Dr. Swapna P.

Antony
Assistant Professor (Aquaculture) Varaparambil
Dept. of Marine Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry West Kadungalloor
School of Marine Sciences Aluva
Cochin University of Science and Technology Ernakulam Dt.
Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, India Pin-683 110
Kerala, India
Phone:+91 8089131058; 0484 2863214
E-mail: swapnapantony@gmail.com; swapnapantony@cusat.ac.in

RESEARCH INTERESTS
 Antimicrobial peptides
 Fish and shellfish immunology
 Microbial metagenomics
 Transcriptomics

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor (Jan 2017 - Present)

Dept. of Marine Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences
Cochin University of Science and Technology

Assistant Professor (Aug, 2015 – Jan, 2017)

Dept. of Aquatic Animal Health Management, School of Aquaculture and
Biotechnology, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies

DST-INSPIRE Faculty (Feb, 2013 – August, 2015)

National Center for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science and
Technology

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Dr. D.S. Kothari Post-Doctoral Fellow (Jan, 2012 – Feb, 2013)
National Center for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science and
Technology, Kochi, Kerala
Mentor: Prof. I.S. Bright Singh

Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biotechnology, 2012

Dept. of Marine Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Thesis Title : Molecular Characterization and Gene Expression Profiling of
Antimicrobial Peptides in Penaeid Shrimps
Research Guide : Prof. Rosamma Philip

Master of Science in Marine Biology, 2004 (First Rank)

Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, India

Bachelor of Science, Zoology, 2002 (First Rank)

Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

Pre degree, 1999

Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

SSLC, 1997
Board of Public Examination, Govt. of Kerala

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION, AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS RECEIVED:

 UGC-Start Up research Grant, 2018
 Certificate of outstanding contribution in reviewing received from the
Editors of Fish and Shellfish Immunology, Elsevier, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands for the year 2016.

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  Best paper award at the International Conference on ‘Towards a Sustainable
Blue Economy’ for the paper entitled “Antimicrobial Peptide Crustin from
Artemia salina: Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis”. 2016.
 DST-INSPIRE Faculty Award, 2012
 DST Fast Track Young Scientist Scheme, 2012
 UGC- Dr. D.S. Kothari Post-Doctoral Fellowship, 2012
 Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE)
Ph.D. Fellowship, 2006.
 Qualified UGC-NET (82/1062 rank) in the subject Life Sciences
 First Rank for M.Sc Marine Biology from Cochin University of Science and
Technology, Kochi, Kerala
 First Rank for B.Sc Zoology from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam,
Kerala

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Sl. Title Period Funding agency Total cost Status

No. ( Lakhs)
1 Exploring the microbial UGC (Start Up 10.0
diversity of aquaculture Research Grant)
systems: a Metagenomic
approach
2 Immune gene discovery in 02-11-2017 Govt. of Kerala (State 2.5 Ongoing
important aquaculture to Plan Grant)
species and its applications 01-11-2020
3 Metagenomic 07-02-2013 Department of Science 35.0 Ongoing
characterization of marine to and Technology,
viruses: Functional & 06-02-2019 Govt. of India.
phylogenetic perspectives (DSI-INSPIRE Faculty
Scheme)
4 Establishment of Centre 26-09-2015 Plan Project, Govt. of 10 lakhs / Completed
for Aquatic Animal Health to Kerala year
Management 03-01-2017

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PUBLICATIONS:
International publications (arranged in chronological order)
1. Swapna P. Antony; Rosamma Philip. 2006. Bioremediation in shrimp culture
systems. Naga. 29, 62-66. ISSN - 0116- 290X. NAAS Impact Factor- Not listed
in NAAS.
2. Swapna P. Antony; Rosamma Philip. 2008. Probiotics in aquaculture. World
Aquaculture Magazine. 39, 59-63. ISSN - 1041-5602.NAAS Impact Factor-
Not listed in NAAS.
3. Swapna P. Antony; I.S. Bright Singh; Rosamma Philip. 2010. Molecular
characterization of a crustin-like, putative antimicrobial peptide, Fi-crustin,
from the Indian White Shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus. Fish and Shellfish
Immunology 28, 216-220. ISSN- 1050-4648. Impact Factor – 3.025. NAAS
Impact Factor- 8.96.
4. Swapna P. Antony; I.S. Bright Singh; N.S. Sudheer; S. Vrinda; P. Priyaja;
Rosamma Philip. 2011. Molecular characterization and expression profile of
a crustin-like antimicrobial peptide in the haemocytes of the giant tiger
shrimp, Penaeus monodon, in response to various immunostimulants and
challenge with WSSV. Immunobiology. 216, 184-194. ISSN- 0171-2985.
Impact Factor – 2.781. NAAS Impact Factor- 8.81.
5. Swapna P. Antony; I.S. Bright Singh; Rosamma Philip. 2011. Molecular
characterization and phylogenetic analysis of a penaeidin-like
antimicrobial peptide, Fi-penaeidin from Fenneropenaeus indicus.
Aquaculture. 319, 298-301. ISSN- 0044-8486. Impact Factor – 1.893. NAAS
Impact Factor- 8.01.
6. Swapna P. Antony; Rosamma Philip; Valsamma Joseph; I.S. Bright Singh.
2011. Anti-lipopolysaccharide factor and Crustin - III, the anti-white spot
virus peptides in Penaeusm onodon: Control of viral infection by up-
regulation. Aquaculture. 319, 11-17. ISSN- 0044-8486. Impact Factor – 1.893.
NAAS Impact Factor- 8.01.
7. Swapna P. Antony; I.S. Bright Singh; Rose Mary Jose; P.R. Anil Kumar;
Rosamma Philip.2011. Antimicrobial peptide gene expression in tiger

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 shrimp, Penaeus monodon in response to gram-positive bacterial probionts
and White spot virus challenge. Aquaculture. 316, 6-12. ISSN- 0044-8486.
Impact Factor – 1.893. NAAS Impact Factor- 8.01.
8. Afsal V.V; Swapna P. Antony; Naveen Sathyan; I.S. Bright Singh; Rosamma
Philip.2011. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of two
antimicrobial peptides: Anti-lipopolysaccharide factor and Crustin from the
brown mud crab, Scylla serrata. Results in Immunology. 1, 6-10.ISSN- 2211-
2839. NAAS Impact Factor- Not listed in NAAS.
9. Swapna P. Antony, Rosamma Philip, T. P. Sajeevan, Simi P. Joseph and I. S.
Bright Singh. 2012. Differential expression of antimicrobial peptides in
Penaeus monodon in response to the administration of marine yeasts / beta-
glucans and white spot virus challenge. Blue Biotechnology Journal. 1(1),1-22.
ISSN-2163-3886. NAAS Impact Factor- Not listed in NAAS impact factor
list.
10. Swapna P. Antony, V.V. Afsal and Rosamma Philip. 2012. Antimicrobial
peptides from the Indian white shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus: isolation
and in vitro activity profile. Blue Biotechnology Journal. Volume 1 (4), 1-8.
ISSN-2163-3886. NAAS Impact Factor- Not listed in NAAS impact factor
list.
11. Afsal V.V., Swapna P. Antony, V.N. Sanjeevan, P.R. Anil Kumar, I.S.
Bright Singh, Rosamma Philip. 2012. A new isoform of anti-
lipopolysaccharide factor identified from the blue swimmer crab, Portunus
pelagicus: Molecular characteristics and phylogeny. Aquaculture. 356-357,
119–122. ISSN- 0044-8486. Impact Factor – 1.893. NAAS Impact Factor-
8.01.
12. Afsal V.V., Swapna P. Antony, E.R. Chaithanya, I.S. Bright Singh,
Rosamma Philip. 2012. Two isoforms of anti-lipopolysaccharide factors
identified and characterized from the hemocytes of portunid crabs,
Portunus pelagicus and Scylla tranquebarica. Molecular Immunology. 52,
258– 263. ISSN- 0161-5890. Impact Factor – 3.375. NAAS Impact Factor-
8.65.

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13. Naveen Sathyan, Rosamma Philip, E. R. Chaithanya, P. R. Anil Kumar,
Swapna P. Antony. 2012. Identification of a histone derived, putative
antimicrobial peptide Himanturin from round whip ray Himantura
pastinacoides and its phylogenetic significance. Results in Immunology.2,
120-124.NAAS Impact Factor- Not listed in NAAS.
14. Naveen Sathyan, Rosamma Philip, Chaithanya E.R., Anil Kumar P.R.,
Swapna P. Antony, I.S. Bright Singh. 2012. Identification of a putative
antimicrobial peptide sequence, Sunettin from marine clam, Sunetta scripta.
Blue Biotechnology Journal. Volume 1, Issue 3. ISSN-2163-3886. NAAS
Impact Factor- Not listed in NAAS impact factor list.
15. Divya T. Babu; Swapna P. Antony; Simi P. Joseph; Ann Rose Bright;
Rosamma Philip. 2013. Marine yeast Candida aquaetextoris S527 as a
potential immunostimulant in black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. Journal
of Invertebrate Pathology. 112, 243–52. ISSN- 0022-2011. Impact Factor –
2.198.NAAS Impact Factor- 8.67.
16. Afsal V.V; Swapna P. Antony; Ann Rose Bright; Rosamma Philip. 2013.
Molecular Identification and Characterization of Type I Crustin isoforms
from the Hemocytes of Portunid Crabs, Scylla tranquebarica and Portunus
pelagicus. Cellular Immunology. 284,45-50.ISSN- 0008-8749. NAAS Impact
Factor- Not listed in NAAS. Impact Factor- 2.399.
17. E. R. Chaithanya; Rosamma Philip; Naveen Sathyan; P. R. Anil Kumar;
Swapna P. Antony; V. N. Sanjeevan; I. S. Bright Singh. 2013. A Novel
Isoform of the Hepatic Antimicrobial Peptide, Hepcidin 4 (Hepc-CB1),
from a Deep-Sea Fish, the Spiny jaw Green eye Chlorophthalmus bicornis
(Norman, 1939): Molecular Characterisation and Phylogeny. Probiotics &
Antimicrobial Protein. 5,1-7. ISSN- 1867-1306. NAAS Impact Factor- Not
listed in NAAS. Impact factor-1.283.
18. Ann Rose Bright, Swapna P. Antony, Naveen Sathyan, T. J. James,
Rosamma Philip 2013.Phylogenetic relationship of Sailfin (Poecilia latipinna)
and Shortfin (Poecilia sphenops) mollies (Order: Cyprinodontiformes) as
inferred from the mitochondrial cytochrome gene sequence. International

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 Journal of Biotechnology Research. Vol. 1(4):46-57. ISSN- 2328-3505. NAAS
Impact Factor- Not listed in NAAS. Impact Factor – 0.7658.
19. Ann Rose Bright; Swapna P. Antony; Naveen Sathyan; T. J. James and
Rosamma Philip. 2013. Molecular Barcoding and Phylogenetic Analysis of
the Ornamental Three Spot Gourami, Trichogaster trichopterus. Blue
Biotechnology Journal. Volume 1(4): 541-555. ISSN-2163-3886. NAAS
Impact Factor- Not listed in NAAS impact factor list.
20. Ann Rose Bright; Naveen Sathyan; Swapna P. Antony; T. J. James;
Rosamma Philip. 2013. Phylogeny a nd genetic divergence of three
p henotypi c variants of the ornamental goldfish, Carassius auratus
(Linnaeus, 1758) based on CO1 gene. International Journal of Research
in Zoology 3(1): 4-9. ISSN - 2278 –1358. NAAS Impact Factor- Not listed
in NAAS.
21. Wilsy Wilson, Douglas Lowman, Swapna P. Antony; Jayesh Puthumana,
I.S. Bright Singh; Rosamma Philip.2015. Immune gene expression profile of
Penaeus monodon in response to marine yeast glucan application and white
spot syndrome virus challenge. Fish and Shellfish Immunology 28, 216-
220. ISSN- 1050-4648. Impact Factor – 3.025. NAAS Impact Factor- 8.96.
22. Dhirendra Kumar Singh; Swapna P. Antony. 2015. Molecular
characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Family Adenoviridae from
marine environment as inferred from the hexon protein gene. International
Journal of Biotechnology Research. 3, 35-44.ISSN- 2328-3505. NAAS Impact
Factor- Not listed in NAAS. Impact Factor – 0.7658.
23. K. S. Sruthy, E. R. Chaithanya, Naveen Sathyan, Aishwarya Nair, Swapna
P. Antony, I. S. Bright Singh, Rosamma Philip. 2015. Molecular
Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Novel Isoform of Anti-
lipopolysaccharide Factor from the Mantis Shrimp, Miyakea nepa.
Probiotics & Antimicrobial Protein. 7, 275-283.ISSN- 1867-1306. NAAS
Impact Factor- Not listed in NAAS. Impact factor-1.283.
24. Afsal V.V; Swapna P. Antony; Rosamma Philip. 2016. Molecular
characterization of a newly identified subfamily member of penaeidin from

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 two penaeid shrimps, Fenneropenaeus indicus and Metapenaeus monoceros.
Probiotics & Antimicrobial Protein. 8, 46-52. ISSN- 1867-1306. NAAS
Impact Factor- Not listed in NAAS. Impact factor-1.283.
25. Sruthy K.S., Aishwarya Nair, Jayesh P., Swapna P. Antony, I.S. Bright
Singh, Rosamma Philip. 2017. Molecular cloning, recombinant expression
and functional characterization of an antimicrobial peptide, Crustin from
the Indian White Shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus. Fish and Shellfish
immunology. Article in Press. ISSN- 1050-4648. Impact Factor – 3.025.
NAAS Impact Factor- 8.96.

Papers presented during Seminars/Symposia/Conference:

International:
1. Dhirendra Kumar Singh and Swapna P. Antony. 2014. Major capsid protein gene: a
reliable phylogenetic biomarker for marine viruses. In the abstracts of International
Conference on Emerging Trends in Biotechnology, JNU, Delhi - ICETB 2014, EE-F-
43.
2. Nair A, Philip R, Sruthy KS, Sathyan N, Chaithanya ER, Swapna P. Antony.
2014. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of a novel isoform of
hepatic antimicrobial peptide, Hepcidin (LE-hepc1), from Leiognathus equulus. In
Proceeding of the Fourth International Symposium of the antimicrobial Peptides.
June 4-6, 2014. Loreint, France. Pp-28-28.
3. Sruthy KS, Nair A, Chaithanya ER, Sathyan N, Philip R, Swapna P. Antony.
2014. Molecular characterization of an antilipopolysacharide factor from Mantis
shrimp, Oratosquilla nepa. In Proceeding of the Fourth International Symposium
of the antimicrobial Peptides. June 4-6, 2014. Loreint, France. Pp- 89-89.
4. Swapna P. Antony; AfsalVV., Rosamma Philip; I.S.Bright Singh. 2015. Molecular
characterization of histone h2a derived antimicrobial peptides from penaeid
shrimps. Abstracts of the 1st World Ocean Science Congress.
5. Aishwarya Nair, Sruthy K.S., Naveen Sathyan, Chaithanya ER., Swapna P.
Antony; Sajeevan TP., Rosamma Philip. 2015. Molecular characterisation and
identification of a histone derived putative antimicrobial peptide, mugilin from

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 flathead grey mullet, Mugil cephalus. Abstracts of the 1st World Ocean Science
Congress.
6. Rosamma Philip, Afsal V V., Swapna P Antony., Sruthy KS., Wilsy Wilson.,
Divya T. Babu., Jayesh P., I S Bright Singh. 2016. Antimicrobial peptides in
crustaceans: Molecular and functional characterization. 2 nd International
Conference of Fish and Shellfish Immunology. June 26th – 30th, 2016. Holiday
Inn By the Bay. Portland, Maine, USA.

7. Swapna P. Antony, Shruti Gupta and Afsal V.V. 2016. Molecular

characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Family Phycodnaviridae from the
sediments of Cochin Barmouth Region. International Conference on Towards a
Sustainable Blue Economy. 4 th to 6th Feb, 2016. Kochi, India.

8. Jayesh P., Sruthy KS., Afsal V V., Swapna P Antony., I S Bright Singh., and
Rosamma Philip. 2016. Antimicrobial Peptide Crustin from Artemia salina:
Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis. International Conference
on Towards a Sustainable Blue Economy. 4 th to 6th Feb, 2016. Kochi, India.

National:
1. Swapna P. Antony; Rosamma Philip; I.S. Bright Singh. 2008. Antimicrobial
peptides from tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon. Proceedings of the National
Seminar on Bioactive compounds from marine organisms. Editors: Menon,
N. N., Hatha, A.A.M., Philip, B., and Saramma, A.V. pp. 77-84
2. Swapna P. Antony; I.S. Bright Singh; Rosamma Philip. 2010. Immune Gene
Expression in Penaeus monodon in Response to the Administration of
Immunostimulants, Probiotics and White Spot Syndrome Virus Challenge.
Proceedings of 22nd Kerala Science Congress. 28-31 January, 2010, KFRI,
Peechi. Editor in chief: Dr. E.P. Yasodharan. pp 106-107
3. Swapna P. Antony; Rosamma Philip; I.S. Bright Singh. 2010. Antimicrobial
peptides in shrimps: A new frontier for microbial infection control. 1st
Kerala Women’s science Congress. 10-12 August, 2010, St. Teresa’s College,
Ernakulam. Editors: M.S. Kala; L. Amthew; G. Bindu; R. Subramaian. pp
33.

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4. Revathy S; E.R. Chaithanya; Naveen Sathyan; P.R. Anil Kumar; Swapna P.
Antony; BabuPhilip; Rosamma Philip. 2010. Antimicrobial Peptides from
the Mud Crab-Scylla Serrata. 1st Kerala Women’s science Congress. 10-12
August, 2010, St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam. Editors: M.S. Kala; L.
Amthew; G. Bindu; R. Subramaian. pp 57.
5. Reshma Raju, Bhavya Kachiprath, Jayesh Puthumana, Solly Solomon,
Jayanath G, Nusaira P., Anjali S Mohan, Swapna P. Antony and Rosamma
Philip. 2017. Viral and bacterial communities in the transition zone of
Kongsfjorden, Arctic. In the Abstracts of National Seminar on Marine
Ecosystem Health, 2017 organised by the Department of Marine Biology,
Microbiology and Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and
Technology, Cochin during 16-17 March, 2017. Pp 99-100.
6. Shruti Gupta and Swapna P. Antony. 2017. Molecular identification and
phylogenetic analysis of RNA virus belonging to Family Rhabdoviridae
from the sediments of Cochin Barmouth Region. In the Abstracts of
National Seminar on Marine Ecosystem Health, 2017 organised by the
Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Cochin
University of Science and Technology, Cochin during 16-17 March, 2017.
Pp 109-110.
7. Bhavya K.; Solly Solomon; Jayanath G; Jayesh P; Swapna P. Antony;
Rosamma Philip. 2018. Polar microbial communities: A Metagenomic
study in Arctic Fjord, Krossfjorden. In the abstracts of 30th Kerala Science
Congress, Govt. Brennen College, Thalassery: 28-30 Jan 2018. Pp 71.
8. Anjaly S. Mohan; Bhavya K.; Solly Solomon; Jayanath G; Jayesh P; Swapna
P. Antony; Rosamma Philip. 2018. Mining of viral communities in the
Kongsfjorden, Arctic through Metagenomic approach. In the abstracts of
30 th Kerala Science Congress, Govt. Brennen College, Thalassery: 28-30 Jan
2018. Pp 74.

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Articles in Books:
1. Rosamma Philip; Swapna P. Antony; I.S. Bright Singh. 2009 .Diagnostics and
vaccines in aquaculture. In: Bright Singh I.S., Joseph V., Philip R., and A.
Mohandas (Eds) Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology National Centre for
Aquatic Animal Health CUSAT, India P: 50- 64

ADHOC REVIEWER OF JOURNALS:

1. Fish and Shellfish Immunology - Elsevier

2. Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences – Springer
3. BMC-Complementary and Alternative Medicine – BioMed Central

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS

1. Society of Marine Biologists, Cochin

2. Marine Biology Alumni Association, Dept. of Marine Biology, Microbiology
and Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology.
3. NCAAH Alumni association, CUSAT

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

1. Member, Examination Committee, NCAAH, CUSAT

2. Member, Board of Studies, St.Teresa’s College, Ernakulam

3. Member, Passing Board, KUFOS.

4. External examiner, KUFOS

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