Biological Sciences Laboratory & Aqua Lab

Principle Investigator
Dr H. K. S. de Zoysa

The Biological Sciences Laboratory (de Zoysa's lab) and Aqua Lab of the Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Technology, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, was established in 2025 with USD 800,000 from the STHRDP (ADB), CRG R2-RJ3 grant. Designed as a flagship shared facility, it supports teaching, research, and industry collaboration across molecular biology, microbiology, bioprocessing, and environmental analytics. The labs are integrate modern cold-chain storage, biosafety and sterilization, culture and growth systems, analytical platforms, sample-preparation tools, and field-sampling capabilities. By providing state-of-the-art training for students and shared access for regional partners, the facility accelerates technology transfer, advances national R&D priorities, and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals in health, industry and innovation, and life below water. In addition, the Biological Sciences Laboratory and Aqua Lab arw focusing on these main streams of the research such as Biology, Marine Science, Natural Products, Food Science and Safety, Conservation Biology.

Ongoing Research

Field Implementation of Antagonistic Microbial Agents for the Mitigation of Aflatoxin B1 producing fungi in Corn and Corn-Growing Soils in Selected Districts of Sri Lanka.
Assessment of Aflatoxin B1 in commercially available chilli powder and dried chillies from the North Central Province
Assessment of Enzyme Activity and Synthetic Dye Degradation by Marine-Derived Fungi
Morphological and Molecular Identification of Free-Living Nematodes Associated with Dung Beetles
Meiofaunal Diversity in Mihintale Tank, Sri Lanka
Microplastic Accumulation in Edible Leaves in Sri Lanka
Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Cinnamon By-Products and Its Antimicrobial Applications
Distribution, Taxonomy and Conservation of the Millipede Fauna of Sri Lanka.