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Department of
ZOOLOGY

Dr. Chanika D. Jayasinghe

BSc (Honours) Zoology (Colombo), MSc (by Research) (Osaka), PhD (Colombo), M.I.Bol (IOBSL)

Senior Lecturer (Grade I)

Department of Zoology
  • Central Campus, Ground floor, Science and Technology building, Room No : 012
  • Office: +942881446, Ext: 446
  • cdjay@ou.ac.lk cdjay@ou.ac.lk

Dr. (Mrs.) Jayasinghe holds BSc (honours) in Zoology from the University of Colombo and an MSc in Epigenetics from Osaka University, Japan and PhD from the University of Colombo. The thrust of her research work is rooted in Parasitology and pharmacognosy, a journey which commenced in 2005 during her undergraduate studies at the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo. Her research interests expanded into Epigenetics and behavioural genetics following her MSc in Epigenetics from Osaka University, Japan. Her current research interests are multifaceted, which include the investigation of bioactivities and toxicity of natural compounds and nano-particles using animal models, Understanding the genetics and scio-environmental predispositions of violent behaviours of Sri Lankan convicts, Development of biosensors using DNAzymes to detect heavy metals in water and other environmental bodies.  Her teaching is mainly focused on Mammalian Biology, Paleobiology of BSc degree programme at OUSL, Host-parasite interactions and Defence Mechanisms of vectors and Parasites, Research Methodology and Communication skills of MSc in Medical Entomology and Applied Parasitology, OUSL and Environmental Communication and Interpretation of Diploma in Natural Resources and Ecotourism.

Parasitology, Animal physiology, Pharmacognosy, Immunology

Pharmacognosy, Behavioral Genetics, Toxicology, DNAzymes application
  • Senior lecturer, Department of Zoology, OUSL (2017- to date)
  • Lecturer, Department of Zoology, OUSL (2008-2017
  • Assistant Lecturer, Department of Zoology, University of Colombo     (2006-2008)

Programme Coordinator, MSc in Medical Entomology and Applied Parasitology

Programme Coordinator- MSc in Medical Entomology and Applied Parasitology
Course Coordinator
BSc degree programme: ZYU5307- Mammalian Biology
ZYU5309- Paleobiology
MSc in Medical Entomology and Applied Parasitology
ZYP9304- Host-Parasite Interaction
ZYP9605-Epidemiology and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases
ZYPA410- Defence Mechanisms in Vectors and Parasites
ZYEA314- Research Methodology and Communication Skills
Diploma in Natural Resources and Ecotourism
ZYD3384- Environmental Communication and Interpretation

Featured research

  • Identification of haematological and immunomodulators from Natural Products
  • Preliminary Investigation on scio-environmental and genetic factors affecting the violence behaviour of convicts of Sri Lanka
  • Developing a Biosensor to identify the heavy metal in water bodies
  • Zebrafish Embryotoxicity and bioassay models
  • Gaminda, K.P.A., Abeysinghe, D.T., Jayasinghe, C.D., Senthilnithy, R (2022). Biosensing Applications of DNAzymes: DNAzyme biosensors. Lambert Academic Publication.   
  • PSC1221- Biology laboratory techniques- Co-Author (ISNB
  • ZYU5307- BI Characteristics and Classification of Mammals-Author (Limited circulation)
  • ZYU5307 -BII- Adaptive Radiation and Diversity of Mammals-Author (Limited circulation)
  • ZYU5309-BI- Introduction to Paleobiology -Editor  (Limited Circulation)
  • ZYD3384-Environmental Communication and Interpretation (ISBN-
  • PLU 6307: Behavioural genetics Unit II-Editor
  •  ZYC2400 – Laboratory practices related to Zoolog Block 2 (Coauthor)
  •  Jayasinghe, C.D., Ratnasooriya, W.D. Premakumara, S., Udagama, P.V. (2022). Platelet augmentation activity of mature leaf juice of Sri Lankan wild type cultivar of Carica papaya L: Insights into potential cellular mechanisms, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 115511
  • Vidujith A.V.A., Jayasinghe C.D., Costa M.D.P. De., & Senthilnithy R. Photodynamic Therapy: An Overview and Insights into a Prospective Mainstream Anticancer Therapy (2022). Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society, 9(3), 821-848
  • Thomas, I. B. K., Gaminda, K. A. P., Jayasinghe, C. D., Abeysinghe, D. T., & Senthilnithy, R. (2021). DNAzymes, Novel Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Therapy: A Review of Concepts to Applications. Journal of Nucleic Acids, 2021.
  • Gaminda, K. A. P., Thomas, I. B. K., Abeysinghe, D. T., Jayasinghe, C. D., & Senthilnithy, R. (2021). Deoxyribozymes in the detection of pathogenic bacteria. Biotechnologia Acta, 14(5), 5-20.
  • Thathsarani, N., Jayasinghe, C. D., Jayawardena, U., & Nilakarawasam, N. (2021). Effect of oral administration of the fresh juice of Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) young shoots on enumeration of bone marrow cells, platelets, splenocyte and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages of rats. Phytomedicine Plus, 1(3), 100059.
  • Jayasinghe, C. D., & Jayawardena, U. A. (2019). Toxicity assessment of herbal medicine using zebrafish embryos: A systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019.
  • Thathsarani, N., Nayanajeehwi, G., Jayawardena, U., Nilakarawasam, N., & Jayasinghe, C. D. (2020). Cancer chemoprevention through functional food of plant origin. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 6(2), 132-143.
  • Wijesundara, D., Nayanajeehwi, G., Jayasinghe, C., & Senanayake, B. (2019). Comparison of serum oxidative stress, antioxidant parameters and vitamin D levels of Sri Lankan patients with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica: A pilot study. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 405, 33-34.
  • Kotagama, O. W., Jayasinghe, C. D., & Abeysinghe, T. (2019). Era of genomic medicine: a narrative review on CRISPR technology as a potential therapeutic tool for human diseases. BioMed research international, 2019.
  • Mendis, J. C., Tennakoon, T. K., & Jayasinghe, C. D. (2018). Zebrafish embryo toxicity of a binary mixture of pyrethroid insecticides: d-tetramethrin and cyphenothrin. Journal of toxicology, 2018.
  • Manatunga D. C., de Silva R. M., de Silva K. N., Malavige G. N., Wijeratne D. T., Williams G. R., Jayasinghe C.D & Udagama, P. V. (2018) Effective delivery of hydrophobic drugs to breast and liver cancer cells using a hybrid inorganic nanocarrier: A detailed investigation using cytotoxicity assays, fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 128, 18-26.
  • Perera S. D., Jayawardena  U. A., & Jayasinghe C. D. (2018). Potential Use of Euphorbia hirta for Dengue: A Systematic Review of Scientific Evidence. Journal of tropical medicine, 2018. Article ID 2048530.
  • Jayasinghe, CD, Gunasekera, DS, De Silva, N., Jayawardena, KKM., & Udagama, PV. (2017). Mature leaf concentrate of Sri Lankan wild type Carica papaya Linn. modulates nonfunctional and functional immune responses of rats. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 17(1), 230.
  • Balasooriya ER, Jayasinghe CD, Jayawardena UA, Ruwanthika RWD, de Silva R M, and Udagama PV (2017).Honey Mediated Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles: New Era of Safe  Nanotechnology.  Journal of Nanomaterials, vol. 2017, Article ID 5919836.
  • de Mel, Y., Perera, S., Ratnaweera, PB., & Jayasinghe, CD. (2017). Novel insights of toxicological evaluation of herbal medicine: Human based toxicological assays. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 3(2), 41-49.
  • Udalamaththa, VL., Jayasinghe, CD & Udagama, PV. (2016). Potential role of herbal remedies in stem cell therapy: proliferation and differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells. Stem cell research & therapy, 7(1), 110.
  • Jayasinghe, CD., Udalamaththa, A., Imbulana, IBPS., & Suetake, I. (2016). Dietary Phytochemicals as Epi-drugs: Role in Modulating the Epigenetic Mechanisms of Human Diseases. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Review and Research, 7(1), 50-58.
  • Mishima, Y., Jayasinghe, CD., Lu, K., Otani, J., Shirakawa, M., Kawakami, T., … & Suetake, I. (2015). Nucleosome compaction facilitates HP1γ binding to methylated H3K9. Nucleic acids research, 43(21), 10200-10212.
  • Jayawardhane N D C K K, Jayasinghe C D, Vivehananthan K and Udagama P V (2014). Immunostimulatory activity of Sri Lankan wild type Carica papaya L. mature leaf concentrate in a rat model.  Proceedings of the 13th Agricultural Research Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.195-199.
  • Mishima, Y., Watanabe, M., Kawakami, T., Jayasinghe, CD., Otani, J., Kikugawa, Y., … & Tajima, S. (2013). Hinge and chromoshadow of HP1α participate in recognition of K9 methylated histone H3 in nucleosomes. Journal of molecular biology, 425(1), 54-70.
  • Ratnasooriya, WD., Jayasinghe, CD., & Udagama-Randeniya, PV. (2007). An investigation of in vivo antimalarial activity of black tea brew of Camellia sinensis LO Kuntze in mice. Journal of Tea research institute, p
  • Jayasinghe, CD., Udagama-Randeniya, PV., & Ratnasooriya, WD. (2008). In-vivo antimalarial activity of aqueous root extract of Barringtonia acutangula in mice. Phamacognasy Magazine. S1

 

  •  Kulatunga, V., Fernando, L.P., Jayawardena., U., Jayasinghe, C.D. (2021). Awareness of common zoonotic diseases among the new BSc degree registrants of the Open University of Sri Lanka in 2020. Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, Open University of Sri Lanka. Pp 39.
  •  Samarakoon, P.S., Jayasinghe, C.D. Jayawardena, U. A., Nilakarawasam, N.   (2021)Glycemic, lipidemic and immunomodulatory effects of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graceum) seed consumption on Male albino wistar rats. Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, Open University of Sri Lanka. Pp 40.
  • Nayanajeehwi, G., Wijesundara, D. A., Jayasinghe, C. D., & Senanayake, B. (2020, August). Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: Comparison of Oxidative Burden and Vitamin D Levels. In Multiple Sclerosis Journal (Vol. 26, No. 9, pp. NP51-NP52).
  • Jayasinghe, C.D., Jayawardena U.A., Nilakarawasam, N. (2019). Immunomodulatory effects of fresh juice of Bambusa vulgaris young shoot. Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, Open University of Sri Lanka. Pp 15.
  • Mendis, J.C., Goonawardhna, N.D.S., Abeykoon, Fernando, T.S.P. and Jayasinghe, C.D. (2019). Effect of monoamine oxidase (MAOA) allelic variants and childhood maltreatment on violent bahaviour: preliminary investigation on convicts in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Annual Research symposium, Open University of Sri Lanka. Pp 22.
  • Jayasooriya, T., Jayasinghe, C., Jayatilleke, G., & Ranawaka, G. (2019) Perceptions of Postgraduate Alumni on Knowledge and Enhancing Skills: Experience of the Open University of Sri Lanka. Pan-Commonwealth Forum 9 (PCF9), London
  • Galappaththy, T., Bandara, N., Dassanayake, S., Somathunga, C., Fernando, T.S.P., Jayasinghe, C.D., (2019). Evaluation of Chronic toxicity of FADNA EZY herbal tea in Wistar Rat model. Rajarata International Research Conference, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Pp.113.
  • W.D.Y. del Mel, Faleel, R.A., Saminda P. Fernando, and Chanika D. Jayasinghe, (2019). A Successful attempt to reduce the oral stereotype of four captive Giraffes through feeding enrichment at the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka. WILDLANKA international Symposium, pp 16.
  • Nayanajeehwi, G., Senanayake,B., Wijesundara D.A., Jayasinghe, C.D. (2019). Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyeliti optica: A case control study of serum oxidative burden and vitamin D levels.Proceedings of the Annual Research symposium, Open University of Sri Lanka. Pp 64.
  • Upendra, K.B.G. S.,Jeyakumaran, N.,Jayasinghe, C.D., De Costa, M.,P.D., Senthilinithy, R. (2019). A preliminary study on a sensor for efficacy assessment of chemotherapy treatment in lung cancer patients. Proceedings of the Annual Research symposium, Open University of Sri Lanka. Pp 103-104.
  • Senanayake B., Jayasinghe C. D., Wijesundara D. A. & Nayanajeehwi, G. (2018). Comparison of serum oxidative stress & antioxidant parameters and vitamin D levels of patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. 12th Annual Academic sessions of Association of Sri Lankan Neurologists Sri Lanka (Poster presentation).
  • Nayanajeehwi, G., Senanayake,B., Wijesundara D.A., Jayasinghe, C.D. (2019). Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: Comparison of Oxidative Burden and Vitamin D Levels. Congress of the Pan Asia Committee for Treatment and Research in multiple sclerosis. Pp 42-43.
  • Jayasinghe C D and Udagama PV (2016). Cancer chemopreventive activity of mature leaf concentrate of Sri  Lankan wild typeCarica papaya. 2nd International Conference on Natural products Genomics and Drug Discovery, “Basic and translational research on Cancer and Inflammation”.  Galadari Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pp14
  • Jayasinghe C D, Hettigodage A N, Gunasena S and Udagama PV (2016). The mature leaf concentrate of Sri  Lankan wild typeCarica papaya exhibits antitumor activity and regulates antitumor immunity.  Allergy &  Immunology Society of Sri Lanka, 8th Biennial Scientific Sessions.  Pp29.
  • Kurukulasuriya SP, Jayasinghe CD, Wijeratne S, Kaluarachchi  A and Udagama PV (2016). Association of serum IFNγ, IL10, nitrogen oxides, estradiol and progesterone levels in the success and failure of pregnancy. Proceedings of the Sri Lanka College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 2016, Galadari Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pp25
  • Kurukulasooriya S P, Jayasinghe CD, Wijeratne S, Kaluarachchi  A and Udagama PV (2016). Association of serum IFNγ, IL10, nitrogen oxides, estradiol and progesterone levels in the success and failure of pregnancy. Proceedings of the Sri Lanka College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 2016, Galadari Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pp25
  • Kurukulasooriya S P, Jayasinghe CD, Wijeratne S, Kaluarachchi  A and Udagama PV (2016). Association ofserum IFNγ, IL10, nitric oxide  levels in the success and failure of pregnancy. Allergy &  Immunology Society of Sri Lanka, 8th Biennial Scientific Sessions.  Pp28.
  • Balasooriya ER, Jayawardena UA, Jayasinghe CD, de Silva RM, de Silva KMN, and Udagama P V (2016). Evaluation of immunotoxicity of nanomaterial for safe gene delivery. 3 rd International Conference     on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 15-16 December, Colombo, Sri Lanka.Pp 59
  • Balasooriya ER, Jayasinghe CD, de Silva RM, de Silva KMN, Chandrasekharan N V and Udagama P V (2016). Hemocompatibility of PEI and PEI-IONPS on platelet membrane integrity and erythrocyte membrane damage using LDH assay and hemolysis assay. 3rd International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 15-16 December, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pp 44(Won award for best presentation)
  • Abeysekera WPKM, Premekumara GAS, Ratnasooriya WD and Jayasinghe CD. (2016). Anti-inflammatory Activity of Bark of Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) 9th international research conference general sir john kotelawala defense University
  • Jayasinghe CD, Ratnassoriya WD and Udagama PV. (2015). In vitro procoagulant and thrombolytic activities  of Sri Lankan Wild type Carica papaya L. mature leaf concentrate against blood coagulation cascade.   Proceedings of the 2nd scientific sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Pp49
  • Jayasinghe C D, Jayawardhane NDCKK and Udagama PV. (2015). In vivo antioxidant activity of Sri Lankan     wild type Carica papaya L. mature leaf concentrate in a rat model.  Proceedings of the 35th Annual     Sessions  of the Institute of Biology,
  • Jayasinghe C D,  Ratnasooriya WD  and Udagama  PV (2015). The mature leaf concentrate of Sri Lankan Wild          type Carica papaya stimulates in vitro proliferation and phagocytosis of rat immune cells. Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2015, University of Colombo, Pp113.
  • Jayasinghe C D, Ratnasooriya WD  and Udagama  PV (2015).  Platelet increasing    activity of mature leaf concentrate of Sri Lankan wild type Carica papaya: Potential mechanisms. Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2016, University of Colombo, Pp23
  • Jayasinghe C D,  Ratnasooriya WD  and Udagama  PV (2015). In vitro and in vivo immunestimulatory activity of the Sri lankan wild type  Carica papaya mature leaf concentrate. Drug Discovery and Therapy World congress. Boston , USA
  • Jayasinghe CD, Ratnasooriya WD and Udagama, PV. (2014). In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Sri Lankan wild type    Carica papaya L. mature leaf concentrate.  Allergy & Immunology Society of Sri Lanka, 7th Biennial Scientific Sessions . Pp23.
  • Jayasinghe, CD, Jayawardhane, NDCKK and Udagama PV (2014). In vivo immunostimulatory activity of Sri Lankan wild type Carica papaya L. mature leaf concentrates in a rat model. Proceedings of the 34th Annual sessions of Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka. Pp27
  • Jayasinghe CD, Ratnassoriya WD and Udagama PV. (2014). In vitro antioxidant activity of Sri Lankan wild type Carica papaya L. mature leaf concentrate. Accepted for the Proceedings of the 70th Annual sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science. Pp33.
  • Jayasinghe CD, Ratnassoriya WD and Udagama PV. (2014). In vitro and in vivo Haemostatic activity of Sri Lankan Wild type Carica papaya L. mature leaf concentrate.  Proceedings of the annual research symposium2014. University of Colombo, Pp218.
  • Jayasinghe CD, Ratansooriya WD and Udugama PV (2014). Heamostatic activity of wild type Carica papaya L mature leaf concentrate. Drug Discovery India, Mumbai (poster Presentation)
  • Jayasinghe C D,  Ratnasooriya WD  and Udagama  PV (2014). Haemostatic activity of Sri Lankan wild type Carica papaya L. mature leaf concentrate. Drug Discovery India. Poster presentation.
  • Jayasinghe, C.D., Mishima, Otani, J., Kikugawa, Y., Shirakawa, M., Nishimura, O., Aimoto, S., Tajima, S., and Suetake, I. (2011). Inhibitory effect of chromo shadow domain of heteromchromatin protein 1γ (HP1γ) on its recognition of the trimethlyated lysine 9 of histone H3 in nucleosome structure. Poster number 75. International Epigenetic Conference, Japan, 2011
  • Jayasinghe CD (2011). Inhibitory effect of chromoshadow domain of Heterochromatin Protein 1 gamma (HP1γ) on its recognition of the trimethylated lysine 9 of histone H3 in nucleosome structure – Poster number -03, IPR retreat Organized by Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University
  • Mishima, Y., Watanabe, M., Kawakami, T. Jayasinghe, C.D., Otani, J., Kikugawa, Y., Shirakawa, M., Kimura, H., Nishimura, O., Aimoto, S., Tajima, S., and Suetake, I. The Hinge Region of HP1α cooperatively supports the recognition of trimethylated K9 of histone H3 in reconstituted nucleosme.Poster number 46 International Epigenetic Conference, Japan, 2011
  • Ratnasooriya W D, Jayasinghe C D and  Udagama – Randeniya P V (2007) An investigation of in vivo antimalarial activity of black tea brew of Camellia sinensis in mice. Proceedings of the 27th Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka.pp 39.
  • Jayasinghe, C D, Ratnasooriya, W D and Randeniya, P V (2006). An investigation on antimalarial activity of Barringtoniia acutangula aqueous root extract in rodent malaria models. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka. pp37.

 

Senior Lecturer in Zoology

Department of Zoology
Faculty of Natural Sciences

The Open University of Sri Lanka

Nawala, Sri Lanka

Resource person for workshops/training programmes/editorials conducted at the National level Workshops 

  • ·Managing editor of the BIONEWs newsletter published by the Institute of Biology (2021 to date).
  • Resource person of the “Personality Development and Leadership Programme” held in National Institute of Education for Undergraduate students of Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2008.
  • Resource person of the “Leadership Programme” held in the National Institute of Education for Undergraduate students of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2009.
  •  Resource person of the “Personality Development and Leadership Programme” held in Gampaha Wickramarachchi for new undergraduate students 2009.
  • Resource person of Teaching Seminar conducted for Advanced Level Students of Anuradhapura District organized by the ZooNet of OUSL, 2016.
  • Member of organizing committee of Thirasara Yugayaka Haritha Udanya Exhibition Facilitated by the Presidential Secretary in 2017.

Member of organizing committee of Mini Symposium on “Scientists’ role in S & T innovation for national economic development: current status & future trends in the use of Indigenous knowledge and mineral resources organized by Section D of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science 2016

Awards 

  • Presidential Research Award for International Scientific publications cited in World Science Citation Index (2016) held in 2018
  • OUSL Annual Research Award-2019
  • Best presenter Award – 2nd scientific sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Laboratory Animal·         
  • Third prize for the best poster presentation at IPR retreat organized by Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Japan (2011)
  • The Gulamhusein A. J. Noorbhai Gold Medal for the highest competence at the Special Degree Examination in Zoology (2006).
  • The Gulamhusein A. J. Noorbhai Gold Medal for the best undergraduate Research Project in Zoology (2006)
  • The Keerthisinghe Memorial Prize in Zoology for the special student in Zoology (2003/2004)

Scholarships

  • Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) scholarship for postgraduate studies in  Japan (2010)
  • The Gulamhusein A. J. Noorbhai Scholarship for the special student in Zoology (2003/2004)  Science- 2015
  • Life member of the Institute of Biology of Sri Lanka
  • Life member of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS)
  • Life member of Sri Lanka Association for Laboratory Animal Science (SLALAS)
  • Life member of the Association of Women in Science of Developing World (OWSD)
  • Life member of Field Ornithology Group Sri Lanka (FOGSL)
  • Life member of Zoo-Net Society of The Open University of Sri Lanka

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The Faculty currently offers 29 programmes of study ranging from Certificate to Postgraduate level, as well as stand-alone courses and short courses. The main undergraduate programmes offered by the Faculty are BSc degree programme and BSc (Hons) degree programmes with nearly 5,000 students.

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