Genomelndia: Cataloguing the Genetic Variation in Indians, Multi Institutional Project.
Department of Biotechnology [DBT]
Research Summary
Trans-Disciplinary Genomics Program
- Plant Genomics and Metabolomics (plant-pathogen interactions, plant stress response and metabolic pathways for production of secondary metabolites.
- India Genome Project (A Department of Biotechnology multi institute program on whole genome sequencing of Indian populations to create a detailed catalog of genetic variations.
- Creation of an Indian DNA Fingerprint Database.
Research Programs
Black pepper is an economically significant spice crop grown extensively in tropical Asian countries, valued for its pungency and medicinal property. The most serious threat that affects the stable production of black pepper around the world is the ‘quick wilt’ caused by filamentous oomycetes, Phytophthoracapsici. In our lab, we are in progress with a transcriptomic investigation of disease development in P. nigruminfected with P. capsici. For understanding the prompt suppression of the host defense systems during pathogen attack, we are looking into the resistance genes which comprises of two large multigene families known as Nucleotide Binding Site/Leucine-Rich Repeat (NBS-LRR) and Serine/Threonine Kinase (STK). The in silico studies and expression analysis of a group of Transfer RNA derived small RNAs (tRFs) in black pepper propose their regulatory role of in plant defence network. We are exploring the role of small RNAs in P. capsici’s pathogenicity especially during quick wilt disease.Identification and analysis of P. capsici small RNAs will increase our understanding of the interaction and co-evolution between pathogen and host and assist in revealing the instrumental role of these sRNAs in stress response. In addition, we are investigating the role of miRNAs in the phenylpropanoid pathway in black pepper for unravelling more information on the regulation of the synthesis of the bioactive principles.
In recent years, medicinally important compounds from plants and other organisms receive much more attention than ever because of its effectiveness and less side effects as compared with chemically synthesised drugs. Many compounds, which are undiscoverable yet, are present in nature, especially in plants. One of the most potential and less explored compound is phenylpropanoids. Type III polyketide synthase is the key enzyme in the production of phenylpropanoids in the phenylpropanoid pathway. So, the molecular characterization of such a key enzyme can be used to enhance the production of such potential chemical candidates. Here, we try to characterize the Type III PKS in various medicinally important plants to enhance the production of corresponding compounds and also try to correlate the enzyme activity to stress conditions, both biotic and abiotic stress conditions, to improve the survivability of such plants in stress conditions.
A database on Polyketide Synthases using structural bioinformatic methods (www.type3pks.in)
Current Research Grants
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2023 2020
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2022 2019
Development of a disease management strategy against Phytophthoracapsiciutilizing an effective bio control agent and green synthesized silver nanoparticles from black pepper.
Department of Science & Technology [DST]
Previous/ Completed Research Grants
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Centre for Excellence in Inclusive Technology Interventions for Tribal Heritage Resilience of Kerala.
Department of Science & Technology [DST] 2019-2021Characterization of key structural genes involved in flavonoid synthesis in Indian Gooseberry, (Emblica officinalis Gaertn)
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment [KSCSTE] 2015-2018Cataloguing of micro RNAs and elucidation of its role in stress adaptation/response in black pepper
Department of Biotechnology [DBT] 2015-2018Identification and functional validation of Type III PKS from A. marmelos involved in anthranilic acid derived alkaloid biosynthesis.
Department of Science & Technology [DST] 2012-2015Evaluation of differentially expressed miRNAs during biotic stress in black pepper.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research [CSIR] 2011-2014A database of Type III Polyketide Synthase protein structures with specific catalytic function utilizing structural bioinformatic methods.
Department of Information Technology, Government of India. 2008-2011Genetic transformation of ginger to improve fungal resistance against Pythium aphanidermatum.
Department of Science & Technology, Government of India 2007-2010Isolation and full length cloning of abiotic stress induced CDPK gene and its promoter.
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment [KSCSTE] 2006-2009Tissue specific expression of antifungal gene in Piper nigrum L.
Department of Biotechnology [DBT] 2005-2008Genetic transformation studies in Piper nigrum L.
Department of Biotechnology [DBT] 2002-2005Expression of Hepatitis B surface antigen in CucumissativusL.
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment [KSCSTE] 2002-2005Improvement of spices crop by biotechnological intervention.
Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (multi institutional)Field evaluation of tissue cultured plants of spices and assessment of their genetic stability using molecular methods.
Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (Collaborative project with IISR) 2000-2003Developmental techniques for the mass multiplication of rare medicinal plants through in vitromethods.
NATP 2001-2004
