanted vaccine for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in partnership with the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bengaluru, and the University of California, San Diego. Under an Indo-UKRI grant, we are also exploring cross-species innate immune responses to Coxiella infection and the role of adjuvants in enhancing immune-mediated bacterial clearance.
VIL’s research is supported by a blend of core funding from NIAB and competitive extramural grants from premier national agencies such as DBT, DST, and ICMR. Our global footprint is further strengthened through international collaborations, including Indo-US (DBT-NIH) and Indo-UK (DBT-BBSRC) collaborative projects.
Fig. Schematic Overview of Approaches to Design Effective and Affordable Adjuvants for Veterinary Vaccines
Selected Publications:
45. Kadivella M, Varma VP, Jusail CP, Kavela S, Azam S, Syed M. Faisal. Adjuvant activity of a small molecule TLR4 agonist discovered via structure-based virtual screening. Commun Biol. 2025 Sep 29;8(1):1382. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08582-y. PMID: 41023411; PMCID: PMC12480558.
44. Atre R, Obukhov AG, Majmudar CY, Nair K, White FA, Sharma R, Siddiqi F, Syed M. Faisal, Varma VP, Hassan MI, Mohammad T, Darwhekar GN, Baig MS. Dorzolamide intermediates with potential anti-inflammatory activity. Eur J Pharmacol. 2025 Jan 15;987:177160. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.177160. Epub 2024 Dec 2. PMID: 39631651.
43. Atre R, Obukhov AG, Sharma R, Siddiqi F, White FA, Syed M. Faisal, Varma VP, Darwhekar GN, Baig MS. Inhibiting TIRAP-mediated inflammatory signaling: A promising therapeutic strategy against sepsis. Biochem Pharmacol. 2025 Sep 18;242(Pt 2):117353. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2025.117353. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40975499.
42. Mohd, A, Kadivella, M., Sharma, R. Baig, M.S., Syed M. Faisal, Sarwar Azam. Identification of virulence genes and clade-specific markers through pan-genomic analysis of Leptospira. BMC Microbiol 25, 248 (2025).
41. Varma VP, Mohammad Kadivella, Sridhar Kavela Syed M. Faisal. Leptospira Lipid A is a potent adjuvant that induces sterilizing immunity against Leptospirosis MDPI Vaccines. 2023 Dec 6;11(12):1824. doi: 10.3390/vaccines11121824. PMID: 38140228; PMCID: PMC10748165.
40. Varma VP, Bankala R, Kumar A, Gawai S, Syed M. Faisal. Differential modulation of innate immune response by lipopolysaccharide of Leptospira. Open Biol. 2023 Nov;13(11):230101. doi: 10.1098/rsob.230101. Epub 2023 Nov 8. PMID: 37935355; PMCID: PMC10645091
39. Kumar P, Vyas P, Syed M. Faisal, Chang YF, Akif M. Crystal structure of a variable region segment of Leptospira host-interacting outer surface protein, LigA, reveals the orientation of Ig-like domains. Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 Jul 31;244:125445. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125445. Epub 2023 Jun 17. PMID: 37336372.
38. Sridhar Kavela, Pallavi Vyas, Jusail C.P., Sandeep Kushwaha, Subeer Majumdar, Syed M. Use of an Integrated Multi-Omics Approach To Identify Molecular Mechanisms and Critical Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Leptospira. Microbiology Spectrum. February, 28, 2023. doi: https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03135-22.
37. Rajpoot S, Kumar A, Gaponenko V, Thurston TL, Mehta D, Faisal SM, Zhang KY, Jha HC, Darwhekar GN, Baig MS. Dorzolamide suppresses PKCδ -TIRAP-p38 MAPK signaling axis to dampen the inflammatory response. Future Med Chem. 2023 Apr 27. doi: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0260. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37129027.
36. Varma VP, Kadivella M, Kumar A, Kavela S, Syed M. Faisal*. LigA formulated in AS04 or Montanide ISA720VG induced superior immune response compared to alum, which correlated to protective efficacy in a hamster model of leptospirosis. Immunol. 2022. 13:985802. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.985802
35. Kumar A, Varma VP, Syed M. Faisal*. Screening of surface exposed lipoproteins of Leptospira involved in modulation of host innate immune response. Microbiol. 2022. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.761670.
34. Kumar A, Varma VP, Sridhar K, Abdullah M, Vyas P, Ashiq T, Chang Y-F and Syed M. Faisal*. Deciphering the Role of Leptospira Surface Protein LigA in Modulating the Host Innate Immune Response. Immunol. 2021. 12:807775. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.807775.
33. Rajpoot, S., Solanki, K. Syed M. Faisal, et al. In-Silico Design of a Novel Tridecapeptide Targeting Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern. Int J Pept Res Ther 28, 28 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10989-021-10339-0
32. Baig MS, Anjali Roy, Rajpoot S, Dongfang Liu, Syed M. Faisal, al,. Tumour-derived exosomes in the regulation of macrophage polarization. Journal of Inflammation Research 2020, 69, pages435–451.
31. Mirza S. Baig, Anjali Roy, Kannan Muthu, Syed M. Faisal, Mansi Srivastava, Dongfang Liu. Repurposing Thioridazine (TDZ) as an anti-inflammatory agent Scientific Reports 2018(Aug 20): 8, 12471.
30. Saqib U, Faisal SM, Saluja R, Baig MS. Structural insights of resveratrol with its binding partners in the toll‐like receptor 4 pathway. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. September 6, 2018;1‐9
29. Ramakrishna Bulugonda, Kotha Anil Kumar, Gangappa D, Muralidhara Rao* Syed M. Faisal* Mangiferin from Pueraria tuberosa reduces inflammation via inactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Scientific Reports 2017, Feb 20;7: 42683. (*corresponding author).
28. Mirza S. Baig, Kannan Muthu, Syed M. Faisal, Mansi Srivastava, Dongfang Liu. Heterotrimeric complex of p38 MAPK, PKCδ, and TIRAP is required for AP1 mediated inflammatory response. Immunopharmacol.2017, 48, July 2017, 211-218
27. Syed M. Faisal*, Vivek Verma, Subathra M, Anil K Sunkara, Sarwar Azam, Mohd Akif, Mirza S Baig, Chang YF, (2016). Leptospira surface protein Lsa21 induce proiflammatory cytokines by Toll like receptor 2 and 4 mediated signaling pathways. Scientific Reports 2016, Dec 20;6: 39530. (*corresponding author).
26. Roy A, Srivastava M, Saqib U, Liu D, Syed M. Faisal, Baig MS. Potential therapeutic targets for inflammation in toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated signaling pathways. Immunopharmacol. 2016 Aug 29;40:79-89.
25. Syed M. Faisal*, Joy Scaria and Yung Fu Chang. Immunostimulatory Fusogenic and Conventional Liposome Adjuvants Induce Qualitatively and Quantitatively Distinct Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses. Journal of Immune research, 2015;2(2):1020 (*corresponding author).
24. Syed M. Faisal* (2015) Liposome Adjuvants: Simultaneous Induction of Innate and Adaptive Immunity is Key to Success. J Vaccines Immun 1(1): 011- 013 (*corresponding author).
23. Khan A, Syed M Faisal, Khan M A et. al. Resveratrol suppresses the proliferation of breast cancer cells by inhibiting fatty acid synthase signaling pathway Cancer Epidemiology, 2014,38, 765-772.
22. Syed M. Faisal, Chen JW, McDonough SP and Yung-Fu Chang. Evaluation of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis LeuD mutant as vaccine candidate against challenge in caprine model. Clinical Vaccine Immunology 2013 Apr 20;4: 572-581
21. Syed M. Faisal, Yan F, McDonough SP and Yung-Fu Chang. Evaluation of immune response and protective efficacy of live attenuated salmonella vaccine expressing antigens of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis against Johne’s disease in goat model. PLOS ONE 2013,Aug 9;8(8):e70171.
20. Syed M. Faisal*, Chandra S*, C JW, McDonough SP and Yung-Fu Chang. Immune response and protective efficacy of live attenuated Salmonella vaccine expressing antigens of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis against challenge in mice model. Vaccine 2012 December 17; 31(1): 242–251 (* authors share equal contribution).
19. Chen JW, Syed M. Faisal, McDonough SP and Yung-Fu Chang. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis attenuated mutants against challenge in a mouse model” Vaccine, 2012 Apr 19;30(19):3015-25.
18. Yang-guo Cao, Syed M. Faisal, McDonough SP and Yung-Fu Chang. Evaluation of novel fusion proteins derived from extracellular matrix binding domains of LigB as vaccine candidates against leptospirosis in a hamster model. Vaccine, 2011 Oct 6;29(43):7379-86.
17. Syed M. Faisal, Chen JW, McDonough SP and Yung-Fu Chang. Immunostimulatory and antigen delivery properties of liposomes made up of total polar lipids from non-pathogenic bacteria leads to efficient induction of both innate and adaptive immune response. Vaccine 2011;(29): 2381-2391.
16. Weiwei Yan, Syed M. Faisal, Sean P. McDonough, and Yung-Fu Chang. Identification and characterization of OmpA-like proteins as novel vaccine candidates for Leptospirosis. Vaccine 2010. Mar 8;28(11):2277-2283.
15. Yan W, Syed M. Faisal, Divers T, McDonough SP, Akey B, Chang YF. Experimental Leptospira interrogans serovar Kennewicki infection of horses. Vet. Int. Medicine. 2010 Jul-Aug;24 (4):912-7.
14. Syed M. Faisal, WeiWei Yan, Sean P. McDonough, and Yung-Fu Chang. Immune response and prophylactic efficacy of smegmosomes in hamster model of leptospirosis. Vaccine. 2009 Oct 19;27(44):6129-36.
13. Syed M. Faisal, WeiWei Yan, Sean P. McDonough, and Yung-Fu Chang. Leptosome entrapped protective antigens conferred significantly higher level of protection than those delivered in conventional liposomes against hamster leptospirosis. Vaccine. 2009 Nov 5;27(47):6537-45.
12. Syed M. Faisal, WeiWei Yan, Sean P. McDonough, and Yung-Fu Chang. Leptospira immunoglobulin-like protein A variable region (LigAvar) incorporated in Liposomes and PLGA-Microspheres produces a robust immune response correlating to protective immunity. Vaccine. 2009, Jan 14;27(3):378-87.
11. Weiwei Yan, Syed M. Faisal and Yung-Fu Chang. Recombinant Leptospira Immunoglobulin-Like Protein B (rLigB) protect hamsters against lethal infection of Leptospira interrogans Microbes and Infection, 2009. Feb;11(2):230-7.
10. Syed M. Faisal, WeiWei Yan, Chia-Sui Chen, Raghavan UM Palaniappan, Sean P. McDonough, and Yung-Fu Chang. Evaluation of protective immunity of Leptospira immunoglobulin like protein A (LigA) DNA vaccine against challenge in hamsters. Vaccine. 2008 Jan 10;26(2):277-87.
9. Yung-Fu Chang, Chia-Sui Chen, Raghavan U.M. Palaniappan, Hongxuan He,Sean P. McDonough, Steve C. Barr, Weiwei Yan, Syed M. Faisal, Ming-Jeng Pan and Chao-Fu Chang. Immunogenicity of the recombinant leptospiral putative outer membrane proteins as vaccine candidates. Vaccine, 2007 Nov 23;25(48):8190-7.
8. Ahmad N, Deeba F, Syed M. Faisal, Khan A, Agrewala JN, Dwivedi V, Owais M. Role of fusogenic non-PC liposomes in elicitation of protective immune response against experimental murine salmonellosis. Biochimie. 2006 Oct;88(10):1391-400.
7. Ahmad N, Arif K, Syed M. Faisal, Neyaz MK, Tayyab S, Owais M. PLGA-microsphere mediated clearance of bilirubin in temporarily hyperbilirubinemic rats: an alternate strategy for the treatment of experimental jaundice. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2006 Feb;1760(2):227-32.
6. Khan MA, Syed M. Faisal, Mohammad O. Safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of tuftsin-loaded nystatin liposomes in murine model. J Drug Target. 2006 May;14(4):233-41.
5. Syed M. Faisal, Masood A. Khan, TH. Nasti, N. Ahmad, Owais M. Antigen entrapped in escheriosomes leads to generation CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response. Vaccine, 2003 (21), 2383-2393.
4. Syed M. Faisal *, Khan MA*, Nasti HT*, Saima K, Haq W, Shahbaz A, Owais M. Use of tuftsin bearing nystatin liposomes against an isolate of Candida albicans showing less in vivo susceptibility to amphotericin B. J Drug Target. 2003 Feb;11(2):93-9. (* authors share equal contribution)
3. Masood AK, Syed M. Faisal, Mushahid MK, Nadeem A, Siddiqui MU, Owais M. Binding of bilirubin with albumin-coupled liposomes: implications in the treatment of jaundice. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2002 Aug 19;1564(1):219-26.
2. Syed M. Faisal *, Masood AK*, Haq W, Owais M. Immunomodulator tuftsin augments anti-fungal activity of amphotericin B against experimental murine candidiasis. J Drug Target. 2002 May;10(3):185-92. (* authors share equal contribution).
1. Syed M. Faisal, Sean P. McDonough, and Yung-Fu Chang. Chapter 8. Leptospira: Strategies for evasion of host immunity and persistence. M.E. Embers (ed.), The Pathogenic Spirochetes: Strategies for Evasion of Host Immunity and Persistence, Springer Science, New York 2012.
Patents:
Synthetic NSF-951 Agonist Compound and Preparation Thereof, Antigen-Alum-Synthetic NSF-951 Immuno-Formulation (Patent No. 569943, dated 21 August 2025).
| Ajay Kumar | PhD Student |
| Vivek Varma | PhD Student |
| Subathra Murugan, PhD | Postdoc/RA |
| Himadri Medhi | Postdoc/RA |
| Sridhar Kavela | Project SRF |
| Ramudu Bankala | Project SRF |
| Marsheena Nelleri | Project SRF |
| Amit K. Nagwani | Project JRF |
| Rakesh Rudrabiona | Project JRF |
| Anil Sunkara | Project Fellow |
| Jingyasa Mishra | Project Fellow |
| Mounika | Project Fellow |
| Mohd Ashiq T | Summer Project Trainee |
| Shali Thasneem | Summer Project Trainee |
| Azeema Fatima | Summer Project Trainee |
| Kanishka Bhaskar | Summer Project Trainee |
| Y Keerthana Reddy | Summer Project Trainee |
| D Chandan | Summer Project Trainee |
| Amir Mehdi | Summer Project Trainee |
| Arpita Badatia | Summer Project Trainee |
Faisal lab is looking for motivated students and post-doctoral researchers interested in working on infectious diseases or vaccine immunology. Interested candidates can send their CV with a letter of interest to faisal[at]niab[dot]org[dot]in
Room No – 205, B Wing, 2nd Floor
Laboratory of Vaccine Immunology
National Institute of Animal Biotechnology
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Email: faisal[at]niab[dot]org[dot]in
Tel: +91-(0)40-2312-0145
An Autonomous Institute of the Department of Biotechnology,
Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
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